3G ROUTER SETUP TP-LINK TL-MR3020

The 3G Router TP-LINK TL-MR3020 has 3 operating modes:

3G Mode:

Create a wireless network with Internet access through a 3G modem plugged into the USB port. It supports over 120 different models of 3G modems. The list of modems that work can be found in the last two pages of the manual. If you connect 3G router to a computer (laptop, tablet, switch, etc..) by network cable, 3G connection will be used directly, without installing 3G modem drivers on the computer. If you connect to a network cable that comes from an ISP router, the wifi network that is created works using ISP router and if its fails, uses the 3G modem connection (backup connection).

WISP Mode:

You can repeat a wireless network with a new network id (SSID). The repeated network is also accessible via network cable (WLAN / LAN port).

AP Mode:

Converts a wired network to wifi network. The TP-LINK 3G Router can be powered from the USB port of a computer (laptop, tablet, etc.) Or from the mains (USB adapter included). All settings are saved even if you turn off the 3G router. WISP mode configuration is lost if you turn off and then on the 3G router in a different mode than WISP.

3G ROUTER ACCESS SETUP

Configuration is done via web browser that must be on the same network as the 3G router. For this, connect the network cable (provided) from your PC/Laptop to the network connector WLAN/LAN of TP-LINK router 3G and then configure PC/Laptop with:

IP Address: 192.168.0.10 (192.168.0.X where 0 <X <254)
Mask: 255.255.255.0 

For details on how to do this, you can see the TP-LINK 3G Router TL-MR3020 Quick Installation Guide 

With your PC/Laptop configured, type in your browser: http://192.168.0.254 
Page request username and password. The default user for 3G Router TP-LINK TL-MR3020 is "admin" and password is "admin" (both without quotes).

3G MODE SETUP

We must ensure that the router is turned on in 3G mode, the web configuration differs depending on how the router has been turned on (three-position switch: 3G, WISP and AP).

The 3G modem must be plugged into the USB port on the 3G router. Select Quick Setup from the menu on the left and then we click on Next button.

Probably the option that interests you is the fourth: Use only 3G modem for Internet access, and port WLAN/LAN (RJ45) to connect your PC, laptop, etc.

The second option, would create a wireless network, the Internet access would come from our ISP port WLAN / LAN (RJ45). In case our ISP fails, the 3G router automatically would use the 3G modem as backup connection to the Internet, to stay connected to Internet in the wifi network we are creating. 

Click on Next button.

Select your country and 3G Internet Service Provider, user and password should only be filled with some providers.

 
Select Enable Wireless Radio if you want to create a wireless network. If not (Disable) you will access the Internet using a network cable connected to port WLAN / LAN only. 

In Wirless Network Name, enter the name that will have our network and will appear in the list of accesible wireless networks of our PC.

In Region select your country, selecting another may be in contravention of telecommunications laws in your country. 

In Wireless Security select WPA-Personal/WPA2-Personal, and enter password to access the network.

Click on Finish 

To view the status of 3G modem, select Network> 3G option in the left menu and 3G USB Modem field wild show if the modem is connected.
The image shows: Unplugged, because the 3G modem is not connected to the USB port. 
If it does not show Connected (Connected), you have to disable the PIN of the SIM card inserted into the 3G modem.This operation can be done with a unlocked phone. The PIN will be disabled via the options menu phone. 
If you use a 3G modem connected directly to the computer via USB with Mobile Partner, you can disable the PIN in: Tools> PIN> Disable PIN Verification.

The image shows off the option: Disable PIN verification, because there is no modem connected to USB port in the PC.

WISP MODE SETUP

We must ensure that the router is turned on in WISP mode, the web configuration differs depending on how the router has been turned on.

Select Quick Setup from the left menu and then click on Next button. 

The aim is to connect the TP-LINK router to a wifi router with Internet access. We will use the router's Internet connection to access to the Internet. A new wireless network, with different name (SSID), will be created by TP-LINK 3G router. 

The wireless network we are creating will be received with better signal quality than the network we are "repeating" because the 3G Router TP-LINK will be closer to our PC, laptop, mobile, etc.. the router to "repeat"

A computer, laptop, mobile, etc.. to communicate on a network needs an IP address that is unique in that network. 

In this screen you select how IP addresses assignament is done in the wireless router we're going to connect to.

Most routers assign your computer an IP address dynamically (it can change the next time you connect to that network). Select option 2: Dynamic IP.

It is unlikely that you need to clone the MAC of the router you are repeating.

Click the Next button.

Click on the Survey button to get a list of recheable wireless networks (wait a few seconds).

In each wifi network there is a link with the text Connect. You must click on this link, in the network you want to repeat.

Then we fill in the SSID and BSSID fields, as shown in the picture below

Assuming that we will "repeat" a  password protected network, enter the Key type.

If network key is composed of digits and letters from A to F, key type is WEP (HEX) el select WEP(ASCII). 

In Local SSID, put the name of the new network that you want to create.

Select Reboot (restart) and  wait about 1 minute. If you want to see how settings are applied, after rebooting, press F5 or refresh the page in your browser. 

If you disconnect the power supply the 3G Router settings remain.

If you change to 3G mode and turn off/on the router, you will lose most of the configuration.