Beautiful and highly configurable

When AC1900 (also called Archer C9) is currently at the flagship of TP-Link under the dual band wireless routers.

HARDWARE

The router comes with everything needed, except for a printed and detailed manual. There are two Quick Installation Guides. One of the C8-related (?), And one for the C9. In two different addresses for access be given to Routermenu. If does not work, just try the other. A detailed manual with 143 pages, there are only electronically.

The hardware makes a clean impression processed. The white high-gloss finish in silver-colored frame and the high-arrangement I like very much and are already more suitable living room, as it was for example not the C7.

Mounting of external antenna and connect the cable to function largely without problems. Only the antennas can not really tighten. A small distance between its terminals on the unit and the frame can not reach with your fingers to the appropriate wheel. If you turn the antenna in the wrong direction later, they dissolve quickly.

The operating lights are blue illuminated symbols which can be identified easily by a single reference in the manual. For the four LAN ports, there is only a common display.

We liked also an on / off switch and an activation / deactivation of the WLAN. Many other devices can miss this.

GETTING STARTED

For the first installation I have the router via WLAN and WPS button associated problems with Win 7, the web menu called in the browser (user name and password are "admin") and then launched "Quick Setup" in the router menu. The router is operated behind a cable modem (TC7200) via LAN cable and by means of DHCP. Within minutes, was the internet connection, new SSID for 2.4 and 5 GHz were awarded, as well as configure encryption with new IDs. Only one point concerning. The Kennengsänderung for the router access is missing from the Quick Setup. Those who want more certainty needs to think for themselves off.

In my model, the currently latest firmware was installed. If on the website of TP-Link newer firmware should be available sometime, it makes sense to update the firmware before the "Quick Setup", otherwise you will lose the Setup settings again, if they had not secured beforehand.

Up to 4 networks are configured:

- 2.4 GHz
- 5GHz
- 2 guest networks with 2.4 and / or 5 GHz (handy when visiting is there)

On the WAN side, the router supports IPv6. It should attach great importance because in the long run will be a change of Internet addressing world needed and some providers new customers are already connected even only by IPv6.

ROUTER MENU

The router menu is in English only. There is designed quite clear, as all menu items can only be found on the left side. Other router menus are as confusing.

The router comes with a reasonable basic configuration. If you want to deviate from it is common options, such as: Forwarding, Advanced Routing, Bandwidth Control, Dynamic DNS etc. and other extensive Konfigurationsmöglichlkeiten. However, one must be aware that for some knowledge both through networks and via the Internet providers are useful and should be available.

Well I like also the so-called. Network Map, where you get a view an overview of connected devices with the connection data. Convenient is also the reservation of IP addresses for attached devices. So you can identify better devices in the home network, if they themselves do not or only do it very cryptic.

SECURITY

On offer current standards incl. WPA2, firewall, VPN, DoS Protection, ICMP, UDP, TCP-FLOOD Attack Filtering, Ignore Ping Packet, Parental Control, Internet Access Control.

Speed, range and STABILITY

These are the main characteristics with which this router the upper price range should score.

It supports wireless networks with 5GHz with up to 1300 Mbps and 2.4 GHz with up to 600 Mbps, so the parallel operation of up to 1900 Mbps.

To use 5GHz also correspondingly compatible counterparts in the terminals are of course required, etc. are often not available at present, for example, in tablets, mobile phones, TVs. In the private sector, but are also 2.4Ghz with 600Mbps in the current Internet connections usually sufficient. My Internet connection at 100Mbps is processed. Compared to the C7 is clear that both frequencies are operated via the three external antennas. In my opinion, they are more suitable for a better reach than internal.

The signal is in my whole apartment with massive brick walls and even one floor above or below it useful, but also not really stronger than the C7. However, this is not surprising, since the transmission power is legally restricted in Germany. Whether the Beamforming technology (targeted radiation in the receiver direction) now brings something or not, I could not compete with my own means. Disconnections could previously but when WLAN not be determined. However, the router has a (disconnectable) mode, in which he himself chooses the most appropriate channels. When changing channels, there may be some building interruptions. One must not forget also that the wireless quality always hang together even on the structural conditions, the location of the router and the WLAN module used in the terminal.

Surprised me, however, that the LAN connection between the modem and the router sometimes prone to interruptions. I close the LAN home network directly to the modem, there are no interruptions. Also by using other router I do not know this problem. But since I can not assign the cause of interruption, I do not want to make the C9 responsible.

OTHERWISE

On offer nor a USB2 and USB3 a port for use with mass storage devices or printers. I tested both but not because my printer is already too far away from the router and I prefer an integral mass storage for media playback via a separate media player into your home cinema.

A TOTAL OF

4 stars ... future-proof router with all network standards and many configuration options ... The price / performance ratio but only when you need the 5 GHz band for a very high throughput rate, eg for streaming HD content. For normal surfing behavior also a smaller model should be sufficient.