Editing Configuring Archer A7 As A Wireless Access Point

<div class="alert alert-info">This is the most current article regarding using a TP-Link router as a wifi access point.</div>

== Process ==

* Power on the access point (AP) router.  Do '''NOT''' connect it to the main router or the WAN/LAN.
* Connect a laptop/desktop computer to the AP router via ethernet cable plugged into a LAN port on the AP router.
* (Mac OS) Confirm the network settings via '''System Preferences''' > '''Network''' > '''Ethernet'''. The address of the AP router should be visible as "Router" and should be something like 192.168.0.1.
* In a browser on the laptop/desktop computer navigate to https://tplinkwifi.net. The admin page should display "Archer A7" at the top of the page.
** '''Advanced''' tab > '''Operation Mode''' > '''Switch Mode''' > Select '''Access Point'''.
** Click <kbd>Save</kbd>
* Router will reboot.

At this point the router can be connected to the main router with the ethernet cable in a LAN port on the main router and the WAN port on the AP router. Connecting the AP router to the main router is optional. 

If the AP router is '''not''' attached to the main router, eventually after it reboots the IP address of the router will refresh in the '''Network''' settings of the desktop/laptop computer. At that point a browser can be used to navigate to https://tplinkwifi.net. 

If the AP '''is''' attached to the main router, navigating to https://tplinkwifi.net will load the admin for the main router, not the AP router. There under '''wired clients''' it will be possible to find the AP router and see its IP address. Its IP address can be used to navigate to the admin for the AP router on the desktop/laptop computer. 

Once the AP router's admin page is loaded it will prompt to enter wireless settings for the AP router, such as SSIDs. Enter SSIDs that are different from the main router. Then confirm and save the changes. 

At this point if the AP router is not connected to the main router, connect it with an ethernet cable going from LAN port on the main router to the WAN port on the AP router. 

At this point the wireless networks for both the AP router and main router should be available, within range of course.

== Troubleshooting ==

=== Can't access the Archer A4 admin page ===

'''Expected'''

Navigate to [https://tplinkwifi.net] to view Archer A7 admin page.

'''What happens instead'''

The admin page for the main router is loaded.

'''Solution'''

In the same browser window, navigate to the main router's admin page by its IP. Wait for the main admin page to load. Once it's loaded, enter https://tplinkwifi.net in that same browser window. At this point the Archer A7 admin page should load.

== References ==

* [https://youtu.be/Cg_gGECGLiY How to turn a router into an Access Point] - (video) TP-Link Global Support YouTube channel

[[Category:LAN]]