When Home Assistant enthusiast and tech aficionado, menahishayan, found himself in a pickle with no component to manage his TP-Link router, he did what any self-respecting geek would do – he programmed his own. The TP-Link component for Home Assistant is still wet behind the ears and currently compatible with the TP-Link Archer C50 and the TP-Link N600, but don't let its new-kid-on-the-block status fool you – it's already packing some serious features.
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Control your TP-Link router using Home Assistant
The endgame was simple: to take the reins of a TP-Link router. But TP-Link hadn’t rolled out the red carpet by offering an open-source API. This meant our intrepid developer had to don his deerstalker and turn detective, reverse engineering the router’s web management interface. But boy, was it worth it! If you're lucky enough to own one of the supported TP-Link routers, this integration is like a Swiss army knife of features:
- A switch that lets you play power god with your router, enabling you to reboot it via Home Assistant.
- The power to enable or disable your WAN connection at will.
- Mastery over the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands, giving you the choice to disable either band.
- A device tracker integration using the router’s client connection – like having your own tech bloodhound.
- An IP address sensor, a digital sleuth that helps you pin down the IP address of a client.
- Control over the guest network – because who wants uninvited guests?
How to install the Home Assistant TP-Link router integration
Like many custom integrations, the TP-Link integration is up for grabs in HACS. I'd highly recommend going this route. With HACS as your digital butler, you'll be the first to know when updates are served. Feeling more adventurous? You can also install it manually.
Setting up the TP-Link integration
This integration is a YAML-only affair. There are three components to get your head around: One for the switches, one for the sensors, and one for the device tracker. It might sound as hard as herding cats, but don't worry – all three are broken down on the GitHub page.
