Configuring Archer C7 As Wireless Access Point

Overview

This is no longer the method to configure a router as a wireless access point. It is saved here for archival purposes. See Configuring Archer A7 As A Wireless Access Point for the latest article on this topic.

See Resetting WP-Link Archer Router if it's necessary to reset the router and start from scratch.

Log in to the router management console using either the router's IP address or http://tplinkwifi.net

Note that it may be necessary to directly connect to the router with an ethernet cable. In that case, keep the ethernet cable from the modem in one of the “Ethernet” ports, and connect the cable from the computer to another of the “Ethernet” ports. Don’t use the “Internet” port. Even with the computer directly cabled to the C7 router, tplinkwifi.net may still resolve to the main router and it may be necessary to refresh that cache.

Network settings

• Network > WAN
  • WAN Connection Type: Static IP
  • Copy all other settings (WAN IP address, subnet mask, default gateway, DNS, etc) from the main router (e.g. TP-Link Archer C9).
  • Click Save
• Network > LAN
  • IP Address: 192.168.123.2
  • Subnet Mask: 255.255.255.0
  • Click Save
  • The Router Management Console will prompt that it's necessary to reboot to apply the settings. Go ahead and reboot.

Wait for reboot to complete.

DHCP settings

• DHCP > DHCP Settings
  • DHCP Server: Disable
  • Click Save
  • The Router Management Console will prompt that it's necessary to reboot to apply the settings. Go ahead and reboot.

Wait for reboot to complete.

Wireless settings

• Wireless 2.4GHz > Wireless Settings
  • Wireless Network Name: Change this from default
  • Click Save
• Wireless 2.4GHz > Wireless Security
  • WPA/WPA2 - Personal
    • PSK Password: Change this to desired password
  • Click Save
• Wireless 5GHz > Wireless Settings
  • Wireless Network Name: Change this from default
  • Click Save
• Wireless 5GHz > Wireless Security
  • WPA/WPA2 - Personal
    • PSK Password: Change this to desired password
  • Click Save
• Reboot the router.

Wait for reboot to complete.

Make sure the ethernet cable going from the switch to the Archer C7 router is plugged into a LAN port and NOT a WAN port.

Connecting to the wifi network

On the iPad:

• Settings' app > Wi-Fi > Choose A Network
• Choose one of the channel names (2.4GHz or 5GHz) that were entered in the router management console.
• Enter the wifi password as defined on the C7 router.

Other settings

If the router has been reset to the factory settings, the admin password should be changed.

System Tools > Password

See Also

• Configuring WPS Bridging With TP-Link Archer C9 and C7