How to set up a tp link tl wr720n router: step by step instructions. TP-Link TL-WR720N is an excellent choice for creating a wireless network

Authorization

In order to get into the web interface of the router, you need to open your Internet browser and type 192.168.1.1 in the address bar, Username - admin , Password - admin(provided that the router has factory settings and its IP has not changed).

Changing the factory password

So that no one except you can enter the settings of the router, you need to change the password to enter the settings.

To do this, select on the left in the menu System Tools(System Tools) - Password(Password) and enter the settings:

Old User Name: old username, enter admin Old Password: old password, enter admin New User Name: enter a new username, you can leave admin New Password: enter a new password Confirm New Password: confirm new password

Setting up an Internet connection

In the router interface, go to the tab Network(Net ) , menu WAN(Here you can add, edit and delete connections).

PPPoE connection setup

1. PPPoE / Russia PPPoE
2. User Name
3. Password Confirm Password)
4. Secondary Connection(Auxiliary connection): Disabled(Disabled)
5. WAN Connection Mode(WAN connection mode): Connect Automatically(Auto connect)
6. Save

Configuring L2TP connection

1. WAN Connection Type(WAN Connection Type): Select L2TP / Russia L2TP
2. User Name(Username): your login by agreement
3. Password(Password): your contractual password. In some firmware, a little lower asks to confirm the password ( Confirm Password)
4. We put a point on Dinamic IP
5. Server IP Address / Name- server address or name (specified in the contract)
6. MTU size- change the value to 1450 or less
7. WAN connection mode - Connect Automatically(connect automatically)
8. After entering the above settings, click Save(Save). Internet is configured.

Configuring PPtP (VPN) when automatically obtaining a local IP address (DHCP)

1. In the WAN Connection Type field: select PPTP / Russia PPTP
2. User Name(Username): your login by agreement
3. Password(Password): your contractual password. In some firmware, a little lower asks to confirm the password ( Confirm Password)
4. We choose Dinamic IP address(Dynamic IP address).
5. In field Server IP Address / Name we put the address specified in your contract.
6. WAN Connection Mode(WAN connection mode): Connect Automatically
7. After entering the above settings, click Save(Save). Internet is configured.

Configuring PPtP (VPN) with a static local IP address

1. In the WAN Connection Type field: select PPTP / Russia PPTP
2. User Name(Username): your login by agreement
3. Password(Password): your contractual password. In some firmware, a little lower asks to confirm the password ( Confirm Password)
4. We choose Static IP address(Static IP address).
5. In the fields Server IP Address / Name, IP Address, Subnet mask, Gateway we enter data from the contract. In field DNS can enter DNS your provider's address.
6. WAN Connection Mode(WAN connection mode): Connect Automatically(Automatic connection).
7. After entering the above settings, click Save(Save). Internet is configured.

NAT when automatically obtaining an IP address (DHCP)

1. In the WAN Connection Type field: select Dinamic IP(Dynamic IP)
2. Push Save(Save). Internet is configured.

Setting up Wi-Fi on the router

We set up a Wi-Fi connection. Go to Wireless in the side menu. In the window that opens, enter the following settings:

1. SSID1 the name of your wireless network.
2. Region(Region): You can put Russia, or you can choose nothing. This is not critical.

We configure Wi-Fi encryption. In the side menu, go to Wireless Security:

1. At the very bottom, select the type of encryption WPA-PSK / WPA2-PSK
2. PSK Password(PSK password): enter the password for the Wi-Fi network. Password must be at least 8 characters
3. Click the button below Save(Save). After saving the settings, you will be prompted to reboot the router, ignore this requirement (red inscription at the bottom).

Port forwarding / forwarding

This function automatically redirects requests for certain services from the Internet to the appropriate host on your local network, located behind the router's firewall. You should use this function if you want to create a server in the local network behind the router's firewall (for example, a Web server or a mail server). Go to Advanced Settings - Forwarding.

IP address- the network address of the device to which the request will be redirected Servise Port- port number to be opened Protocol- Select the required protocol Status- Enable Click Save.

Wireless internet has long been the default setting in any apartment. Already you will surprise no one with the presence of a Wi-Fi router, even the most unusual one that large companies like Apple or Google are trying to present. Despite the abundance of attractive solutions in this market, the most popular to this day are unremarkable and affordable gadgets from companies that have long established themselves. One of such simple solutions is the hero of this review - TP-LINK TL-WR720N - a typical router of the basic series, capable of providing a stable connection and fast Internet access in a small apartment or even a large country house, thanks to WDS technology. Let's talk about this and other features of the router in more detail.

Main features of the router, declared by the manufacturer

The TP TL-WR720N router, like other devices in this price category, operates at 802.11 b / n / g frequencies. Option N operates at speeds up to 150 Mb / s. The router supports four different network names (SSIDs). Using this function, you can organize additional Wi-Fi networks for friends or guests, setting access restrictions, speed limits, issue your passwords, and so on. The router supports 64/128/152-bit WEP / WPA2 encryption to ensure maximum security and exclude possible home or public network breaches. To avoid conflicts between channels, a mechanism called CCA works, which evaluates their availability in real time, thereby increasing the speed of the Internet. In automatic mode, data is evenly distributed between applications. When using multiple routers, you can activate WDS mode at once, thus expanding the space covered by one network. TP TL-WR720N can act as the main router (connected to the cable), and as a continuation of the "chain". Among other things, the user can independently configure the bandwidth for each IP address. This is necessary when several computers work in the same network at once. The network administrator has the right to set "parental control" and set restrictions on the resources visited at the router level. This option is useful both on a regular home network to deny children access to prohibited content, and on a corporate network to restrict access to entertainment content and social networks. In the web interface of the router, you can view statistics on wireless connections.

Equipment

Complete with the gadget you can find:

• Power supply and cable for connecting to the mains.
• CD with installation software and instructions on how to set up TL-WR720N.
• Standard Ethernet cable.
• Printed Quick Setup Guide.

Device design

The external design of the gadget does not differ much from that in other models of the series. The router is compact and fits easily in the palm of your hand. The device is made of white matte plastic. Due to its dimensions and pleasant appearance, TL-WR720N will perfectly fit into any room and will not look like a black sheep. The only thing that confuses the design of the device is the presence of a dedicated antenna, while in other devices of the series it is hidden in the case. Not too aesthetically pleasing, but it will certainly have a positive effect on the quality of the transmitted signal.

On the front panel of the device there are indicators of Wi-Fi connection, availability of connected LAN ports and a power indicator. On the bottom there are four holes for attaching the router to a wall or ceiling and a sticker with basic information about the router. At the back, we managed to find a reset button and WDS connection, a socket for connecting to the mains, two LAN ports and one WAN port.

First connection

Setting up the TL-WR720N router shouldn't take much time, as the bundled CD with specialized software will help you. For the first connection, it is enough to connect the computer and the router using an Ethernet cable, select the type of connection and, if necessary, the type of encryption. After the performed procedure, the gadget will be ready for use.

How to set up the TL-WR720N router?

As in many other "old school" routers, fine tuning can be done through the web interface by going to 192.168.1.1 (no spaces). Before configuring TP-LINK TL-WR720N, you need to log in.

• On the main page, in the "Username" field, specify: admin.
• In the "Password" field, specify: admin (provided that the factory settings are used and the IP address has not been changed).

After that, the data must be changed. In the System Tools field, you can override the New User Name and New Password fields.

To set up an Internet connection, you need to go to the WAN submenu. Further, if you are using a wired PPPoE connection, you need to do the following:

• In the field that indicates the type of network (WAN Connection type), select PPPoE.
• Enter the name (login) specified in the contract.
• In the field where the secondary connection is indicated, select the disabled option.
• Then we save the selected settings.

If you are using a wired connection using the L2tP protocol, you must do the following:

• In the field that indicates the type of network (WAN Connection type), select L2tP.
• Enter the name (login) specified in the contract.
• The password specified in the contract (you may have to enter it twice).
• Check the box Dynamic IP.
• Enter the Server IP Address / Name specified in the contract.
• Change MTU Size to 1450 or less.
• In the last field (WAN mode) set the Connect automatically option.

If you are using a wired connection using the NAT protocol, it is enough to select Dynamic IP in the field that indicates the type of network (WAN Connection type).

Wi-Fi setup

After the router has been connected to the Internet, you need to take care that the router is already distributing the network. To do this, you should:

• Select Wireless from the side menu of the web interface.
• Find the SSID1 field (this will be the main network) and enter a name (any).
• In the Region field, you can specify any region or leave it unchanged.
• Here you can also specify the operating mode or enable WDS.
• Next, open the Wireless Security submenu.
• We choose any type of encryption, but it is better to opt for WPA-2, as it is a more secure option. WPA-2 can be neglected if this type of encryption negatively affects the connection speed.
• Then we enter the password to connect and save the settings.

Port forwarding (forwarding)

This function provides a special mechanism for automatically redirecting a request from the external network to one of the hosts on your local network running behind the router's firewall. This option can come in handy if you plan to deploy your own mail or web server. The function is often used to create game servers or stabilize the operation of torrent trackers, since both require opening specialized ports that are blocked by a router.

To enable the option, you must:

• Go to Advanced Settings - Forwarding.
• Specify the port number to be opened / forwarded in the Service Port field.
• Specify the IP address of the device to which the port will be forwarded.
• Select the protocol and change the status to open (Enable).

Test results

In an independent test, in a city apartment, the gadget showed very high speed indicators. The network provider to which the TL-WR720N was connected during the test promises a connection speed of 100 Mb / s. As a result, the Speedtest service showed 94.86 Mb / s when downloading and 95.28 Mb / s when downloading. That is, in fact, the connection speed is limited only by the bandwidth of the channel and the router software.

Outcomes

Despite the fact that during TP-LINK's work and testing, the TL-WR720N sometimes acted capriciously: it hung and behaved a little unpredictably (unfinished software affects), there was much more positive in it. The router works pretty fast, rarely loses connection or slows down in speed. Looks pretty cute, can be easily wall-mounted and doesn't take up much space. For a home network, the TL-WR720N is almost ideal, because the gadget costs only $ 16, but it is hardly suitable for deploying a network in an office, since it is equipped with only two LAN ports. On the other hand, you can acquire a couple of such devices and install a WDS bridge between them, thereby solving the problem with a small number of ports. It all ultimately depends on the end user.

Now the gadget can be purchased at a price of 899 rubles.

Specifications Tp-Link WR720N:

• data transfer rate via Wi-Fi up to 150 Mbps;
• 2 LAN ports;
• internal antenna;
• support for broadcasting up to 4 wireless networks with different network names (SSID) and passwords for guests or friends;
• 64/128/152-bit WEP support, 128 bit WPA (TKIP / AES) compliant, MIC, IV Expansion, Shared Key Authentication, IEEE 802.1X support;
• Built-in firewall with IP, MAC and URL filtering allows flexible access control based on the schedule;
• built-in DHCP server with automatic dynamic IP address allocation;
• IGMP Proxy / Snooping support for IPTV multicast applications;
• IpTV support;
• the possibility of installation on a vertical (wall) or horizontal surface (table).

In this article, I will describe step by step how to configure the following functions / capabilities of the router:

1 Updating the router firmware;

2 Setting up the Internet;

3 Setting up a Wi-Fi network;

4 Changing the password for connecting to the web interface.

Before you start configuring the router, on your computer / laptop, configure automatic retrieval of network settings .

TP-Link WR720N firmware update.

The first thing to do right after purchasing a router is to update the firmware, as updating it will make the router more stable and secure. To do this, you need to go to its web interface, in order to do this, connect one end of the network cable (it is included) to a computer / laptop, the second to any LAN port of the router (they are yellow). Connect the power supply to the router. Open any browser on your computer (IE, Chrome, Firefox, Opera), enter the IP address of the router in the address bar 192.168.0.1 A window for entering login and password will open enter login- admin password- admin.

In the web interface window, in the Firmware version line, you will see the firmware version, go to the official website Tp-Link and download the latest firmware (if any).

In this example, the old firmware version is installed and it needs to be updated, for this, download and unzip the downloaded archive. After that, on the web interface go to the tab "System Tools" - "Firmware Update", click "Overview"... select the file with the update (extension .bin) and click the " Refresh".

Attention!!! During the firmware update, do not turn off the computer and the router, this may damage the router.

To the question " Update the firmware?"answer" OK".

When updating the firmware, the router will reboot, after downloading it, you will see the updated firmware version.

Configuring the Internet on TP-Link TL-WR720N.

In order to configure the Internet on the router, you need to connect the provider's network cable to the WAN port of TP-Link TL-WR720N (it is blue). After that, having connected to the web interface, go to the menu "Network" - "WAN".

Next, you need to specify your connection type in the WAN connection type line. You can check this information with your provider. Then, depending on the type of connection, enter your username and password (if required), click the " Save"and restart the router.

Setting up a Wi-Fi wireless network on TP-Link WR720N.

In order to set up a Wi-Fi network, you need to go to the menu in the router's web interface "Wireless Mode" - "Wireless Mode Setting"... If necessary, enable additional SSIDs (SSID is the name of the Wi-Fi network, up to 4 are available in this router). For this example, I'll limit myself to one Wi-Fi network, so I'll just change the Wi-Fi network name to site... For a more stable Wi-Fi network, I recommend defining a freer channel and selecting it in the settings, for more details on how to do this, read the article How to select / change the wireless channel on the router / router ... Then press the button " Save"and restart your router.

After that, you need to specify a password to connect to the Wi-Fi network. To do this, go "Wireless" - "Wireless Security"... For a safer Wi-Fi use, I recommend using the encryption type " WPA-PSK / WPA2-PSK", enter the password in the PSK Password field. I recommend using a complex password consisting of numbers, letters and special characters ( [email protected]#$)

Changing the password for logging into the TP-Link TL-WR720N web interface.

To improve security, you need to change the password for logging into the TP-Link TL-WR720N web interface. To do this, on the web interface of the router, go to "System Tools" - "Password", enter the old username and password (username- admin, password- admin) and below the new username and password.

The review, characteristics, description and reviews of the owners in this article will touch upon one very interesting product on the market of inexpensive routers for home use - the TL-WR720N device from the manufacturer TP-LINK. The network equipment attracts potential buyers primarily by its price. Indeed, as practice shows, it is the low cost (up to 1000 rubles) that is the main criterion when choosing equipment in the computer market.

Standard set

The TP-LINK TL-WR720N device does not differ in configuration from its more expensive counterparts in the network equipment market. And this is the advantage of such an inexpensive router. The cardboard box with a glossy finish is made in the corporate white and green colors. Its content includes all the necessary components for connecting and putting into operation network equipment - a router, a power supply unit, a patch cord, instructions and software disks.

On the device itself, the user will find an external antenna, which, for some unknown reason, the manufacturer has made non-removable. The accessory for signal amplification is present in a single version and looks somehow inferior against the general background of the router itself.

Declared technical characteristics

First of all, the TL-WR720N router attracts the ability to create four independent wireless Wi-Fi networks (SSID) with their own names, passwords and settings. Basically, you can create four hotspots, for example, for personal use, guests, neighbors and home equipment. Such functionality is inherent in expensive Cisco equipment, which is used in the corporate segment, and therefore it is this characteristic that attracts many buyers who are versed in network equipment.

Wireless security is implemented with support for all existing connections with 64, 128 and 152 bit keys. Also, users will like the presence of all types of connections (dynamics, statics, PPPoE, PPTP, L2TP, BigPond). At the hardware level, the device has a Firewall, protection against DoS attacks, a filter of incoming and outgoing traffic.

Disadvantages of the device

Oddly enough, the TL-WR720N router also has a number of drawbacks, which many owners pay attention to in their reviews. Unlike other inexpensive network devices, the router has only two LAN ports for wired connection of two PCs (instead of four). The second misunderstanding is the operating frequency range: 2.4-2.4835 GHz. If we were talking about organizing one wireless network, there would be no questions. In this case, the manufacturer provides the ability to work with four SSIDs simultaneously.

There are also questions about the WPS button - fast connection to a wireless network without entering a security password. Implemented a one-button function with device reboot. As a result, instead of connecting to the smartphone's router via Wi-Fi, you can easily reset the router. Many users do not like the cooling system either. Once again, TP-LINK technologists installed a radiator grill on the bottom of the case, limiting decent heat dissipation from heating elements.

Connection and management

Before configuring the TL-WR720N, the owner is asked in the instructions to connect the wireless router to the computer using a patchcord cable. Step-by-step actions, accompanied by colored pictures, will not allow the user to do something wrong. Everything is described in detail in an accessible language and this really pleases many people who are poorly versed in network equipment.

The convenience does not end there, because, getting into the control panel of the router, the user is immediately prompted to select the interface languages, among which there is Russian. True, for further configuration, you still have to spend time studying the instructions, since even the quick setup wizard asks too many complex questions that even an IT specialist cannot always quickly answer.

Building a fortress

Many owners of a wireless device in their reviews note that the configuration for the TL-WR720N router is more like a constructor, in which the user, with the help of detailed instructions, is asked to create his own wireless fortress. Many menu items, a detailed description of the functionality, examples of settings and results. In all this, of course, a beginner can get confused, but, on the other hand, many buyers, on the contrary, dream of creating a private wireless network for themselves and enjoying its safe operation.

An Internet service provider can also help build the fortress. The fact is that on the website of the service provider you can find specialized firmware for this router and, by installing it, get automatically ready-made settings for free. However, in this version, the names of networks and passwords are embarrassing - after all, they will be identical for all firmware, and therefore for millions of users.

How different they are

While testing the TL-WR720N router in working with a wired and wireless communication channel, experts discovered another oddity. Devices connected via a LAN cable worked both with each other and with Internet resources with minimal loss of quality (less than 1%, which is acceptable for all budget devices). But as soon as we moved on to review the operation of the wireless interface, the negative was immediately revealed. The manufacturer failed to achieve the declared speed of 150 Mb / s by any device. The maximum that we managed to "squeeze" out of the Wi-Fi network within the line of sight is 105 Mb / s.

There are also questions about IPTV. In the presence of a set-top box for a TV and a wired channel (using a UTP-6 cable), it was not possible to achieve a stable signal without loss. The TL-WR720N router simply overheats and freezes. The problem can be solved only after installing an active cooling system under the bottom of the router. Considering the cost of the cooler, many buyers question the advisability of purchasing such an unstable device.

General impressions

Judging by the reviews of the owners, they still like the TP-LINK TL-WR720N network equipment, despite some problems with Wi-Fi and digital TV connection. First, the low cost, small size and light weight attract the attention of potential users. The exquisite appearance and light indication of the panel also did not go unnoticed. The antenna proved to be excellent in operation. Even if it is not removable, but by changing the angle of inclination, you can achieve good results while improving the signal transmission through several walls.

Only a few users paid attention to the lack of a USB port in the device case. Wired drives and printers are going out of fashion - replaced by wireless technologies, so no one cares about the technology of the last century. True, the transition of technology to a new level affected the production of low-quality power supplies for the router. More than 5% of reviews claim that PSUs overheat and burn out as a result of continuous use for more than one year.

Finally

The TL-WR720N wireless device can hardly be classified as the golden mean in terms of price-quality criterion. Here the buyer will have to give in to something. Either in price, or in full functionality. If working at home does not involve using IPTV and downloading torrent files, then the device will be the best buy, because the rest of the functionality meets all the requirements of buyers. But the rest need to take a closer look at routers in the expensive segment.

A wireless router is shamelessly utilitarian and therefore boring. However, it is not so easy to understand their diversity, especially in the budget segment. Today we will consider a very simple (one might even say - minimalistic) TP-LINK TL-WR720N router.

Getting to know the router

TP-LINK TL-WR720N has a minimalistic package: along with it, the buyer will receive only a power supply, a short patch cord, a short instruction manual and a disc with proprietary software.

The router itself has a very nice appearance. The fact that it lacks an external antenna adds to its attractiveness.

The set of ports for TP-LINK TL-WR720N is minimal: one WAN port and two LAN ports (all 100 Mbit).

Below, as expected, there is nothing but ventilation holes and a sticker with information about the device. Pay attention to the hinges for mounting the router on the wall.

Installation and configuration

Time passes, but some things remain the same. The web interface of TP-LINK routers is one of them. It looks rather archaic, but it provides all the features typical of modern routers, including rich security settings, the ability to create several SSIDs, different Internet connection protocols (PPTP, L2TP, static and dynamic IP), etc. When you turn on the router for the first time, you need to enter the administrative interface at 192.168.0.1 with the username and password admin / admin, after which the quick setup wizard will start, which allows you to configure the basic parameters and connect to the Internet in just 5 minutes.

Speed

TP-LINK TL-WR720N is an entry-level router, so you shouldn't expect much from it initially. It only supports one spatial stream, so the theoretical maximum throughput is limited to 150 Mbps when connected using 802.11n. However, it should be understood that in the heavily cluttered 2.4 GHz frequency range, such a speed is, in principle, unattainable. In my case, the maximum that I have been able to achieve is a connection at a speed of 72 Mbit / s and a data transfer rate of 4 MB / s (32 Mbit / s). It is worth noting the excellent stability of the router, which successfully withstood the torture of a large number of downloads via the BitTorrent protocol.

In the dry residue

TP-LINK TL-WR720N is an extremely inexpensive (about $ 23) router that has a nice appearance and good stability. It is not intended for geeks and those who need maximum bandwidth, but for ordinary people who need a simple and reliable router to connect a laptop, tablet or smartphone to the Internet.

3 reasons to buy TP-LINK TL-WR720N:

• low price;
• stable work;
• attractive appearance.

1 reason not to buy TP-LINK TL-WR720N:

• low data transfer rate.