How do I bridge TP-Link TD8840 with Asus RT-N16

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mousecatcher

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Wannabe Geek

#89144 26-Aug-2011 10:14

Hi

I've just bought myself a new modem and router combo based on several posts in this forum. I have flashed my Asus RT-N16 router with DD-WRT big and was all set to bridge my TP-Link TD8840 to it.

I have tried enabling "IP Extension" from the modem GUI and have connected it to the WAN port on the Asus router - resulting in no Internet :(.

I also don't really understand the difference between full bridge and half bridge. My reading seems to suggest I can't use a full bridge in New Zealand, is this true?

Oh and I think I'm on one of the new cabinets as Slingshot started charging me more when we shifted claiming I'm on their faster network if that's any help.

Thanks in advance.

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#512314 26-Aug-2011 10:26

Hi, enable the IP extension, and turn off the DHCP server in the 8840. You should also put the 8840 in a different subnet to the lan that the N16 will be creating, ie I assume the N16 will be dishing out 192.168.1.X so set the 8840 to 192.168.0.1 and its DHCP server off. The N16's wan port should be set to DHCP so the 8840 passes the DSL ports WAN IP address to the N16.

With PPPoA you can only use half bridge (IP extention), this is a cludge config where the modem negotiates a PPP session with the DSLAM/BRAS and passes via DHCP its WAN address to your router.

Cyril

mousecatcher

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Wannabe Geek

#512734 26-Aug-2011 22:39

Awesome Cyril. Following your instructions I was able to get it working like a charm.

nzkc

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#515314 1-Sep-2011 20:14

So my modem just bit the dust - thankfully have an old Netgear kicking around to be able to get back onto the web.

Wondering how this setup is going for you as I'm considering the same.

mousecatcher

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Wannabe Geek

#515392 1-Sep-2011 21:59

It's working really well for me so far. I haven't done *too* much tinkering but I have installed DD-WRT big without a hitch.

I also use the Astrill VPN service and their OpenVPN applet for DD-WRT installed without trouble and doesn't seem to stress the CPU much.

I have noticed that the TP-Link modem needs restarting every three days or so but that's much better than my cruddy old D-Link I used to have.

So all in all I'm pretty happy with the setup.

nzkc

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#515469 2-Sep-2011 07:41

Thanks for the feedback.

Gives me a couple of questions...

I too am thinking of installing DD-WRT onto the wireless router, can you tell me if the USB ports still work to add ideally a printer or external drive? The DD-WRT site hints that it can be done saying its fixed after a certain build number.

Re the modem restarts - I need a wife friendly solution. Whilst she's more than capable of restarting the modem, its me who'll get the "customer complaints" on a regular basis. Whats the reason for the regular restarts and I guess have you got the latest firmware on the modem? If its as bad as having to restart twice a week I'll hunt out another modem. TheWIFE would be upset with rebooting twice a month!

Thanks

mousecatcher

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Wannabe Geek

#516010 3-Sep-2011 01:05

I haven't delved into why the modem needs a restart every three days or so. Could be my line, the cabinet, or settings on the modem. I do have the latest firmware but I don't have enough time to do a deeper analysis yet.

Same for the USB. I'll probably try it out this weekend and post the results here. The settings are definitely there in my version of DD-WRT but I haven't tested them.

There's also Tomato USB of course which reportedly runs on the ASUS.

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#516026 3-Sep-2011 07:34

I run a TP-Link W8920G in half-bridge mode with a Netgear WNDR3700 router. The W8920G is rock solid - it was only meant to be a temporary setup while I bought a Dynalink 1320 but it performs so well that I probably will keep it.

I thought the 8840 had the same chipset, so am not sure why you're having problems.

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nzkc

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#516179 3-Sep-2011 16:24

So Ive gone with this setup. Have it working with stock firmware so far, not yet jumped into dd-wrt or tomato but think I will in the future.

Couple more questions for the more educated out there...

Can I administer the modem without hooking my laptop directly into it? That is, can I use wireless through the rt-n16? I dont seem to be able to get that working - I imagine its because the laptop and modem are on different subnets.

I had to set up a manual route for a VPN to get that to work. Happy its working now - but is that expected?

Just making sure I've set things up correctly etc :)

w2krules

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#516268 3-Sep-2011 22:24

nzkc... Can't answer your VPN question, but you will have to connect directly to the Ethernet port on the modem. I'm wondering if I can use the USB port on the RTA1320 to access it directly but haven't tried yet. I had enough trouble getting it to work that I don't want to give it any excuse to stop.

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nzkc

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#516608 4-Sep-2011 22:49

w2krules - thanks. Shame I cant access the modem remotely but a small price to pay I guess.

w2krules

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#516679 5-Sep-2011 09:12

nzkc: w2krules - thanks. Shame I cant access the modem remotely but a small price to pay I guess.

I just unplug the cable to the router and connect a laptop every now and then to check all is OK.

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w2krules

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#516763 5-Sep-2011 11:30

w2krules: nzkc... Can't answer your VPN question, but you will have to connect directly to the Ethernet port on the modem. I'm wondering if I can use the USB port on the RTA1320 to access it directly but haven't tried yet. I had enough trouble getting it to work that I don't want to give it any excuse to stop.

I've just looked at the RTA1320 and the V6 doesn't have a USB port. So Ethernet is the only way to check it.

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mentalinc

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#564460 4-Jan-2012 20:25

Just an update for people thinking the TP-Link TD8840T is the same, it is not.
There is a lack of the IP Extension function making this setup impossible.

If you've had success please let me know what you've done. to get it working....

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cyril7

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#564599 5-Jan-2012 09:12

Also note the T version uses a Trendset chipset not the more desirable Broadcom one. That said the Trendset modem works well on low to medium attenuation lines which is the norm since cabinetisation.

As for the T version not supporting half bridge, thats a pity, but the Broadcom version is pretty much the same price so just dont use the T version is you want half bridge, thanks for the heads up mentalic.

Cyril

w2krules

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#564773 5-Jan-2012 13:08

Yes, thanks for the heads up on the 8840T. I've had a great run with Broadcom chipset modems after some truly bad experiences and would be reluctant to get anything else now.

I've had the RTA1320V6 running for months now in half-bridge mode with no problems. But we will see how it survives the hot weather...

I was a geek before the word was invented!

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