In this tutorial, we will configure two routers at once: TP-LINK TL-WR1045ND and TP-LINK TL-WR1043ND. I have a TL-WR1045ND model, I have been using this router for about a week now, and I decided to prepare detailed instructions for connecting and configuring it.
But, since the TL-WR1043ND and TL-WR1045ND models practically do not differ in anything, I decided to make the instructions for two routers at once. Outwardly, these routers are completely the same, the control panel is also the same. It's just that the TP-LINK TL-WR1045ND is a little newer, more expensive and better in terms of performance.
Also, it supports 3G modems compared to TL-WR1043ND. For some reason, most online stores do not indicate that this router can distribute the Internet from 3G USB modems. But, on the official website, this information is. I decided to check, did a factory reset, and just plugged my Huawei EC 306-2 modem into a USB port, and the Internet started working right away. Didn't set up anything at all. If you plan to configure TP-LINK TL-WR1045ND to work with a 3G modem, then you can also see the article: how to connect a 3G / 4G USB modem to a TP-LINK Wi-Fi router.
In most cases, these two routers are bought to connect to the wired Internet. Therefore, we will consider setting up a connection to a provider, set up a Wi-Fi network, set a password, protect router settings, and, if necessary, perform IPTV settings. These are the most necessary settings, which are almost always enough, and after which, you can easily use the Internet via a Wi-Fi router.
I will show you how to configure your router through a browser. If you want to use the utility that comes on the disk with the router for configuration, then you can perform the configuration according to this instruction: quick configuration of the TP-LINK router through the Easy Setup Assistant utility (from the disk).
How to connect TP-LINK TL-WR1045ND (TL-WR1043ND) and go to settings?
Connecting is very simple. First, screw on the three antennas. Then, plug in the power supply and plug it into a power outlet. If the power indicators do not light up, turn on the power with the button on the rear panel.
Then, using the cable that comes with the kit, connect the router to the computer. On the router, we connect the cable to the yellow LAN connector, and on the computer to the network card. Then, in the WAN connector of the router, connect the cable from the provider, or from the modem.
If it is not possible to connect via cable, then you can connect to the Wi-Fi network of the router and configure it wirelessly. The factory name of the network and the password for connection (PIN) are indicated on the sticker on the bottom of the router. The address, factory password and username are also indicated there, by which you can enter the settings of the TP-LINK TL-WR1045ND router.
We open any browser and go to the addresstplinkwifi.net (IP address 192.168.0.1 also works). Enter the username and password, and you will get to the router's web interface.
If you cannot enter the settings, have already tried to configure your router, or it was previously configured for another provider, then it is advisable to reset the settings to the factory settings so that the old settings do not interfere with us. To do this, press and hold the "WPS / Reset" button for 10 seconds.
All indicators on the front panel will light up and the router will reboot.
If you still can't go into the settings, then see the article: what to do if you don't go into the router's settings for 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1.
Internet connection setup (Dynamic IP, PPPoE, L2TP)
These are the most important settings. You need to find out what type of internet connection your ISP is using. Do know all the necessary data for the connection, if necessary. Most likely you have a Dynamic IP, PPPoE, PPTP, or L2TP. You need to set these parameters on the "Network" - "WAN" tab.
Depending on your connection, open the desired spoiler and see the setup instructions.
Dynamic IP
This is the simplest type of connection to configure. Select it in the drop-down menu "WAN Connection Type", and click on the "Save" button.
The same type of connection must be selected if you connected the router to a modem.
Some providers, until now, bind by MAC address. If you have such a provider, then see this article. There I showed how to clone a MAC address using TP-LINK as an example.
Immediately after saving the settings, the Internet through the router should already work.
PPPoE setup on TP-LINK TL-WR1045ND
Select the type of PPPoE connection, set the username and password (which are issued by the provider), then check if the automatic connection is set, click on the "Connect" button, and if the connection with the provider is established, save the settings.
Configuring L2TP and PPTP connection
Here everything is the same as in the case of PPPoE. Select your L2TP, or PPTP connection from the drop-down menu. We specify the username, password, and IP address (server name). We set up an automatic connection, and try to establish a connection with the provider. If there is a connection and the Internet is working, save the settings.
If the Internet is already working through the router, then you can continue the configuration. But, most importantly, we have already done. If you had a high-speed connection on your computer before installing the router, then you no longer need it. It does not need to be started and can be removed. The router will establish this connection by itself, we just configured it.
Setting up Wi-Fi and setting a password on TP-LINK TL-WR1045ND and TP-LINK TL-WR1043ND
Click on the Wireless tab. Here you need to change the name of the Wi-Fi network (SSID), and specify the region. To save the settings, click on the "Save" button.
Setting a password for a Wi-Fi network
Click on the Wireless Security tab. Highlight item "WPA / WPA2 - Personal (Recommended)", set the version and encryption parameters as in the screenshot below, and in the "PSK Password" field, create and write down a password that will be used to protect your Wi-Fi network. Password must be at least 8 characters.
Remember to save your settings. And you need to restart the router. This can be done from the control panel, on the "System Tools" - "Reboot" tab, by clicking on the "Reboot" button.
After rebooting, the router will broadcast the wireless network with the new name that you specified in the settings. To connect, you need to use the set password.
Password change admin. Protecting Router Settings
When entering the web-based interface of the router, we specify the password and username. Factory admin and admin. So, it is better to change this password so that no one can access the settings.
This can be done on the "System Tools" - "Password" tab.
First, we specify a valid username and password, and then come up with a new password. You can leave the username admin.
Setting up IPTV on TL-WR1045ND and TL-WR1043ND routers
If your provider offers IPTV services, you can configure it on the "Network" - "IPTV" tab.
It is enough to select the operating mode. If you have a set-top box, then select "Bridge", specify the LAN port, save the settings and connect the STB-set-top box to the selected LAN port.
If you need to broadcast IPTV over Wi-Fi and cable, for example, for viewing on a computer or tablet, then select 802.1Q Tag VLAN, and enable IGMP Proxy.
