| LAN and WLAN |  |
|
Case Studies |
||
PRINTHome and business Wi-Fi networks - applications of TP-Link family
Original Polish version by Lukasz Sawicki
TP-Link in one of the leading producers of network devices for home and business applications. The devices are reliable, easy to configure and offer modern design. It is reflected by numerous prizes awarded by independent magazines round the world that prove high quality of the devices and customer-driven policy of the manufacturer.
Dipol is a distributor of TP-Link products. We would like to present ready-to-use applications of this line of products for creating/expanding home and business WLANs.
Version 1
Direct connection to telephone line and link sharing:
It is the most popular solution in homes, utilizing ADSL service (Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line).
Direct connection to telephone line and link sharing:
It is the most popular solution in homes, utilizing ADSL service (Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line).
Recommended devices:
- ADSL router (Annex A) TD-8840 N2905 or TD-W8910G N2901 - directly connected to phone line (RJ-11 connector),
- if we have ISDN line we have to use the router TD-8840B N2906 (Annex B),
- choosing TD-W8910G N2901, we have possibility of connecting the computers both with cable and wirelessly. For a laptop we use WLAN PCMCIA card TL-WN510G N2930 or wireless USB adapter TL-WN321G N2920, and for desktop PC - TL-WN551G N2970.
Annex A or B? The home user should first get informed what kind of line is provided or available. In the case of common telephone lines (POTS/PSTN), there will be needed a router with Annex A. We recommend TP-Link devices: TD-8840 N2905 or TD-W8910G N2901 - router integrated with Access Point. For digital lines (ISDN) - the user has to employ a router with Annex B, such as TD-8840B N2906.
Version 2
Sharing of broadband access to the Internet:
The connection is provided by the ISP (cable TV, DSL, or other operator) via Ethernet interface (it may be for example cable modem with RJ-45 socket).
The user will need a router equipped with WAN port (RJ-45 socket).
Sharing of broadband access to the Internet:
The connection is provided by the ISP (cable TV, DSL, or other operator) via Ethernet interface (it may be for example cable modem with RJ-45 socket).
The user will need a router equipped with WAN port (RJ-45 socket).
Recommended devices:
- the router TL-WR542G N2950 directly connected to the DSL modem or local network - with RJ45 connector,
- wireless client cards PCI TL-WN551G N2970 (for desktop PCs),
- for laptops - wireless PCMCIA adapters TL-WN510G N2930 or USB ones: TL-WN321G N2920,
- to improve stability and transmission speeds we may use indoor antennas TL-ANT2406A A72711 or TL-ANT2405C A72713.
Version 3
Wireless Internet connection:
When we want to use wireless Internet connection we need device supporting WISP mode (Wireless Internet Service Provider), enabling configuration of its wireless port as WAN port, i.e. as the standard port of the router. It will enable us to route internal packets and create our own network. The router may be directly connected to an outdoor antenna through 50 ohm coax (e.g. Tri-Lan 240 E1171_100).
Wireless Internet connection:
When we want to use wireless Internet connection we need device supporting WISP mode (Wireless Internet Service Provider), enabling configuration of its wireless port as WAN port, i.e. as the standard port of the router. It will enable us to route internal packets and create our own network. The router may be directly connected to an outdoor antenna through 50 ohm coax (e.g. Tri-Lan 240 E1171_100).
Recommended devices:
- the router TL-WR543G N2955, with WISP function. The computers are connected to the router with UTP cable. When we need larger number of ports, we use 5-port switch TL-SF1005D N29915, or 8- port device TL-SF1008D N29918,
- when we want to share the signal wirelessly we should also use an Access Point, e.g. TL-WA501G N2940, because it is impossible at the same time to receive and broadcast the signal in WISP mode of the TL-WR543G N2955. The Access Point has to be connected to one of LAN ports of the router or mentioned above additional switch.
Version 4
Complex office/business network:
Internet access is nowadays indispensable functionality of every office block, hotel or warehouse. When the building is not equipped with wired LAN infrastructure, the quick, cheap and effective way of solving the problem is wireless network. The diagram shows an example of developed office network based exclusively on wireless solutions.
Complex office/business network:
Internet access is nowadays indispensable functionality of every office block, hotel or warehouse. When the building is not equipped with wired LAN infrastructure, the quick, cheap and effective way of solving the problem is wireless network. The diagram shows an example of developed office network based exclusively on wireless solutions.
Recommended devices:
- the router TL-WR542G N2950 and Access Point TL-WA501G N2940 configured as Repeater - for improving link quality in the further part of the story,
- for desktop computers - wireless PCI adapters TL-WN551G N2970, for laptops - wireless PCMCIA adapters TL-WN510G N2930 or USB decices TL-WN321G N2920,
- in the case of desktop PCs there may be used indoor antennas TL-ANT2406A A72711 or TL-ANT2405C A72713 - to improve stability and transmission speeds of the wireless links.
The family of TP-Link devices offered by DIPOL
TP-Link 802.11n WiFi devices - up to 300Mbps
 |  |
Access Point TL-WR841N N3251 802.11n (draft 2.0) with built-in router and 4-port switch | Wireless adapter TL-WN851N N3271 802.11n (draft 2.0) with PCI interface |
 |  |  |
Wireless adapter TL-WN821N N3221 802.11n (draft 2.0) with USB interface | Wireless adapter TL-WN910N N3231 802.11n (draft 2.0) with PCMCIA interface | Wireless adapter TL-WN861N N3261 802.11n (draft 2.0) with miniPCI interface |
Indoor TP-Link antennas
 |  |
Desktop antenna TL-ANT2402A A72712: omnidirectional (1.8 dBi), integrated 0.8m cable terminated with SMA/RP connector | Indoor antenna TL-ANT2405C A72713: omnidirectional (5 dBi), integrated 1m cable terminated with SMA/RP connector |
TP-Link - ADSL routers integrated with Access Points
 |  |  |
Wireless ADSL (Annex A) router TD-W8910G N2901 integrated with 4-port switch and Access Point in eXtended Range technology | Wireless ADSL (Annex A) router TD-W8901G N2902 integrated with 4-port switch and Access Point | Wireless ADSL (Annex A) router TD-W8920G N2903 integrated with Access Point. Super G technology allows to transmit data up to 108 Mbps. |
TP-Link - ADSL routers
 |  |  |
ADSL2+ (Annex A) router integrated with 4-port switch: TD-8840 N2905 | ADSL2+ (Annex B) router integrated with 4-port switch: TD-8840B N2906 | ADSL2+ (Annex A) router integrated with 4-port switch and USB port: TD-8841 N2908 |
TP-Link Access Points
 |  |
Access Point TL-WA501G N2940 (eXtended Range). Simple configuration, advanced encryption procedures | Access Point TL-WA601G N2943 in eXtended Range technology. The employed Super G technology allows transmission speed up to 108 Mbps |
TP-Link - routers integrated with Access Points
 |  |  |
TL-WR542G comprises Access Point in eXtended Range technology, broadband router (for xDSL or cable modem) and 4-port switch | TL-WR340G N2951 comprises Access Point, broadband router (for xDSL or cable modem) and 4-port switch | TL-WR642G consists of Access Point (up to 108 Mbps), broadband router (for xDSL or cable modem), and 4-port switch |
TP-Link - routers integrated with Access Points with WISP mode
AP Client with routing (WISP mode - Wireless Internet Service Provider) - TL-WR543G N2955 (for xDSL or cable modem, with 4-port switch)
TP-Link - other WLAN devices
 |  |  |  |
WLAN USB adapter TL-WN321G N2920 (eXtended Range technology) | WLAN USB adapter TL-WN620G N2923 (108 Mbps) | WLAN PCMCIA adapter TL-WN510G N2930 (eXtended Range) | WLAN PCMCIA adapter TL-WN610G N2933 (108 Mbps) |
 |  |  |  |
WLAN PCI adapter TL-WN353GD N2971 | Wireless PCI adapter TP-Link TL-WN651G (eXtended Range, 108 Mbps) | Wireless PCI adapter TL-WN653AG N2976 (all standards - IEEE802.11a/b/g) |
 |  |
Wireless MiniPCI adapter TL-WN562AG N2965 (all standards - IEEE802.11a/b/g) | Wireless MiniPCI adapter TL-WN662AG N2966 (all standards - IEEE802.11a/b/g, 108Mbps) |
TP-Link - other LAN devices
 |  |  |  |
Cable/DSL Router TL-R860 N2990 (firewall, DHCP server & client, 8-port switch, VPN) | 5-port Switch TL-SF1005D N29915 (Auto MDI/MDIX), ideal for home computer networks | 8-port Switch TL-SF1008D N29918 (Auto MDI/MDIX), ideal for small computer networks | PCI Network Interface Card TF-3239DL N2999, compatible with majority of operation systems |
