Difference between TL-WA801N and TL-WA801ND

Hardware Questions and Recommendations
1

Hello together,

I run into the same trap as TiMoxD buying an TL-WA801N instead of an TL-WA801ND with exact the same result. The router could be recovered exact the same way.

When you search the Internet for the difference you find out that the additional D should stand for detachable antennas. But in reality it is a different hardware.
This shall be documented here now.

As main chip you find an MediaTek MT7628 with

CPU Type

MIPS24KEc

CPU Bit

32-bit

CPU Core

Single (1)

CPU Frequency

575/580MHz

Connectivity

IEEE 802.11

Wi-Fi 4 (n)

Wi-Fi Freqency

2.4GHz

Antenna

2T2R

External FEM

Yes

Ethernet

5 port Fast Ethernet Switch or 1 port IoT mode

PCI-Express

Host

USB

USB 2.0 Host

I/O

GPIO, I2C, PWM, UART(3)

The RAM is really only 32 MB and an external 4 MB Flash that could be upgraded.

Can someone please tell how the hardware can be so different with a nearly identical type?
That's such a strange model politic ...

TL-WA801N.1
TL-WA801N.11536×1049 344 KB

As new old user there can be only one attachment. So you don't get all pictures ...

2

TL-WA801N.2
TL-WA801N.21536×1152 291 KB

Back side

3

TL-WA801N.3
TL-WA801N.31152×1061 329 KB

Main chip MediaTek MT7628

4

TL-WA801N.4
TL-WA801N.41218×1039 292 KB

RAM A3956040GTP-50L 2045ZEB7

5

TL-WA801N.5
TL-WA801N.5943×971 187 KB

Flash 25Q32 and the serial connectors

6

the version specified on the bottom side sticker is very important, the PCB sticker says v6.

https://openwrt.org/toh/tp-link/tl-wa801nd

7

Oh yes - forgotten the sticker.

TL-WA801N.6
TL-WA801N.61536×1152 335 KB

Is there any chance for another firmware?

8

from "here", no, that would be your own project ..

as for other FWs, check dd-wrt.

9

The meaning of the question is more if the hardware is really so different, that it is a complete new project?
The main chip is the same ...

Thanks - I will check dd-wrt.

10

hardware isn't different, but the specs makes openwrt a bad fit, it requires 8mb flash and 64mb RAM to run, today.

read the big fat warning on the page I posted.

11

It would be possible to change the flash chip, but the RAM is hard work.

12

The cost of whole venture will certainly exceed getting 16/128 Wifi5 router.

13

anything is possible, just not worth it, as @brada4 pointed out ...

14

DO NOT BUY DEVICES WITH 4MB FLASH / 32MB RAM

That's exact the reason for this thread. You don't find informations about FLASH and RAM for the TL-WA801N. So you think there cannot be so much difference. That's the trap!

There is no information for the TL-WA801N on https://dd-wrt.com/support/router-database/ too.

15

you have a version not previously documented, what would you like us to do about it ?
you think TP-Link is updating the wiki page ?

searching the forum for WA801N v6 would actually get you a couple "don't buy, don't use" kind of threads ...

16

-N and -ND is with external (rp-)sma and with built-in antennas, the version without D is was good for long range link with directional antenna.
Nowadays probably you would want wifi6 in 2.4ghz for long range needs for doube bandwidth.

17

Just searching for a little bit consolation for buying a hardware, that does not fit the expectations. :sweat_smile:

The other intention is to warn others not to tap into the same trap.

18

based on the v5's specs, I'm surprised you bought the v6 :slight_smile:

just need(ed) to do a forum search...

19

Originally searched for a cheap router that could be flashed with gluon, that based on openwrt.

20

You can choose between ton of mt76 devices. filogic for x86 pc like performance.