TP Link Technologies WA901ND 300Mbps Wireless N Access Point User Manual TL WA901ND User Guide
TP-Link Technologies Co., Ltd. 300Mbps Wireless N Access Point TL WA901ND User Guide
TL-WA901ND_User Guide
TL-WA901ND
300 Mbps Wireless N Access Point
Rev: 1.1.0
1910010319
COPYRIGHT & TRADEMARKS
Specifications are subject to change without notice. is a registered trademark of
TP-LINK TECHNOLOGIES CO., LTD. Other brands and product names are trademarks or
registered trademarks of their respective holders.
No part of the specifications may be reproduced in any form or by any means or used to make any
derivative such as translation, transformation, or adaptation without permission from TP-LINK
TECHNOLOGIES CO., LTD. Copyright © 2010 TP-LINK TECHNOLOGIES CO., LTD.
All rights reserved.
http://www.tp-link.com
FCC STATEMENT
This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device,
pursuant to part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection
against harmful interference in a residential installation. This equipment generates, uses and can
radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the instructions,
may cause harmful interference to radio communications. However, there is no guarantee that
interference will not occur in a particular installation. If this equipment does cause harmful
interference to radio or television reception, which can be determined by turning the equipment off
and on, the user is encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or more of the following
measures:
• Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.
• Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver.
• Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that to which the receiver
is connected.
• Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/ TV technician for help.
This device complies with part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the following two
conditions:
1) This device may not cause harmful interference.
2) This device must accept any interference received, including interference that may
cause undesired operation.
Any changes or modifications not expressly approved by the party responsible for compliance
could void the user’s authority to operate the equipment.
Note: The manufacturer is not responsible for any radio or tv interference caused by unauthorized
modifications to this equipment. Such modifications could void the user’s authority to operate the
equipment.
FCC RF Radiation Exposure Statement
This equipment complies with FCC RF radiation exposure limits set forth for an uncontrolled
environment. This device and its antenna must not be co-located or operating in conjunction with
any other antenna or transmitter.
“To comply with FCC RF exposure compliance requirements, this grant is applicable to only
Mobile Configurations. The antennas used for this transmitter must be installed to provide a
separation distance of at least 20 cm from all persons and must not be co-located or operating in
conjunction with any other antenna or transmitter.”
CE Mark Warning
This is a class B product. In a domestic environment, this product may cause radio interference, in
which case the user may be required to take adequate measures.
National restrictions
This device is intended for home and office use in all EU countries (and other countries following
the EU directive 1999/5/EC) without any limitation except for the countries mentioned below:
Country Restriction Reason/remark
Bulgaria None General authorization required for outdoor use and
public service
France
Outdoor use limited to 10
mW e.i.r.p. within the band
2454-2483.5 MHz
Military Radiolocation use. Refarming of the 2.4 GHz
band has been ongoing in recent years to allow current
relaxed regulation. Full implementation planned 2012
Italy None If used outside of own premises, general authorization is
required
Luxembourg None General authorization required for network and service
supply(not for spectrum)
Norway Implemented This subsection does not apply for the geographical area
within a radius of 20 km from the centre of Ny-Ålesund
Russian Federation None Only for indoor applications
Note: Please don’t use the product outdoors in France.
TP-LINK TECHNOLOGIES CO., LTD
DECLARATION OF CONFORMITY
For the following equipment:
Product Description: 300 Mbps Wireless N Access Point
Model No.: TL-WA901ND
Trademark: TP-LINK
We declare under our own responsibility that the above products satisfy all the technical
regulations applicable to the product within the scope of Council Directives:
Directives 1999/5/EC
The above product is in conformity with the following standards or other normative documents
ETSI EN 300 328 V1.7.1: 2006
ETSI EN 301 489-1 V1.8.1:2008& ETSI EN 301 489-17 V2.1.1:2009
EN60950-1:2006
Recommendation 1999/519/EC
EN62311:2008
Directives 2004/108/EC
The above product is in conformity with the following standards or other normative documents
EN 55022:2006 +A1:2007
EN 55024:1998+A1:2001+A2:2003
EN 61000-3-2:2006
EN 61000-3-3:1995+A1:2001+A2:2005
Directives 2006/95/EC
The above product is in conformity with the following standards or other normative documents
EN60950-1:2006
Directive（ErP） 2009/125/EC
Audio/Video, information and communication technology equipment- Environmentally conscious
design
EN62075:2008
Person is responsible for marking this declaration:
Yang Hongliang
Product Manager of International Business
TP-LINK TECHNOLOGIES CO., LTD.
South Building, No.5 Keyuan Road, Central Zone, Science & Technology Park, Nanshan,
Shenzhen, P. R. China
CONTENTS
Package Contents .................................................................................................... 1
Conventions ............................................................................................................. 1
Overview of This Guide ........................................................................................... 2
Chapter 1 Introduction........................................................................................... 3
1.1 Product Overview.............................................................................................. 3
1.2 Main Features ................................................................................................... 4
1.3 Appearance....................................................................................................... 5
1.3.1 The Front Panel.................................................................................................5
1.3.2 The Rear Panel..................................................................................................6
Chapter 2 Hardware Installation ........................................................................... 7
2.1 Before You Begin.............................................................................................. 7
2.2 Basic Requirements.......................................................................................... 7
2.3 Connecting the Device...................................................................................... 7
Chapter 3 Configure the PC .................................................................................. 9
Chapter 4 Configure the Device.......................................................................... 13
4.1 Login ............................................................................................................... 13
4.2 Status.............................................................................................................. 13
4.3 QSS ................................................................................................................ 15
4.4 Network........................................................................................................... 21
4.5 Wireless .......................................................................................................... 22
4.5.1 Wireless Settings.............................................................................................22
4.5.2 Wireless Security.............................................................................................32
4.5.3 Wireless MAC Filtering ....................................................................................44
4.5.4 Wireless Advanced..........................................................................................46
4.5.5 Throughput Monitor .........................................................................................48
4.5.6 Wireless Statistics............................................................................................48
4.6 DHCP.............................................................................................................. 49
4.6.1 DHCP Settings.................................................................................................50
4.6.2 DHCP Clients List............................................................................................51
4.6.3 Address Reservation .......................................................................................51
4.7 System Tools .................................................................................................. 52
4.7.1 SNMP ..............................................................................................................53
4.7.2 Diagnostic ........................................................................................................54
4.7.3 Ping Watch Dog...............................................................................................56
4.7.4 Firmware Upgrade...........................................................................................57
4.7.5 Factory Defaults...............................................................................................58
4.7.6 Backup & Restore............................................................................................58
4.7.7 Reboot .............................................................................................................59
4.7.8 Password.........................................................................................................60
4.7.9 System Log......................................................................................................60
Appendix A: Application Example........................................................................ 62
Appendix B: Factory Defaults............................................................................... 65
Appendix C: Troubleshooting............................................................................... 66
Appendix D: Specifications................................................................................... 67
Appendix E: Glossary............................................................................................ 68
Package Contents
TL-WA901ND 300 Mbps Wireless N Access
Point
Resource CD, including:
z This User Guide
z Other Helpful Information
Power Adapter for TL-WA901ND 300 Mbps
Wireless N Access Point
Power Injector
Ethernet Cables
Quick Installation Guide
PoE Guide
) Note:
Make sure that the package contains the above items. If any of the listed items are damaged or
missing, please contact with your distributor.
Conventions
The AP or TL-WA901ND, or device mentioned in this User guide stands for TL-WA901ND 300
Mbps Wireless N Access Point without any explanations.
Parameters provided in the pictures are just references for setting up the product, which may differ
from the actual situation. You can set the parameters according to your demand.
1
Overview of This Guide
Package Contents: Tells what are contained in the box.
Chapter 1 Introduction: Gives an introduction for the TL-WA901ND 300 Mbps
Wireless N Access Point.
1.1 Product Overview: Introduces advantages of using this AP.
1.2 Main Feature: Introduces main features and their benefits.
1.3 Appearance: Gives descriptions of LEDs, ports and buttons on the
front and rear panel.
Chapter 2 Hardware Installation: Tells how to connect the AP and the requirements.
2.1 Before You Begin: Gives suggestions for better performance of the wireless
network.
2.2 Basic Requirement: Introduces some basic requirements for successful
installation and long-term use
2.3 Connecting the Device: Introduces steps to connect the AP.
Chapter 3 Configure the PC: Tells how to configure the IP address of your PC in order
to access the AP.
Chapter 4 Configure the Device: Tells how to configure the AP via the web-based
management page.
4.1 Login: Tells how to log on to the web-based management page.
4.2 Status: Gives information about the AP’s current configuration.
4.3 QSS Guides how to add a new wireless device to an existing
network quickly.
4.4 Network: Tells how to configure the IP parameters of AP.
4.5 Wireless: Guides to establish the wireless network in different
wireless modes and deploy the security features
appropriate to your needs.
4.6 DHCP: Introduces how to set your AP to be a DHCP server so
that the AP will automatically assign an IP address for
your PC.
4.7 System Tools: Provides some useful tools.
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TL-WA901ND 300 Mbps Wireless N Access Point User Guide
Chapter 1 Introduction
Thank you for choosing the TL-WA901ND 300 Mbps Wireless N Access Point.
1.1 Product Overview
The TL-WA901ND 300 Mbps Wireless N Access Point is dedicated to Small Office/Home Office
(SOHO) wireless network solutions. It allows for greater range and mobility within your wireless
network while also allowing you to connect the wireless devices to a wired environment. Increased
mobility and the absence of cabling will be beneficial for your network.
With using IEEE 802.11n wireless technology, your device can transmit wireless data at the rate of
up to 300Mbps. With multiple protection measures, including SSID broadcast control and wireless
LAN 64/128/152-bit WEP encryption, WiFi protected Access (WPA2- PSK, WPA- PSK), as well as
advanced Firewall protections, the TL-WA901ND 300 Mbps Wireless N Access Point delivers
complete data privacy.
It supports an easy, web-based setup for installation and management. Even though you may not
be familiar with the Access Point, you can easily configure it with the help of this Guide. Before
installing the AP, please look through this Guide to get the full information of the TL-WA901ND
300 Mbps Wireless N Access Point.
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TL-WA901ND 300Mbps Wireless N Access Point User Guide
1.2 Main Features
Features Benefits
Make use of IEEE 802.11n wireless technology Allows your device to transmit wireless data at
the rate of up to 300Mbps
Provides multiple encryption security Types
including: 64/128/152-bit WEP WPA/WPA2
WPA-PSK/WPA2-PSK
Secures your data while the data packets are
being transmitted
Supports Built-in DHCP server Supports dynamic IP address distributing
Supports MAC address filtering Allows you to control the access rights of the
wireless stations, depending on the stations'
MAC addresses
Supports multiple operating modes including:
z Access Point
Makes the AP an ideal solution for your wireless
local area network
You can create a wireless local area network
z Multi-SSID Allows the wireless adapter to access to
different LANs appropriate to your needs by
connecting to different SSID
z Client Wirelessly connects Ethernet devices
z Repeater（Universal Repeater）Relays signal between its stations and the root
AP for greater wireless range
z Bridge with AP (Point to Point,
Point to Multi-point)
Bridges the AP and another AP also in bridge
mode to connect two or more wired LANs
Supports Firmware Upgrade You can easily upgrade the firmware to the
latest version through the web-based
management page
Supports Remote and Web management Allows you to manage your wireless LAN easily
through the web-based management page,
while the management by remote computer is
also available
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TL-WA901ND 300Mbps Wireless N Access Point User Guide
1.3 Appearance
1.3.1 The Front Panel
Figure 1-1
The front panel of the TL-WA901ND consists of several LED indicators, which is designed to
indicate connections. View from left to right, Table 1-1 describes the LEDs on the front panel of the
device.
LED Explanation
Name Status Indication
Off No Power
Power On Power on
Off The device has a system error
On The device is initialising
System
Flash The device is working properly
Off There is no device linked to the corresponding port
On There is a device linked to the corresponding port but no activity
LAN
Flash There is an active device linked to the corresponding port
Off The Wireless function is disabled
WLAN Flash The Wireless function is enabled
Slow Flash A wireless device is connecting to the network by QSS function.
This process will last in the first 2 minutes.
On A wireless device has been successfully added to the network by
QSS function.
QSS
Quick Flash A wireless device failed to be added to the network by QSS
function.
Table 1-1
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TL-WA901ND 300Mbps Wireless N Access Point User Guide
1.3.2 The Rear Panel
Figure 1-2
Viewed from left to right, the following parts are located on the rear panel of TL-WA901ND.
Wireless antenna：The external antenna is used to transmit and receive wireless data.
POWER: The power port connects to the power adapter provided with the TL-WA901ND 300
Mbps Wireless N Access Point.
LAN: One LAN 10/100Mbps RJ45 port connects to a network device, such as a switch or a router.
RESET: The Reset button is used to restore the AP’s factory default settings. There are two ways
to reset the Access Point’s factory defaults:
z Method one: With the AP powered on, use a pin to press and hold the Reset button (about 5
seconds) until the System LED becomes quick-flash from slow-flash. And then release the
button and wait the router to reboot to its factory default settings.
z Method two: Restore the default settings from “System Tools > Factory Defaults” of the
Modem's Web-based management page.
) Note:
Ensure the AP is powered on before it restarts completely.
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TL-WA901ND 300Mbps Wireless N Access Point User Guide
Chapter 2 Hardware Installation
2.1 Before You Begin
Please read this User Guide carefully before installing and using the equipment. The operating
distance range of your wireless connection can vary significantly depending on the physical
position of the wireless devices. Factors that can weaken signals by getting in the way of your
network’s radio waves are metal appliances or obstructions, and walls. Typical ranges vary base
on the types of materials and background RF (radio frequency) noise in your home or office.
For best performance of your wireless network, you are suggested to:
1). Avoid redundant obstacles and interference between the wireless devices.
2). Keep your AP away from appliances with a strong electric field or magnetic field, such as a
microwave oven or refrigerator.
Place the AP near the center of the area in which your computers operates.
2.2 Basic Requirements
z Use only the power adapter provided with your AP
z The electrical outlet shall be installed near the device and shall be easily accessible
z Place your AP in a well ventilated place far from direct sunlight, any heater or heating vent
z Leave at least 2 inches (5cm) space around the device for heat dissipation
z Turn off your AP and unplug the power adapter in a lighting storm to avoid damage
z Web browser, such as Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.0 or above, Netscape Navigator 6.0 or
above
z Operating temperature: 0℃~40℃ (32℉~104℉)
z Operating Humidity: 10%~90%RH, Non-condensing
2.3 Connecting the Device
Figure 2-1 is an example of the typical application of TL-WA901ND in the infrastructure network.
An Infrastructure network contains an access point or a wireless router.
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TL-WA901ND 300Mbps Wireless N Access Point User Guide
Figure 2-1 The Example of Infrastructure Network Incorporating the TL-WA901ND
To establish a typical connection of the AP, please take the following steps:
1. Connect the Cable or DSL modem to a Router.
2. Locate an optimum location for the AP. The best place is usually near the center of the area in
which your PC(s) will wirelessly connect.
3. Adjust the direction of the antenna. Normally, upright is a good direction.
4. Connect the Ethernet Broadband Router to the TL-WA901ND Access Point. Power on the
AP.
5. Then you can connect a desktop PC or laptop to your network. (Make sure your computer or
laptop is equipped with a Wireless Adapter.)
) Note:
If you are not so clear about how to connect your devices to the network, please refer to Appendix
A Application Example.
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TL-WA901ND 300Mbps Wireless N Access Point User Guide
Chapter 3 Configure the PC
This chapter will guide you to configure your PC to communicate with the AP. The wireless
adapter-equipped computers in your network must be in the same IP Address range without
overlap with each other. Manually configure the IP address as 192.168.1.* (* is any integer
between 1 and 253), and the Subnet mask as 255.255.255.0 for your PC by following the
instructions below.
Connect the local PCs to the LAN ports on the AP and configure the IP address manually for your
PCs.
1. Click Start (in the lower left corner of the screen), right-click My Network Connections and
choose Properties.
Figure 3-1
2. On the My Network Connections window shown as Figure 3-2 below, right-click LAN (Local
Area Connection) and choose Properties.
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TL-WA901ND 300Mbps Wireless N Access Point User Guide
Figure 3-2
3. In the General tab of Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) Properties window, highlight Internet
Protocol (TCP/IP) and click Properties.
Figure 3-3
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TL-WA901ND 300Mbps Wireless N Access Point User Guide
4. Configure the IP address manually.
1) Select Use the following IP address.
2) Enter 192.168.1.* (* is any integer between 1 and 253) into the IP address filed, and
255.255.255.0 into the Subnet mask filed.
3) Click OK to keep your settings.
Figure 3-4
5. Verify the network connection between your PC and the AP via the Ping command. The
following example is in Windows XP Operating System.
1) Click Start > Run tab. Enter cmd in the filed and click OK.
2) Type ping 192.168.1.254 on the screen that displays and then press Enter.
If the result displayed is similar to that shown in Figure 3-5 below, the connection
between your PC and the AP has been successfully established.
Figure 3-5
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TL-WA901ND 300Mbps Wireless N Access Point User Guide
If the result displayed is similar to that shown in Figure 3-6 below, it means that your PC
has not connected to the AP.
Figure 3-6
Please check following these steps:
a) Check to see if your PC and the AP are right connected. The LED of LAN port which
you link to on the device and the LED on your PC’s adapter should be lit up.
b) Make sure the TCP/IP for your PC is right configured. If the AP’s IP address is
192.168.1.254, your PC’s IP address must be within the range of 192.168.1.1 ~
192.168.1.253.
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TL-WA901ND 300Mbps Wireless N Access Point User Guide
Chapter 4 Configure the Device
This Chapter describes how to configure your Access Point via the web-based management page.
The TL-WA901ND 300 Mbps Wireless N Access Point is easy to configure and manage with the
Web-based (Internet Explorer, Netscape® Navigator, Firefox, Safari, Opera or Chrome)
management page, which can be launched on any windows, Macintosh or UNIX OS with a web
browser.
4.1 Login
Open your web browser. Type in IP address http://192.168.1.254 in the address field of web
browser and press Enter.
Figure 4-1 Login to the AP
Enter admin for the User Name and Password (both in lower case letters) in Figure 4-2 below.
Then click OK or press Enter.
Figure 4-2 Login Windows
) Note:
If the above screen does not prompt, it means that your web-browser has been set to a proxy. Go
to Tools menu>Internet Options>Connections>LAN Settings, in the screen that appears,
cancel the Using Proxy checkbox, and click OK to finish it.
After a successful login, you can configure and manage the device. There are six main menus on
the leftmost column of the web-based management page: Status, QSS, Network, Wireless,
DHCP and System Tools. Submenus will be available after clicking one of the main menus. On
the right of the web-based management page lies the detailed explanations and instructions for
the corresponding page.
4.2 Status
Selecting Status will enable you to view the AP’s current status and configuration, all of which is
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TL-WA901ND 300Mbps Wireless N Access Point User Guide
read-only.
Figure 4-3 Device Status
¾ Firmware Version - This field displays the current firmware version of the AP.
¾ Hardware Version - This field displays the current hardware version of the AP
¾ Wired - This field displays the current settings or information for the Network, including the
MAC address, IP address and Subnet Mask.
¾ Wireless - This field displays basic information or status for wireless function, including
Operating Mode, SSID, Channel, Mode, Channel Width, Max Tx Rate and MAC Address.
¾ Traffic Statistics - This field displays the AP's traffic statistics.
¾ System Up Time - This filed displays the run time of the AP since it’s powered on or reset.
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TL-WA901ND 300Mbps Wireless N Access Point User Guide
) Note:
If you select Client mode in Figure 4-10, the wireless status in Figure 4-3 will change, similar to the
figure below:
4.3 QSS
QSS (Quick Secure Setup) can help you to quickly and securely connect to a network. This
section will guide you to add a new wireless device to an existing network quickly by function. The
QSS function is only available when the Operation Mode is set to Access Point and Multi-SSID.
Here we take the Access Point mode for example. Select menu “QSS”, you will see the next
screen shown in Figure 4-4.
Figure 4-4 QSS
¾ Operation Mode - Displays the current operation mode of the device.
¾ QSS Status - To enable or disable the QSS function here.
¾ Current PIN - The current value of the device's PIN is displayed here. The default PIN of the
device can be found in the label or User Guide.
¾ Restore PIN - Restore the PIN of the device to its default.
¾ Gen New PIN - Click this button, and then you can get a new random value for the device's
PIN. You can ensure the network security by generating a new PIN.
¾ Add device - You can add a new device to the existing network manually by clicking this
button.
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TL-WA901ND 300Mbps Wireless N Access Point User Guide
To add a new device:
If the wireless adapter supports Wi-Fi Protected Setup (WPS), you can establish a wireless
connection between wireless adapter and device using either Push Button Configuration (PBC)
method or PIN method.
) Note:
To build a successful connection by QSS, you should also do the corresponding configuration of
the new device for QSS function meanwhile.
For the configuration of the new device, here takes the Wireless Adapter of our company for
example.
I. By PBC
If the wireless adapter supports Wi-Fi Protected Setup and the Push Button Configuration (PBC)
method, you can add it to the network by PBC with the following two methods.
Method One:
Step 1: Press the QSS button on the front panel of the device.
Step 2: Press and hold the QSS button of the adapter directly for 2 or 3 seconds.
Step 3: Wait for a while until the next screen appears. Click Finish to complete the QSS
configuration.
The QSS Configuration Screen of Wireless Adapter
Method Two:
Step 1: Press the QSS button on the front panel of the device.
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TL-WA901ND 300Mbps Wireless N Access Point User Guide
Step 2: For the configuration of the wireless adapter, please choose “Push the button on my
access point” in the configuration utility of the QSS as below, and click Next.
The QSS Configuration Screen of Wireless Adapter
Step 3: Wait for a while until the next screen appears. Click Finish to complete the QSS
configuration.
The QSS Configuration Screen of Wireless Adapter
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TL-WA901ND 300Mbps Wireless N Access Point User Guide
Method Three:
Step 1: Keep the default QSS Status as Enabled and click the Add device button in Figure 4-4,
then the following screen will appear.
Figure 4-5 Add A New Device
Step 2: Choose “Press the button of the new device in two minutes” and click Connect.
Step 3: For the configuration of the wireless adapter, please choose “Push the button on my
access point” in the configuration utility of the QSS as below, and click Next.
The QSS Configuration Screen of Wireless Adapter
Step 4: Wait for a while until the next screen appears. Click Finish to complete the QSS
configuration.
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TL-WA901ND 300Mbps Wireless N Access Point User Guide
The QSS Configuration Screen of Wireless Adapter
II. By PIN
If the new device supports Wi-Fi Protected Setup and the PIN method, you can add it to the
network by PIN with the following two methods.
Method One: Enter the PIN into my AP
Step 1: Keep the default QSS Status as Enabled and click the Add device button in Figure 4-4,
then the following screen will appear.
Step 2: Choose “Enter the new device's PIN” and enter the PIN code （take 16952898 for
example） of the wireless adapter in the field after PIN as shown in the figure above. Then
click Connect.
) Note:
The PIN code of the adapter is always displayed on the QSS configuration screen as shown in the
following figure.
Step 3: For the configuration of the wireless adapter, please choose “Enter a PIN into my
access point or a registrar” in the configuration utility of the QSS as below, and click
Next.
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TL-WA901ND 300Mbps Wireless N Access Point User Guide
The QSS Configuration Screen of Wireless Adapter
) Note:
In this example, the default PIN code of this adapter is 16952898 as the above figure shown.
Method Two: Enter the PIN from my AP
Step 1: Get the Current PIN code of the AP in Figure 4-4 (each AP has its unique PIN code. Here
takes the PIN code 12345670 of this AP for example).
Step 2: For the configuration of the wireless adapter, please choose “Enter a PIN from my
access point” in the configuration utility of the QSS as below, and enter the PIN code of
the AP into the field after “Access Point PIN”. Then click Next.
The QSS Configuration Screen of Wireless Adapter
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TL-WA901ND 300Mbps Wireless N Access Point User Guide
) Note:
The default PIN code of the AP can be found in its label or the QSS configuration screen as Figure
4-4.
You will see the following screen when the new device has successfully connected to the network.
) Note:
a. The QSS LED on the AP will light green for five minutes if the device has been successfully
added to the network.
b. The QSS function cannot be configured if the Wireless function of the AP is disabled. Please
make sure the Wireless function is enabled before configuring the QSS.
4.4 Network
The Network option allows you to customize your local network manually by changing the default
settings of the AP.
Selecting Network will enable you to configure the IP parameters of Network on this page.
Figure 4-6 Network
¾ MAC Address - The physical address of the AP. The value can't be changed.
¾ Type - Select Dynamic IP to get IP address from DHCP server or select Static IP to
configure IP address manually from the drop-down list.
¾ IP Address - Enter the IP address of your AP in dotted-decimal notation (factory default
setting is 192.168.1.254).
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TL-WA901ND 300Mbps Wireless N Access Point User Guide
¾ Subnet Mask - An address code that determines the size of the network. Normally use
255.255.255.0 as the subnet mask.
¾ Gateway - The gateway should be in the same subnet as your IP address.
) Note:
1 If you change the IP Address, you must use the new IP Address to log in the AP.
2 If the new LAN IP Address you set is not in the same subnet with the IP Address pool of
DHCP sever, the IP Address pool will not take effect until it is re-configured accordingly.
4.5 Wireless
The Wireless option, improving functionality and performance for wireless network, can help you
make the AP an ideal solution for your wireless network. Here you can create a wireless local area
network just through a few settings. Wireless Settings is used for the configuration of some basic
parameters of the AP. Wireless Security provides three different security types to secure your data
and thus provide greater security for your wireless network. MAC filtering allows you to control the
access of wireless stations to the AP. Wireless Advanced allows you to configure some advanced
parameters for the AP. Throughput Monitor helps to watch wireless throughput information
Wireless statistics enables you to get detailed information about the current connected wireless
stations.
There are six submenus under the Wireless menu (shown in Figure 4-7): Wireless Settings,
Wireless Security, Wireless MAC Filtering, Wireless Advanced, Throughput Monitor and
Wireless Statistics. Click any of them, and you will be able to configure the corresponding
function. The detailed explanations for each submenu are provided below.
Figure 4-7 Wireless menu
4.5.1 Wireless Settings
Selecting Wireless > Wireless Settings will enable you to configure the basic settings for your
wireless network on the screen below (Figure 4-8).This page allows you to configure the wireless
mode for your device. Six operation modes are supported here, including Access Point,
Multi-SSID, Client, Repeater, Universal Repeater and Bridge with AP. The available setting
options for each operation mode are different from those of the other.
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TL-WA901ND 300Mbps Wireless N Access Point User Guide
1) Access Point: This mode allows wireless stations to access this device.
Figure 4-8 Wireless Settings in Access Point mode
¾ SSID (Set Service Identifier) - Identifies your wireless network name. Create a name up to 32
characters and make sure all wireless points in the wireless network with the same SSID. The
default SSID is TP-LINK_XXXXXX (XXXXXX indicates the last unique six characters of each
device’s MAC address). This value is case-sensitive. For example, TEST is NOT the same as
test.
¾ Region - Select your region from the pull-down list. This field specifies the region where the
wireless function of the device can be used. It may be illegal to use the wireless function of
the device in a region other than one of those specified in this field. If your country or region
is not listed, please contact your local government agency for assistance.
When you select your local region from the pull-down list, click the Save button, then the
Note Dialog appears. Click OK.
Note Dialog
) Note:
Limited by local law regulations, version for North America does not have region selection
option.
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TL-WA901ND 300Mbps Wireless N Access Point User Guide
¾ Channel - Determines the operating frequency to be used. It is not necessary to change the
wireless channel unless you notice interference problems with another nearby access point.
¾ Mode - Select the desired wireless mode. The options are:
• 11b only - Only 802.11b wireless stations can connect to the device.
• 11g only - Only 802.11g wireless stations can connect to the device.
• 11n only - Only 802.11n wireless stations can connect to the device.
• 11bg mixed - Both 802.11b and 802.11g wireless stations can connect to the device.
• 11bgn mixed - All 802.11b, 802.11g and 802.11n wireless stations can connect to the
device.
¾ Channel Width - Determines the channel width to be used. It is unnecessary to change the
default value unless required.
¾ Max Tx Rate - Specifies the maximum transmit rate of the device through this field.
¾ Enable Wireless Radio - Select or deselect this check box to allow or deny wireless stations
to access the device.
¾ Enable SSID Broadcast - Select or deselect this check box to allow or deny the device to
broadcast its name (SSID) on the air. If it’s allowed, when wireless clients survey the local
area for wireless networks to associate with, they will detect the SSID broadcast by the
device.
¾ Enable WDS/Bridge - Check this box to enable WDS/Bridge. With this function enabled, the
AP can bridge two or more WLANs. If this checkbox is selected, you will have to set the
following parameters as shown below. Make sure the following settings are correct
¾ SSID(to be bridged) - The SSID of the AP your device is going to connect to as a client.
You can also use the search function to select the SSID to join.
¾ BSSID(to be bridged) - The BSSID of the AP your device is going to connect to as a
client. You can also use the search function to select the BSSID to join.
¾ Search - Click the Search button to detect the SSIDs in the local area.
¾ Key type - This option should be chosen according to the AP's security configuration. It
is recommended that the security type is the same as your AP's security type
24
TL-WA901ND 300Mbps Wireless N Access Point User Guide
¾ WEP Index - This option should be chosen if the key type is WEP(ASCII) or
WEP(HEX).It indicates the index of the WEP key.
¾ Auth Type - This option should be chosen if the key type is WEP(ASCII) or WEP(HEX).It
indicates the authorization type of the Root AP.
¾ Password - If the AP your device is going to connect needs password, you need to fill
the password in this blank.
) Note:
To apply any settings you have altered on the page, please click the Save button, and then you
will be reminded to reboot the device.
2) Multi-SSID: This mode allows the device to support up to 4 SSIDs.
Figure 4-9 Wireless Settings in Multi-SSID mode
¾ Enable VLAN - Check this box and then you can change the VLANID of each SSID. If you
want to configure the Guest and Internal networks on VLAN, the switch you are using must
support VLAN. As a prerequisite step, configure a port on the switch for handling VLAN
tagged packets as described in the IEEE802.1Q standard, and enable this field.
¾ SSID (1-4) - Up to 4 SSIDs for each BSS can be entered in the filed SSID1 ~ SSID4. The
name can be up to 32 characters. The same name (SSID) must be assigned to all wireless
25
TL-WA901ND 300Mbps Wireless N Access Point User Guide
devices in your network. If Enable VLAN is checked, the wireless stations connecting to
SSID of different VLANID can not communicate with each other.
¾ VLANID (1-4) - Provide a number between 1 and 4095 for VLAN. This will cause the device
to send packets with VLAN tags. The switch connecting with the device must support VLAN
IEEE802.1Q frames. The wireless stations connecting to the SSID of a specified VLANID
can communicate with the PC connecting to the port with the same VLANID on the Switch.
¾ Region - Select your region from the pull-down list. This field specifies the region where the
wireless function of the device can be used. It may be illegal to use the wireless function of
the device in a region other than one of those specified in this field. If your country or region
is not listed, please contact your local government agency for assistance.
When you select your local region from the pull-down list, click the Save button, then the
Note Dialog appears. Click OK.
Note Dialog
) Note:
Limited by local law regulations, version for North America does not have region selection
option.
¾ Channel - Determines the operating frequency to be used. It is not necessary to change the
wireless channel unless you notice interference problems with another nearby access point.
¾ Mode - This field determines the wireless mode which the device works on.
• 11b only - Only 802.11b wireless stations can connect to the device.
• 11g only - Only 802.11g wireless stations can connect to the device.
• 11n only - Only 802.11n wireless stations can connect to the device.
• 11bg mixed - Both 802.11b and 802.11g wireless stations can connect to the device.
• 11bgn mixed - All 802.11b, 802.11g and 802.11n wireless stations can connect to the
device.
¾ Channel Width - Determines the channel width to be used. It is unnecessary to change the
default value unless required.
¾ Max Tx Rate - Specifies the maximum transmit rate of the device through this field.
¾ Enable Wireless Radio - Select or deselect this check box to allow or deny wireless stations
to access the device.
¾ Enable SSID Broadcast - Select or deselect this check box to allow or deny the device to
broadcast its name (SSID) on the air. If it’s allowed, when wireless clients survey the local
area for wireless networks to associate with, they will detect the SSID broadcast by the
device.
) Note:
To apply any settings you have altered on the page, please click the Save button, and then you
26
TL-WA901ND 300Mbps Wireless N Access Point User Guide
will be reminded to reboot the device.
3) Client: This mode allows the device to act as a wireless station to enable wired host(s) to
access an AP.
Figure 4-10 Wireless Settings in Client mode
¾ Enable WDS - The client can connect to AP with WDS enabled or disabled. If WDS is
enabled, all traffic from wired networks will be forwarded in the format of WDS frames
consisting of four address fields. If WDS is disabled, three address frames are used. If your
AP supports WDS well, please enable this option.
¾ SSID - If you select the radio button before SSID, the AP client will connect to the AP
according to SSID. Enter the SSID of AP that you want to access.
¾ MAC of AP - If you select the radio button before MAC of AP, the AP client will connect to
the AP according MAC address. Enter the MAC address of AP that you want to access.
¾ Region - Select your region from the pull-down list. This field specifies the region where the
wireless function of the device can be used. It may be illegal to use the wireless function of
the device in a region other than one of those specified in this field. If your country or region
is not listed, please contact your local government agency for assistance.
When you select your local region from the pull-down list, click the Save button, then the
Note Dialog appears. Click OK.
27
TL-WA901ND 300Mbps Wireless N Access Point User Guide
Note Dialog
) Note:
Limited by local law regulations, version for North America does not have region selection
option.
¾ Channel Width - Determines the channel width to be used. It is unnecessary to change the
default value unless required.
¾ Enable Wireless Radio - Select or deselect this check box to allow or deny wireless stations
to access the device.
Click the Search button to detect the SSIDs in the local area.
) Note:
To apply any settings you have altered on the page, please click the Save button, and then you
will be reminded to reboot the device.
4) Repeater: This mode allows the AP with its own BSS to relay data to a root AP to which it is
associated with WDS enabled. The wireless repeater relays signal between its stations and
the root AP for greater wireless range.
Figure 4-11 Wireless Settings in Repeater mode
28
TL-WA901ND 300Mbps Wireless N Access Point User Guide
¾ MAC of AP - Enter the MAC address of the root AP of which you want to expand wireless
range.
¾ Region - Select your region from the pull-down list. This field specifies the region where the
wireless function of the device can be used. It may be illegal to use the wireless function of
the device in a region other than one of those specified in this field. If your country or region
is not listed, please contact your local government agency for assistance.
When you select your local region from the pull-down list, click the Save button, then the
Note Dialog appears. Click OK.
Note Dialog
) Note:
Limited by local law regulations, version for North America does not have region selection
option.
¾ Channel Width - Determines the channel width to be used. It is unnecessary to change the
default value unless required.
¾ Max Tx Rate - Specifies the maximum transmit rate of the device through this field.
¾ Enable Wireless Radio - Select or deselect this check box to allow or deny wireless stations
to access the device.
Click the Search button to detect the SSIDs in the local area.
) Note:
To apply any settings you have altered on the page, please click the Save button, and then you
will be reminded to reboot the device.
29
TL-WA901ND 300Mbps Wireless N Access Point User Guide
5) Universal Repeater: This mode allows the AP with its own BSS to relay data to a root AP to
which it is associated with WDS disabled. The wireless repeater relays signal between its
stations and the root AP for greater wireless range.
Figure 4-12 Wireless Settings in Repeater mode
¾ MAC of AP - Enter the MAC address of the root AP of which you want to expand wireless
range.
¾ Region - Select your region from the pull-down list. This field specifies the region where the
wireless function of the device can be used. It may be illegal to use the wireless function of
the device in a region other than one of those specified in this field. If your country or region
is not listed, please contact your local government agency for assistance.
When you select your local region from the pull-down list, click the Save button, then the
Note Dialog appears. Click OK.
Note Dialog
) Note:
Limited by local law regulations, version for North America does not have region selection
option.
¾ Channel Width - Determines the channel width to be used. It is unnecessary to change the
default value unless required.
30
TL-WA901ND 300Mbps Wireless N Access Point User Guide
¾ Max Tx Rate - Specifies the maximum transmit rate of the device through this field.
¾ Enable Wireless Radio - Select or deselect this check box to allow or deny wireless stations
to access the device.
Click the Search button to detect the SSIDs in the local area.
) Note:
To apply any settings you have altered on the page, please click the Save button, and then you
will be reminded to reboot the device.
6) Bridge with AP: This mode can bridge the AP and up to 4 APs also in bridge mode to
connect two or more wired LANs.
Figure 4-13 Wireless Settings in Repeater mode
¾ SSID (Set Service Identifier) - Identifies your wireless network name. Create a name up to 32
characters and make sure all wireless points in the wireless network with the same SSID. The
default SSID is TP-LINK_XXXXXX (XXXXXX indicates the last unique six characters of each
device’s MAC address). This value is case-sensitive. For example, TEST is NOT the same as
test.
31
TL-WA901ND 300Mbps Wireless N Access Point User Guide
¾ Region - Select your region from the pull-down list. This field specifies the region where the
wireless function of the device can be used. It may be illegal to use the wireless function of
the device in a region other than one of those specified in this field. If your country or region
is not listed, please contact your local government agency for assistance.
When you select your local region from the pull-down list, click the Save button, then the
Note Dialog appears. Click OK.
Note Dialog
) Note:
Limited by local law regulations, version for North America does not have region selection
option.
¾ Channel - Determines the operating frequency to be used. It is not necessary to change the
wireless channel unless you notice interference problems with another nearby access point.
¾ Mode - This field determines the wireless mode which the device works on.
• 11b only - Only 802.11b wireless stations can connect to the device.
• 11g only - Only 802.11g wireless stations can connect to the device.
• 11n only - Only 802.11n wireless stations can connect to the device.
• 11bg mixed - Both 802.11b and 802.11g wireless stations can connect to the device.
• 11bgn mixed - All 802.11b, 802.11g and 802.11n wireless stations can connect to the
device.
¾ Channel Width - Determines the channel width to be used. It is unnecessary to change the
default value unless required.
¾ Max Tx Rate - Specifies the maximum transmit rate of the device through this field.
¾ Enable Wireless Radio - Select or deselect this check box to allow or deny wireless stations
to access the device.
¾ Enable SSID Broadcast - Select or deselect this check box to allow or deny the device to
broadcast its name (SSID) on the air. If it’s allowed, when wireless clients survey the local
area for wireless networks to associate with, they will detect the SSID broadcast by the
device.
¾ MAC of AP (1-4) - Enter the MAC address of other AP(s).
Click the Search button to detect the SSIDs in the local area.
) Note:
To apply any settings you have altered on the page, please click the Save button, and then you
will be reminded to reboot the device.
4.5.2 Wireless Security
Selecting Wireless > Wireless Security will enable you to configure wireless security for your
32
TL-WA901ND 300Mbps Wireless N Access Point User Guide
wireless network to protect your data from intruders. The AP provides three security types: WEP,
WPA/WPA2 and WPA-PSK/WPA2-PSK. Wireless security can be set on the following screen
shown as Figure 4-14. The security options are different for different operation mode.
1) Access Point
Figure 4-14 Wireless Security - Access Point
¾ Operation Mode - Shows the current operation mode.
¾ Disable Security - Check this box radio button to disable wireless security. If disabled, the
wireless stations will be able to connect this device without encryption. It is strongly
recommended that you choose one of the security types to enable security.
¾ WEP - Select 802.11 WEP security.
• Type - You can select one of following types.
1) Automatic - Select Shared Key or Open System authentication type automatically
based on the wireless station's capability and request.
33
TL-WA901ND 300Mbps Wireless N Access Point User Guide
2) Shared Key - Select 802.11 Shared Key authentication type.
3) Open System - Select 802.11 Open System authentication.
• WEP Key Format - You can select ASCII or Hexadecimal format. ASCII format stands
for any combination of keyboard characters in the specified length. Hexadecimal format
stands for any combination of hexadecimal digits (0-9, a-f, A-F) in the specified length.
• WEP Key - Select which of the four keys will be used and enter the matching WEP key
information for your network in the selected key radio button. These values must be
identical on all wireless stations in your network.
• Key Type - You can select the WEP key length (64-bit, or 128-bit, or 152-bit.) for
encryption. "Disabled" means this WEP key entry is invalid.
1) For 64-bit encryption - You can enter 10 hexadecimal digits (any combination of 0-9, a-f,
A-F, zero key is not permitted) or 5 ASCII characters.
2) For 128-bit encryption - You can enter 26 hexadecimal digits (any combination of 0-9, a-f,
A-F, zero key is not permitted) or 13 ASCII characters.
3) For 152-bit encryption - You can enter 32 hexadecimal digits (any combination of 0-9, a-f,
A-F, zero key is not permitted) or 16 ASCII characters.
) Note:
If you do not set the key, the wireless security function is still disabled even if you have selected
Shared Key as Authentication Type.
¾ WPA/WPA2 - Select WPA/WPA2 based on Radius Server.
• Version - You can select one of following versions.
1) Automatic - Select WPA or WPA2 automatically based on the wireless station's
capability and request.
2) WPA - Wi-Fi Protected Access.
3) WPA2 - WPA version 2.
• Encryption - You can select either Automatic, TKIP or AES.
• Radius Server IP - Enter the IP address of the Radius Server.
• Radius Port - Enter the port used by radius service.
• Radius Password - Enter the password for the Radius Server.
• Group Key Update Period - Specify the group key update interval in seconds. The value
can be either 0 or at least 30. Enter 0 to disable the update.
¾ WPA-PSK/ WPA2-PSK - Select WPA based on pre-shared key.
• Version - You can select one of following versions.
1) Automatic - Select WPA-PSK or WPA2-PSK automatically based on the wireless
station's capability and request.
2) WPA-PSK - Pre-shared key of WPA.
3) WPA2-PSK - Pre-shared key of WPA2.
34
TL-WA901ND 300Mbps Wireless N Access Point User Guide
• Encryption - When you select WPA-PSK or WPA2-PSK for Authentication Type, you
can select either Automatic, TKIP or AES as Encryption.
• PSK Passphrase - Enter a passphrase here.
• Group Key Update Period - Specify the group key update interval in seconds. The value
can be either 0 or at least 30. Enter 0 to disable the update.
Be sure to click the Save button to save your settings on this page.
) Note:
You will be reminded to reboot the device after clicking the Save button.
2) Multi-SSID
Figure 4-15 Wireless Security – Multi-SSID
¾ Operation Mode - Shows the current operation mode. You can choose one of the 4 SSID
from the pull-down list.
¾ Disable Security - Check this box radio button to disable wireless security. If disabled, the
wireless stations will be able to connect this device without encryption. It is strongly
recommended that you choose one of the security types to enable security.
¾ WPA/WPA2 - Select WPA/WPA2 based on Radius Server.
• Version - You can select one of following versions.
35
TL-WA901ND 300Mbps Wireless N Access Point User Guide
1) Automatic - Select WPA or WPA2 automatically based on the wireless station's
capability and request.
2) WPA - Wi-Fi Protected Access.
3) WPA2 - WPA version 2.
• Encryption - You can select either Automatic, TKIP or AES.
• Radius Server IP - Enter the IP address of the Radius Server.
• Radius Port - Enter the port used by radius service.
• Radius Password - Enter the password for the Radius Server.
• Group Key Update Period - Specify the group key update interval in seconds. The value
can be either 0 or at least 30. Enter 0 to disable the update.
) Note:
This security option will become unavailable, if the Enable VLAN box in Figure 4-9 is checked.
¾ WPA-PSK/ WPA2-PSK - Select WPA based on pre-shared key.
• Version - You can select one of following versions.
1) Automatic - Select WPA-PSK or WPA2-PSK automatically based on the wireless
station's capability and request.
2) WPA-PSK - Pre-shared key of WPA.
3) WPA2-PSK - Pre-shared key of WPA2.
• Encryption - When you select WPA-PSK or WPA2-PSK for Authentication Type, you
can select either Automatic, TKIP or AES as Encryption.
• PSK Passphrase - Enter a passphrase here.
• Group Key Update Period - Specify the group key update interval in seconds. The value
can be either 0 or at least 30. Enter 0 to disable the update.
Be sure to click the Save button to save your settings on this page.
) Note:
You will be reminded to reboot the device after clicking the Save button.
36
TL-WA901ND 300Mbps Wireless N Access Point User Guide
3) Client
Figure 4-16 Wireless Security – Client
¾ Operation Mode - Shows the current operation mode.
¾ Disable Security - Check this box radio button to disable wireless security. If disabled, the
wireless stations will be able to connect this device without encryption. It is strongly
recommended that you choose one of the security types to enable security.
¾ WEP - Select 802.11 WEP security.
• Type - You can select one of following types.
1) Automatic - Select Shared Key or Open System authentication type automatically
based on the wireless station's capability and request.
2) Shared Key - Select 802.11 Shared Key authentication type.
3) Open System - Select 802.11 Open System authentication.
• WEP Key Format - You can select ASCII or Hexadecimal format. ASCII format stands
for any combination of keyboard characters in the specified length. Hexadecimal format
stands for any combination of hexadecimal digits (0-9, a-f, A-F) in the specified length.
• WEP Key - Select which of the four keys will be used and enter the matching WEP key
information for your network in the selected key radio button. These values must be
identical on all wireless stations in your network.
37
TL-WA901ND 300Mbps Wireless N Access Point User Guide
• Key Type - You can select the WEP key length (64-bit, or 128-bit, or 152-bit.) for
encryption. "Disabled" means this WEP key entry is invalid.
1) For 64-bit encryption - You can enter 10 hexadecimal digits (any combination of 0-9, a-f,
A-F, zero key is not permitted) or 5 ASCII characters.
2) For 128-bit encryption - You can enter 26 hexadecimal digits (any combination of 0-9, a-f,
A-F, zero key is not permitted) or 13 ASCII characters.
3) For 152-bit encryption - You can enter 32 hexadecimal digits (any combination of 0-9, a-f,
A-F, zero key is not permitted) or 16 ASCII characters.
) Note:
If you do not set the key, the wireless security function is still disabled even if you have selected
Shared Key as Authentication Type.
¾ WPA-PSK/ WPA2-PSK - Select WPA based on pre-shared key.
• Version - You can select one of following versions.
1) Automatic - Select WPA-PSK or WPA2-PSK automatically based on the wireless
station's capability and request.
2) WPA-PSK - Pre-shared key of WPA.
3) WPA2-PSK - Pre-shared key of WPA2.
• Encryption - When you select WPA-PSK or WPA2-PSK for Authentication Type, you
can select either Automatic, TKIP or AES as Encryption.
• PSK Passphrase - Enter a passphrase here.
• Group Key Update Period - Specify the group key update interval in seconds. The value
can be either 0 or at least 30. Enter 0 to disable the update.
Be sure to click the Save button to save your settings on this page.
) Note:
You will be reminded to reboot the device after clicking the Save button.
38
TL-WA901ND 300Mbps Wireless N Access Point User Guide
4) Repeater
Figure 4-17 Wireless Security – Repeater
¾ Operation Mode - Shows the current operation mode.
¾ Disable Security - Check this box radio button to disable wireless security. If disabled, the
wireless stations will be able to connect this device without encryption. It is strongly
recommended that you choose one of the security types to enable security.
¾ WEP - Select 802.11 WEP security.
• Type - You can select one of following types.
1) Automatic - Select Shared Key or Open System authentication type automatically
based on the wireless station's capability and request.
2) Shared Key - Select 802.11 Shared Key authentication type.
3) Open System - Select 802.11 Open System authentication.
• WEP Key Format - You can select ASCII or Hexadecimal format. ASCII format stands
for any combination of keyboard characters in the specified length. Hexadecimal format
stands for any combination of hexadecimal digits (0-9, a-f, A-F) in the specified length.
• WEP Key - Select which of the four keys will be used and enter the matching WEP key
information for your network in the selected key radio button. These values must be
identical on all wireless stations in your network.
39
TL-WA901ND 300Mbps Wireless N Access Point User Guide
• Key Type - You can select the WEP key length (64-bit, or 128-bit, or 152-bit.) for
encryption. "Disabled" means this WEP key entry is invalid.
1) For 64-bit encryption - You can enter 10 hexadecimal digits (any combination of 0-9, a-f,
A-F, zero key is not permitted) or 5 ASCII characters.
2) For 128-bit encryption - You can enter 26 hexadecimal digits (any combination of 0-9, a-f,
A-F, zero key is not permitted) or 13 ASCII characters.
3) For 152-bit encryption - You can enter 32 hexadecimal digits (any combination of 0-9, a-f,
A-F, zero key is not permitted) or 16 ASCII characters.
) Note:
If you do not set the key, the wireless security function is still disabled even if you have selected
Shared Key as Authentication Type.
¾ WPA-PSK/ WPA2-PSK - Select WPA based on pre-shared key.
• Version - You can select one of following versions.
1) Automatic - Select WPA-PSK or WPA2-PSK automatically based on the wireless
station's capability and request.
2) WPA-PSK - Pre-shared key of WPA.
3) WPA2-PSK - Pre-shared key of WPA2.
• Encryption - When you select WPA-PSK or WPA2-PSK for Authentication Type, you
can select either Automatic, TKIP or AES as Encryption.
• PSK Passphrase - Enter a passphrase here.
• Group Key Update Period - Specify the group key update interval in seconds. The value
can be either 0 or at least 30. Enter 0 to disable the update.
Be sure to click the Save button to save your settings on this page.
) Note:
You will be reminded to reboot the device after clicking the Save button.
40
TL-WA901ND 300Mbps Wireless N Access Point User Guide
5) Universal Repeater
Figure 4-18 Wireless Security – Universal Repeater
¾ Operation Mode - Shows the current operation mode.
¾ Disable Security - Check this box radio button to disable wireless security. If disabled, the
wireless stations will be able to connect this device without encryption. It is strongly
recommended that you choose one of the security types to enable security.
¾ WEP - Select 802.11 WEP security.
• Type - You can select one of following types.
1) Automatic - Select Shared Key or Open System authentication type automatically
based on the wireless station's capability and request.
2) Shared Key - Select 802.11 Shared Key authentication type.
3) Open System - Select 802.11 Open System authentication.
• WEP Key Format - You can select ASCII or Hexadecimal format. ASCII format stands
for any combination of keyboard characters in the specified length. Hexadecimal format
stands for any combination of hexadecimal digits (0-9, a-f, A-F) in the specified length.
• WEP Key - Select which of the four keys will be used and enter the matching WEP key
information for your network in the selected key radio button. These values must be
identical on all wireless stations in your network.
41
TL-WA901ND 300Mbps Wireless N Access Point User Guide
• Key Type - You can select the WEP key length (64-bit, or 128-bit, or 152-bit.) for
encryption. "Disabled" means this WEP key entry is invalid.
1) For 64-bit encryption - You can enter 10 hexadecimal digits (any combination of 0-9, a-f,
A-F, zero key is not permitted) or 5 ASCII characters.
2) For 128-bit encryption - You can enter 26 hexadecimal digits (any combination of 0-9, a-f,
A-F, zero key is not permitted) or 13 ASCII characters.
3) For 152-bit encryption - You can enter 32 hexadecimal digits (any combination of 0-9, a-f,
A-F, zero key is not permitted) or 16 ASCII characters.
) Note:
If you do not set the key, the wireless security function is still disabled even if you have selected
Shared Key as Authentication Type.
¾ WPA-PSK/ WPA2-PSK - Select WPA based on pre-shared key.
• Version - You can select one of following versions.
1) Automatic - Select WPA-PSK or WPA2-PSK automatically based on the wireless
station's capability and request.
2) WPA-PSK - Pre-shared key of WPA.
3) WPA2-PSK - Pre-shared key of WPA2.
• Encryption - When you select WPA-PSK or WPA2-PSK for Authentication Type, you
can select either Automatic, TKIP or AES as Encryption.
• PSK Passphrase - Enter a passphrase here.
• Group Key Update Period - Specify the group key update interval in seconds. The value
can be either 0 or at least 30. Enter 0 to disable the update.
Be sure to click the Save button to save your settings on this page.
) Note:
You will be reminded to reboot the device after clicking the Save button.
42
TL-WA901ND 300Mbps Wireless N Access Point User Guide
6) Bridge with AP
Figure 4-19 Wireless Security – Universal Repeater
¾ Operation Mode - Shows the current operation mode.
¾ Disable Security - Check this box radio button to disable wireless security. If disabled, the
wireless stations will be able to connect this device without encryption. It is strongly
recommended that you choose one of the security types to enable security.
¾ WEP - Select 802.11 WEP security.
• Type - You can select one of following types.
1) Automatic - Select Shared Key or Open System authentication type automatically
based on the wireless station's capability and request.
2) Shared Key - Select 802.11 Shared Key authentication type.
3) Open System - Select 802.11 Open System authentication.
• WEP Key Format - You can select ASCII or Hexadecimal format. ASCII format stands
for any combination of keyboard characters in the specified length. Hexadecimal format
stands for any combination of hexadecimal digits (0-9, a-f, A-F) in the specified length.
• WEP Key - Select which of the four keys will be used and enter the matching WEP key
information for your network in the selected key radio button. These values must be
identical on all wireless stations in your network.
43
TL-WA901ND 300Mbps Wireless N Access Point User Guide
• Key Type - You can select the WEP key length (64-bit, or 128-bit, or 152-bit.) for
encryption. "Disabled" means this WEP key entry is invalid.
1) For 64-bit encryption - You can enter 10 hexadecimal digits (any combination of 0-9, a-f,
A-F, zero key is not permitted) or 5 ASCII characters.
2) For 128-bit encryption - You can enter 26 hexadecimal digits (any combination of 0-9, a-f,
A-F, zero key is not permitted) or 13 ASCII characters.
3) For 152-bit encryption - You can enter 32 hexadecimal digits (any combination of 0-9, a-f,
A-F, zero key is not permitted) or 16 ASCII characters.
) Note:
1) If you do not set the key, the wireless security function is still disabled even if you have
selected Shared Key as Authentication Type.
2) You will be reminded to reboot the device after clicking the Save button.
4.5.3 Wireless MAC Filtering
Selecting Wireless > Wireless MAC Filtering will allow you to set up some filtering rules to
control wireless stations accessing the device, which depend on the station’s MAC address on the
following screen as shown Figure 4-20. This function is not available when the operation is set to
Client. As the configuration is the same in each operation mode, here we just take the Access
Point for example.
Figure 4-20 Wireless MAC address Filtering
The Wireless MAC Address Filtering feature allows you to control wireless stations accessing the
device, which depend on the station's MAC addresses.
¾ Operation Mode - Shows the current operation mode.
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¾ Wireless MAC Filtering - Click the Enable button to enable the Wireless MAC Address
Filtering. The default setting is disabled.
To Add a Wireless MAC Address filtering entry, click the Add New… button. The “Add or Modify
Wireless MAC Address Filtering entry" page will appear, shown in Figure 4-21
Figure 4-21 Add or Modify Wireless MAC Address Filtering entry
¾ MAC Address - Enter the wireless station's MAC address that you want to control.
¾ Description - Give a simple description of the wireless station.
¾ Status - Select a status for this entry, either Enabled or Disabled.
To set up an entry, follow these instructions:
First, you must decide whether the unspecified wireless stations can access the device or not. If
you desire that the unspecified wireless stations can access the device, please select the radio
button Allow the stations not specified by any enabled entries in the list to access, otherwise,
select the radio button Deny the stations not specified by any enabled entries in the list to
access.
To add or modify a MAC Address Filtering entry, follow these instructions:
1. Enter the appropriate MAC Address into the MAC Address field. The format of the MAC
Address is XX-XX-XX-XX-XX-XX (X is any hexadecimal digit). For example:
00-0A-EB-B0-00-0B.
2. Enter a simple description of the wireless station in the Description field. For example:
Wireless station A.
3. Select Enabled or Disabled for this entry on the Status pull-down list.
4. Click the Save button to save this entry.
To add additional entries, repeat steps 1-4.
To modify or delete an existing entry:
1. Click the Modify in the entry you want to modify. If you want to delete the entry, click the
Delete.
2. Modify the information.
3. Click the Save button.
Click the Enable All button to make all entries enabled
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Click the Disabled All button to make all entries disabled.
Click the Delete All button to delete all entries
Click the Next button to go to the next page and click the Previous button to return to the previous
page.
For example: If you desire that the wireless station A with MAC address 00-0A-EB-00- 07-BE is
able to access the device, while all other wireless stations cannot access the device, you should
configure the Wireless MAC Address Filtering list by following these steps:
1. Click the Enable button to enable this function.
2. Select the radio button: Deny the stations not specified by any enabled entries in the list
to access for Filtering Rules.
3. Delete all or disable all entries if there are any entries already.
4. Click the Add New... button and enter the MAC address 00-0A-EB-00-07-BE in the MAC
Address field, enter Wireless Station A in the Description field and select Enabled in the
Status pull-down list. Click the Save button.
The filtering rules that configured should be similar to the following list:
) Note:
If you enable the function and select the “Deny the stations not specified by any enabled
entries in the list to access” for Filtering Rules, and there are not any enabled entries in the list,
thus, no wireless stations can access the device.
4.5.4 Wireless Advanced
Selecting Wireless > Wireless Advanced will allow you to do some advanced settings for the
device in the following screen shown in Figure 4-22. As the configuration for each operation mode
is almost the same, we take Access Point mode for example here.
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Figure 4-22 Wireless Advanced
¾ Operation Mode - Shows the current Operation Mode.
¾ Tx Power - Specifies the transmit power of the device. You can select High, Middle or Low
which you would like. High is the default setting and is recommended.
¾ Beacon Interval - Specifies a value between 20-1000 milliseconds. The beacons are the
packets sent by the device to synchronize a wireless network. Beacon Interval value
determines the time interval of the beacons. The default value is 100.
¾ RTS Threshold - Specifies the RTS (Request to Send) Threshold. If the packet is larger
than the specified RTS Threshold size, the device will send RTS frames to a particular
receiving station and negotiate the sending of a data frame. The default value is 2346.
¾ Fragmentation Threshold - This value is the maximum size determining whether packets
will be fragmented. Setting the Fragmentation Threshold too low may result in poor network
performance since excessive packets. 2346 is the default setting and is recommended.
¾ DTIM Interval - Determines the interval of the Delivery Traffic Indication Message (DTIM).
You can specify the value between 1-255 Beacon Intervals. The default value is 1, which
indicates the DTIM Interval is the same as Beacon Interval.
¾ Enable WMM - WMM function can guarantee the packets with high- priority messages being
transmitted preferentially. It is strongly recommended enabled.
¾ Enable Short GI - This function is recommended for it will increase the data capacity by
reducing the guard interval time.
¾ Enable AP Isolation - Isolates all connected wireless stations so that wireless stations
cannot access each other through WLAN. This function will be disabled if WDS/Bridge is
enabled.
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4.5.5 Throughput Monitor
Selecting Wireless > Throughput Monitor will helps to watch wireless throughput information in
the following screen shown in Figure 4-23.
Figure 4-23 Throughput Monitor
¾ Rate - The Throughput unit.
¾ Run Time - How long this function is running.
¾ Transmit - Wireless transmit rate information.
¾ Receive - Wireless receive rate information.
Click the Start button to start wireless throughput monitor.
Click the Stop button to stop wireless throughput monitor.
4.5.6 Wireless Statistics
Selecting Wireless > Wireless Statistics will allow you to see the wireless transmission
information in the following screen shown in Figure 4-24.
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Figure 4-24 Statistics of the device attached wireless stations
¾ Operation Mode - Shows the current operation mode. If Multi-SSID is selected, all connected
wireless stations will be shown here
¾ MAC Address - Shows the connected wireless station's MAC address
¾ Current Status - The connected wireless station's running status, one of STA-AUTH /
STA-ASSOC / STA-JOINED / WPA / WPA-PSK / WPA2 / WPA2-PSK / AP-UP / AP-DOWN /
Disconnected
¾ Received Packets - packets received by the station
¾ Sent Packets - packets sent by the station
You cannot change any of the values on this page. To update this page and to show the current
connected wireless stations, click the Refresh button.
If the numbers of connected wireless stations go beyond one page, click the Next button to go to
the next page and click the Previous button to return the previous page.
) Note:
This page will be refreshed automatically every 5 seconds.
4.6 DHCP
DHCP stands for Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol. The DHCP Server will automatically
assign dynamic IP addresses to the computers on the network. This protocol simplifies network
management and allows new wireless devices to receive IP addresses automatically without the
need to manually assign new IP addresses.
There are three submenus under the DHCP menu (shown as Figure 4-25): DHCP Settings,
DHCP Clients List and Address Reservation. Clicking any of them will enable you to configure
the corresponding function. The detailed explanations for each submenu are provided below.
Figure 4-25 The DHCP menu
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4.6.1 DHCP Settings
Selecting DHCP > DHCP Settings will enable you to set up the AP as a DHCP (Dynamic Host
Configuration Protocol) server, which provides the TCP/IP configuration for all the PCs that are
connected to the system on the LAN. The DHCP Server can be configured on the page (shown as
Figure 4-26):
Figure 4-26 DHCP Settings
¾ DHCP Server - Selecting the radio button before Disable/Enable will disable/enable the
DHCP server on your AP. The default setting is Disable. If you disable the Server, you must
have another DHCP server within your network or else you must manually configure the
computer.
¾ Start IP Address - This field specifies the first address in the IP Address pool. 192.168.1.100
is the default start IP address.
¾ End IP Address - This field specifies the last address in the IP Address pool. 192.168.1.199
is the default end IP address.
¾ Address Lease Time - Enter the amount of time for the PC to connect to the AP with its
current assigned dynamic IP address. The time is measured in minutes. After the time is up,
the PC will be automatically assigned a new dynamic IP address. The range of the time is 1 ~
2880 minutes. The default value is 120 minutes.
¾ Default Gateway (optional) - Enter the IP address of the gateway for your LAN. The factory
default setting is 0.0.0.0.
¾ Default Domain (optional) - Enter the domain name of the your DHCP server. You can leave
the field blank.
¾ Primary DNS (optional) - Enter the DNS IP address provided by your ISP. Consult your ISP
if you don’t know the DNS value. The factory default setting is 0.0.0.0.
¾ Secondary DNS (optional) - Enter the IP address of another DNS server if your ISP provides
two DNS servers. The factory default setting is 0.0.0.0.
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Click Save to save the changes.
) Note:
1 When the device is working on Dynamic IP mode, the DHCP Server function will be disabled.
2 To use the DHCP server function of the device, you should configure all computers in the LAN
as "Obtain an IP Address automatically" mode. This function will not take effect until the device
reboots.
4.6.2 DHCP Clients List
Selecting DHCP > DHCP Clients List will enable you to view the Client Name, MAC Address,
Assigned IP and Lease Time for each DHCP Client attached to the device (Figure 4-27).
Figure 4-27 DHCP Clients List
¾ ID - Here displays the index of the DHCP client.
¾ Client Name - Here displays the name of the DHCP client.
¾ MAC Address - Here displays the MAC address of the DHCP client.
¾ Assigned IP - Here displays the IP address that the AP has allocated to the DHCP client.
¾ Lease Time - Here displays the time of the DHCP client leased. Before the time is up, DHCP
client will request to renew the lease automatically.
You cannot change any of the values on this page. To update this page and to show the current
attached devices, click on the Refresh button.
4.6.3 Address Reservation
Selecting DHCP > Address Reservation will enable you to specify a reserved IP address for a
PC on the LAN, so the PC will always obtain the same IP address each time when it accesses the
AP. Reserved IP addresses should be assigned to servers that require permanent IP settings. The
screen below is used for address reservation (shown in Figure 4-28).
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Figure 4-28 Address Reservation
¾ MAC Address - Here displays the MAC address of the PC for which you want to reserve an
IP address.
¾ Reserved IP Address - Here displays the IP address that the AP is reserved.
¾ Status - Here shows whether the entry is enabled or not
¾ Modify - To modify or delete an existing entry.
To Reserve IP addresses:
1. Click the Add New... button to add a new Address Reservation entry.
2. Enter the MAC address in XX-XX-XX-XX-XX-XX format and IP address in dotted-decimal
notation of the computer you wish to add.
3. Click Save when finished.
To modify A Reserved IP address:
1. Select the reserved address entry to your needs and click Modify. If you wish to delete the
entry, click Delete.
2. Click Save to keep your changes.
To delete all Reserved IP addresses:
1. Click Clear All.
Click Next to go to the next page and Click Previous to return the previous page.
) Note:
The changes won't take effect until the device reboots.
4.7 System Tools
System Tools option helps you to optimize the configuration of your device. SNMP can help you
to manage the device locally or remotely with specified software. The diagnostic tools (Ping and
Traceroute) allow you to check the connections of your network components. You can upgrade
the AP to the latest version of firmware as well as backup or restore the AP’s configuration files.
Ping Watch Dog can help to continuously monitor a particular connection to a remote host. It’s
suggested that you change the default password to a more secure one because it controls access
to the device’s web-based management page. Besides, you can find out what happened to the
system in System Log.
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There are nine submenus under the System Tools menu (shown as Figure 4-29): SNMP,
Diagnostic, Ping Watch Dog, Firmware Upgrade, Factory Defaults, Backup & Restore,
Reboot, Password, and System Log. Clicking any of them will enable you to configure the
corresponding function. The detailed explanations for each submenu are provided below.
Figure 4-29 The System Tools menu
4.7.1 SNMP
Selecting System Tools > SNMP to enable this function will allow the network management
station to retrieve statistics and status from the SNMP agent in this device. Simple Network
Management Protocol (SNMP) is a popular network monitoring and management protocol, used to
refer to a collection of specifications for network management that include the protocol itself. To
use this function, select Enable and enter the following parameters in Figure 4-30.
Figure 4-30 SNMP Settings
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¾ SNMP Agent - Select the radio button before Enable will enable this function if you want to
have remote control through SNMPv1/v2 agent with MIB-II. Select the radio button before
Disable will disable this function. The default setting is Disable.
¾ SysContact - The textual identification of the contact person for this managed node.
¾ SysName - An administratively-assigned name for this managed node.
¾ SysLocation - The physical location of this node.
) Note:
Specifying one of these values via the Device's Web-Based Utility makes the corresponding object
read-only. If there isn't such a config setting, then the write request will succeed (assuming
suitable access control settings), but the new value would be forgotten the next time the agent was
restarted.
¾ Get Community - Enter the community name that allows Read-Only access to the Device's
SNMP information. The community name can be considered a group password. The default
setting is “public”.
¾ Get Source - Get source defines the IP address or subnet for management systems that can
read information from this 'get' community device.
¾ Set Community - Enter the community name that allows Read/Write access to the Device's
SNMP information. The community name can be considered a group password. The default
setting is “private”.
¾ Set Source - Set source defines the IP address or subnet for management systems that can
control this 'set' community device.
) Note:
A restricted source can be a specific IP address (e.g. 10.10.10.1), or a subnet - represented as
IP/BITS (e.g. 10.10.10.0/24). If an IP Address of 0.0.0.0 is specified, the agent will accept all
requests under the corresponding community name.
Click the Save button to save your settings.
4.7.2 Diagnostic
Selecting System Tools > Diagnostic allow you to check the connections of your network
components on the screen shown in Figure 4-31.
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Figure 4-31 Diagnostic
¾ Diagnostic Tools - Click the radio button to select one diagnostic tool
• Ping - This diagnostic tool troubleshoots connectivity, reachability, and name resolution
to a given host or gateway by using the Internet Control Message Protocol (ICMP)
protocol's mandatory Echo Request datagram to elicit an ICMP Echo Response from a
host or gateway. You can use ping to test both numeric IP address or domain name. If
pinging the IP address is successful, but pinging the domain name is not, you might have
a name resolution problem. In this case, ensure that the domain name you are specifying
can be resolved by using Domain Name System (DNS) queries.
• Traceroute - This diagnostic tool determines the path taken to a given host by sending
Internet Control Message Protocol (ICMP) Echo Request messages with varying Time to
Live (TTL) values to the destination. Each gateway along the path is required to
decrement the TTL in an IP packet by at least 1 before forwarding it. Effectively, the TTL
is a maximum link counter. When the TTL on a packet reaches 0, the gateway is
expected to return an ICMP Time Exceeded response to your device. Traceroute
determines the path by sending the first Echo Request message with a TTL of 1 and
incrementing the TTL by 1 on each subsequent transmission until the target responds or
the maximum number of hops is reached. The maximum number of hops is 20 by default
and can be specified in the field "Traceroute Max TTL". The path is determined by
examining the ICMP Time Exceeded messages returned by intermediate gateways and
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the Echo Reply message returned by the destination. However, some gateways do not
return Time Exceeded messages for packets with expired TTL values and are invisible to
the traceroute tool. In this case, a row of asterisks (*) is displayed for that hop.
¾ IP Address - Enter the IP Address (such as 202.108.22.5) of the PC whose connection you
wish to diagnose.
¾ Ping Count - Specifies the number of Echo Request messages sent. The default is 4.
¾ Ping Packet Size - Specifies the number of data bytes to be sent. The default is 64.
¾ Ping Timeout - Specifies the time to wait for a response in milliseconds. The default is 800.
¾ Traceroute Max TTL - Set the maximum number of hops (max TTL to be reached) in the path
to search for the target (destination). The default is 20.
Click the Start button to start the diagnostic procedure.
The Diagnostic Results page displays the result of diagnosis.
If the result is similar to the following screen, the connectivity of the Internet is fine.
Figure 4-32 Diagnostic Results
) Note:
1 Only one user can use this tool at one time.
2 Options “Number of Pings”, “Ping Size” and “Ping Timeout” are only available for Ping
function. Option “Tracert Hops” is available only for Tracert function.
4.7.3 Ping Watch Dog
Selecting System Tools > Ping Watch Dog allows you to continuously monitor the particular
connection between the device to a remote host. It makes this device continuously ping a user
defined IP address (it can be the internet gateway for example). If it is unable to ping under the
user defined constraints, this device will automatically reboot.
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Figure 4-33 Ping Watch Dog Utility
¾ Enable - Turn on/off Ping Watch Dog.
¾ IP Address - The IP address of the target host where the Ping Watch Dog Utility is sending
ping packets.
¾ Interval - Time internal between two ping packets which are sent out continuously.
¾ Delay - Time delay before first ping packet is sent out when the device is restarted.
¾ Fail Count - Upper limit of the ping packet the device can drop continuously. If this value is
overrun, the device will restart automatically.
Be sure to click the Submit button to make your settings in operation.
4.7.4 Firmware Upgrade
Selecting System Tools > Firmware Upgrade allows you to upgrade the latest version of
firmware for the device on the screen shown in Figure 4-34.
Figure 4-34 Firmware Upgrade
New firmware versions are posted at http://www.tp-link.com and can be downloaded for free.
¾ Firmware Version - Here displays the current firmware version.
¾ Hardware Version - Here displays the current hardware version. The hardware version of the
upgrade file must accord with the current hardware version.
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) Note:
1 There is no need to upgrade the firmware unless the new firmware has a new feature you
want to use. However, when experiencing problems caused by the device itself, you can try to
upgrade the firmware.
2 Before upgrading the device’s firmware, you should write down some of your customized
settings to avoid losing important configuration settings of device.
To upgrade the device's firmware, follow these instructions:
1. Download a more recent firmware upgrade file from the TP-LINK website
(http://www.tp-link.com).
2. Enter the path name or click Browse… to select the downloaded file on the computer into the
File blank.
3. Click Upgrade.
) Note:
Do not turn off the device or press the RESET button while the firmware is being upgraded. The
device will reboot after the Upgrading has been finished.
4.7.5 Factory Defaults
Selecting System Tools > Factory Default allows you to restore the factory default settings for
the device on the screen shown in Figure 4-35.
Figure 4-35 Restore Factory Defaults
Click Restore to reset all configuration settings to their default values.
• Default User Name: admin
• Default Password: admin
• Default IP Address: 192.168.1.254
• Default Subnet Mask: 255.255.255.0
) Note:
Any settings you have saved will be lost when the default settings are restored.
4.7.6 Backup & Restore
Selecting System Tools > Backup & Restore allows you to save all configuration settings to your
local computer as a file or restore the device's configuration on the screen shown in Figure 4-36.
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Figure 4-36 Save or Restore the Configuration
Click Backup to save all configuration settings to your local computer as a file.
To restore the device's configuration, follow these instructions:
• Click Browse… to find the configuration file which you want to restore.
• Click Restore to update the configuration with the file whose path is the one you have
input or selected in the blank.
) Note:
1. The current configuration will be covered with the uploading configuration file.
2. Wrong process will lead the device unmanaged.
3. The restoring process lasts for 20 seconds and restart automatically. Do not power off the
device during the process to avoid any damage.
4.7.7 Reboot
Selecting System Tools > Reboot allows you to reboot the device on the screen shown in Figure
4-37.
Figure 4-37 Reboot the device
Click the Reboot button to reboot the device.
Some settings of the device will take effect only after rebooting, which include:
• Change LAN IP Address (System will reboot automatically).
• Change the Wireless configurations.
• Change the Web Management Port.
• Upgrade the firmware of the device (system will reboot automatically).
• Restore the device's settings to factory defaults (system will reboot automatically).
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• Update the configuration with a file (system will reboot automatically).
4.7.8 Password
Selecting System Tools > Password allows you to change the factory default user name and
password of the device on the screen shown in Figure 4-38.
Figure 4-38 Password
It is strongly recommended that you change the factory default user name and password of the
device. All users who try to access the device's web-based management page or Quick Setup will
be prompted for the device's user name and password.
) Note:
The new user name and password must not exceed 14 characters in length and must not include
any spaces. Enter the new Password twice to confirm it.
Click Save when finished.
Click Clear All to clear all.
4.7.9 System Log
Selecting System Tools > System Log allows you to query the Logs of the device on the screen
shown in Figure 4-39.
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Figure 4-39 System Log
The device can keep logs of all traffic. You can query the logs to find what happened to the device.
¾ Log Type - By selecting the log type, only logs of this type will be shown.
¾ Log Level - By selecting the log level, only logs of this level will be shown.
Click the Refresh button to show the latest log list..
Click the Save Log button to save all the logs in a txt file.
Click the Clear Log button to delete all the logs from the system permanently, not just from the
page.
Click the Next button to go to the next page, or click the Previous button return to the previous
page.
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Appendix A: Application Example
The TL-WA901ND allows you to connect a wireless device to the wired network. Providing that
you want to connect your computer equipped with wireless adapter to a wired network wirelessly,
you can take the following instructions.
1. Configure the AP via a wired connection.
1) Connect your AP to your PC with an Ethernet cable.
2) Configure the IP address for your PC to communicate with the AP referring to Chapter 3
Configure the PC.
3) Log on to the web-based management page. Configure your AP in the Access Point
mode and check the Enable SSID Broadcast box referring to 4.5.1 Wireless Settings.
4) View the Wireless > Basic Settings page and keep the SSID of the AP in mind.(Here
we choose TP-LINK as the SSID for example.) You are suggested to change the SSID
and secure your wireless network referring to 4.5.1 Wireless Settings and 4.5.2
Wireless Security.
5) Remove the Ethernet cable between the AP and your PC.
2. Connect your AP to the LAN port on the Router with an Ethernet cable.
3. Configure your PC to connect to the network wirelessly.
1) Click Start (in the lower left corner of the PC’s screen), right-click My Network
Connections and choose Properties.
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2) On the My Network Connections window, right-click Wireless Network and choose
Enable to enable wireless network function.
3) Right-click the wireless connection icon “ ” on the screen of the PC and then select
View Available Wireless Networks.
4) Highlight the SSID of the AP(Here is TP-LINK) and click Connect to add to the network.
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5) Then the following page will display, which indicates you have been successfully added
to the network wirelessly.
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Appendix B: Factory Defaults
Item Default Value
Common Default Settings
Username admin
Password admin
IP Address 192.168.1.254
Subnet Mask 255.255.255.0
Wireless
SSID TP-LINK_XXXXXX
Wireless Security Disable
Wireless MAC Address Filtering Disable
DHCP
DHCP Server Disable
Start IP Address 192.168.1.100
End IP Address 192.168.1.199
Address Lease Time 120 minutes (Range:1 ~ 2880 minutes)
Default Gateway (optional) 0.0.0.0
Primary DNS (optional) 0.0.0.0
Secondary DNS (optional) 0.0.0.0
) Note:
The default SSID is TP-LINK_XXXXXX (XXXXXX indicates the last unique six characters of each
device’s MAC address). This value is case-sensitive.
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Appendix C: Troubleshooting
1. No LEDs are lit on the access point.
It takes a few seconds for the Power LED to light up. Wait a minute and check the status of
Power LED. If there the LED is still off, check the following items.
1) Make sure the power cord is connected to the Access Point.
2) Make sure the power adapter is connected to a functioning electrical outlet and the switch
of the electrical outlet is on.
3) Make sure you are using the correct TP-LINK power adapter provided with your Access
Point.
2. The LAN LED is not lit.
There is a hardware connection problem. Check the following items.
1) Make sure the cable connectors are securely plugged in at the Access Point and the
network device (hub, switch, or Router).
2) Make sure the connected device is turned on.
3) Make sure the correct cable is used. Use a standard Category 5 Ethernet patch cable. If
the network device has Auto Uplink™ (MDI/MDIX) ports, you can use either a crossover
cable or a normal patch cable.
3. I can not access the AP with a wireless capable computer.
There is a configuration problem. Check the following items.
1) You may not have the computer with the wireless adapter restarted to make TCP/IP
changes take effect. Restart the computer.
2) The computer with the wireless adapter may not have the correct TCP/IP settings to
communicate with the network. Restart the computer and check if TCP/IP is set up
properly for that network. The usual setting for Windows is “Obtain an IP address
automatically” in Network Properties.
3) The Access Point’s default values may not work with your network. Check to see if the
access point’s default configuration conflicts the configuration of other devices in your
network.
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Appendix D: Specifications
General
Standards and Protocols IEEE 802.3, 802.3u, 802.11n, 802.11b and 802.11g, TCP/IP, DHCP
Safety & Emission FCC、CE
Ports One 10/100M Auto-Negotiation LAN RJ45 port, supporting passive
PoE
Cabling Type
10BASE-T: UTP category 3, 4, 5 cable (maximum 100m)
EIA/TIA-568 100Ω STP (maximum 100m)
100BASE-TX: UTP category 5, 5e cable (maximum 100m)
EIA/TIA-568 100Ω STP (maximum 100m)
Wireless
Frequency Band 2.4~2.4835GHz
Radio Data Rate
11n：up to 300Mbps（Automatic）
11g：54/48/36/24/18/12/9/6M（Automatic）
11b：11/5.5/2/1M（Automatic）
Frequency Expansion DSSS(Direct Sequence Spread Spectrum)
Modulation DBPSK, DQPSK, CCK, OFDM, 16-QAM, 64-QAM
Security WEP/WPA/WPA2/WPA2-PSK/WPA-PSK
Sensitivity @PER
270M: -68dBm@10% PER
108M: -68dBm@10% PER
54M: -68dBm@10% PER;
11M: -85dBm@8% PER
6M: -88dBm@10% PER
1M: -90dBm@8% PER
Antenna Gain 4dBi*3
Physical and Environment
Working Temperature 0℃~40 (32℃~104℉℉)
Working Humidity 10% ~ 90% RH, Non-condensing
Storage Temperature -40 ~70 (℃℃-40 ~158℉)℉
Storage Humidity 5% ~ 90% RH, Non-condensing
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TL-WA901ND 300Mbps Wireless N Access Point User Guide
Appendix E: Glossary
802.11b - The 802.11b standard specifies a wireless networking at 11 Mbps using
direct-sequence spread-spectrum (DSSS) technology and operating in the unlicensed radio
spectrum at 2.4GHz, and WEP encryption for security. 802.11b networks are also referred to as
Wi-Fi networks.
802.11g - specification for wireless networking at 54 Mbps using direct-sequence
spread-spectrum (DSSS) technology, using OFDM modulation and operating in the unlicensed
radio spectrum at 2.4GHz, and backward compatibility with IEEE 802.11b devices, and WEP
encryption for security.
Access Point (AP) - A wireless LAN transceiver or "base station" that can connect a wired LAN to
one or many wireless devices. Access points can also bridge to each other.
DNS (Domain Name System) – An Internet Service that translates the names of websites into IP
addresses.
Domain Name - A descriptive name for an address or group of addresses on the Internet.
DoS (Denial of Service) - A hacker attack designed to prevent your computer or network from
operating or communicating.
DSL (Digital Subscriber Line) - A technology that allows data to be sent or received over existing
traditional phone lines.
ISP (Internet Service Provider) - A company that provides access to the Internet.
MTU (Maximum Transmission Unit) - The size in bytes of the largest packet that can be
transmitted.
SSID - A Service Set Identification is a thirty-two character (maximum) alphanumeric key
identifying a wireless local area network. For the wireless devices in a network to communicate
with each other, all devices must be configured with the same SSID. This is typically the
configuration parameter for a wireless PC card. It corresponds to the ESSID in the wireless
Access Point and to the wireless network name.
WEP (Wired Equivalent Privacy) - A data privacy mechanism based on a 64-bit or 128-bit or
152-bit shared key algorithm, as described in the IEEE 802.11 standard.
Wi-Fi - A trade name for the 802.11b wireless networking standard, given by the Wireless
Ethernet Compatibility Alliance (WECA, see http://www.wi-fi.net), an industry standards group
promoting interoperability among 802.11b devices.
WLAN (Wireless Local Area Network) - A group of computers and associated devices
communicate with each other wirelessly, which network serving users are limited in a local area.
WPA (Wi-Fi Protected Access) - WPA is a security technology for wireless networks that improves
on the authentication and encryption features of WEP (Wired Equivalent Privacy). In fact, WPA
was developed by the networking industry in response to the shortcomings of WEP. One of the
key technologies behind WPA is the Temporal Key Integrity Protocol (TKIP). TKIP addresses the
encryption weaknesses of WEP. Another key component of WPA is built-in authentication that
WEP does not offer. With this feature, WPA provides roughly comparable security to VPN
tunneling with WEP, with the benefit of easier administration and use. This is similar to 802.1x
support and requires a RADIUS server in order to implement. The Wi-Fi Alliance will call this,
WPA-Enterprise. One variation of WPA is called WPA Pre Shared Key or WPA-PSK for short - this
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TL-WA901ND 300Mbps Wireless N Access Point User Guide
provides an authentication alternative to an expensive RADIUS server. WPA-PSK is a simplified
but still powerful form of WPA most suitable for home Wi-Fi networking. To use WPA-PSK, a
person sets a static key or "passphrase" as with WEP. But, using TKIP, WPA-PSK automatically
changes the keys at a preset time interval, making it much more difficult for hackers to find and
exploit them. The Wi-Fi Alliance will call this, WPA-Personal.
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