I don't want to repeat here what others have already written about this device. I concur with all the points mentioned in these posts, but I wish to mention the following: There are 2 hardware versions of this model TL-R470T+. They are hardware version 1.x, and hardware version 2.x, and I mention this because 2 of the features that I needed are available only on the more-recent hardware version 2.x devices. The hardware version number can be found on the sticker on the bottom of the unit, directly after the model number.
The hardware version 2.x models have at least 2 additional capabilities that the older hardware version 1.x do not have. These are fail-over capability, which the router calls Link Backup, and port re-routing (if that's the correct term).
With the Link Backup feature, instead of using the router for Load Balancing, you can instead set one WAN port as the primary WAN, and the other WAN port as the backup WAN. When the primary WAN goes down, the backup WAN is automatically used, until the primary WAN comes back connected again, at which time the router automatically switches back to the primary WAN. If you use more than 2 WANs, then you can program in various rules to handle your backup rules for all your WAN ports.
The port re-routing setting allows you to have traffic that comes in on a certain port be routed to a different port internally. An example of this could be so that you can have RDP access to more than 1 PC internally, as follows (and yes, I know that opening ports for RDP is not very secure ;-):
If RDP traffic comes in on port 3389, route it to port 3389 on internal computer # 1
If RDP traffic comes in on port 3390, route it to port 3389 on internal computer # 2
If RDP traffic comes in on port 3391, route it to port 3389 on internal computer # 3
If RDP traffic comes in on port 3392, route it to port 3389 on internal computer # 4
If RDP traffic comes in on port 3393, route it to port 3389 on internal computer # 5
Again, both of these 2 additional capabilities, the Fail-Over (Link Backup) and Port Re-routing, are available only on the later hardware version 2.x models. I had initially purchased a TL-R470T+ from Amazon back in April 2012, and received a hardware version 1.2 at that time. But as I need both the Fail-Over and Port-rerouting capability, I took a chance and ordered another TL-R470T+ from Amazon last week, and I'm happy that the unit I received is hardware version 2.1
About the only negative thing that I can say is, when you change the number of WAN/LAN ports, on at least the hardware version 1.x devices, you lose everything & need to set everything back up from scratch. I haven't tested that on my new hardware version 2.x device, but the settings screen does warn "Any change to the number of WAN ports may lead to a loss of current configurations. Please be sure to backup your configurations in advance."
Overall I'm very happy with these devices, especially for the low price.
EDIT:
I initially had problems whereby the primary links would not switch back to normal after recovering from a downed Internet connection. This was something that I wished to test now, so as not to have a false sent of security thinking that everything would work as I wished whenever I lost my primary Internet connection .
After extensive testing on a hardware version 2.x device with 2 Internet connections, I pass on the following to anyone wishing to use their TL-R470T+ in its fail-over (Link Backup) mode (as opposed to Load Balancing mode). The below settings will assume WAN1 to be Primary with a DSL modem connection using PPPoE, and WAN2 to be Backup with a Cable modem connection using PPPoE, but you can change yours if you wish, to suit your needs).
1. Configure your router as you normally would. I won't list the steps here, as it's pretty straight-forward, but if needed you can click the Help button on each configuration page, or refer to the PDF manual on the included CD.
Next, the following steps are not mentioned in the manual (as far as I know), so I'm including them here to save you days of frustration ;-).
Ensure that you have set up both your WANs with your PPPoE information (Network \ WAN \ WAN1 and WAN2 tabs).
Ensure that you have set up your Link Backup settings (Advanced \ Load Balance \ Link Backup tab).
Next:
2. On the menu on the left, select Advanced, then Load balance, and then select the Configuration tab at the top.
3. Deselect both check boxes (for Enable Application Optimized Routing & Enable Bandwidth Based Balance Routing) and click Save.
4. On the menu on the left, select Network, then WAN, then select the WAN1 tab at the top of the page.
5. For Active Mode, select Always-on (for your Primary link), and remember to click Save.
6. Select the WAN2 tab at the top of the page.
7. For Active Mode, select Manual (for your Backup link), and remember to click Save.
You can monitor your connections from the System Status page, by clicking Status from the menu on the left. Both WAN1 and WAN2 should show Link Up.
If you wish to test your settings to confirm everything works, do NOT do as I did for the first few days by simply unplugging my Telco cable from my DSL modem ;-). Instead, power your DSL modem off (or whatever's connected to your WAN1 port). You should then see, within a couple of seconds, your Cable modem (or whatever's connected to your WAN2 port) activity LED start to blink. The System Status page will take up to 2 minutes before it refreshes; when it does, it should show your WAN1 still with Link Up, but its Status should have changed to Disconnected, with no IP information shown. And your WAN2 should now show Connected, with some IP information.
Next, to simulate that your Primary Internet returned, turn your DSL modem on (or whatever's connected to your WAN1 port). You should then see, within a couple of seconds, your DSL modem (or whatever's connected to your WAN1 port) activity LEDs start to blink. The System Status page will take up to 2 minutes before it refreshes; when it does, it should show your WAN1 still with Link Up and as now being Connected again, and some IP information. And within those 2 minutes you should see your WAN2 return to being Disconnected, and with no more IP information showing, although it should still show Link Up. It will also take up to those same 2 minutes before the activity LED on your Cable modem (or whatever's connected to your WAN2 port) to stop blinking.
Sorry for being so long-winded, but I hope the above may be of some help, and save some people time setting up their new TL-R470T+ for fail-over purposes.
| Brand | TP-Link |
|---|---|
| Series | Protection(TL-R470T+) |
| Item model number | TL-R470T+ |
| Operating System | Microsoft Windows 8, 7,Vista, XP or MAC OS, NetWare, UNIX or Linux |
| Item Weight | 3.88 ounces |
| Product Dimensions | 8.3 x 1.1 x 5 inches |
| Item Dimensions LxWxH | 8.3 x 1.1 x 5 inches |
| Flash Memory Size | 4 |
| Voltage | 240 Volts |
| Department | wired networking |
| Manufacturer | TP-LINK USA |
| Language | English |
| ASIN | B005SYQBN8 |
| Is Discontinued By Manufacturer | No |
| Date First Available | May 25, 2011 |
