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Modem

This is the standalone usage reference for the Archer C50 router used during the Hardware project. We called it the modem; this page covers its connections, controls and status lights.

Router back panel reference photo

Router PCB closeup reference photo

Hardware Reference

  • Model: Archer C50 (EU) - Ver 6.20
  • Full name: TP-Link Archer C50 AC1200 Dual Band Wi-Fi Router
  • Supply: 9 V, 0.85 A
  • Default access: http://tplinkwifi.net
  • Printed manual / vendor PDF: kept in the modem CAD folder

Relevant vendor links:

The original housing and antennas should still be kept as reference hardware if available.

Back Panel and Controls

The rear I/O matters because that is the side you will interact with in the mount.

Back-panel items:

  • WPS / Wi-Fi button on the left of the Ethernet ports,
  • Reset button below the WPS / Wi-Fi button,
  • WAN port,
  • LAN 1-4 ports,
  • Power button beside the barrel jack,
  • power jack.

Status LEDs

The reference image for the front-panel lights is also saved with the modem CAD.

Router front-panel status lights

Practical meanings used by the team:

  • Power solid on means the router is powered and running normally.
  • Power slow flashing means startup or firmware update.
  • Power fast flashing means WPS activity.
  • Ethernet / LAN on means at least one Ethernet port sees a live device.
  • Internet / WAN green means internet available; orange means the WAN link exists but internet is not available.

The Wi-Fi LEDs are not especially useful in the competition context, but the reference behaviour is still documented in the original notes.

Modem 101

The original Modem 101 note exists because this hardware is much easier to forget than the bigger sensor and compute parts. The practical points that still matter are:

  • it takes a short while to boot, so do not assume it is dead immediately after power-up,
  • the rear controls and ports are the critical ones to keep accessible,
  • if the LED layout on the real router does not exactly match the reference note, check whether a previous repair or broken LED is the reason before assuming the CAD is wrong.

Reference Images

  • rear I/O: Back.jpg
  • PCB detail: Board_Closeup.jpg
  • lighting meanings: Modem_Lighting_Meaning.jpg

{Add an underside mounting photograph without the login label or QR code visible.}