TP-Link TL-WA701ND and TP-LINK TL-WA801ND-CCCESS Point, Repiter and Wi-Fi Adapter in One Device

One Wi-Fi router is usually enough to build a Wi-Fi network. But not always. Often there are situations when, due to the large area of the house or apartment, one router can not provide a stable signal Wi-Fi network. In such cases, you need to somehow strengthen the Wi-Fi network. There are many ways in which you can do this. The most popular is the installation and configuration of a wi-fi repeater. But there are more interesting and functional devices. Such as: TP-Link TL-WA801ND and TP-Link TL-WA701ND.

In this article I will tell you what these devices are, for what purposes and in what situations you can use them. These are almost universal networking devices that can be used to build a new Wi-Fi network, strengthen an existing one, connect different devices to a Wi-Fi network, etc.

TL-WA701ND as well as TL-WA801ND is a wireless access point with the function of Wi-Fi network amplifier, Wi-Fi adapter and WDS bridge. The devices are practically the same. Both externally and in terms of characteristics. The older model TP-Link TL-WA801ND is a bit more expensive, and it has Wi-Fi network speed up to 300 Mbps. 2 Wi-Fi antennas. The TP-Link TL-WA701ND has 1 removable antenna, and the maximum speed of the wireless network is up to 150 Mbps. This is where the main differences between the devices end. That’s why I decided to tell you about them in one article, not to make a separate entry for each device.

To make it clearer, let’s take a closer look at what modes these access points from TP-Link can work in and what tasks they can perform.

What tasks can TL-WA701ND and TL-WA801ND be used for?

As I’ve already written, these are multifunctional network devices. In the control panel you can choose one of several operating modes. Now we’ll take a closer look at them. And you will be able to understand whether these devices are suitable for you or not.

• Access Point – The TL-WA701ND or TL-WA801ND is connected to the Internet via a network cable from a router or other device (not from the ISP). Then the access point distributes the Internet via wi-fi. Example: you have a router installed at the entrance to your apartment. In the far bedroom does not catch wi-fi. You bring the network cable from the router to the bedroom, put TL-WA801ND in the bedroom and connect it via cable. Another wi-fi network appears in the bedroom. You can set the same network names and passwords. Then the network will be the same and the devices will automatically switch between the router and the access point. But “seamless Internet” will not work, it will still be 2 Wi-Fi networks, although with the same names and passwords. You can also use it in pair with ADSL modem without wi-fi.
• Range Extender – in this mode the access point connects to anotherWi-Fi network and distributes the Internet further via Wi-Fi and cable to 1 device. Example: again, you have a router installed in the hallway. In the kitchen does not catch wi-fi. In the hallway we put for example TP-Link TL-WA701ND, in Range Extender mode we connect it to the main Wi-Fi network and get a wireless network in the kitchen. The access point works as an amplifier. It receives internet via wi-fi and amplifies it.
• Client (wi-fi adapter) – in this mode, the access point can act as a Wi-Fi network receiver for a desktop computer, game console, TV, etc. Example: you have a PC that can’t connect to Wi-Fi because it doesn’t have a receiver. We put TP-Link TL-WA801ND (or younger model) in client mode, connect it to your wi-fi, and connect your PC to the access point via network cable (which comes in the package). We get the Internet on the computer via wireless network.
• Multi-SSID – the access point can distribute up to 4 Wi-Fi networks with different settings. With different names (SSID), passwords, access rights restrictions.

I hope I managed to explain what these devices are and what you can do with them. This is how the mode selection looks like on TP-Link TL-WA801ND:

You can find detailed specifications of these devices on the TP-Link website, or in online stores.

Powering the access point via PoE up to 30 meters

One of the main features of TL-WA701ND and TL-WA801ND access points is the ability to connect PoE power. What it is and how it works, I’ll explain in a moment. A small adapter is included in the package. It looks like this:

In the LAN port connect the Internet (cable from the router), in the PoE port connect the cable to the access point (maximum 30 meters) and in DC connect the power adapter, which is also in the kit (it can also be connected directly to the access point).

It turns out that to the access point goes only one network cable, without power. Power comes through the network cable. Let me remind you that a maximum of 30 meters of cable. This is convenient when the device needs to be installed in some difficult place where there is no outlet for power. For example, in the attic of the house. On the balcony.

A small review of TP-Link TL-WA701ND and TP-Link TL-WA801ND

The case is made of white glossy and gray matte plastic. On the top there are cooler holes, company logo and indicators.

The bottom of the device has a sticker with factory information. On the back panel there is a mount for one or two removable Wi-Fi antennas (depending on the model), 1 Ethernet port, a power connector, a button for disconnecting power, a WPS button and a Reset button.

There are also holes at the bottom, with the help of which you can hang the access point on the wall.

Conclusions

TP-Link TL-WA701ND and TP-Link TL-WA801ND access points are cool, functional and inexpensive devices. They can be used as parts of one constructor to build a local network with Internet access in a house, apartment or a small office.

If you have a lot of devices, a large apartment, such a device will never be without a robot. You do not need an access point, you can use it as a repeater, or an adapter for some device. In a private house, such a device can be installed for example in the attic, and distribute Wi-Fi to the entire yard. You can “hook” it to a free Wi-Fi network and distribute the network for your devices. There are a lot of options.

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Ramón

TP-Link