I don't quite follow your last para

I would assume only one connection between the 612 and the APE.

It's to be able to see the stats from the modem on your network. You don't need dslstats to analyse them, you can look at them raw.

How is this achieved? Would it be through the airport app on the Mac?

No, telnet on a PC

Hmmm I don't have a of.

But out of interest why would it require a second lan cable, why can't it be done using the first?

one is bridged to the WAN (internet)
the other talks to the modem itself.
you should find an equivalent to telnet on non pc equipment

A Mac is a OF

You can get basic stats from the modem GUI

Attainable rate (kbit/s) 56420 15303
SNR margin (dB) 5.9 6.1
Line attenuation (dB) 19.4 0
Output power (dBmV) 13.5 7.4
Line rate (kbit/s) 57191 15281 0 0
CRC errors 0 0 0 0
FEC errors 57181 82 0 0
HEC errors 25419 0 0 0

Yeah sorry, iPhone autocorrect. I meant I do not have a PC

Ok well when it arrives, no doubt I will return for instructions on telnet etc

Thanks for all the help so far.

I access the modem using a browser. and get the basic stats directly.

Telnet is only needed to get the very detailed information such as bin loading, or attenuation/SNR for individual tones