I have had this for a few weeks and have by no means tested everything but I will update this review as I go along.
The model I received was the TL-WR902AC(EU) Ver 1.0 (with UK plug on the mains adapter).
There are other versions out there (like EU ver 3 and US).
Also, this model has a recent firmware update available from the tp-link UK website which I have applied.
The micro USB socket for the power is set back in the unit and I have found some USB cables have a B plug that isn't quite long enough to stay connected. YMMV
The first thing to do is check that the built in Wifi networks have a password.
Set the switch to ETH and switch it on. Don't plug it into a network.
When the unit is ready, use a tablet or laptop to connect to the WR902 wifi. If it doesn't ask for a wifi password, visit the WR902 admin page tplinkwifi.net and login. Check the Wifi settings and make sure both the 2.4G and 5G networks have a secure password set.
I didn't do this and just plugged it into the home network.
The WR902 promptly created 2 completely open unprotected Wifi access points. :( :(
The wifi range of the WR902 is surprisingly good even though it has no external aerial. However, the unit has to be powered externally (there are no batteries) although it can be powered from a USB port (on your laptop, or car socket for example) so you don't require a mains socket. There was no manual provided. Just a quick guide. I did find a bigger manual on the USA TP-Link website (but not on the UK one). The documentation is not good and neither is the support website. If things don't work as expected, you can spend a lot of time tinkering trying to make it work.
Test scenarios:
Share ETH switch setting:
Wifi access to the internet via an existing (wired) network. Plug the WR902 into a handy RJ45 ethernet port on the network and switch on. After a couple of minutes the WR902 should provide 2.4G and 5G wifi access to the internet via the network. This works flawlessly. As long as the WR902 can get an IP address from the network there is no more to do. If the local network requires the WR902 to have a fixed IP address, you can use the WR902 admin page to enter it.
Wifi access to internet via a 3G/4G mobile network. Instead of plugging the WR902 into an existing network, you can plug in a USB mobile dongle. However, the WR902 is very choosy about which USB mobile dongles it will talk to. It doesn't recognise my Vodafone K5160 4G dongle and it doesn't like my old K3520 3G dongle either. Luckily it likes a K4201 3G dongle. The WR902 takes several minutes to recognise and connect to the internet via the dongle. You will probably have to do some configuration via the WR902 admin pages to make it a plug and play process but it can be done.
Share Hotspot switch setting:
Wifi access to internet via a Wifi network. This seems a bit strange. Why would you use the WR902 to connect to a Wifi network? You can just connect your device directly. There are a couple of situations. 1) The hotel wifi only works in one part of the room but you want wifi in the whole room. Place the WR902 where it can connect to the hotel wifi and share the internet around the whole room. 2) The hotel wifi only works with one device. Use the WR902 as the device. it will share the connection with all your devices.
Start up the WR902. After a couple of minutes you will be able to connect to the WR902 Wifi and log in to the admin page (URL = tplinkwifi.net). Choose Quick Connect. You can get the WR902 to scan the local wifi networks and choose the one to connect to. Enter the wifi password and continue. The WR902 will reboot and after a few minutes, the internet will be available. The good news is the WR902 remembers the last wifi network you connected to so if you are staying in the same hotel for a while, subsequent use is plug and play.
Note: With both of the above modes, the WR902 creates its own LAN which it connects to the internet. Devices using the WR902 can network with each other, but are isolated from the LAN that the WR902 uses to connect to the internet. If you want to use the WR902 to extend your existing LAN, use the third switch position AP/Rng Ext/Client.
More later.
| Brand | TP-Link |
|---|---|
| Product Dimensions | 7.2 x 6.5 x 2 cm; 60 Grams |
| Item model number | TL-MR3020 V3 |
| Manufacturer | TP-Link |
| Connectivity Type | Wi-Fi |
| Wireless Type | 2.4 GHz Radio Frequency |
| Operating System | Android |
| Are Batteries Included | No |
| Item Weight | 60 g |
