I'm quite impressed with TP-Link's kit lately, it often outperforms some of the big names for less money.
BTW, did you test wired throughput from WAN-LAN, not just between switched ports?
watercooled
I'm quite impressed with TP-Link's kit lately, it often outperforms some of the big names for less money.
Same here, just replaced my slow Netgear ProSafe access point with a <£40 TP-Link which is outperforming the Netgear by quite a margin, both in terms of stability and throughput.
The “tired” web interface I consider clean, handy explanations on the right panel and fast. It's a router control interface, why does it need to look shiny?
Agreed, I quite like the TP-Link interface, I'm really not keen on bloated/highly graphical ones.
I have an Asus router with the newer interface. I prefer the interface on this TP-Link.
Looks like Tomato firmware, nice and sleek. I don't want flashy graphics on my router, I just want all the features to be easily accessible and for it to be stable. Less is more!
Yay, will be buying this to replace my Home Hub 3, fed up with rubbish wifi and impossible FTP access.
i have had one of these for the past 4 months with openwrt installed and it's been flawless. the hardware inside is silly good for the money nad it has 128MB of ram so if you do run a 3rd party firmware then you can do alot with it.
I'm fond of TP-link gear, mostly because their stuff does the job cheaper than the big name brands.
Brewster0101
Yay, will be buying this to replace my Home Hub 3, fed up with rubbish wifi and impossible FTP access.
HH3 = not brilliant, but good for *free*
as it does get DD-WRT, it's made it to my possible list.
but not sure whether I'll hold out for the Dark Knight instead…
nice review i bought this router to use on our bt infinity modem which we get installed tomorrow looking even more better choice after reading your review thanks.
Could you let us know how smoothly that goes for you? On BT's website, I think they basically say only the HH3 is suitable, but I see no reason other routers wouldn't work. We're considering getting Infinity here once they get around to wiring the new cabinet.
Also, does anyone know what the modem is like now? At least on the initial version, I heard of major problems with overheating/crashing and mandatory wall mounting.
watercooled
Could you let us know how smoothly that goes for you? On BT's website, I think they basically say only the HH3 is suitable, but I see no reason other routers wouldn't work. We're considering getting Infinity here once they get around to wiring the new cabinet.
Also, does anyone know what the modem is like now? At least on the initial version, I heard of major problems with overheating/crashing and mandatory wall mounting.
yes no problem will update tomorrow, in the review it does not say if they updated the latest firmware from tp-link site i have. it included updates for the usb ports.
Fixed the bug that “”Disable router's pin“” can't be saved in backup file.
Improved the performance when playing RTSP stream and multicast stream.
Improved the USB data transmission speed.
Improved the hardware NAT function.
Improved the stability of media server.
Improved the WPS function of 5G.
http://goo.gl/R9lUo
watercooled
Also, does anyone know what the modem is like now? At least on the initial version, I heard of major problems with overheating/crashing and mandatory wall mounting.
Confused - this TP router has to be used in line with the home hub 3 as the TP router has no built in modem.
Are you referring to the modem in the Home Hub? I hate my Home Hub 3, its wifi is a right pain and BT made things even worse with latest firmware. I also have an issue where I have to reset the hub every few days otherwise certain web sites or games can't connect…
watercooled
Could you let us know how smoothly that goes for you? On BT's website, I think they basically say only the HH3 is suitable, but I see no reason other routers wouldn't work. We're considering getting Infinity here once they get around to wiring the new cabinet.
Also, does anyone know what the modem is like now? At least on the initial version, I heard of major problems with overheating/crashing and mandatory wall mounting.
I've been using a TP Link WR1043ND with BT Infinity since the first day I got it with no problems whatsoever. As was just mentioned above, BT Infinity is like a cable connection rather than ADSL in that the modem is separate and so you need to use a cable router.
The initial modems were apparently prone to overheating though I never had an issue myself. My own modem is wall mounted and was updated about a year ago by BT. Once again all is well!
I just thought there might have been some technical reason related to PPPoE logins for instance, to cause problems with some third-party routers.
@Brewster: As above, the HH3 modem is ADSL only, a separate modem is needed similar to cable for VDSL (Infinity), although there are some fairly expensive integrated VDSL modem routers from Draytek+others.
i thought that but on investigation the cable routers are quite simple to connect i will find out tomorrow. on experience with the home hub 3 on adsl its rubbish and i used tp link adsl +2 routers/modems with great results far better than bt stuff.
watercooled
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@Brewster: As above, the HH3 modem is ADSL only, a separate modem is needed similar to cable for VDSL (Infinity), although there are some fairly expensive integrated VDSL modem routers from Draytek+others.
Ok so my lack of Infinity or Cable is showing - never had either.
So the Infinity comes in a different line (like ISDN did) and has its own little modem which in theory connects to the Home Hub 3.
I don't have infinity or Cable, no real interest in it as my connection is 20mb anyway. But my Homehub 3 is driving me mad.
Could I use this TP-Link router with another ADSL modem ? or maybe a new router with ADSL built in?
Infinity is still down your phone line, but the DSLAM is located physically closer to your house i.e. in a new street cabinet.
FTTP is what we are having the openreach guy said the fibre cable will be fed in to the house to the modem.
brianzion
you need a adsl +2 router like this. http://uk.tp-link.com/products/?categoryid=203
Thought so.. I see a bunch of new routers in this range due soon with the same specs as the WDR3600,
So if I got the ADSL version, would I still be able to use it for infinity or Virgin?
no you would need multi input like this one TD-W8968
http://goo.gl/QZe4B
Highlights:
All-in-One Device: ADSL Modem, NAT Router, Switch and Wireless N Access Point
2.4GHz, IEEE802.11b/g/n, up to 300Mbps data transfer rates
USB Port for Storage Sharing, Printer Sharing, 3G Modem* Sharing, FTP Server and Media Server
Supports the latest Internet Protocol IPv6 to future-proof your network
Ethernet WAN (EWAN) offers another broadband connectivity option for connecting to Cable, VDSL or Fiber modems
IP QoS features for improved bandwidth control across the network
No, ADSL routers generally only have an ADSL port for WAN, not Ethernet.
@brianzion: Even better!
here is a good site full of information and lots of equipment
http://goo.gl/h8C27 broadbandbuyer
I've used multiple routers with Infinity now without an issue. Just set up the PPoE stuff and you're done :)
To be honest though the HH3 has really been excellent for us. Wireless range could be improved a bit, but it's been solid. We hammer it almost 24/7 on both the WAN and LAN side and it's not gave us any hassle.
The Infinity modem overheating issues were *very* early on and only affected a small number of people. I'm always amazed when I still see people talking about this given that they were all replaced for free and quickly. Anyone who has Infinity now should just ignore it ever happened. Our modem is in a draw with pretty bad airflow and it's in use all day and night, again, without issues.
I'm seriously considering this though as I suspect the wireless range will be better. I like the clean interface of the web admin too. Oh and I really need Gigabit now - the HH only has 1 Gigabit port :\
all going well my TL-WDR3600 should be up and running tomorrow so i will update with how its going :)
all sorted and the router is fine with bt infinity this is my speed test using the 2.5Ghz wireless
and this is the test using tp-link powerline plugs TL-PA211KIT 200Mbps i do have a set of the TL-PA511KIT 500Mbps but they are not performing well for some reason and will be going back to tp-link under the warranty. must be faulty.
ethernet close to router
bit of a updateif you set the router to use auto channel width(20MHz+40MHz) the ipad and iphone the latest ones don't like this router connected to the 2.4Ghz because apple doesn't use the 40MHz only 20MHz on these devices! they keep dropping out from the wireless signal and causing other devices to drop out (unidentified network) so when you set the router to use just 20MHz i loose signal and bandwidth down to 150Mbps affecting my other devices. so what i have done is set the 5Ghz band up for the apple devices and it has cured the problem(for now at least).
iOS and OS X: Recommended settings for Wi-Fi routers and access points
there has been another firmware update for the TP-LINK TL-WDR3600 router VER 130129 1/29/2013
update linkSupport IPV6
Improve the USB speed
Fixed an unstable issue with some wireless adapters
UI interface has a few changes too
