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TP Archer C7 AC1750 Router

2

Comments

  • #32
    bk
    Moderators, Motoring & Transport Moderators, Technology & Internet Moderators Posts: 23,595 Mod ✭✭✭✭bk


    cruhoortwunk wrote: »
    I got a v1, balls! Ordered form amazon a week ago.

    Definitely return it, Amazon are really good about returns. Should be no problem at all.

    Just say your iPhone keeps disconnecting. It is a known problem with the v1

    Did you buy it from Amazon themselves or a third party supplier? I'd guess the latter, I'd be surprised if Amazon themselves are still shipping v1's

    I'll add this info to the guide.


  • #33
    cruhoortwunk
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,355 ✭✭✭cruhoortwunk


    Yeah getting constant dropped packets when I ping -t the router on wifi. Shítbox


  • #34
    Dave..M
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 693 ✭✭✭Dave..M


    cruhoortwunk wrote: »
    Yeah getting constant dropped packets when I ping -t the router on wifi. Shítbox

    Presumably you updated the FW. The main diff between the v1 & 2 was the 5Ghz chipset (which caused issues with openwrt and on the Mac books with AC but never once caused me a problem on iPhone on any FW) and the flash size 8 v 16 the rest is pretty much the exact same unit. I've had a v1.1 for over a year now since before the v2 came out and have had zero dropped packets or any issues of note and there are iPhones, iPads, Nexus 7 and other android stuff, NOWTV's, chromecasts, smart TV's and a good ol' PS3 all hammering away at it, frankly mine is well solid and I wouldn't swap it for a v2 at this stage but the fact you are still getting a v1 with Amazons stock churn nearly a year after the v2 came out and the v3 now on the market makes me wonder whether you got a refurb'd one that was rma'd for the issues you are seeing and they assumed was for the 5Ghz issues that were reportedly resolved with FW upgrades so they repackaged and shipped it. I'd defo send 'er back.


  • #35
    bk
    Moderators, Motoring & Transport Moderators, Technology & Internet Moderators Posts: 23,595 Mod ✭✭✭✭bk


    cruhoortwunk wrote: »
    Yeah getting constant dropped packets when I ping -t the router on wifi. Shítbox

    I'm getting 0 packet loss on ping -t 600 (10 minutes) on my v2.

    So it seems rock solid. Definitely RMA it.

    BTW you never answered if you got this from Amazon direct or a third party seller?

    I'm really surprised Amazon are still shipping v1's I'd assumed they were long gone by now. Which is why I've been happily recommending them. Perhaps I such change my recommendation to a C8 to avoid this issue altogether. I've updated my guide with a warning about this.

    Sorry for the trouble caused by this cruhoortwunk


  • #36
    cruhoortwunk
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,355 ✭✭✭cruhoortwunk


    bk wrote: »
    I'm getting 0 packet loss on ping -t 600 (10 minutes) on my v2.

    So it seems rock solid. Definitely RMA it.

    BTW you never answered if you got this from Amazon direct or a third party seller?

    I'm really surprised Amazon are still shipping v1's I'd assumed they were long gone by now. Which is why I've been happily recommending them. Perhaps I such change my recommendation to a C8 to avoid this issue altogether. I've updated my guide with a warning about this.

    Sorry for the trouble caused by this cruhoortwunk
    Got it from Amazon direct. Strange one all right.
    I appreciate your help on it though, fair play on the guide and all. As you said, you weren't to know they would ship a v1 so long after the v2 came out. Amazon are usually happy to replace stuff, they don't cause as much hassle as most other online retailers.


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  • #37
    cruhoortwunk
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,355 ✭✭✭cruhoortwunk


    Actually, it may have been just too far away from the router on 5Ghz when I had the dropped packets.
    Trying now close to the router and I'm getting 190Mb down and no dropped packets. Standing here yesterday I couldn't get any more than 90Mb.
    I'll test it further, but maybe that was the cause, the 5Ghz being limited range wise


  • #38
    ED E
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 36,095 ✭✭✭✭ED E


    BK, you ever actually benchmark the full throughput? Or do you have an AC clients yet?


  • #39
    cruhoortwunk
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,355 ✭✭✭cruhoortwunk


    Dave..M wrote: »
    Presumably you updated the FW. The main diff between the v1 & 2 was the 5Ghz chipset (which caused issues with openwrt and on the Mac books with AC but never once caused me a problem on iPhone on any FW) and the flash size 8 v 16 the rest is pretty much the exact same unit. I've had a v1.1 for over a year now since before the v2 came out and have had zero dropped packets or any issues of note and there are iPhones, iPads, Nexus 7 and other android stuff, NOWTV's, chromecasts, smart TV's and a good ol' PS3 all hammering away at it, frankly mine is well solid and I wouldn't swap it for a v2 at this stage but the fact you are still getting a v1 with Amazons stock churn nearly a year after the v2 came out and the v3 now on the market makes me wonder whether you got a refurb'd one that was rma'd for the issues you are seeing and they assumed was for the 5Ghz issues that were reportedly resolved with FW upgrades so they repackaged and shipped it. I'd defo send 'er back.
    Yeah I took the latest firmware from their website, I assume it's the best one?


  • #40
    Dave..M
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 693 ✭✭✭Dave..M


    cruhoortwunk wrote: »
    Yeah I took the latest firmware from their website, I assume it's the best one?

    Yup 4/12/2014. They update the FW quite regularly. Never really had much reason to but I always keep it up to date anyway (I wait a week or so after keeping an eye on the TP forum to make sure there are no glaring bugs reported!)


  • #41
    bk
    Moderators, Motoring & Transport Moderators, Technology & Internet Moderators Posts: 23,595 Mod ✭✭✭✭bk


    ED E wrote: »
    BK, you ever actually benchmark the full throughput? Or do you have an AC clients yet?

    I have ac disabled as the only AC device I have is my iPhone 6 and obviously I'm not too worried about high speeds on that.

    But I just enabled it and did some testing with the iPhone 6.

    All tests are in the same room, over the internal network only, from the iPhone 6 against a gigabit wired mac from.

    2.4GHz 802.11n - 20Mb/s
    5Ghz 802.11n - 110Mb/s
    5GHz 802.11ac - 230Mb/s :D

    Doing Speedtest.net from the iPhone 6 I'm getting 220Mb/s :D

    BTW wired over gigabit ethernet from mac to mac gives me 780Mb/s

    Pretty impressive. But note that the iPhone 6 only supports a 1x1:1 radio with 80Mhz bands, for a total of 433Mb/s physical. You would expect new, high end laptops and tablets to have 3x3 radios supporting 1.69 Gbit/s physical, so obviously they would deliver much higher throughput.


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  • #42
    ED E
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 36,095 ✭✭✭✭ED E


    If you get an AC laptop run Iperf from that to a pc on GigE, that'll test the real limit.

    I image my laptop weekly and its a tad slow on my current N setup, AC could half that time or better.


  • #43
    bk
    Moderators, Motoring & Transport Moderators, Technology & Internet Moderators Posts: 23,595 Mod ✭✭✭✭bk


    ED E wrote: »
    If you get an AC laptop run Iperf from that to a pc on GigE, that'll test the real limit.

    Yeah, but I'm in no rush to update my macbook air. Want to wait to see how the new retina Macbook Airs and Macbook Pros develop.

    Anyway, when I need better performance (e.g. copying files around my home network) I just plug into Gigabit ethernet. My apartment is wired for it anyway.
    ED E wrote: »
    I image my laptop weekly and its a tad slow on my current N setup, AC could half that time or better.

    Maybe just use ethernet when you do this?


  • #44
    ED E
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 36,095 ✭✭✭✭ED E


    bk wrote: »
    Maybe just use ethernet when you do this?

    I totally could, but the current setup just means I have to press power and it does it. Too lazy to change my desk layout :pac:


  • #45
    ItHurtsWhenIP
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2, Paid Member Posts: 2,276 ✭✭✭ItHurtsWhenIP


    Hey bk,

    Do the USB ports on the C7 enable you to connect up portable Hard Disks (the types without an independent power supply) and have them shared internally?


  • #46
    bk
    Moderators, Motoring & Transport Moderators, Technology & Internet Moderators Posts: 23,595 Mod ✭✭✭✭bk


    MMFITWGDV wrote: »
    Hey bk,

    Do the USB ports on the C7 enable you to connect up portable Hard Disks (the types without an independent power supply) and have them shared internally?

    Yes, I believe so, according to reviews I've read. I haven't tried doing so myself.


  • #47
    Dave..M
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 693 ✭✭✭Dave..M


    MMFITWGDV wrote: »
    Hey bk,

    Do the USB ports on the C7 enable you to connect up portable Hard Disks (the types without an independent power supply) and have them shared internally?

    Yes, they allow ftp, saving files to/from PC and it also acts as a media server to play files directly via dlna enabled devices (smart tv, PS3, Chromecast etc)

    Edit: I should note that I've only really used the media server functionality which works fine.


  • #48
    The_Chap
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 476 ✭✭The_Chap


    quick question before I pull the trigger on this or the C8...

    I have a wireless printer that will only connect to 2.4ghz - will I be able to print to it if my laptop is connected to the 5ghz?

    thanks!


  • #49
    bk
    Moderators, Motoring & Transport Moderators, Technology & Internet Moderators Posts: 23,595 Mod ✭✭✭✭bk


    The_Chap wrote: »
    quick question before I pull the trigger on this or the C8...

    I have a wireless printer that will only connect to 2.4ghz - will I be able to print to it if my laptop is connected to the 5ghz?

    thanks!

    Yes, at the router level they are on the same network.


  • #50
    The_Chap
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 476 ✭✭The_Chap


    bk wrote: »
    Yes, at the router level they are on the same network.

    have to say thanks bk - C7v2 installed today, configured and Thomson 870 bridged to modem only

    running like a dream

    only problem is now the in-laws want me to install one for them! :rolleyes:


  • #51
    SachaJ
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,737 ✭✭✭SachaJ


    I almost know this is going to be a stupid question before I type it.....

    Can this be used with Vodafone Fibre? From looking around it seems I can bridge the HC658c. I'm guessing bridging is essentially using the HG658c as a modem only but transferring all functionality to the new router?

    I have the house wired with CAT6 so PCs etc are wired. I really need something to sort out the WiFi in the house. Wife keeps complaining that the connection to her iPhone is muck.....

    I'd probably buy the C8 as the white would look better mounted on a wall.


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  • #52
    The_Chap
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 476 ✭✭The_Chap


    SachaJ wrote: »
    I almost know this is going to be a stupid question before I type it.....

    Can this be used with Vodafone Fibre? From looking around it seems I can bridge the HC658c. I'm guessing bridging is essentially using the HG658c as a modem only but transferring all functionality to the new router?

    I have the house wired with CAT6 so PCs etc are wired. I really need something to sort out the WiFi in the house. Wife keeps complaining that the connection to her iPhone is muck.....

    I'd probably buy the C8 as the white would look better mounted on a wall.

    The only difference is cable modem in my case vs ADSL modem in yours

    Can't see why it won't work in the same way if you can bridge the modem. You are correct in that all other functions are passed to the new router.

    Unless someone says you'd need the D9 for ADSL, then I'd go for the C8


  • #53
    ED E
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 36,095 ✭✭✭✭ED E


    SachaJ wrote: »
    I almost know this is going to be a stupid question before I type it.....

    Can this be used with Vodafone Fibre? From looking around it seems I can bridge the HC658c. I'm guessing bridging is essentially using the HG658c as a modem only but transferring all functionality to the new router?

    I have the house wired with CAT6 so PCs etc are wired. I really need something to sort out the WiFi in the house. Wife keeps complaining that the connection to her iPhone is muck.....

    I'd probably buy the C8 as the white would look better mounted on a wall.

    Will work no problem. Just bridge the Huawei and set the C8 to do WAN DHCP, bobs your uncle.


  • #54
    tylerdurden94
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,755 ✭✭✭tylerdurden94


    Currently using a Airport Express running 2.4 & 5ghz networks but haven't been able to get above 100mb over WiFi on the 5, recently upgraded to 240mb from UPC (just seen the new way of switching the technicolor into bridge mode) and seen a few people talking about the router mentioned & a difference between a 1st/2nd generation model where is the best place to buy the version two model?

    For those of you who have switched how have you found the speeds with this router, any pics of speedtests etc?


  • #55
    Snake Plisken
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 14,257 ✭✭✭✭Snake Plisken


    anyone try using 3rd party firmware with this? I know there are some DD-WRT builds for it, is there even stable build or am I best leaving it with stock firmware?


  • #56
    bk
    Moderators, Motoring & Transport Moderators, Technology & Internet Moderators Posts: 23,595 Mod ✭✭✭✭bk


    Snake Plisken wrote: »
    anyone try using 3rd party firmware with this? I know there are some DD-WRT builds for it, is there even stable build or am I best leaving it with stock firmware?

    I find the stock build perfectly fine, so I don't see any need to change. Not sure what extra DD-WRT would give me for the hassle.


  • #57
    The_Chap
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 476 ✭✭The_Chap


    bk wrote: »
    I find the stock build perfectly fine, so I don't see any need to change. Not sure what extra DD-WRT would give me for the hassle.

    Ditto what bk said, I've now installed two and find it more than suitable once latest firmware is applied


  • #58
    guil
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2, Paid Member Posts: 10,669 ✭✭✭✭guil


    I have a tp link wdr3600 bridged to a Vodafone modem. Will the c7 offer better wifi coverage and has it got more features? I'm looking to restrict access on some devices at certain times and I don't think it can be done simply with my current router.


  • #59
    Dave..M
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 693 ✭✭✭Dave..M


    guil wrote: »
    I have a tp link wdr3600 bridged to a Vodafone modem. Will the c7 offer better wifi coverage and has it got more features? I'm looking to restrict access on some devices at certain times and I don't think it can be done simply with my current router.

    The C7 has access control, I've not used it but I just checked it out via the admin console and it is quite granular, have a look at the C7 emulator on TP's site under support and you will see the various options ( in fact looking there I see the 3600 has the same options). I have no issues with coverage in my house up and downstairs on the C7 (2.4 only of course), I had a 3600 many moons ago (sadly went kaput) and I seem to recall that was fine too so not sure you get much extra for the upgrade if that is the only reason (there are other more obvious reasons for buying an AC router but perhaps not relevant to your specific needs)


  • #60
    mass_debater
    Closed Accounts Posts: 3,072 ✭✭✭mass_debater


    Is there an AP version of this? I use a Mikrotik for many scripts and the advanced shaping and queuing it offers so have no need for a router, only need an AP.


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  • #61
    Dave..M
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 693 ✭✭✭Dave..M


    mass_debater wrote: »
    Is there an AP version of this? I use a Mikrotik for many scripts and the advanced shaping and queuing it offers so have no need for a router, only need an AP.

    No dedicated AP mode but you can switch off DHCP and assign a static IP fairly readily, you do lose a lan port but I think the price is low enough to justify buying as an AP alone, I don't have the wiring in situ to push enough bandwidth to justify an additional AC AP but if I did I'd buy another to have full 5 coverage.


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