TP-Link TL-WR1042ND router review
TP-Link introduced the TL-WR1042ND router in 2012. It is powered by Realtek RTL8198 @ 620 MHz chipset, 64 MB of RAM, and 8 MB of flash memory.
Curious to see if this router impresses? Stay with us!
Table of Contents
- TP-Link TL-WR1042ND specifications
- Body, dimensions, weight
- System, chipset, RAM, flash, power supply
- Network, protocols, WAN and LAN ports
- Wireless, antennas, speed, security
- Connectivity
- Administration, user interface, login information
- Links
- Verdict, Pros and Cons
- Photos
- Comparisons
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. If you noticed any mistakes or missing details about the TP-Link TL-WR1042ND, please let us know.
The TL-WR1042ND is an affordable and reliable router designed for basic networking needs. TP-Link has a strong presence and offers a wide range of networking products.
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 of a router can impact its cooling capabilities. Larger routers have more room for internal cooling. If you buy a router online or have it shipped, the weight may affect the total 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 work best when they have enough RAM to help them.
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 |
If you have a 1 Gbps or faster internet plan, you need gigabit Ethernet ports. The TL-WR1042ND 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 |
The 2.4 GHz band is widely supported by many devices. This is a Wi-Fi 4 router, with slower data transfer speeds. This can result in slower downloads, buffering, and reduced performance. 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. 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.
Links
| Official site | https://www.tp-link.com/ |
|---|
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. 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
TP-Link TL-WR1042ND comparisons
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Updated: May 25, 2024
