TP-Hyperlink TL-ER7206 Multi-WAN VPN Firewall Evaluation – MBReviews

The TP-Hyperlink TL-ER7206 is the highest mannequin within the SafeStream Gigabit Multi-WAN collection and was designed to behave as a safety gateway for an Omada system. So it is rather much like the Zyxel USG Flex 100 and possibly nearer in performance to the Ubiquiti ER-X, particularly because it has a mess of obtainable WAN ports.

In actual fact, the TP-Hyperlink TL-ER7206 helps as much as 4 WAN connections, three Ethernet ports, and even a WAN SFP port (module) that you should utilize in case you will have fiber cabling accessible. As well as, the gadget may even operate as a dependable VPN router, providing as much as 100 IPsec LAN to LAN connections, 50 OpenVPN connections, 50 L2TP and 50 PPTP VPN connections. And there is additionally help for Omada SDN which I’ve seen in motion a number of instances with some wi-fi entry factors and Ethernet switches.

However, other than seeing how properly it integrates with different Omada units, there’s one explicit motive why I selected to assessment the TP-Hyperlink TL-ER7206. I have been ready for a substitute for the Cisco RV340 that hit EOL and safety help will finish in October this 12 months, however Cisco appears to have moved away from this reasonably priced collection altogether (for now, no less than).

That’s, except you wish to go the enterprise route and use the Cisco ISR 1000. For individuals who do not, the TP-Hyperlink TL-ER7206 could also be simply what you have been ready for. And let’s not overlook that TP-Hyperlink has additionally been giving Ubiquiti a run for its cash, providing a really UniFi-like software program expertise. So, with out additional ado, let’s check out the TP-Hyperlink TL-ER7206 Multi-WAN VPN Router.

Design and construct high quality

The TP-Hyperlink TL-ER7206 follows the design of most firewall gateways on the market (except the corrugated DrayTek Vigor2926), so count on an oblong case made totally of metallic, together with the entrance. The case is roofed in a matte black end and measures 22.6 x 13.1 x 3.5 cm (8.9 x 5.2 x 1.4 inches), so it is fairly compact, however the draw back is that you could’t actually mount the router in a rack, except you determine to make use of a tray.

It is not likely the best answer, however TP-Hyperlink certainly made it potential to mount the TL-ER7206 on the wall, proper? No, it solely has 4 silicone toes to maintain the firewall router in your desk, which is unlucky.

As for air flow, the TP-Hyperlink TL-ER7206 is surprisingly conservative, with just a few holes on the perimeters and nothing else. So does it get scorching? I used the AGM Glory Professional to view the temperature of the router whereas doing a little testing and as you’ll be able to see it will get scorching however reveals no indicators of overheating.
And it actually does not shock me contemplating there is not any built-in PoE output on the TP-Hyperlink TL-ER7206 (you will want to make use of a separate Ethernet change to attach your PoE entry factors). This brings us to the ports part.

From the suitable is the recessed Reset button (to return the gadget to its manufacturing unit settings), adopted by 5 Ethernet ports. The primary is separate and is a Gigabit WAN port, then there are two WAN/LAN ports which, because the title suggests, can work both manner; Lastly, there are one other two Gigabit ports for LAN solely. Shifting additional to the left, you will notice the Gigabit SFP slot which is roofed by a protecting piece of plastic (I might have most well-liked silicone) and subsequent to it, there’s a SFP WAN LED.

Whether it is blinking, then there’s exercise; in any other case, the LED will stay strong inexperienced, and so will every LED that’s positioned on high of the Ethernet ports. The final two LEDs will present the facility and system standing (if it is blinking then it is working wonderful, in any other case it means you have discovered an issue that must be investigated).

If there’s a draw back, it’s that there isn’t any USB port to permit for another WAN interface utilizing a 3G/4G dongle. Flipping the TP-Hyperlink TL-ER7206 over to the opposite aspect, you will see the Kensington lock slot, adopted by the grounding screw and three-pin energy connector; don’t be concerned, the facility provide is inner.

Inside {hardware} (TP-Hyperlink TL-ER7206 teardown)

There are not any explicit impediments to opening the case, as all it’s important to do is take away the three screws on the again and slide the highest cowl off. So there are not any guarantee stamps or some other pesky makes an attempt to discourage self-repair.

However, after looking on the board, I noticed that TP-Hyperlink used that annoying paste for the heatsink of 1 chip and soldered the heatsink of one other. This makes me assume that it wasn’t actually an economical answer, it is to maintain prying eyes out. And it really works as a result of most would do not know methods to take away them safely. Sadly, neither did I as a result of not solely was the primary chip soldered, however it was additionally glued with that dreaded paste.

The excellent news is that I eliminated the smaller warmth sink, revealing a high-performance 10/100/1000M RTL8367S LQFP-128 Ethernet change. I used to be additionally in a position to determine the 512 MB of RAM (2X Samsung SEC 204 K4B2G16) and 128 MB of flash storage from ESMT (F59L1G81MB). I additionally determined to verify the FCC ID web site in hopes of wanting on the CPU, however this gadget does not look like on that web site.

What I might determine is that it is a 64-bit dual-core CPU clocked at 880 MHz, which is not all that spectacular. Unsurprisingly, the TP-Hyperlink TL-ER7206 does not have WiFi capabilities, so you will want to make use of extra wi-fi entry factors. For instance, I not too long ago examined the EAP660 HD which labored very properly with Omada; you might also want a PoE change, such because the TP-Hyperlink TL-SG2210P.

Observe: I ought to point out that the mannequin I bought is v1.0 and there’s a v1.6 which can counsel that it has completely different parts. However this isn’t the case as a result of it appears to point solely that the TP-Hyperlink TL-ER7206 was in-built a special facility, all else being equal.

standalone mode

Even when the TP-Hyperlink TL-ER7206 is marketed as an Omada gateway, it’s going to work simply wonderful in standalone mode too. And the quickest method to entry the interface is by connecting the router to your PC and coming into 192.168.0.1 within the URL bar. Instantly you may be prompted to create a brand new admin account (don’t use admin as username) and that is it, it is possible for you to to entry the GUI.

Since there was no Web entry, I related an Ethernet cable from my modem to the primary WAN port, then went to Community > WAN > WAN, selected PPPoE because the Connection Sort, and entered the ISP credentials. I clicked Save & Hook up with get Web entry. The GUI does not really feel cluttered and dozens of choices aren’t thrown at you.

And that is not as a result of the TP-Hyperlink TL-ER7206 lacks any necessary options, it simply has a superb design. As a fast overview, you’ll be able to allow extra WAN ports underneath Community, in addition to configure port conduct (port mirroring, fee management, and circulation management). I seen that TP-Hyperlink put the listing of VPN IP teams in Preferences, however probably the most fascinating capabilities may be present in Transmission.

Right here, you’ll be able to configure NAT-related options (one-to-one NAT, digital servers, NAT-DMZ, ALG, and port triggering), bandwidth management, routing configuration (static route and coverage routing), and cargo balancing together with hyperlink backup and on-line detection. The Firewall gives Anti-ARP Spoofing, Assault Protection and Entry Management, there’s additionally Habits Management with Net Filtering and Safety, after which, we’ve VPN entry.

Pages: 1 two