WebAfrica fibre users with AC750/C20/C2, report in!

[The_Assimilator]

I'm extremely interested to know what hardware and firmware versions you received. Mine:

Firmware Version: 0.9.1 4.0 v0044.0 Build 170110 Rel.56131n
Hardware Version: Archer C20 v1 00000002

Important thing to note is that the model I received actually seems to be the "Archer C2" and not the "Archer C20"; it seems like those two terms (plus "AC750") are used interchangeably to refer to two different products!

As per their specification pages, it appears that the main differences are:

• C2 model has two wireless antennae (1x 2.4GHz + 1x 5GHz & 2.4GHz Dual Band) while C20 has three (I assume 2x 2.4GHz + 1x 5GHz?) - this is also the main visual distinguishing feature
• C2 has USB 2.0 mass storage device port, C20 does not
• C2 has quad gigabit ethernet ports, C20 has quad 10/100 Mbps ethernet

So on paper at least the C2 would appear to be the superior device, except potentially for wireless coverage.

How do I know (think ) I got a C2 and not a C20? Apart from having the two antennae and USB port, I also tested the ethernet ports on the device by plugging my PC's network cable into it - my PC's ethernet ran at 1Gbps. (Super scientific test, I know...)

The firmware is another story. The C2 v1 firmware page for South Africa tells us to use the latest EU firmware, which is version 160512 - this is obviously nonsense because as you can see above, my version is 170110 which is newer! Confusion abounds yet again...

However, if you check the C2's specification page you will see this tidbit:

External Power Supply: 9V/0.85A(EU), 12V/1A(US)

Examining the bottom of the router itself and its power brick shows us that the device is rated for 12V @ 1A, so we presumably need US and not EU firmware. And if we check the US firmware page, we see the latest version is 170228 which is indeed newer than the version on my router.

Sorted, right? Well... maybe. See, there's no firmware on the TP-Link site or indeed anywhere I can find, that corresponds to the version I have (170110) for this router. If you Google "tp-link firmware 170110" the only hits are for the Archer VR2800, a far more premium model.

So once again I am dazed and confused. Not only am I unsure exactly what model my device is, I am unsure exactly what firmware is on it! I'd like to update to the latest firmware, but not only do I not know what the latest firmware is, I have no way to revert to the current firmware if the version I flash gives issues! GAH!

I'm considering emailing TP-Link support to ask them if they can clarify any of this, although anyone who has tried getting support from Chinese manufacturers will know why I'm hesitant...

Anyone else with one of these hellbeast frankenrouters, what does yours claim to be?

 

[alternate]

Firmware Version: 0.9.1 4.2 v0032.0 Build 160706 Rel.37961n

Hardware Version: Archer C2 v1 00000002

That's what I have. No idea...

 

[scud]

My hellbeast frankenrouter works 100s, but I suspect firmware is probably at least 2 years old

Firmware Version:0.9.1 4.2 v0032.0 Build 160706 Rel.37961n
Hardware Version:Archer C2 v1 00000002

 

[Jasop]

I am on the same firmware

Under system tools, statistics and system log pages are blank.

I want to enable to see data usage per device from the source, i.e. the router. Will also allow to see usage for devices that don't easily show this, e.g. PS4.

Any idea why the pages are blank?

Firmware version:0.9.1 4.0 v0044.0 Build 170110 Rel.56131n
Hardware version:Archer C20 v1 00000002