TP-Link TL-WR1042ND WiFi router: Pros and Cons
The TP-Link TL-WR1042ND (TL-WR1042ND) router released in 2012. It is powered by Realtek RTL8198 @ 620 MHz chipset, 64 MB of RAM and 8 MB of flash. The N300 router is compatible with IEEE 802.11b/g/n standards, and the maximum speed that you can get with TL-WR1042ND is 300 Mbps. The router has 1 x 10/100/1000 Mbps WAN and 4 x 10/100/1000 Mbps LAN ports.
Table of Contents
Our personal experiences and opinions form the basis of this article. We aimed to share insights on a topic, and we hoped others would find it useful and inspirational. The specs below rely on official manufacturer data, but we also consider user reviews. If you noticed any mistakes or missing details about the TP-Link TL-WR1042ND, please let us know. Furthermore, we strive to deliver a thorough and precise overview.
The TL-WR1042ND is an affordable and reliable router designed for basic networking needs. You can connect supported USB devices to the router. TP-Link is a well-respected manufacturer in the networking industry. They have a reputation for providing a variety of networking devices.
TP-Link TL-WR1042ND specifications
| Brand | TP-Link |
|---|---|
| Name | TL-WR1042ND |
| Type | TL-WR1042ND |
| Rating | |
| Launch | 2012 |
Body
| Dimensions | 200 x 28 x 140 mm |
|---|---|
| Weight | 417 g |
The dimensions and design of a router can impact its cooling capabilities. Routers with larger dimensions may have more space for internal cooling mechanisms. If you purchase a router online or have it shipped, the weight may affect the overall cost.
System
| Chipset | Realtek RTL8198 @ 620 MHz |
|---|---|
| RAM | 64 MB |
| Flash | 8 MB |
| OS | TP-Link |
| Power supply | 12 V / 1.5 A |
The TP-Link TL-WR1042ND router has a Realtek RTL8198 @ 620 MHz processor. Some router features and software need a certain amount of RAM. They need it to work well. More storage space comes from a larger flash memory. It can accommodate future firmware upgrades. TP-Link often releases firmware updates. They improve the router's features, security, and bugs. They also add new features. The 12 V / 1.5 A PSU provides power to the router. If it breaks, you can replace it with a new one.
Network
| Protocols | IPv4 |
|---|---|
| LAN ports | 4 x 10/100/1000 Mbps |
| WAN ports | 1 x 10/100/1000 Mbps |
| Mobile network | no |
| VPN support | no |
The TL-WR1042ND router has built-in security features. They protect your network and devices. The IPv4 is the fourth iteration of the Internet Protocol (IP). It is the most widely used version of IP on the internet today. If you have a 1 Gbps or faster internet plan, you need gigabit Ethernet ports. They are essential to use all the available bandwidth. This router ensures that you can use fast internet from your ISP fully.
Wireless
| Antennas | 2 x 3 dBi RP-SMA |
|---|---|
| 2.4 GHz | yes |
| 5 GHz | no |
| 60 GHz | no |
| Standards | IEEE 802.11b/g/n |
| Class | N300 |
| Speed | 300 Mbps |
| Transmit power | 20 dBm |
| Security | WEP WPA WPA2 |
| Guest network | no |
This router has 2 x 3 dBi, RP-SMA antennas. Antennas are key parts of wireless routers. They send and receive radio signals to make wireless connections. The 2.4 GHz band is widely supported by many devices. This includes older ones that may not work with the 5 GHz band. This is a Wi-Fi 4 (802.11n) router. Wi-Fi 4 improved the range and coverage compared to previous Wi-Fi standards.. Real-world TL-WR1042ND router speeds are lower than its theoretical maximum speed.
WEP was the first Wi-Fi security protocol. But it is now seen as weak and easy to hack. The introduction of WPA2 (Wi-Fi Protected Access 2) improved upon WEP. It provides stronger security.
Connectivity
| USB ports | 1 x USB 2.0 |
|---|---|
| Print server | yes |
| File server | yes |
The USB 2 port has a maximum theoretical data transfer rate of 480 megabits per second (Mbps). USB print servers let you connect a USB printer to your network. This makes it accessible to many devices. You can connect external storage devices such as USB flash drives or USB hard drives to your router.
Administration
| Default IP | 192.168.0.1 |
|---|---|
| Default username | admin |
| Default password | admin |
If you can't log in to your TP-Link router's setup panel, try resetting it. A reset can help you troubleshoot. It is highly recommended to change the default password of your TL-WR1042ND router. Do this after the initial setup.
Pros and Cons
Every router, including this TP-Link one, has its good sides and not-so-good sides. Let's take a closer look at both to get a full understanding of what this router can do. We'll talk about what it does well and also where it could use some improvements. Just remember, this is just what I think, and you might see things differently.
Pros
- sufficient memory
- high-speed LAN port
- high-speed WAN port
- USB 2 compatible
- printserver functionality
- fileserver operation
Cons
- insufficient flash
- missing Wi-Fi 6 support
- lacks Wi-Fi 5 compatibility
- reduced Wi-Fi bandwidth
- incompatible with WPA3
- missing WPS support
TP-Link TL-WR1042ND photos
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