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Configure AP on Internal Network WITHOUT INTERNET ACCESS?

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Configure AP on Internal Network WITHOUT INTERNET ACCESS?

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Configure AP on Internal Network WITHOUT INTERNET ACCESS?
Configure AP on Internal Network WITHOUT INTERNET ACCESS?
2024-02-24 18:58:11 - last edited 2024-02-27 08:41:29
Tags: #Installation #Network Without Internet Access

I am trying to set up a TP-Link TL-WA1201 Access Point on an internal network that, for security reasons, will never be connected to the Internet.  However, the setup instructions say that I need to visit http://tplinkap.net (on the Internet) to configure the device, which obviously is not going to work, because the device is not accessible to or from the Internet.  This is a MAJOR omission in the instructions.

 

Where are instructions for configuring TP-Link TL-WA1201 Access Point without use of the Internet?   How can I do it?  Is it even possible, or do I have to return the device as useless?

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Re:Configure AP on Internal Network WITHOUT INTERNET ACCESS?-Solution
2024-02-25 22:48:20 - last edited 2024-02-27 08:41:29

  @David_in_Boston 

 

The http://tplinkap.net domain will resolve to the AP IP address on your local network when you're connected to the AP wirelessly.

That means to configure the AP you don't have to expose the AP to the internet.

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Re:Configure AP on Internal Network WITHOUT INTERNET ACCESS?-Solution
2024-02-25 22:48:20 - last edited 2024-02-27 08:41:29

  @David_in_Boston 

 

The http://tplinkap.net domain will resolve to the AP IP address on your local network when you're connected to the AP wirelessly.

That means to configure the AP you don't have to expose the AP to the internet.

If this was helpful click on the arrow pointing upward to make it blue. If this solves your issue, click the star to make it blue and mark the post as a "Recommended Solution".
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Re:Configure AP on Internal Network WITHOUT INTERNET ACCESS?
2024-03-01 16:44:51

  @terziyski  the tplinkap.net domain has an IP address of 3.224.42.34, which is NOT a local IP address.  That's pretty scary that the AP is silently intercepting the HTTP request and routing it to a completely different IP address, like a man-in-the-middle attack.  But as you say, apparently that is how this AP functions.  Very weird.  Are there other IP addresses that are also silently intercepted and rerouted to some other destination?  If so, what are they?

 

Through further experimenting and more research I've determined that it is also possible to address the AP directly, using its proper local IP address.  But that requires knowing the local IP address that was assigned to it.  In my case that meant logging into the router that assigned the AP's IP address, and listing its connected devices and IP addresses.

 

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Re:Configure AP on Internal Network WITHOUT INTERNET ACCESS?
2024-03-01 17:22:54

  @David_in_Boston 

 

Don't worry about the tplinkap.net resolving. When you're connected directly to the AP it will resolve to the local IP address of the AP.

Same mechanism is used for some additional TP-Link domains - details.

Default IP address for accessing TL-WA1201 web management is http://192.168.0.254

If you decide to set its IP address dynamically use the tplinkap.net or check its local IP address on your main router (connected devices) - you already guessed that.

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Installation
Network Without Internet Access
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