thank you TP-link

i have the Archer AX53 V1 router, i thought maybe with version 2 being around updates for mine would be dropped, have not had one for a while.
Had a look today for some reason a new update this month and also some extras like a VPN client, so possible to have a VPN on the router.

Also, some bugs and security updates, plus something that can recognise devices connected to the router, or have a better go at doing so, but it does use a third party service if you want that.

So nice to see TP-link is still supporting my router.

I am not really a fan of TP-Link myself due to all their exploits that don't always get fixed, but where I was given a free AC1350 (Festa F52) and AX1800 (Festa F61) Access Points (both the new 2025 versions) to review from Amazon.

They worked rather well Meshed up, those are that new its still using the original first firmware.

The only issue I have is being forced to signup and use their cloud service which is free (for now)

Whare as Unifi you can run your own inhouse Cloud Controller.

But they did work very well on my VR Headset over Wi-Fi 6 got like 1.2Gbit.

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Paul

Asus are having problems with their now, so it happens, sadly.
i had a TP-link router when i was on the Wireless network, and used it for a fair few years when i went onto FTTC, it still a good router, but Wi-fi is out of date now, not that I was that bothered, apart from not being able to cope with the amount of Wi-fi devices i have


i know very little about Festa, It is not really for most home users, TP-link uses Easymesh for home users.

i got the router because it was a good price for what it offers, and it has for the most part been reliable, but it does need rebooting now and again, I suppose at the end of the day it is a computer. I should really put that on a schedule, but thinking about when to do it.

I don't use any TP link cloud thing, I do have a TP-link ID thing, but not signed in to it.

The Festa range is the "cheap" end of the market and all the management software is done via the Cloud, as you discovered. If you want to manage TP-Link AP's via a browser or a local controller, then you move to the Omada AP's. These would be the equivalent of Unifi I suspect.

I don't fully understand why TP Link have a low-end small business range that they brand as Festa when Omada exists and seems to also be targeted towards that market. You don't need 15 different ceiling mounted indoor access point models.

One for home use, one for small business use and one for larger companies to use I suppose.
But I do agree that too many can confuse people.

I am thinking of getting an extender to go into the kitchen, not for the kitchen as such, l but for the backyard, if I put one next to the window, it will extend to the backyard, while I do have a signal outside, it is not great.

The only thing I wish my router had was a USB to put a flash drive on,

I've only had their switches and a low end model. Firmware release from what i saw, was poor. Add in Omada cloud rubbish i just basically won't buy tp-link - except for non cloud switches.

Fair enough, that is your choice. i have a few TP-link switches.
My only issue is that they are Chinese, but then who do you trust these days?
I did have a looked at some different ones before I got the TP-link router, but for what it offered and the price, it seemed a good buy. I did think about making my own, but to get a computer that is capable of running a router you are paying a fair bit. i have a Dell Wyse thin client, which I got for Home assistant and did think about using that, but a mate said he doubted it would be able to cope, also just one Ethernet. He paid about £200 for the thing that runs his router, I was not going to pay that. Maybe in my younger days I would want to muck around with it, but these days, I just want things that you can plug in and they work

It is good to see TP-link still supporting my router, I thought when they had the V2 out, that would be it. Granted, it is the first update for a while.

In reply to a post by Taras:

I've only had their switches and a low end model. Firmware release from what i saw, was poor. Add in Omada cloud rubbish i just basically won't buy tp-link - except for non cloud switches.

I can't complain about the Omada EAP's I have. I'm no expert but they do the job and the OC200 local controller is easy to use. Granted I've never had any reason to use the Cloud stuff, preferring to keep it local.