TP-LINK Archer C5400是TP-LINK有史以来最先进的无线路由器之一。它是我们喜欢使用和测试的Archer C3200的继任者。(Archer C3200)当我们收到它进行测试时，我们非常兴奋，因为这款路由器具有非常强大的硬件和许多高级功能。我们之前的经验表明，要从最先进的路由器中受益，您需要能够利用最新网络功能的高端计算机和设备。此类设备价格昂贵且难以找到。TP-LINK Archer C5400是这种情况吗？阅读(Read)此评论并查看(review and see)：
TP-LINK Archer C5400 拆箱
TP-LINK Archer C5400采用白绿色大包装盒。在顶部，您可以看到该设备的图片及其最高级特性的列表。
在盒子的背面，你可以看到这款路由器提供的三频技术以及每个频段的最大理论带宽的详细说明。打开包装盒，您会看到路由器、电源适配器(power adapter)（如下图，很大）、网线(Ethernet cable)、技术支持信息(support information)、保修和快速安装指南(installation guide)。
拆箱体验快速而轻松，包装包括您期望从无线路由器获得的所有元素。(The unboxing experience is quick and painless, and the packaging includes all the elements you expect from a wireless router.)
硬件规格和设计
TP-LINK Archer C5400拥有强大的双核Broadcom BCM4709C 处理器(Broadcom BCM4709C processor)，运行频率为 1.4 GHz和 512 MB RAM。它采用了新技术，如Broadcom 的NitroQAMTM和4-Stream(Broadcom and 4-Stream) ，这些技术应该在玩在线游戏时提供最小的延迟，并将 2.4 GHz 无线(GHz wireless)频率的最大理论带宽增加到 1000 Mbps，两个 5 GHz(GHz wireless)无线频率的最大理论带宽分别增加到2167 Mbps频率。这导致总最大带宽为 53334 Mbps，因此Archer C5400 名称(Archer C5400 name). 该路由器带有八个外部天线。正如您在下面看到的，每个都有自己的插槽，可以轻松升高或降低。
作为当今高端路由器的惯例，TP-LINK Archer C5400包含MU-MIMO 技术(MU-MIMO technology)，可同时为多达四个设备提供服务，减少等待时间，增加每个设备的 Wi-Fi 吞吐量，并使每个流更高效。该路由器支持包括 802.11ac 在内的所有无线网络标准。(wireless networking)
在路由器的背面，我们有一个USB 3.0端口，一个USB 2.0端口，用于将路由器连接到互联网的端口，四个以太网(Ethernet)端口，重置(Reset)按钮，电源(Power)按钮和电源插孔。
在Archer C5400的正面，我们有几个LED(LEDs)。从左到右，它们是：
- 一张显示路由器是否开启
- 三个LED(LEDs)，三个无线频段(wireless band)各一个，告诉您每个无线频段(wireless band)是否正在广播其信号
- 一个用于以太网连接的状态(Ethernet connection)
- 一个用于您的互联网连接状态(internet connection)
- 一 分享WPS连接是否在进行中
- 两个LED(LEDs)，每个USB 端口(USB port)一个，告诉您USB 设备(USB device)是否连接到路由器
然后我们有三个按钮：
- 第一个是打开或关闭无线信号的广播
- 一种用于启用 WPS 连接
- 用于打开或关闭(Off)LED的一种（如果您对(LEDs)LED(LEDs)的光感到恼火，这将非常有用）
因为它包含了很多硬件，所以这款路由器比其他路由器更大，尺寸为 9.1 x 9.1 x 1.7 英寸或 230 x 230 x 43 毫米（宽度(Width)、深度(Depth)和高度(Height)）。它的总重为 5.95 磅或 2.7 公斤。
您可以在此处阅读此无线路由器(wireless router)的官方规格：TP-LINK Archer C5400 规格(TP-LINK Archer C5400 specifications)。
设置和使用TP-LINK Archer C5400
当我们拆箱无线路由器(wireless router)时，我们首先想知道的一件事是它的底部是否有安装螺丝槽，以便您可以将其安装在墙上。幸运的是TP-LINK Archer C5400拥有它们，您可以在下图中看到它们。
将路由器放置在您要使用的位置并将其连接到 Internet 后，您就可以开始配置它了。快速设置向导(Quick Setup Wizard)会要求您更改默认用户名和密码(default username and password)，这是一个很好的安全预防措施(security precaution)。然后，您被要求选择您所在的地区和时区(time zone)。您选择您拥有的互联网连接类型，或者您可以让无线路由器(wireless router)为您检测它。
接下来，系统会要求您输入 Internet 连接的连接详细信息。输入后，您可以配置广播的三个无线网络。然后会显示您所做设置的摘要，在您按下Save后，将测试Internet 连接(internet connection)。
完成初始配置后，您可以查看管理用户界面(administration user interface)并开始详细配置更多设置。如您所见，用户界面(user interface)使用浅色、平静的颜色，而且相当简约。它首先显示了所有基本设置，非常简单明了。它们专为对网络了解不多并希望将高级东西留在路由器手中的用户而设计。
但是，如果您想利用此路由器必须提供的高级功能，则必须切换到“高级(Advanced)”选项卡并亲自动手。正如您在下面的屏幕截图中看到的那样，可用的设置数量呈指数级增长，您可以控制该路由器必须提供的所有功能。
对其前身 ( Archer C3200 ) 的一项可喜改进是TP-LINK Archer C5400具有出色的多语言支持。它的用户界面不仅仅只有英文(English)。它有 25 种语言版本，您可以在下面的屏幕截图中看到其中一些。可用语言列表包括西班牙语、葡萄牙语、法语、中文或德语。
许多用户会意识到，单击用户界面右上角显示的问号即可获得(question mark)帮助文档。(Help)如果单击它，它将显示有关屏幕上显示的选项的信息。不幸的是，对于某些设置，使用的语言是技术方面的，一些用户将难以理解显示的所有设置，尤其是在摆弄高级(Advanced)设置时。
我们喜欢TP-LINK的管理用户界面(administration user interface)的一件事是它组织得非常好：所有内容都分为部分和小部分，并且浏览所有设置应该不是问题。但是，有些设置很难理解，您确实需要相当多的技术知识才能正确设置。
按照您想要的方式进行设置后，连接您的所有网络计算机和设备。我们连接了台式电脑、平板电脑、智能手机、USB硬盘、无线打印机、智能插头和控制台。我们对这些设备中的任何一个都没有问题，并且我们享有稳定的无线网络信号(wireless network signal)。
此外，连接速度非常快，正如您将在本评论的下两节中看到的那样，我们测量了TP-LINK Archer C5400的实际性能。更多关于此评论的下一页。
Reviewing TP-LINK Archer C5400 - Future-proofing your wireless network!
TP-LINK Archer C5400 is one the most advanced wirelesѕ routеrs еver built by TP-LINK. It is the successor to the Archer C3200 which we loνed using and testing. When we received it for teѕtіng, we were νerу excited because this rоuter features very powerfυl hardware and many advanced features. Our previous experience haѕ shown that, to benefit from the most advanced routers, you need high-end compυters and devices that can take advantаge of the latest networking features. Suсh devices are expensivе and hard to find. Is this thе case with TP-LINK Archer C5400? Read this reνiew and see:
Unboxing the TP-LINK Archer C5400
TP-LINK Archer C5400 comes in a white-green large box. On the top, you can see a picture of the device and a list of its most advanced characteristics.
On the back side of the box, you can see a detailed explanation of the tri-band technology offered by this router and the maximum theoretical bandwidth of each band. When you open the box, you will find the router, the power adapter (as you can see in the picture below, it is quite large), an Ethernet cable, technical support information, the warranty and the quick installation guide.
The unboxing experience is quick and painless, and the packaging includes all the elements you expect from a wireless router.
Hardware specifications and design
TP-LINK Archer C5400 has a powerful dual-core Broadcom BCM4709C processor, running at 1.4 GHz and 512 MB of RAM. It features new technologies like NitroQAMTM from Broadcom and 4-Stream, which are supposed to provide minimum latency when playing online games and increase the maximum theoretical bandwidth to 1000 Mbps for the 2.4 GHz wireless frequency and 2167 Mbps for each of the two 5GHz wireless frequencies. This leads to a total maximum bandwidth of 53334 Mbps, hence the Archer C5400 name. This router comes with eight external antennas. As you can see below, each has its slot and can be easily raised or lowered.
As is the custom for premium routers nowadays, TP-LINK Archer C5400 includes the MU-MIMO technology that serves up to four devices at once, reducing wait time, increasing Wi-Fi throughput for every device, and making each stream more efficient. The router offers support for all wireless networking standards up to and including 802.11ac.
On the back of the router, we have one USB 3.0 port, one USB 2.0 port, the port for connecting the router to the internet, four Ethernet ports, the Reset button, the Power button and the power jack.
On the front of the Archer C5400, we have several LEDs. From left to right, they are the following:
- One showing whether the router is turned on
- Three LEDs, one for each of the three wireless bands, telling you whether each wireless band is broadcasting its signal
- One for the status of the Ethernet connection
- One for the status of your internet connection
- One sharing whether WPS connections are in progress
- Two LEDs, one for each USB port, telling you whether a USB device is connected to the router or not
Then we have three buttons:
- The first is for turning the broadcasting of the wireless signal On or Off
- One for enabling WPS connections
- One for turning the LEDs On or Off (this is very useful if you are annoyed by the light of the LEDs)
Because it packs so much hardware, this router is larger than others, with a size of 9.1 x 9.1 x 1.7 inches or 230 x 230 x 43mm in Width, Depth, and Height. It also weighs a total of 5.95 pounds or 2.7 kilograms.
You can read the official specifications of this wireless router, here: TP-LINK Archer C5400 specifications.
Setting up and using the TP-LINK Archer C5400
One of the first things we want to know when we unbox a wireless router is whether it has mounting screw slots on the bottom so that you can mount it on a wall. Luckily TP-LINK Archer C5400 has them, and you can see them in the picture below.
After you place the router where you want to use it and connect it to the internet, you can start configuring it. The Quick Setup Wizard asks you to change the default username and password, which is an excellent security precaution. Then, you are asked to select the region and the time zone that you are in. You select which type of internet connection you have, or you can ask the wireless router to detect it for you.
Next, you are asked to enter the connection details for your internet connection. After you enter them, you can configure the three wireless networks which are broadcast. A summary is then shown for the settings that you have made and, after you press Save, the internet connection is tested.
Once the initial configuration is done, you can view the administration user interface and start configuring more settings in detail. As you can see, the user interface uses light, calming colors and it's rather minimalist. It first shows all the basic settings, that are very simple and straightforward. They are designed for users that don't know much about networking and want to leave the advanced stuff in the hands of the router.
However, if you want to take advantage of the advanced features this router has to offer, you have to switch to the Advanced tab and get your hands dirty. As you can see in the screenshot below, the number of settings that becomes available increased exponentially, and you get control over everything this router has to offer.
One welcome improvement over its predecessor (Archer C3200) is that TP-LINK Archer C5400 has great multi-lingual support. Its user interface is not available just in English. It is available in 25 languages, some of which you can see in the screenshot below. The list of available languages includes Spanish, Portuguese, French, Chinese or German.
Many users will appreciate that the Help documentation is available with a single click on the question mark that is shown in the top-right corner of the user interface. If you click on it, it displays information about the options displayed on the screen. Unfortunately, for some settings the language used is on the technical side of things and some users will have difficulty in understanding all the settings that are shown, especially when fiddling with the Advanced settings.
One of the things we enjoy about TP-LINK's administration user interface is that it is organized very well: everything is split into sections and subsections and navigating through all the settings shouldn't be an issue. However, some settings are hard to understand, and you do need quite a bit of technical knowledge to set things correctly.
After you set things the way you want to, connect all your network computers and devices. We connected desktop computers, tablets, smartphones, USB hard disks, wireless printers, smart plugs and a console. We had no issues with any of these devices, and we enjoyed a stable wireless network signal.
Also, connections were quite fast, as you will see in the next two sections of this review, where we measure the real-life performance of the TP-LINK Archer C5400. More on that in the next page of this review.
