tplink-tool 0.1.0

Python SDK and CLI for TP-Link managed switches

tplink-tool

A Python SDK and interactive CLI for TP-Link managed switches — no browser required.

These switches have no REST API, no SSH, and no serial console. This project reverse-engineers the HTTP web UI shared by many TP-Link managed switch models to provide a clean Python interface and a Cisco IOS-inspired shell.

Developed and tested on:

• Hardware: TL-SG108E v6.0
• Firmware: 1.0.0 Build 20230218 Rel.50633

A full test suite passes against this hardware. Other TP-Link managed switches that share the same web UI are likely compatible.

Files

File	Purpose
tplink_switch.py	Python SDK (Switch class, all read/write operations)
cli.py	Interactive CLI (Cisco IOS-style)
docs/sdk.md	SDK programmer reference
docs/cli.md	CLI user guide

Requirements

pip install requests

No other dependencies.

Quick start — SDK

from tplink_switch import Switch, PortSpeed

with Switch('192.168.0.1', password='admin') as sw:
    # Read system info
    print(sw.get_system_info())

    # Port status
    for port in sw.get_port_settings():
        print(port)

    # Configure a port
    sw.set_port(1, speed=PortSpeed.AUTO, flow_control=False)

    # 802.1Q VLANs
    sw.set_dot1q_enabled(True)
    sw.add_dot1q_vlan(10, name='servers', tagged_ports=[8], untagged_ports=[1])
    sw.set_pvid([1], 10)

See docs/sdk.md for the full API reference.

Quick start — CLI

python3 cli.py 192.168.0.1

TL-SG108E# show interfaces
TL-SG108E# configure terminal
TL-SG108E(config)# vlan 10
TL-SG108E(config-vlan-10)# name servers
TL-SG108E(config-vlan-10)# exit
TL-SG108E(config)# interface port 1
TL-SG108E(config-if-gi1)# switchport access vlan 10
TL-SG108E(config-if-gi1)# exit
TL-SG108E(config)# end
TL-SG108E# show vlan

Commands can be abbreviated to their shortest unambiguous prefix (conf t, sh int, sw acc vl 10, etc.).

See docs/cli.md for the full command reference.

What is supported

Read operations

• System info (firmware, MAC, IP)
• IP settings
• LED state
• Port settings (speed, duplex, flow control, trunk membership)
• Port statistics (TX/RX packet counters)
• Port mirroring
• Port trunking / LAG
• IGMP snooping
• Loop prevention
• MTU VLAN
• Port-based VLAN
• 802.1Q VLAN (membership, PVIDs)
• QoS (mode, per-port priority)
• Bandwidth control (ingress/egress rate limiting)
• Storm control
• Cable diagnostics (TDR) — see firmware note below

Write operations

Everything listed above, plus:

• Config backup and restore
• Factory reset
• Reboot
• Password change

Known firmware issues

Cable diagnostics (TDR) — TL-SG108E v6.0, firmware 1.0.0 Build 20230218 Rel.50633

The run_cable_diagnostic() method is implemented and the status codes are correct per the firmware's own JavaScript:

Code	Meaning
0	NoCable
1	Normal
2	Open (unterminated)
3	Short
4	OpenShort
5	CrossCable
-1	NotTested

However, on the tested firmware the cable_diag_get.cgi POST handler silently drops the TCP connection before sending any HTTP response. The GET endpoint returns cached state, which is initialized to -1 (NotTested) and never changes because the write side is non-functional.

All diagnostic results therefore return NotTested on this firmware. The code is correct and ready; the limitation is a firmware bug. If you test on a different firmware version and TDR works, please open an issue.

Protocol notes

The switch uses a frameset-based HTTP UI on port 80.

• Reads: GET /<Page>.htm — state is embedded as JavaScript variable declarations in the first <script> block.
• Writes: GET /<name>.cgi?param=value — all configuration writes are GET requests with query-string parameters (not POST).
• Session: cookie-based (H_P_SSID, TTL 600 s). The SDK re-authenticates transparently before expiry and after mode-change operations that restart the switch's web server.

License

GNU General Public License v3.0