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

In reply to a post by Banger:

Media bridge is a wifi bridge not DSL bridge.

I've read on another site that someone else with a similar problem was advised to consider either of these:
ZyXel VMG1312-B10A
Billion 8800NL
Netgear DSL 7000

I've seen a ZyXel VMG1312-B10A (unlocked) on eBay for about £20ish, do you think its worth going down the route of setting it up now or wait until my FTTP in installed later in the year when of course I'll have no use for the modem?

In reply to a post by danielhyde:

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

Hi Dan,
I know where to change the setting on the TP-Link to make it an AP but do I need to change any other settings on the Asus/TP-Link?
Also would that be a wifi access point or could I need to connect the two with a lead and if so from which ports on the back?
Please forgive my ignorance but I'm not at all sure what I'm doing!
Many thanks

Section 4. 3. in the user manual has the information on setting the TP-Link up as an access point.
Once you have done this you can connect a cable from the TP-Link to the Asus and it should go into a LAN port on both devices.

Thanks
Dan

In reply to a post by danielhyde:

Section 4. 3. in the user manual has the information on setting the TP-Link up as an access point.
Once you have done this you can connect a cable from the TP-Link to the Asus and it should go into a LAN port on both devices.

Thanks
Dan

Thats a great help thank you for that.
I've got to go out now but will take a look later this evening... hopefully!
Cheers
David

In reply to a post by Piscatorian:

In reply to a post by Banger:

Media bridge is a wifi bridge not DSL bridge.

I've read on another site that someone else with a similar problem was advised to consider either of these:
ZyXel VMG1312-B10A
Billion 8800NL
Netgear DSL 7000

I've seen a ZyXel VMG1312-B10A (unlocked) on eBay for about £20ish, do you think its worth going down the route of setting it up now or wait until my FTTP in installed later in the year when of course I'll have no use for the modem?

The VMG-1312-B10A is a rock solid modem but can crash in router mode. For £20 I would go for it that is a bargain price. I run a 1312 in modem mode with a RT-AC68U.

From what I understand, you would like to setup the following:
DSL-N16 – Modem only
C4000 – Acting as the router

I would personally start by factory defaulting the DSL-N16, making a note that VDSL on BT operates over VLAN 101.

Follow the instructions on this page, to setup a PPPoE bridge on the DSL-N16, this will enable your C4000 to authenticate with your ISP and operate as the router.
https://uktechhub.com/forums/topic/asus-xdsl-pppoe-b...

To setup the C4000 to connect via PPPoE follow the instructions on this page.
https://www.tp-link.com/us/user-guides/archer-c4000_...

Thank you but there are still some things I'm unsure/confused about.
What is the difference between a DSL/WiFi Bridge and an access point?
Also if I go as previously suggested and use the TP-Link as an AP, would there be any sacrifice in speed?

In reply to a post by devonkev:

From what I understand, you would like to setup the following:
DSL-N16 – Modem only
C4000 – Acting as the router

I would personally start by factory defaulting the DSL-N16, making a note that VDSL on BT operates over VLAN 101.

Follow the instructions on this page, to setup a PPPoE bridge on the DSL-N16, this will enable your C4000 to authenticate with your ISP and operate as the router.
https://uktechhub.com/forums/topic/asus-xdsl-pppoe-b...

To setup the C4000 to connect via PPPoE follow the instructions on this page.
https://www.tp-link.com/us/user-guides/archer-c4000_...

That article from uk tech hub goes back to 2018 are you sure thats still valid as a couple of days ago ASUS said that it can only go into media bridge mode (WDS)?

In reply to a post by Piscatorian:

Thank you but there are still some things I'm unsure/confused about.
What is the difference between a DSL/WiFi Bridge and an access point?
Also if I go as previously suggested and use the TP-Link as an AP, would there be any sacrifice in speed?

To try and explain media bridge WDS I have two DSL-N55U in this config. It links my router to and ethernet port on a Panasonic PVR over wifi. The wifi in the Panasonic went pop so I have the two N55Us in a media "link" or bridge.

I'm not familiar with the TP-Link as AP but should imagine it will be fine depending on the wifi chip and speed.