TP-Link Archer VR600 VDSL Router Review

[section_title title=”Setup”]

Setup

Once you’ve plugged everything in, the router should be given a default IP address of 192.168.1.1, so simply open up a web browser and load the management interface. Something that I’ve noticed has changed, immediately the router will ask you to set a new management password, but no username. So once you’ve set up this password, each time you attempt to log into the device you’ll only be prompted for a password.

Okay once logged in you’ll be prompted with the usual quick setup options, this makes setting up the device as painless as possible. I am going to be using the router on a Virgin Media connection so the quick setup doesn’t apply, but I have walked you through it anyway.

It will first ask you to pick your ISP. Make sure you choose the correct option (ADSL for a normal broadband connection, or VDSL for the likes of SKY/BT/TalkTalk Fibre). For demonstration purposes I’m going with BT_VDSL. Press next once you’re done.

This next screen is the trickiest part. You’ll need to know your PPPOE username and password. For BT Fibre the username is generally “bthomehub@btbroadband.com” and the password is “BT”. If you’re using it on a different ISP you can normally find the username and password via a quick Google search, or via a conversation with your ISP.

Onto the next screen is where you’ll set up your primary wireless SSID and Passwords for both 2.4GHZ and 5GHz frequencies. (You can set up a guest network later on).

You’re now ready for a connection text. Ignore the fact mine says the internet is not connected, this is because I needed to go into the advanced options and configure it for use with Virgin Media.

Once connected you’ll see the final summary screen, meaning you can simply click finish to complete the setup wizard. Or if you need to go into further configuration details you can click the “Basic” or “Advanced” tabs at the top to configure any extra features you may require.

If you want to enable the router for use on a cable connection, you need to go into the Advanced tab and then into “Operation Mode” on the left. Then change the mode to “Wireless Router”. This will then reboot the router and you can hook up your cable connection into the router. Although you will have to use one of the ethernet ports to do this which means you will only have 3 ports to connect other wired devices. With more and more devices communicating over WiFi, I honestly can’t see this being too much of a problem.

One of the main additional features I also wanted to mention was the 3G/4G modem capabilities. Meaning that you can connect a USB Mobile Broadband Dongle for use as an automatic backup/failover connection. With 4G connectivity becoming more competitively priced, I can see immediately why TP-Link opted to add this as a feature. It can be set to automatically connect in the event of a failure with the main connection. This could also mean that the device would fit well into the SOHO environment where the need for a backup connection is a must. Just out of curiosity I connected an old Huawei E156G dongle and the router recognised it immediately.

The other use for the USB ports is as a file/print server. You could connect a flash drive into one of the USB ports and then create a file share that anyone on the network can access. The same for printer sharing. You can plug in a USB printer and have the router share it out to other devices on the network, this saves you having to leave a PC switched on all the time. Again I plugged in an old HP Photosmart 5520 and the device picked it up straight away. Although to manage the printing side of things, you’ll need to download the TP-Link USB Print Controller Utility from their main website.