User Guide AC1900 Wireless Dual Band Gigabit Router Archer C9 REV5.0.
Contents About This Guide..........................................................................................................1 Chapter 1. Get to Know About Your Router . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 1. 1. 1. 2. Product Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Panel Layout . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
7. 1. Access the USB Storage Device . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33 7. 1. 1.Access the USB Device Locally . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33 7. 1. 2.Access the USB Device Remotely . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34 7. 2. 7. 3. 7. 4. 7. 1. 3.Customize the Access Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
13. 6. Specify Wireless Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80 13. 7. Use WPS for Wireless Connection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81 13. 7. 1.Set the Router’s PIN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81 13. 7. 2.Use the WPS Wizard for Wi-Fi Connections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82 Chapter 14.
About This Guide This guide is a complement of Quick Installation Guide. The Quick Installation Guide instructs you on quick Internet setup, and this guide provides details of each function and shows you the way to configure these functions appropriate to your needs. When using this guide, please notice that features of the router may vary slightly depending on the model and software version you have, and on your location, language, and Internet service provider.
Chapter 1 Get to Know About Your Router This chapter introduces what the router can do and shows its appearance.
Chapter 1 1. 1. Get to Know About Your Router Product Overview The TP-Link router is designed to fully meet the need of Small Office/Home Office (SOHO) networks and users demanding higher networking performance. The powerful antennas ensure continuous Wi-Fi signal to all your devices while boosting widespread coverage throughout your home, and the built-in Ethernet ports supply high-speed connection to your wired devices.
Chapter 1 Get to Know About Your Router LED Explanation Name (Power) (2.4GHz Wireless) (5GHz Wireless) (Ethernet) Status On Flashing On The 2.4GHz wireless band is enabled. Off The 2.4GHz wireless band is disabled. On The 5GHz wireless band is enabled. Off The 5GHz wireless band is disabled. On At least one powered-on device is connected to the router’s LAN port. Off No powered-on device is connected to the router’s LAN port.
Chapter 1 1. 2. 2. Get to Know About Your Router The Side and Back Panel The following parts (view from left to right) are located on the side and rear panel. Item Description WiFi Button Press the WiFi button for about 2 seconds to turn on or off the wireless function of your router. USB 3.0 Port For connecting to a 3.0 USB device or a 3.0 USB printer. It is also compatible with USB 2.0 devices. USB 2.0 Port For connecting to a 2.0 USB device or a 2.0 USB printer.
Chapter 2 Connect the Hardware This chapter contains the following sections: • Position Your Router • Connect Your Router
Chapter 2 2. 1. Connect the Hardware Position Your Router • The product should not be located in a place where it will be exposed to moisture or excessive heat. • Place the router in a location where it can be connected to multiple devices as well as to a power source. • Make sure the cables and power cord are safely placed out of the way so they do not create a tripping hazard. • The router can be placed on a shelf or desktop.
Chapter 2 Connect the Hardware 2. Turn off the modem, and remove the backup battery if it has one. 3. Connect the modem to your router’s Internet port with an Ethernet cable. 4. Turn on the modem, and then wait about 2 minutes for it to restart. 5. Connect the power adapter to the router and turn on the router. 6. Verify that the following LEDs are on and solid to confirm the harware is connected correctly. Power On 2.4G On 5G On Internet On (Blue or Orange) Note: If the 2.
Chapter 2 Connect the Hardware • Method 3: Use the WPS button Wireless devices that support WPS, including Android phones, tablets, most USB network adapters, can be connected to your router through this method. Note: • WPS is not supported by iOS devices. • The WPS function cannot be configured if the wireless function of the router is disabled. Also, the WPS function will be disabled if your wireless encryption is WEP.
Chapter 3 Log in to Your Router
Chapter 3 Log in to Your Router With a web-based utility, it is easy to configure and manage the router. The web-based utility can be used on any Windows, Macintosh or UNIX OS with a Web browser, such as Microsoft Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox or Apple Safari. Follow the steps below to log in to your router. 1. Set up the TCP/IP Protocol in Obtain an IP address automatically mode on your computer. 2. Visit http://tplinkwifi.net, and create a login password for secure management purpose.
Chapter 4 Set Up Internet Connection This chapter introduces how to connect your router to the internet. The router is equipped with a web-based Quick Setup wizard. It has necessary ISP information built in, automates many of the steps and verifies that those steps have been successfully completed. Furthermore, you can also set up an IPv6 connection if your ISP provides IPv6 service.
Chapter 4 4. 1. Set Up Internet Connection Use Quick Setup Wizard The Quick Setup Wizard will guide you through the process to set up your router. Tips: If you need the IPv6 internet connection, please refer to the section of Set Up an IPv6 Internet Connection. Follow the steps below to set up your router. 1. Visit http://tplinkwifi.net, and log in with your TP-Link ID or the password you set for the router. 2. Click Quick Setup on the top of the page.
Chapter 4 Set Up Internet Connection 3. Select your internet connection type from the drop-down list. Note: If you are unsure of what your connection type is, click Auto Detect. Since different connection types need different cables and connection information, you can also refer to the demonstrations in Step 4 to determine your connection type. 4. Follow the instructions on the page to continue the configuration. Parameters on the figures are just used for demonstration.
Chapter 4 Set Up Internet Connection 3 ) If you choose PPPoE, enter the username and password provided by your ISP. PPPoE users usually have DSL cable modems. 4 ) If you choose L2TP, enter the username and password and choose the Secondary Connection provided by your ISP. Different parameters are needed according to the Secondary Connection you have chosen.
Chapter 4 Set Up Internet Connection 5 ) If you choose PPTP, enter the username and password, and choose the Secondary Connection provided by your ISP. Different parameters are needed according to the Secondary Connection you have chosen. 5. Click Save. 6. To check your internet connection, click Network Map on the left of the page. After the connection succeeds, the screen will display as follows. Here we take PPPoE as an example.
Chapter 4 Set Up Internet Connection It may take 1-2 minutes to make the settings valid. Tips: • If your internet connection type is BigPond Cable, please go to Advanced > Network > Internet to set your router. • If you use Dynamic IP and PPPoE and you are provided with any other parameters that are not required on the page, please go to Advanced > Network > Internet to complete the configuration. • If you still cannot access the internet, refer to the FAQ section for further instructions. 4. 3.
Chapter 4 Set Up Internet Connection 2 ) Dynamic IP(SLAAC/DHCPv6): Click Advanced to input further information if your ISP requires. Click Save and then click Renew. 3 ) PPPoE: By default, the router uses the IPv4 account to connect to the IPv6 server. Click Advanced to input further information if your ISP requires. Click Save and then click Connect.
Chapter 4 Set Up Internet Connection 4 ) 6to4 Tunnel: An IPv4 internet connection type is a prerequisite for this connection type (Manually Set up Your Internet Connection). Click Advanced to input further information if your ISP requires. Click Save and then click Connect. 5 ) Pass-Through (Bridge): Click Save and skip to step 6.
Chapter 4 Set Up Internet Connection 5. Configure LAN ports. Windows users are recommended to choose from the first two types. Fill in Address Prefix provided by your ISP, and click Save. Tips: Find Help on the management interface to know more about items. 6. Click Status to check whether you have successfully set up an IPv6 connection. The following figure is an example of a successful PPPoE configuration. Tips: Visit the FAQ section if there is no internet connection.
Chapter 5 TP-Link Cloud Service TP-Link Cloud service provides a better way to manage your cloud devices. Log in to your router with a TP-Link ID, and you can easily monitor and manage your home network when you are out and about via the Tether app on your smartphone or tablet. To ensure that your router stays new and gets better over time, the TP-Link Cloud will notify you when an important firmware upgrade is avaliable. Surely you can also manage multiple TP-Link Cloud devices with a single TP-Link ID.
Chapter 5 5. 1. TP-Link Cloud Service Register a TP-Link ID If you have skipped the registration during the Quick Setup process, you can： 1. Visit http://tplinkwifi.net, and log in with the password you set for the router. 2. Go to Basic > TP-Link Cloud. 3. Click Register Now and follow the instructions to register a TP-Link ID. 4. After activating your TP-Link ID, come back to the TP-Link Cloud page to log in.
Chapter 5 TP-Link Cloud Service ¾¾ Change your password 1. Click behind the Password. 5. 3. Manage the User TP-Link IDs 2. Enter the current password, then a new password twice. And click Save. The first-time login TP-Link ID will be bound automatically to your router as an Admin account. An admin account can add or remove other TP-Link IDs to the same router as Users.
Chapter 5 TP-Link Cloud Service • Add/remove other TP-Link IDs to/from the router. 5. 3. 1. Add an TP-Link ID to Manage the Router 1. Visit http://tplinkwifi.net, and log in with your TP-Link ID. 2. Go to Basic > TP-Link Cloud, and focus on the Bound Accounts section. 3. Click , enter another TP-Link ID as needed and click Save. Note: If you need another TP-Link ID, please refer to Install the Tether App on Your Smartphones or Tablets to install the app.
Chapter 5 TP-Link Cloud Service 5. 4. Manage the Router via TP-Link Tether App 5. 4. 1. Install the Tether App on Your Smartphones or Tablets The Tether app runs on iOS and Android devices like smartphones and tablets. Open the Apple App Store or Google Play and search the key word “TP-Link Tether” or simply scan the QR code to download and install the app. OR 5. 4. 2. Locally Manage Your Router Using the Tether App 1. Connect your device to the router’s wireless network. 2.
Chapter 5 5. 4. 3. TP-Link Cloud Service Remotely Manage Your Router Using the Tether App ¾¾ To remotely access your router on the Tether app, you need the following: • TP-Link Tether app with latest version: Refer to Install the Tether App on Your Smartphones or Tablets to install the Tether app, or update the installed one to its latest version. • TP-Link Cloud router with the latest firmware: Refer to Upgrade the Firmware to update your router with the latest firmware version.
Chapter 5 TP-Link Cloud Service 3. Select the model of your router from the My Cloud Device list.
Chapter 5 TP-Link Cloud Service 4. On the home page, you can check your internet status and connected devices, or click to manage your router locally as needed.
Chapter 6 Guest Network This function allows you to provide Wi-Fi access for guests without disclosing your main network. When you have guests in your house, apartment, or workplace, you can create a guest network for them. In addition, you can customize guest network options to ensure network security and privacy.
Chapter 6 6. 1. Guest Network Create a Network for Guests 1. Visit http://tplinkwifi.net, and log in with your TP-Link ID or the password you set for the router. 2. Go to Advanced > Guest Network. Locate the Wireless section. 3. Create a guest network as needed. 1 ) Select 2.4GHz or 5GHz network and tick the Enable Guest Network checkbox. 2 ) Customize the SSID. Don‘t select Hide SSID unless you want your guests to manually input the SSID for guest network access.
Chapter 6 6. 2. Guest Network Customize Guest Network Options 1. Visit http://tplinkwifi.net, and log in with your TP-Link ID or the password you set for the router. 2. Go to Advanced > Guest Network. Locate the Settings section. 3. Customize guest network options according to your needs.
Chapter 7 USB Settings This chapter describes how to use the USB ports to share files, media and a printer from the USB storage devices over your home network locally, or remotely through the internet. The router supports USB external flash drives, hard drives and USB printers.
Chapter 7 7. 1. USB Settings Access the USB Storage Device Insert your USB storage device into the router’s USB port and then access files stored there locally or remotely. • • • • Tips: If you use USB hubs, make sure no more than 4 devices are connected to the router. If the USB storage device requires using bundled external power, make sure the external power has been connected. If you use a USB hard drive, make sure its file system is FAT32, exFat, NTFS or HFS+.
Chapter 7 USB Settings ¾¾ Method 2: Windows computer Open the Windows Explorer (or go to Computer) and type the server address \\tplinkwifi.net or ftp://tplinkwifi.net in the address bar, then press Enter. 1 ) Select Go > Connect to Server. 2 ) Type the server address smb://tplinkwifi.net. 3 ) Click Connect. Mac 4 ) When prompted, select the Guest radio box. (If you have set up a username and a password to deny anonymous access to the USB disks, you should select the Registered User radio box.
Chapter 7 USB Settings • Share photos and other large files with your friends without logging in to (and paying for) a photo-sharing site or email system. • Get a safe backup for the materials for a presentation. • Remove the files on your camera’s memory card from time to time during the journey. Note: If your ISP assigns a private WAN IP address (such as 192.168.x.x or 10.x.x.x), you cannot use this feature because private addresses are not routed on the Internet.
Chapter 7 USB Settings 1 ) Open the Windows Explorer (or go to Computer, only for Windows users) or open a web browser. 2 ) Type the server address in the address bar: Type in ftp://: (such as ftp://59.40.2.243:21). If you have specified the domain name of the router, you can also type in ftp://: (such as ftp://MyDomainName:21) Computer 3 ) Press Enter on the keyboard.
Chapter 7 USB Settings 2. Now you can access the USB disk by visiting \\MyShare (for Windows) or smb:// MyShare (for Mac). ¾¾ To Only Share Specific Content 1. Focus on the Folder Sharing section. Click the button to disable Share All, then click Add to add a new sharing folder. 2. Select the Volume Name and Folder Path, then enter a Folder Name as you like. 3.
Chapter 7 • • • USB Settings Enable Authentication: Tick to enable authentication for this folder sharing, and you will be required to log in to the Sharing Account to access the USB disk. Refer to To Set up Authentication for Data Security to learn more. Enable Write Access: If you tick this check box, network clients can modify this folder.
Chapter 7 USB Settings For Windows users, do not set the sharing username the same as the Windows username. Otherwise, Windows credential mechanism may cause the following problems: • If the sharing password is also the same as the Windows password, authentication will not work since the Windows will automatically use its account information for USB access.
Chapter 7 7. 2. USB Settings Media Sharing The feature of Media Sharing allows you to view photos, play music and watch movies stored on the USB disk directly from DLNA-supported devices, such as your computer, tablet and PS2/3/4. 1. When your USB disk is inseted into the router, your DLNA-supoorted devices (such as your computer and pad) connected to the router can detect and play the media files on the USB disks. 2. Refer to the following table for detailed instructions.
Chapter 7 USB Settings Make sure you have installed the driver of the printer on each computer that needs printer service. If you do not have the driver, contact the printer manufacturer. 2. Connect the Printer Cable a printer to the USB port with the USB cable. Wait several seconds until the USB LED becomes solid on. 3. Install the TP-Link USB Printer Controller Utility TP-Link USB Printer Controller Utility helps you access the shared printer.
Chapter 7 USB Settings Mac 3 ) Click the Auto-Connect for printing tab to pull down a list, then select Set AutoConnect Printer. Windows Mac 4 ) Select the printer you share, then click Apply.
Chapter 7 USB Settings Mac 5 ) You will see the printer marked as Auto-Connect Printer. Now you can print with this printer. Windows Mac Tips: The Print Server also allows different clients to share the scan feature of MFPs (Multi-Function Printers). To scan with TP-Link USB Printer Controller, right-click the printer and select Network Scanner. Then, a scanning window will pop up. Finish the scanning process by following on-screen instructions.
Chapter 7 7. 4. USB Settings Time Machine Time Machine backs up all files on your Mac computer to a USB storage device connected to your router. 1. Visit http://tplinkwifi.net, and log in with your TP-Link ID or the password you set for the router. 2. Go to Advanced > USB Settings > Time Machine page. 3. Check the box to enable Time Machine. 4. Click to select a location for Time Machine backups. 5. Set the Size Limit for Backups. Note: 0 means no limit for the space. 6. Click Save.
Chapter 8 Parental Controls This function allows you to block inappropriate, explicit and malicious websites, and control access to specified websites at specified time.
Chapter 8 I want to: Parental Controls Control the times of day my children or other home network users are allowed to access the Internet and even types of websites they can visit. For example, I want to allow my children’s devices (e.g. a computer or a tablet) to access only www.tp-link.com and Wikipedia.org from 18:00 (6PM) to 22:00 (10PM) at the weekend and not other times. How can I do that? 1. Visit http://tplinkwifi.net, and log in with your TP-Link ID or the password you set for the router. 2.
Chapter 8 Parental Controls 5. Enter a Description for the entry, check the box for Enable This Entry, and then click OK. 6. Select Whitelist as the restriction policy. Tips: With Blacklist selected, the controlled devices cannot access any websites containing the specified keywords during the Internet Access Time period. • With Whitelist selected, the controlled devices can only access websites containing the specified keywords during the Internet Access Time period. • 7. Click .
Chapter 8 Done! Parental Controls Now you can control your children’s Internet access as needed.
Chapter 9 QoS This chapter introduces how to create a QoS (Quality of Service) rule to specify prioritization of traffic and minimize the impact caused when the connection is under heavy load.
Chapter 9 9. 1. QoS Prioritize Internet Traffic with QoS QoS (Quality of Service) is designed to ensure the efficient operation of the network when come across network overload or congestion. I want to: Specify priority levels for some devices or applications. How can I do that? 1. Enable QoS and set bandwidth allocation. For example, I have several devices that are connected to my wireless network. I would like to set an intermediate speed on the Internet for my phone. 1 ) Visit http://tplinkwifi.
Chapter 9 QoS 2 ) Choose the respective device from the list. 3 ) Click OK. 3. Refer to the steps above to apply other QoS rules if any. Note: Done! 9. 2. If you want to delete a QoS rule, click to remove the responding rule from the list. Now QoS is implemented to prioritize Internet traffic. Update the Database This function can help to add or update the applications the router supports.
Chapter 9 QoS 1. Download the latest QoS database from our website www.tp-link.com. 2. Visit http://tplinkwifi.net, and log in with your TP-Link ID or the password you set for the router. 3. Go to Advanced > QoS > Database. Click Browse to select the database upgrade file, and then click Upgrade. Wait until the upgrade is completed and do not operate during the process.
Chapter 10 Network Security This chapter guides you on how to protect your home network from cyber attacks and unauthorized users by implementing these three network security functions. You can protect your home network against DoS (Denial of Service) attacks from flooding your network with server requests using DoS Protection, block or allow specific client devices to access your network using Access Control, or you can prevent ARP spoofing and ARP attacks using IP & MAC Binding.
Chapter 10 Network Security 10. 1. Protect the Network from Cyber Attacks The SPI (Stateful Packet Inspection) Firewall and DoS (Denial of Service) Protection protect the router from cyber attacks. The SPI Firewall can prevent cyber attacks and validate the traffic that is passing through the router based on the protocol. This function is enabled by default, and it’s recommended to keep the default settings.
Chapter 10 Network Security 5. If you want to ignore the ping packets from the WAN port, select Ignore Ping Packet From WAN Port; if you want to ignore the ping packets form the LAN port, select Ignore Ping Packet From LAN Port. 6. Click Save. 10. 2. Access Control Access Control is used to block or allow specific client devices to access your network (via wired or wireless) based on a list of blocked devices (Blacklist) or a list of allowed devices (Whitelist).
Chapter 10 Network Security 3 ) Click Block above the Online Devices table. The selected devices will be added to Devices in Blacklist automatically. To allow specific device(s) 1 ) Select Whitelist and click Save. 2 ) Click Add in the Devices in Whitelist section. Enter the Device Name and MAC Address (You can copy and paste the information from the Online Devices list if the device is connected to your network). Done! 3 ) Click OK.
