An entry-level router with affordable price and excellent technical characteristics is the TP-Link TL-WR940N 450M. Reviews about this router, its strengths and significant shortcomings, the setup procedure and the main characteristics will be discussed in detail later. This is a great solution for implementing small computing networks in offices or at home.
Positioning
The modest cost and reduced technical specifications initially classify the TP-Link TL-WR940N 450M as one of the most affordable network routers. An additional argument in this positioning of the router in question is support for the wireless standard for transmitting 802.1n information and data and the absence of an 802.1ac transmitter. Also, this router does not have a USB port, with which it was possible to assign the functions of the print server to it or to implement a backup connection to the World Wide Web. The number of antennas in this case is three. The budget affiliation of such a solution is indicated by the fact that the antennas are not removable. The result is an excellent entry-level network solution. It should also be noted that this model was first launched on the market in 2011. Then it was updated in 2013. The last time her hardware was replaced in 2015. It is about this modification of the device that will be discussed later, and only now it can be found on sale. Such a long presence on the market of network devices indicates the particular success of this network device.
Equipment
Familiar and standard equipment for this network device TP-Link TL-WR940N RU 450M. Reviews at the same time indicate its sufficient nature. One of the leading manufacturers of network equipment included the following:
- A router that is equipped with three fixed antennas.
- One twisted pair, which is crimped immediately from two sides. It is used, as a rule, in the process of configuring a network solution. Its length is 1 meter.
- Disk with documentation in electronic format and with application software.
- External power supply with a cord and plug for connecting to a router.
- Warranty card, the validity of which from the date of sale is 1 year.
- Paper duplicated user manual.
Key Network Features
TP-Link TL-WR940N 450M boasts advanced technical specifications against the background of similar budget devices for creating a local network . Reviews in this case focus on the presence of 3 antennas. This allows the mode of peak transmission to rely on the owner for the speed of receiving or sending data of the order of 300 Mbit / s. Again, this is only when connecting a single device to Wi-Fi. If there are more, then the speed will decrease. Also, the presence of three antennas allows you to increase the radius of the wireless LAN segment up to 15 meters. The device in question is equipped with one input port with the designation WAN. Along the perimeter it is highlighted in blue. Also, the router has 4 wired ports labeled LAN 1 - LAN 4. All of these 5 connectors are RJ-45 format ports. The highest value of the information transfer rate in this case is 100 Mbit / s.
Commutation. Indication
To carry out switching with the wireless part of the network, the TP-Link TL-WR940N 450M WiFi router , as already noted, is equipped with 3 fixed antennas. To implement the wired part of the computer network, this solution is equipped with four LAN ports. Another port labeled WAN is for exchanging information or data with the World Wide Web. To provide power, this router has one round socket, to which the plug of the power supply is connected. On the top cover of the router, 8 LEDs are displayed. The first of them indicates the presence of food. The second is an indication of Wi-Fi. The third through sixth LEDs are tied to the corresponding ports of the router, starting from the first and ending with the fourth, and show their operation. The next indicator is the availability of an Internet connection. And the last, eighth LED is the search for new devices over Wi-Fi using WPS technology.
The procedure for choosing the installation location of the network solution
It is important to choose the right place to install TP-Link TL-WR940N 450M. Reviews only confirm this. But this nuance is important not only for such a router, but also for any other. To begin with, it should be noted that in this case there is no attachment to a vertical surface. That is, the router can only be installed on a horizontal surface. In the place of its installation, there should be one free outlet, with the help of which the power supply of the network node will be performed. Also, the input cable should reach this place without any problems. Another important requirement is the lack of metal surfaces near the router. If this condition is not met, then the range of the wireless network segment will decrease significantly.
Setup and Connection Procedure
The TP-Link TL-WR940N 450M Router is connected and configured as follows:
- We install the router in a pre-selected place that meets the previously advanced requirements.
- We carry out all the necessary wired connections. These include the input cable and the power supply cord. If any device is connected using twisted pair, then we connect it. One connection using the latter at the setup stage is necessary, and it is temporary. And it should be a computer or laptop. After completing this operation, it can be removed.
- Turn on the router and the computer. After completing the process of loading the latter, run the CD on it. Then we initialize the automatic configuration procedure and in the list of providers we select the one whose services we use. We also set the network name and password for accessing it. We save the changes and wait for the end of the router reboot process.
- If necessary, on the switched off equipment, dismantle the temporary connection.
Testing Settings
After the configuration of the router is completed, it is necessary to verify its proper functioning. To do this, you must first start a wireless connection on any device (do not forget to choose the right network and enter a password to access it) and, after establishing a connection, launch a browser. Next, go to any Internet resource. If everything is done correctly, then after that its start page will appear. Otherwise, we search for the cause of the malfunction and eliminate it. At the final stage, it is recommended to do the same, but already using twisted pair.
Cost
The key advantage of the network node considered in this article is the price of the TP-Link TL-WR940N 450M router. Reviews refer to its main advantages. To date, the third modification of this network product can be purchased for 1200-1300 rubles. Taking into account everything previously stated and due to the absence of serious shortcomings, it can be noted that this approach to pricing in this case is quite justified.
Reviews Advantages and main disadvantages
There are certain disadvantages in the TP-Link TL-WR940N 450M router. Reviews focus on the following:
- Lack of mounting system on a vertical surface. But there is always the opportunity to purchase a miniature shelf additionally and thereby solve the problem of installing a router.
- Fixed antennas. If necessary, you can buy a more expensive model of the router WR941N. In this case, the antennas are already removable, and the price difference is 200-300 rubles.
- Lack of support for 802.11ac standard. But such a transmitter is installed only in the most expensive network nodes. At the same time, the standard itself has not yet received wide distribution, and the router in question appeared on sale in 2015. At that time, this standard was still at the development stage, and there was no question of its availability.
- The lack of a USB port. Again, due to the budget of the product in question, nothing more can be expected from it.
Now we move on to the pluses of the device, which include the following:
- The presence of three antennas at once allows you to increase the speed of the wireless network and expands its range.
- A simple and intuitive tuning algorithm, which boils down to a minimal set of actions.
- An expanded set of software options, which include a built-in firewall, WPS and a virtual server. All this allows you to maximize the functionality of this device and provides the highest possible level of security to date.
- Low cost.
Summary
The perfect balance of performance and cost makes TP-Link TL-WR940N 450M one of the best networking solutions . Reviews confirm all this. Most often, such a router is used at home or in a small office. It is for such an application that it is most optimally and suitable.