In this manual, I will tell you, and with an example, I will show you how to configure the TP-LINK TL-WPA4220KIT PowerLine adapter kit. The kit includes two adapters: TL-PA4010, and TL-WPA4220. Now we will take a closer look at how to connect, connect, configure, and how to use all the advantages of the PowerLine network.
If you came to this page purely out of curiosity, to find out what kind of adapters they are, what they are for, and how it is the Internet from a power outlet, now I will try to explain everything in a nutshell. There is such a standard as HomePlug AV. It allows data to be transmitted over wiring. It works as follows: we plug one of the PowerLine adapters into an outlet, and connect it to a router or modem (from which it will receive Internet). We plug the second adapter into an outlet in the room where we need to access the Internet. The adapters are connected to each other via the electrical network, and we get the Internet from the outlet. Via cable, or via Wi-Fi network, if the adapter is able to distribute Wi-Fi, as in our case with the TL-WPA4220 adapter. I wrote in more detail about PowerLine networks in a separate article: HomePlug AV standard and PowerLine adapters: what it is and how it works.
Let's go back to our TP-LINK TL-WPA4220KIT adapters ("KIT" is a kit). By the way, you don't have to buy a kit, you can buy adapters one at a time, and as many as you need. You can, for example, not buy adapters without a wireless access point if you don't need a wireless network. And take adapters only with an RJ-45 connector.
Included with the adapters, I found two network cables, instructions, and a CD with a configuration utility.
AdapterTL-PA4010 (which is small), we use it to connect to a router, or a modem, and his task is to get the Internet into our wiring.
A adapterTL-WPA4220 has two LAN ports, and can distribute Wi-Fi. This means that through it you can connect two devices via a network cable, and also via a Wi-Fi network. If you don't need a Wi-Fi network, you can turn it off. Also, the TL-WPA4220 adapter may not create another Wi-Fi network, but expand the existing wireless network (if any). Everything is configured by pressing one button on the router and on the adapter itself. Let's consider this moment in more detail in the article.
TP-LINK TL-WPA4220KIT: setup guide
First, we need to install the TL-PA4010 adapter, plug it into an outlet, and connect the Internet to it from a router or modem. Please note that you cannot directly connect the Internet to the PowerLine adapter. Only through a modem / router.
We plug the adapter into an outlet. Do not connect it through surge protectors. Then, we take a network cable, connect it to the adapter and to the LAN connector of the router (modem). Like this:
Don't press any buttons yet. Let's move on to installing the second adapter. I have it TL-WPA4220. We plug the second adapter into an outlet in the room where you need to get the Internet.
We wait a minute for the adapter to start up.
Now, we need to connect the adapters to each other so that they establish a secure connection. To do this, first, on the first adapter TL-PA4010, press the button "Pair"... The power indicator starts blinking. And within two minutes we press the button"Pair" on the second adapter (on the TL-WPA4220 it is at the bottom). The devices will establish a connection. On both adapters, the Network PowerLine indicator will light up.
After subsequent disconnections and connections, the adapters will automatically establish a connection. If you want to connect another adapter to the network, then first connect it to the outlet, press and hold the "Pair" button on it for no more than 1 second, and within two minutes press the "Pair" button on one of the adapters already installed in the network ...
That's all. We can connect the device to the TL-WPA4220 adapter via cable or Wi-Fi network. And get an internet connection through a regular outlet.
Everything is ready and everything works. We can connect two devices by cable without any problems, and the Internet will work on them. But, I have an adapter that also distributes a Wi-Fi network. This adapter has settings that can be accessed through a browser. We'll take a closer look at this now.
Configuring Wi-Fi network on PowerLine adapter TL-WPA4220
We figured out the configuration of the PowerLine network. Let's figure out more about setting up a wireless network if you have a Wi-Fi-enabled adapter.
TP-LINK TL-WPA4220 adapter is a small Wi-Fi router. Its main difference is that it receives the Internet through electrical wiring. This adapter has two modes of Wi-Fi network operation:
- New wireless network... When the TL-WPA4220 adapter shares a wireless network with its own name, password, and settings. If you already have a router that distributes Wi-Fi, then this PowerLine adapter can create another network. And you will have two networks in your home or office with different parameters.
- Extending the wireless network... In this mode, the adapter completely copies the settings (SSID and password) of the existing network, and simply expands it. It turns out that there is one network in the house, and the TL-WPA4220 simply strengthens it. But, unlike ordinary repeaters (which you can read about here), the adapter receives the Internet not via Wi-Fi, but via the PowerLine network, which is much better. There is no loss in speed.
Enter the settings of the TL-WPA4220 adapter. Setting up a new W-Fi network.
Immediately after turning on, the adapter will start distributing Wi-Fi with a standard name. The network will be closed with a password. The factory password is indicated on a sticker on the adapter itself. It also contains the address to enter the settings, and the factory username and password.
Next, we connect to the adapter via cable, or via Wi-Fi. According to the idea, you can go to the adapter settings attplinkplclogin.net (192.168.1.1 also works) using the default username and password. But, you will most likely find yourself in the settings of a router, or a modem. Therefore, in order to easily enter the TL-WPA4220 settings and configure Wi-Fi, I advise you to use the utility from the disk that comes with the kit.
If you are unable to start the disc, then download the utility from the TP-LINK website. Here is the link http://www.tp-link.ua/ru/download/TL-WPA4220KIT.html#Utilities. The utility is called "Powerline Scan Utility". Download it and launch it. Or launches from disk.
In the utility, click on the button "Rescan", and our adapter should appear. Then, on the contrary, we press the button "Connect"... If the PowerLine adapter is not found, then make sure your computer is connected to it. And if antivirus or firewall asks for permission, allow it.
After clicking on the "Connect" button, the browser will immediately start and a username and password request will appear. Factory: admin and admin... We enter them, and we get to the settings page of the TP-LINK TL-WPA4220 adapter.
There are not many settings there. We are interested in the Wi-Fi network settings. You need to change the network name (optional) and password. Go to the "Wireless" tab. Here we can change the default name of the Wi-Fi network and set our region. After making changes, click on the "Save" button.
And to change the password for Wi-Fi, go to the "Wireless Security" tab. In the "PSK Password" field, enter a new password of at least 8 characters and click the "Save" button.
After that, you need to reboot the adapter. This can be done from the settings. Tab "System Tools" - "Reboot" by clicking on the "Reboot" button.
After these steps, you will need to connect to the wireless network with a new name. Using the password you set.
There are also local network settings, and PowerLine network settings (but they are unlikely to be useful to you). As in a regular router, through the control panel, the adapter can be flashed, reset, save / restore settings, or change the factory password admin, which protects the settings, which I would recommend doing. You can change it on the "System Tools" - "Password" tab. Be sure to write down the passwords you set so that you don't forget them.
In any case, you can do resetting the TL-WPA4220 adapter... Pressing the "Reset" button recessed into the body for 10 seconds. It is located at the bottom of the adapter body. If your sockets are located very low to the floor, then it is not very convenient to press on it. Therefore, I advise you to plug the adapter upside down and do a factory reset. After resetting the settings, you will need to press the "Pair" button on both devices again.
Setting up a Wi-Fi network extension through the PowerLine network. Wi-Fi Clone function
Everything is very simple here. If your router is already distributing a Wi-Fi network, and you do not want to create another one, but you want the PowerLine adapter to expand an existing network, then it can be easily configured to this operating mode. After setup, you will have one wireless network, which will be amplified by the TL-WPA4220. Your laptops, smartphones, tablets, will automatically connect to the network, the signal of which will be stronger in a certain place in your office or at home.
All we need is to press the button on our router WPS... She must be. After clicking on it, one of the indicators should start blinking slowly. After that, go and quickly press the button "Wi-Fi Clone" on our adapter. The indicator will also start flashing slowly.
We are waiting for the SSID and password from the main router to be copied. The main thing is that the adapter is within the range of the Wi-Fi network. As a result, we will have one wireless network from the main router, reinforced with the TL-WPA4220 adapter. At the same time, he will receive the Internet from the socket. That's all.
Disable Wi-Fi network
To completely turn off the wireless network, you need to press and hold the button for a while"Wi-Fi Clone". The indicator turns off and the wireless network turns off. It turns on in the same way.
Afterword
Everything is very easy to set up. And in the kit there is a small instruction for setting up, in Russian.
An interesting device that works without problems and fulfills its task. I read many reviews that PowerLine adapters get very hot. I did not notice anything like that, after several hours of working through these devices, they were just warm, which is quite normal.
The principle of configuration and operation of the PowerLine network, I think, is clear. You don't have to buy the exact same adapter kit. Everything is individual. If, for example, you just need to connect your TV to the Internet via a network cable, but you don't want to lay a network cable, and you don't need an adapter with a wireless access point, then it would be reasonable to buy a TP-LINK TL-PA4010KIT adapter set. They will be cheaper. You can buy one adapter at a time. But, the kit is cheaper.
There is a choice, and it is great. You can easily select adapters for your network and for your tasks. There are adapters with built-in sockets, for example, TP-LINK TL-PA4010PKIT. Which is also good, because even after connecting such an adapter, it will be possible to plug in some other device.
Well, look at the speed. The TP-LINK TL-WPA4220KIT we configured operates at speeds up to 500 Mbps. You can take adapters, for example, with a maximum speed of up to 200 Mbps, and save a little. It is clear that this is the maximum possible speed that can never be obtained under normal conditions.
