Mobile router TP-Link TL-MR3040 – elegance and functionality. Adding support for LTE modems in the TL-MR3040 mobile router Unstable operation, the Internet disappears very often

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We have already talked about Wi-Fi routers that can connect to the Internet both via traditional twisted pair cable and using a 3G modem. They have a number of significant advantages, since, firstly, if the wired connection “falls” there is always a reserve in the form of 3G, and secondly, even in an almost open field they are able to provide access to the World Wide Web to a large number of users with various mobile devices: laptops, smartphones, tablets, etc. But the key word is “almost,” because they required an outlet to work.

TP-LINK has solved the problem: the TP-LINK TL-MR3040 wireless router is capable of providing access to the Internet even when away from the power grid, because it is equipped with a battery.

Key Features

Execution and appearance

Let's start with the packaging. It is a small white box with high-quality printing.

Inside is a simpler box containing the following:

• directly TP-LINK TL-MR3040;
• battery TBL-68A2000;
• power adapter;
• USB - micro USB cable;
• patch cord;
• CD with software and documentation;
• quick user guide;
• warranty card.

The appearance of the router is somewhat reminiscent of a smartphone, only there is no screen. And the body shapes are similar.

The front and back sides of the device are made of white glossy plastic, and the side edges are matte gray. This solution looks impressive, at least immediately after removing the router from the box. After prolonged use, fingerprints begin to collect on the gloss.

Judging by the location of the pictograms and the manufacturer's logo on the front panel, we can conclude that the designers assumed a horizontal orientation of the case. Further in the description we will start from this situation.

So, on the right side of the front panel there is the TP-LINK logo, on the left there is a strip with indicators of Internet activity, a wireless module, a LAN port and a power indicator.

The left and bottom edges are free, and on the right there are LAN and USB ports, as well as a reset button.

At the right edge of the top edge there is a power switch and a micro USB port for connecting an adapter or charging the battery from the USB port of a computer or laptop.

The back panel is a removable cover, under which there is a battery compartment.

In the specifications and photographs at manufacturer's website There is an operating mode switch. It was missing from the sample we received for testing.

Access and configuration

Device parameters are configured via a web interface, available by default at http://192.168.0.1/. The login and password for logging in are traditional: admin/admin. Naturally, the first time you start the password, you should change it to a more complex one.

The next line after the status in the list on the left is the Quick Settings Wizard. By following his instructions, you can quickly set up an Internet connection, but this only applies to basic settings.

In the Operation Mode section you can select the desired operating mode of the device.

The MAC address cloning function is useful in cases where the provider performs identification by MAC. In the LAN settings we see the MAC address and IP address of the router, as well as the subnet mask. The last two items are available for change.

In the process of setting up a wireless network, it is proposed to determine the main parameters: SSID of the network identifier, region, channel and data transmission mode: 11b, 11g, 11n, 11bg mixed or 11bgn mixed. There is also WDS technology, which allows you to combine several access points into a single network without laying a wired connection between them.

In the next subsection you can select protection options:

• WEP encryption (with security key 64, 128 and 152 bits);
• WPA/WPA2 authentication (security encryption using TKIP or AES protocols);
• WPA-PSK/ WPA2-PSK. (security encryption using TKIP or AES protocols).

Below is the MAC address filtering subsection. In it, you can create a white or black list of those devices that are allowed or prohibited from connecting to your network using the wireless interface. By default, this filter is disabled.

The Forwarding section may be needed to bypass NAT protocol restrictions, which is necessary for a large number of tasks. Configuration includes creating a DMZ, setting up virtual servers, port triggering, and enabling UPnP, which allows network devices to automatically discover each other.

The security settings provide standard security management, which includes a built-in firewall.

This includes enable/disable, MAC address filtering, and remote management settings. There is also management of ICMP-FLOOD, UDP-FLOOD, TCP-SYN-FLOOD filters, which allow you to protect against attacks aimed at network equipment and aimed at denial of service. Each filter has its own setting.

The last section contains system utilities. Here you can set the time, update the firmware, reboot the router, make a backup, reset settings, view statistics and the system log. Also in this menu there is a network diagnostic utility in the form of the ping and tracert functions.

As you can see, the list of settings is quite extensive, although in general the configuration capabilities are the same as some TP-LINK router models, taking into account the features of this device.

Testing

To test the router's capabilities, we used a Compaq Presario CQ57 laptop with a Broadcom 4313GN wireless adapter. The testing consisted of measuring, using Net-Meter-3.6, the throughput of a wireless network when transferring large media files in various operating modes.

The first schedule is line-of-sight file transfer without encryption. Frankly speaking, the speed is low, but if you use the router specifically for distributing 3G Internet, then these indicators are more than enough.

When WPA2-PSK encryption is enabled, the speed drops a little more.

To test the work with 3G, we used the Huawei E303 modem from the Life operator :). Despite the absence of Belarus and its providers from the list of countries, the router-modem combination turned out to be functional, but the quality of communication left much to be desired. Perhaps the situation will change with the release of new firmware.

conclusions

TP-LINK TL-MR3040 is primarily suitable for working literally in an open field. If a 3G network is available in this field, then any wireless device will be able to access it using this router. Even without power supply, it can work for 4-5 hours from a rechargeable battery. This is a key advantage that sets the TP-LINK TL-MR3040 apart from its peers.

For full use in the office or at home, this router is not the best choice, since the data transfer speed over the wireless interface is low.

Photos were taken in the TECHLABS studio, photographer Kirill Kruchinin

I’ll immediately make a reservation that the topic of routers and other network equipment is not too close to me, I don’t understand it well enough to make detailed reviews of the equipment, and my entire acquaintance with routers is limited to buying a couple of such devices once every 3-4 years at home, for the operation of the main and a spare “internet”. Therefore, I want to tell you about the new portable or “pocket”, as I like to call it, router TP-Link MR3040 briefly, so that you learn about this box the same way I learned about it. It can come in handy in different situations, and some people don’t even know about the existence of this type of device.

My story about this router will be short and rather simply descriptive, so if you want details and details, I refer you to the reviews, which contain more technical information and details about the operation of the TP-Link MR3040.

Appearance and dimensions

The router looks simple and at the same time beautiful. The body is made of glossy white plastic, the shape of the device is simple. The TP-Link MR3040 is the size of a small phone or a pack of cigarettes, so it can be easily carried in a backpack or bag.

On the front side of the case there are four light indicators, from which you can understand what mode the “box” is currently operating in, whether the 3G connection and Wi-Fi are active.

At one end there are Ethernet and USB connectors - the first for connecting to a computer or network, the second for installing a USB modem in the router. There is also a device reboot button recessed into the case.

At the other end there is a microUSB for connecting a charger and an ON-OFF position switch. This is where the set of elements on the body ends.

Battery

The router runs on a battery with a capacity of 2000 mAh. A full battery charge lasts for 5-6 hours of operation of the router in 3G Internet distribution mode via Wi-Fi.

Operating principle and settings

In terms of capabilities, we have an almost ordinary home router, although very compact and with a number of additional features. Therefore, no one bothers to install it at home and connect Ethernet to the Internet, which the box will distribute to the entire apartment.

But the main purpose of this router is to use it in conjunction with a USB modem or USB whistle, as they are also called. The device supports most of the USB modems we sell for working with the three largest operators; a full list of supported modems can be found on the TP-Link website.

Moreover, if your modem is not on the list, this does not mean that the router will not work in conjunction with it, but this may happen. For example, I was lucky, I tested the operation of a pocket router from TP-Link paired with a Huawei E352 USB modem for MegaFon, and everything worked perfectly, although this “USB whistle” is not in the list of supported models.

The process of setting up the router is very simple - you need to connect it to the computer using the supplied cable, and then in the browser, go to the “admin panel”, set the necessary settings. This can be done in manual mode or in the simplest automatic mode - where the system tells you what and how to do and write in the settings. The whole process takes ten minutes at most.

Speed ​​of operation with 3G modem

I tested the router in conjunction with a MegaFon SIM card and a Huawei E352 modem - you can see the measurement results in the screenshots below. The speed, of course, is not so great, but it is enough to check mail and access the Internet.

The “box” distributes Wi-Fi over a decent distance, within a two-room apartment the signal is available anywhere, and it does not disappear, I connected to the Wi-Fi distributed by the router from two smartphones and a laptop at the same time - everything worked stably and without problems.

Conclusion

The cost of the TP-Link MR3040 router in Russia will be about 2,000 rubles, and it should go on sale in the near future. On the one hand, the price is quite high for a portable device, because you still need to buy a USB modem with a SIM card for it, this is plus a thousand or one and a half rubles, in the end the whole bundle costs 3,000 - 3,500 rubles. On the other hand, for this money you no longer just get the Internet in one device, as you would only get with a USB modem or smartphone, but a stable Wi-Fi network with the ability to connect a variety of devices to it via Wi-Fi or Ethernet.

Of course, ideally, I would like to see exactly the same thing, but with a slot for a SIM card inside, so that, firstly, you don’t have to spend money on a USB modem, and, secondly, so that you don’t have to carry a an inconvenient and fragile “router + modem” combination. TP-Link is already preparing the next device in this series, and the new model will have a slot for a SIM card; it should be announced before the end of the year.

Artem Lutfullin ()

The Tp-link router is very simple to set up, and also fits perfectly with the Beeline provider. This article will fully describe setting up the Tp-link router for Beeline with all its flaws, since all routers have minor flaws. Let's get started.

Setting up the Internet on the router.

First, we need to go to the web interface of the router; to do this, we need to enter the IP address of the router in the address bar of the browser; in our case, on Tp-link routers the default address is 192.168.0.1.

After you try to go to this address, you will need to enter a login and password, if the router is new, then the login and password are the default (login admin, password admin), if the logins and passwords do not match, try resetting the router to standard settings. After you have logged into the web interface of the router, you need to go to the network tab, then select WAN.

Here we need to change the connection type to L2TP Russia (marked in the picture as number 1), after which you need to enter your logins and password for Internet access (2), whether you configure the tp- router will depend on the correctness of the entered logins and passwords. link to Beeline or not. Next, we need to register the IP address, or server name (3), for Moscow it is tp.internet.beeline.ru. This completes the configuration of the tp-link router. We need to specify the MTU size (for Beeline 1400), after which we need to specify the maximum downtime time, in our case 0, because if we do not change it to 0, then after every 15 minutes of downtime the router will break the connection. After you have entered all the settings of the tp-link router for Beeline, you need to save them, after which the Internet should work.

Setting up Wi-Fi, security.

In order to set a password for the network, you need to go to the wireless mode tab, then select the wireless mode settings, let's proceed to the settings. The network name is what your wireless network will be called (5) (you can call it whatever you want),

In the region field, select the USA, since the Wi-Fi power potential will be lower if you select Russia. Many people have problems connecting iPad 2 to these routers; in order for the tp-link router settings for Beeline to work correctly, you need to select a channel width of 20 MHz (6), and then save all the settings you entered. Let's move on to setting up network security. We need the wireless security tab, in which you need to select the encryption type WPA-PSK/WPA2-PSK (Recommended).

in the password field we will need to enter a password that you will not forget, since this password will need to be entered to connect to your Wi-Fi network. In the Group key update period field, you must enter the value 3600, and then save all the settings you have made.

Setting up television on a tp-link beeline router.

If you have television, then you will also need to register it and configure it on the router; to do this, go to the network tab, then we need the IP-TV tab.

In it you need to select the bridge mode and indicate on which port the set-top box is connected to the router, then save all the settings and, to be completely sure, reboot the router. This completes the configuration of the Tp-link router for Beeline.

In Russia, not many operators currently use LTE technology in their networks. Historically, Yota 4G networks were the first to appear. Megafon followed them, becoming a virtual operator using the same Yota network. And recently 4G Internet appeared at the MTS operator. A mobile WiFi router operating in LTE networks can either be “branded”, that is, tailored for the operator, or consist of two devices - a modem and a separate router. The third option, called a “universal router,” when it comes to LTE, is not yet available to the user. So, let’s solve the problem using available means by connecting an LTE modem to a mobile Wi-Fi router.

As a Wi-Fi router, the TL-MR3040 device from TP-LINK is considered here. By the way, not only TP-LINK produces mini-routers that support the latest modem models. Here, we have the opportunity to connect a Huawei E392 4G modem (Megafon) or Yota modems. Well, for 3G devices, the compatibility list is much more impressive.

With a connected LTE modem, the router is configured via the web interface. Note that if the required provider is not in the list, you can configure everything yourself. To do this, check the “Set the Dial...” checkbox:

3G/4G settings tab

Initially, support is made for a limited number of modems. The list includes devices LU150 (Yota) and E392 (Megafon). The last two are LTE modems. But in general, we can conclude that complete universality does not follow from the lack of “binding” to the operator.

There is a completely official opportunity to add new modems supported by the router. Including LTE models, and any in general. To do this, one thing is required - to find on the Internet the bin file for the device the user needs. Let's say there is a need to connect an E169 modem. Then, look for the E169.bin file (it can be renamed, but the essence does not change). The TL-MR3040 mobile Wi-Fi router “understands” only bin files, while other devices can use the “text” format.

Preliminary steps before installing the bin file

Connecting a router

The router is configured via a web interface, which can be opened by connecting to a Wi-Fi network.

First you need to:

1. Install battery
2. Connect the mini-USB cable, set the router to charge
3. Power switch – move to “on” position

Switch position "on"

After one minute, a wireless network with the name “TP-Link...” will appear. By default, it is not encrypted, so you can connect to it.

Someone may have already set up a mobile Wi-Fi router. Then the best solution is to perform a “hard reset”. After a Wi-Fi network appears with a password or an “incorrect” name, press the reset button located on the router body (it must be held for 15 seconds).

It is important to know that the wireless network card must be configured to “automatically” obtain DNS and IP. After that, you can search for a Wi-Fi network.

Go to the graphical interface

On the computer – launch any browser and open the address: 192.168.0.1. You can log in using the login “admin” (and the same password).

Status tab

Here you can immediately find out the version of the installed firmware. If the build number is less than 120822 (and the date is earlier than September 2012), then 4G modems will not be supported correctly. Definitely.

This mobile router supports 4g connections 100% if the firmware version is dated September 9, 2012 (or even newer). By the way, in the “English” designation the month number comes first.

Getting a working connection

Installing the bin file

We hope that the required bin file has been downloaded and is located on the “Desktop” of the computer from which the setup is being carried out.

In the web interface, go to the “Network” -> “3G” tab

Connection settings tab

Here, click the “Modem Settings” button. Another tab will open (you will need to click “Add New”).

Tab for adding bin files

At the end of the entire “operation” - click “Browse”, find the file, click “Upload”

You don’t have to reboot the router, but immediately turn off the power using the side switch. Then, connect the lte wifi router to the modem and turn on the power again. Below we discuss how to set up the connection.

3G/4G connection

All the hardest part is over, since we have installed the settings file for the modem. The connection is established on the same tab as discussed in the previous chapter (“Network” -> “3G”). Having opened the tab, in the top line we should see “Identified”:

Connection setup

If the bin file is “correct,” then the mobile router should recognize the lte modem. After making sure of this, turn on the “Connect Automatically” selector and click the “Advanced Settings” button:

Setting connection parameters

Setting up a connection here comes down to setting parameters:

1. Dial number
2. APN address
3. Name and password for this network

First, of course, you need to check the “Set the Dial...” checkbox. And finally, click “Save”.

You can enable the connection by clicking “Connect” (on the “Network” -> “3G” tab). Thus, a modem plus a mobile router turns into a 4g LTE Wi Fi router. Happy routing!

Known Issues

With some modems, the “modem + router” combination works like this: there is a connection, but after 15 minutes only Wi-Fi works. It’s even possible that with a computer without a router everything is as it should be. The problem is not with the router, but with the modem (surprisingly). The modem firmware must be updated by connecting it directly to the computer.

Another “undesirable” option is when you connect a modem that is not officially supported, but is “recognized.” The solution method (one of them) is to find the bin file, doing as discussed here.

If the router is connected “externally” to the 4g LTE modem, we will get a device that is more functional than just a router with LTE. Up to 5 subscribers working using the “N150” protocol - not every router can do this.

In the film there is a short overview and setup of the “TL-MR3040”: