Today we will be setting up two powerful routers from TP-LINK. I will show the setup process using the TP-LINK Archer C8 as an example. But, since the Archer C8 and Archer C9 models are almost the same, the instruction will be the same. They are the same outwardly and have the same new control panel. No longer green, as we used to see on TP-LINK routers, but new, modern, in blue tones. And this will be the first instruction on this site for setting up a TP-LINK Wi-Fi router with a new control panel.
I will write about the TP-LINK Archer C8 router itself, and the new settings page in a separate article. Let's review this router briefly, and as usual, I'll write my own review. As for TP-LINK Archer C9, it is slightly more expensive and more powerful. There are no special differences in it. Both routers are powerful, of course dual-band, provide a very good range of Wi-Fi coverage, and have a set of modern functions. Plus, they look really cool.
I am glad that TP-LINK has finally made a new web interface for its routers, albeit so far only for flagships. The new control panel is very easy to figure out. But, unfortunately, on TP-LINK Archer C8, which I have, there is no Russian language in the settings. And for TP-LINK Archer C9, in the hardware version of V3, you can already choose Russian. There is a multilingual web interface. I will take screenshots of the English version, and I will also write the names of the items in Russian.
We will configure it according to the standard scheme:
- Installation and connection of TP-LINK Archer C8 (C8) router.
- Configuring your router using the Quick Setup Wizard. Setting up the Internet, Wi-Fi network and password.
- Change the most necessary parameters through advanced settings.
- Change the password to protect the control panel.
If you have a stationary computer or laptop, then I advise you to configure the router from it. If you only have a smartphone or tablet, then you can also configure it from them. This can be done through a browser, in the usual way, or using the proprietary TP-LINK Tether program.
Connecting a TP-LINK Archer C8 (C9) router
We take our router, fasten the antennas to it. Next, we plug in the power adapter and plug it into a power outlet. If the indicators on the front panel do not light up, then the power is turned off by the button on the back of the router.
We take the network cable that comes with the kit and connect the computer to the router. On the router, we connect the cable to the LAN (Ethernet) connector (it is yellow), and on the computer to the network card. If you want to configure via Wi-Fi, then it is enough to connect to the Wi-Fi network of the router, which will appear immediately after turning on the power. The default Wi-Fi password is indicated on the back of the router, on a sticker (Wireless Password / PIN). Also, the SSID (factory name of the Wi-Fi network) will be indicated there.
Next, you need to connect the Internet to the router. We connect the cable from the Internet provider, or from the modem to the WAN connector (Internet). It's blue.
As a result, the device from which we will configure must be connected to the router via cable, or via Wi-Fi.
If the router is not newthen I would advise you to reset the TP-LINK Archer C8 (C9). So that the old parameters do not interfere with us. To do this, with the router turned on for 5 seconds, you need to hold down the button Reset / WPS (above in the photo, you can see this button). Press, hold, and look at the indicators on the front panel. The power indicator will start flashing, then all indicators will go out and the router will reboot. And the settings will be reset to factory defaults.
Quick setup of TP-LINK Archer C8 and Archer C9 router
Depending on the Internet provider and the connection method, immediately after connecting the router, it can already distribute the Internet. Usually, there is a connection, but no Internet access. This is normal, the router has not been configured yet. In any case, you need to go to the settings and configure the router to work with the provider, Wi-Fi network, set a password, etc.
To enter the settings of the Archer C8 router, just open any browser and go to the addresstplinklogin.net, or 192.168.0.1. Next, the authorization page will appear, on which we indicate the username, password (factory, admin and admin), and click on the button "Login"... The address for entering the settings, username and login are indicated on the back of the router. If you cannot enter the settings, then you can see the solutions in this article.
The quick setup wizard will open immediately. What we need. With its help, you can very simply and quickly configure the router.
In the first window, we need to specify the region, and the time zone (or, only the time zone). Nothing special. Specify and click the "Next" button.
The next page is very important. You need to specify the type of connection, and, if necessary, set the parameters for connecting to the Internet provider. If this is done incorrectly, then the Internet will not work.
If you know what type of connection your Internet provider uses (Dynamic IP, Static IP, PPPoE, L2TP, PPTP), then select it and click "Next". Or click on the "Auto Detect" button, and the router itself will try to determine the type of connection. For example, I have a Dynamic IP.
If you also have a Dynamic IP, then the router will ask you if the provider makes a binding by MAC address. If not, then leave the item "No, I do not need to clone MAC address", and proceed to setting up Wi-Fi. If there is a binding, then select "Yes, I want to use the main computer's MAC address". And the router clones the MAC address of the computer from which you are currently configuring it. Nowadays, few providers use MAC binding, but there are some.
With dynamic IP, everything is clear. But, let's go back a bit and figure out how to configure PPPoE, L2TP, PPTP.
Configuring PPPoE, L2TP, PPTP connection on TP-LINK Archer C8 (C9)
We select the appropriate type of connection, and click the "Next" button.
If you have PPPoE (TTK, Rostelecom, Dom.ru), then a window will appear asking for your username and password. Your ISP issues them. We indicate them, and click "Next". The Wi-Fi network settings will appear.
L2TP and PPTP (for example, the Beeline provider). Having chosen one of these types of connection, in addition to the username and password, most likely you will also need to set static IP and DNS, and the server name.
The next item is Wireless Settings.
Setting up Wi-Fi and password on TP-LINK Archer C8
In the quick setup wizard, we only need to specify a name for Wi-Fi networks, and a password. Since the router is dual-band, each network is configured separately. You can turn off one of the wireless networks, leaving only 2.4GHz, or 5GHz.
Set the SSID (network name), the password that will be used to protect your Wi-Fi network, and click on the "Next" button.
You can change these settings at any time under the "Basic" - "Wireless" tab.
In the next window of the setup wizard, we will see all the specified parameters, click "Save". We see the message that everything is ready, and click on the "Finish" button.
That's all, the network map will open. You can connect your devices and use the Internet. To connect via Wi-Fi, use the password that you specified during the setup process.
Manual configuration of the required parameters
In the control panel, you can go to the "Basic" or "Advanced" section, and you will have access to the advanced settings of the router. For example, set up a Wi-Fi network on the "Basic" - "Wireless" tab. Or, set the parameters for the drive that is connected to the USB port of the router.
And if you need to change broader parameters, I would even say professional, for example, Wi-Fi network channel, operating mode, then open the parameters on the "Advanced" tab. This is how this section with additional settings looks on TP-LINK Archer C9:
The settings are very different there: local network, Wi-Fi, USB settings, parental control, protection, etc.
Protecting the web interface of the TP-LINK Archer router
To enter the router settings, you need to enter a username and password. We already know that the factory admin and admin. So, it's better to change the password. To do this, go to the "Advanced" section, and on the left, select System Tools - "Password" (Administration, in Russian).
First, we register the name and password that are currently set, then we set a new username and two times the password. Click "Save".
Just write down the password you are setting somewhere. If you forget it, you will have to do a factory reset. TP-LINK Archer C9 has a lot more settings in this tab. There is even a password recovery function via mail, control panel access for specific devices, and even remote control of router settings. I think in the next hardware version (or firmware), such functions will appear on the Archer C8 as well.
By the way, I have already written the instructions for updating the firmware on TP-LINK Archer C8.
Afterword
I set up my TP-LINK Archer C8 in about three minutes. Everything is very simple and straightforward. The most popular error that can be encountered in the process of configuring any router is when the Internet does not work after configuration. There is Wi-Fi, but the Internet does not work. To solve this problem, I wrote a separate article.
If you have any problems during the setup process, then describe them in the comments, we will figure it out. Well, leave your feedback and impressions of these routers in the comments, it will be interesting to read.
