Question 1

I have my G router connected by a Cat6 cable to a 8 port switch in my bedroom which is too far away from the wireless capability of my belkin router.  Can I plug this device into the switch to gain wirless connectivity in my bedroom for my laptop?

Accepted Answer

It is in fact simply just a wireless access point which sounds exactly like what you're after.  So, yes.  There's another plus to this guy: he comes with a PoE adapter.  This means you can plug in power near the switch, plug it into the PoE adapter, and then just run a single Cat5/Cat6 cable up to about 100 ft away and that single cable will deliver both power and data.

(In other words: power + cat6 from switch -> PoE adapter -> single cat6 -> This TPLink access point)

If you're not doing a long run, this is also nifty for being able to mount the device high up on the wall.

Question 2

I want to connect this to my Comcast Internet router to gain additional wireless access points as well as a more stable wireless data transfer speed. Is this the correct product for me?

Accepted Answer

This will allow you connect wireless devices, but you are still sharing the same amount of bandwidth through all the devices connected, so if you are having trouble with the number of wireless devices connected now, then you will not really increase your capacity.  You may in crease your range and the range of a stable signal.  
Also, if your router is also already wireless, and you plug this into one of the wired ports, unless your router is very sophisticated and you have configured it properly to provide more bandwidth to this device, bandwidth is shared equally across all devices, so connecting five wireless devices would be like splitting up the bandwidth for one device with five devices.  You might actually see diminished performance.  
I can't really give you good answer without knowing a lot more about your setup and the issues you are seeing, but simply plugging this into a router that already has wireless is not likely to do much for you.

Question 3

Do i have to have it connected by wire to the router or is it able to be wirelessly connected to the router?

Accepted Answer

It depends on the mode you're using it in.  Below I list the various modes in which it can be used and applications for those modes.

If  you are using it as a repeater (that is to say you already have a wifi signal coming off your router and you're just trying to extend the signal), then no, it does not have to be connected with a wire to the router.

It can also be used to connect items that only have a wired Ethernet port to a wireless network ('client mode').  Essentially, it would be acting as a wireless network card in this mode.

If you are using it as an access point (you don't have a wifi signal already or you're creating a separate 'guest network' for example), then yes, you will have to connect it with a wire to your router.

Regardless of your desired configuration, you will need to connect it to a computer with a wire to initially configure it.

Question 4

This item comes up in a search for a WiFi extender.  The description doesn't clearly say works as such.  Will this work as such?

Accepted Answer

Yes, it can work as a Wifi repeater/extender. I used this device for just such a purpose because of poor coverage in my home from one access point.

I do notice that I have to reboot device from time to time, as it seems to lose internet conductivity sometimes. Not sure if this is a problem with this device or is due to some other problem with home network, however. I believe that I upgraded to latest firmware without resolution of this problem.

Question 5

Does this hook into my router to give me internet (and network) access to a tablet and a laptop? How many devices can use it at once?

Accepted Answer

This is best used as an access point.  For example,  you would plug a desktop computer into this to allow access to an existing wireless router.  It can be configured as a router to meet your needs but some mid level experience would be required to set it up.

Question 6

How can this be hooked to a printer that has a USB Input?

Accepted Answer

This device does not have a direct USB input. You need a printer with either ethernet connectivity or wifi. You could connect the USB to a computer and share through the PC over a network but that requires the connected PC to be on to use the printer.

Question 7

I would like to use a couple of these in bridge mode to wirelessly connect a couple of buildings 300~500 feet apart. I would also like to know the antenna specs, dBa, connector, or even if it is interchangeable with a coaxial and outdoor antenna?

Accepted Answer

If I were to connect two buildings wireless networks that were that far apart. I would use a wired connection. I can only get about 30 ft - 40 ft radius with this thing on bridge mode. The antenna does screw off, so it is possible to interchange with another antenna. The antenna is a 5 dBi Detachable Omni Directional Antenna (RP-SMA).

Question 8

Can it be used with Apple TV?

Accepted Answer

Yes, but the performance of this device can be lacking at times especially if it  is in bridged mode. It seems to get confused at times. If you are heavy on the local network side I would look at well grounded wireless router such as a linksys. If you are simple setting up a small wireless network and want to browse the net this is a great solution for the money. Streaming mobies seems to work fine too. Local Apple TV is hit and miss depending on the resolution. High res can be choppy at times but most wireless routers have this problem do to bandwidth / latency limitations.

Question 9

I bought this unit to replace an access point that lightning ruined & knocked out my tv.  The access point I had before helped bring in my signal to the tv so we could watch Netflix, etc. without interruption.  This unit does not help at all, even when placed in alternate locations.   I set it up as an access point, as a client, and as a repeater, no help. Is there anything you can recommend that doesn't cost an arm & leg?   I still need to replace the access point and I don't know what it will take.

Accepted Answer

I believe you need Bridge Mode. If I'm correct in assuming you have a TV with a wired Ethernet port and no wireless support, the TV has to connect to a wired network. In Bridge Mode, the TV is connected to the TP-Link which in turn creates the bridge via wireless to the main house network.

Question 10

I need a WiFi bridge (802.11 to ethernet) that will be installed on a battery powered device that will be moved through a large building. There are multiple routers with the same SSID to which the WiFi bridge will connect. A key requirement is that when the bridge moves out of range of one router and into the range of another router (there is full coverage in the building) that the switch to the next router is very quick. We used to use a Symbol CB3000 that worked very well, but it is no longer manufactured. Will the TP-LINK TL-WA701ND perform as I described? If not, are you aware of any that do? We need quite a few of these, and need them on a regular basis.

Accepted Answer

It sounds like you are implementing a roaming Wifi profile. My understanding is that most of that depends on the wireless APs and controller. If so, this should work. I used it as a client and it worked very well. It was able to pair with several APs as I switched them out. They're cheap enough, I suggest getting a pilot device and testing it in your application.

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