That is the reason why separate modems and routers are preferred by some . You can always get a VDSL2 modem? Or bridge a cheap modem/router, which is what the Openreach ones are.

In reply to a post by RobertoS:

You can always get a VDSL2 modem?

What we really need is OpenReach to require ISPs supplying all-in-one devices to have a "modem only" mode, the same as Virgin Media did with their superhub.

Isn't it likely that an modem/routers will have that available? Just like all the ADSL routers I've heard of?

In reply to a post by RobertoS:

Isn't it likely that an modem/routers will have that available? Just like all the ADSL routers I've heard of?

Loads of ADSL routers don't have a bridge mode though, its a major issue for connecting ADSL lines to corporate firewalls and similar for remote offices when the ISP supplies a single IP only.

You might be thinking of DMZ mode, but this isn't remotely suitable.

Ok, right .

But no, I'm not thinking about DMZ. Whenever I try to read that up I end up totally baffled by what appears hideous complexity. Yet people talk about it as though it's as simple as changing a wireless security setting.

In reply to a post by RobertoS:

Ok, right .

But no, I'm not thinking about DMZ. Whenever I try to read that up I end up totally baffled by what appears hideous complexity. Yet people talk about it as though it's as simple as changing a wireless security setting.

DMZ mode is just a cheat to try and solve problems of old video protocols such as H.323 (think Netmeeting) that couldn't cope with the concept of NAT. It sends all information arriving at the WAN side to a single internal IP address (ie, port forwading all ports from 1 to 65535)

A true modem passes the public IP address to the device attached, passing through DHCP. Or if the connection requires PPPoE or PPPoA then the modem CAN handle the logon and pass the IP to the attached device using DHCP.

The old X-Modem from ADSLnation did this, and the tiny matchbox sided Speedtouch 515 (I have one somewhere) but nothing else does this.

In reply to a post by jchamier:

A true modem passes the public IP address to the device attached, passing through DHCP. Or if the connection requires PPPoE or PPPoA then the modem CAN handle the logon and pass the IP to the attached device using DHCP.

The old X-Modem from ADSLnation did this, and the tiny matchbox sided Speedtouch 515 (I have one somewhere) but nothing else does this.

"Terminate the PPP, pass on the address via short lease DHCP" is sometimes called PPP Half Bridge.

ZyXEL P660R-D1 (ADSL2+, AR7 chipset, costs around £30) has a poorly documented PPP Half Bridge mode that I believe is functional. It would certainly be my starting place trying to implement this setup. I used a P660R-D1 with my pfSense box before switching to FTTC, though, as I had a routed IP block, I used it in a routed IP setup rather than PPP Half Bridge.


Many ADSL connections will work with PPPoE, in which case another alternative is to set an ADSL modem or router in RFC 1483 mode and run PPPoE from an Ethernet WAN router. In this case, the VPI and VCI settings must be correct on the ADSL device. LLC-mux should work - I can't remember whether PPPoE VC-mux (which has slightly lower overheads) is supported on BT Wholesale.

Unfortunately, I don't have an ADSL line any more, so I can't run any experiments (I had thought of putting a cheap ADSL2+ ISP on our second line, but I can't justify the expense with the reliability of Zen FTTC and having contract mobile broadband on two networks amongst family members). I do still have a couple of P660R-D1s, though!

bridge mode isnt that complex, but I guess hw vendors feel why would someone buy their device to disable 95% of the functionality.

Is this ok for my HH5?

3. Firmware version: Software version 4.7.5.1.83.8.173.1.4 (Type A) Last updated Unknown
4. Board version: BT Hub 5A
5. VDSL uptime: 0 days, 09:47:52
6. Data rate: 14408 / 56100
7. Maximum data rate: 14577 / 55211
8. Noise margin: 6.1 / 5.8
9. Line attenuation: 0.0 / 21.3
10. Signal attenuation: 0.0 / 20.4
11. Data sent/received: 556.1 MB / 1.8 GB
12. Broadband username: [email protected]

Looks fine from the Information you've posted...