TP-Link TL-WR1043ND v1 router review
TP-Link introduced the TL-WR1043ND v1 router in 2010. It is powered by Atheros AR9132 @ 400 MHz chipset, 32 MB of RAM, and 8 MB of flash memory.
Curious to see if this router impresses? Keep reading to find out!
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-WR1043ND v1, please let us know. Furthermore, we strive to deliver a thorough and precise overview.
The TL-WR1043ND v1 is an affordable and reliable router designed for basic networking needs. You can connect supported USB devices to the router. TP-Link is widely recognized as a reputable and established manufacturer of networking equipment.
TP-Link TL-WR1043ND v1 specifications
| Brand | TP-Link |
|---|---|
| Name | TL-WR1043ND v1 |
| Type | TL-WR1043NDV1 |
| Rating | |
| Launch | 2010 |
Body
| Dimensions | 200 x 28 x 140 mm |
|---|---|
| Weight | 830 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. The weight of a router can matter in some situations. But, it is usually not as crucial as other factors. These factors include features and compatibility.
System
| Chipset | Atheros AR9132 @ 400 MHz |
|---|---|
| RAM | 32 MB |
| Flash | 8 MB |
| OS | TP-Link |
| Alternative OS | OpenWRT DD-WRT Gargoyle |
| Power supply | 12 V / 1.5 A |
The TP-Link TL-WR1043ND v1 router has a Atheros AR9132 @ 400 MHz processor. The amount of RAM in a router can affect its performance. It also affects its capacity to handle concurrent operations and traffic. The 8 MB flash memory in the router serves as the storage medium for the router's firmware. TP-Link often releases firmware updates. They improve the router's features, security, and bugs. They also add new features.
Using a custom OS on a router has benefits. But, it also has risks. OpenWrt offers many features and capabilities. They extend the functionality of networking hardware. 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 | PPTP L2TP |
Like many modern routers, the TL-WR1043ND v1 supports many network standards too. The IPv4 is the fourth iteration of the Internet Protocol (IP). It is the most widely used version of IP on the internet today. This router has Gigabit Ethernet LAN ports. They provide data transfer speeds of up to 1000 Mbps (1 Gbps) over Ethernet connections. This router ensures that you can use fast internet from your ISP fully. The PPTP is an older VPN protocol. It was widely used in the past.
Wireless
| Antennas | 3 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 | 24 dBm |
| Security | WEP WPA WPA2 |
| Guest network | no |
This router has 3 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-WR1043ND v1 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 | 192.168.1.1 |
|---|---|
| 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-WR1043ND v1 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
- OpenWrt compatible
- 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-WR1043ND v1 photos
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