[section_title title=Closer Look]
Closer Look
Taking a general look at the D9, the first thing that stands out is the glossy white finish. This is contrasted with the black TP-Link logo in the centre of the router. Also in plain view is the D9’s use of 3 antennas which is to give an overall better wireless signal with a wider Omni-directional range making this router of suitably high-spec for those wanting Wi-Fi signals at long distances. The indicator icons with blue LED’s are found at the top of this front panel.
On the rear of the router, we have the following ports:
1 x Power input
1 x On/off switch
1 x Wireless on/off switch
1 x USB 2.0 port
1 x USB3.0 port
1 x ADSL modem port (RJ11) – For connection to the phone line
4 x LAN ports (RJ45) – One of which becomes a WAN port if using with a cable modem
1 x WPS connect button
Plenty of options here and I really do like the inclusion of the USB ports; it wouldn’t be a premium router without them, I can easily imagine the USB3 port hosting an external USB3 drive on the network and the USB2 port supporting an older printer model.
As the Archer D9 modem router is made to stand on a desk/shelf only TP-Link have moved the USB2 port to the right side panel of the router, pictured below. This is also where the reset button is found. You’ll need a fine tipped device such as a paper clip to use the hard reset button. Holding it in for around 10-15 seconds restores the D9 back to factory settings.
Finally, we have the antennas which are all white, screw into the router and are modular in the way you can point them in the direction you need to. They are Omni-directional meaning that it will provide a quality signal equally in all directions thus reducing the need to place the antennas in certain positions.
