Access Point or Bridge?

Hi Everyone,
I hope you guys can help but I'm having problems?!
I've been having lots of issues with drops-outs and speed issues on my FTTC so to start with I thought I'd replace my rather ageing Billion 7800n with a TP-Link c4000 router and It turns out that wasn't problem. I then thought I'd replace the BT Openreach modem so I've purchase a Netgear DSL-N16 modem router.

At the moment I'm only using the Netgear DSL-N16 and although its only been a couple of days its so far so good!

So this now leads to a few questions.
How do I connect the TP-Link C4000 to the DSL-N16 and should this be connected as an access point/range extender?

I know very little about this kind of thing so any replies in laymen's terms would be appreciated.
Many thanks in advance.

The DSL-N16 should be configured to run in what might be called modem or bridge mode, and not router mode.

The TP-Link c4000 wan port should be connected to the DSL-N16 using an ethernet cable. The configuration should be the same as when it was connected to the BT Openreach modem.

If you are having internet connection problems you may find it easier to just use the DSL-N16 and to then look at whatever details of the DSL connection status it will display. If you post these details on this forum people can advise on how satisfactory they are.

Netgear DSL-N16 (I think you are meant to be Asus not Netgear?)

Oops my bad, as you say it should have read Asus!

In reply to a post by Michael_Chare:

The DSL-N16 should be configured to run in what might be called modem or bridge mode, and not router mode.

The TP-Link c4000 wan port should be connected to the DSL-N16 using an ethernet cable. The configuration should be the same as when it was connected to the BT Openreach modem.

If you are having internet connection problems you may find it easier to just use the DSL-N16 and to then look at whatever details of the DSL connection status it will display. If you post these details on this forum people can advise on how satisfactory they are.

Hi Michael, apologies for the late reply.
I've seen in the DSL-N16 settings the following:

Bridge (or named WDS - Wireless Distribution System) function allows your DSL-N16 to connect to an access point wirelessly. WDS may also be considered a repeater mode. But with this method, the devices connected to the access point will only be able to use half of the access point's original wireless speed.
Note:The function only support [Open System/NONE, Open System/WEP] security authentication method.

Its asking me to select the AP mode with these options: AP Only, WDS Only or Hybrid Only.
Which of these would be the best to choose?

You said I need to connect the DSL-N16 to the C4000 with an Ethernet cable so do I just leave the phone line in the DSL-N16 and then link the 2 devices with the Ethernet cable from one LAN port to another?

Hope that makes sense?
Many thanks

Your post makes sense. The problem is that that unfortunately the Asus DSL-N16 can't be set to run in bridge (modem only) mode, as explained here.

The possible confusion here is that “bridge mode” has several quite different meanings in local area networking;

There is bridge mode in respect of connecting two wireless “endpoints” together using a wireless service connection. For example a WiFi access point could have a wireless bridge connection back to another router or access point device for connectivity without physical cabling between the two.

Then there is bridge mode in respect of the device that connects from your broadband service provider to your own network. In this “bridge mode”, this device is set to behave ‘transparently’ with another device (your own router for example) performing the other networking tasks for your local network like handling firewall/security/NAT functions, local addressing (DHCP), port forwarding and possibly WiFi.

In reply to a post by Michael_Chare:

Your post makes sense. The problem is that that unfortunately the Asus DSL-N16 can't be set to run in bridge (modem only) mode, as explained here.

Hi Michael,
I've also had a reply back from Asus today to which they said I can put it into 'Media Bridge Mode' which of course means nothing to me!
They've sent me a link with instructions here:
Media Bridge Mode
It all seems a bit too technical for a novice like me!
You're obviously far more clued up about this sort of thing so do you think this might now be feasible?

Media bridge is a wifi bridge not DSL bridge.

In reply to a post by Piscatorian:

Hi Everyone,
I hope you guys can help but I'm having problems?!
I've been having lots of issues with drops-outs and speed issues on my FTTC so to start with I thought I'd replace my rather ageing Billion 7800n with a TP-Link c4000 router and It turns out that wasn't problem. I then thought I'd replace the BT Openreach modem so I've purchase a Netgear DSL-N16 modem router.

At the moment I'm only using the Netgear DSL-N16 and although its only been a couple of days its so far so good!

So this now leads to a few questions.
How do I connect the TP-Link C4000 to the DSL-N16 and should this be connected as an access point/range extender?

I know very little about this kind of thing so any replies in laymen's terms would be appreciated.
Many thanks in advance.

The easiest option would be to run the TP-Link in access point mode and use the Asus as the Modem/Router

Thanks
Dan