BT Modem HG612 with custom router

[SamA2V2]

Hi all,

I have a BT HG612 modem that I want to have replace the standard Vodafone router. When I use my custom router to connect via PPPOE to connect, I get an error. I have hooked up the HG612 to my computer and tried to run the modem in a Route mode. I added all of the settings and PPPOE login details. When I go onto my self diagnostics page and click Test, it connects however on the last tab I get a message saying: 

Obtaining the IP address of the PPPOE Failed. 

Can anyone help me out here as it's quite frustrating? The connection is VDSL however the person I was speaking to said it was ADSL for some reason, checked the Vodafone router and it shows VDSL.

[CrimsonLiar]

You've done quite a bit of work there in setting up a HG612 (hopefully V3b & flashed) ADSL/VDSL modem with all the settings.  While this will work if you get everything set up correctly, it's not only unnecessary but completely counterproductive!

If you fully reset the HG612 V3b to its default configuration, it will automatically use the correct VLAN ID and VLAN Priority.

Then on your third-party router (not the modem), you need to set up the PPPoE (or PPPoA) login using your service account name similar to: dsl123456789 @broadband.vodafone.co.uk and the password that you can get from customer service.  That should be all you need in order to get internet access.

Once you have it working, you can run a second LAN cable into the modem and see the stats or even run a program such as DSLstats to see all kinds of nerdy stuff.  *Get the basics up and running first though!

[SamA2V2]

Okay that sounds great. How do I make sure it doesn't enable route mode as I need it to be explicitly on bridge mode? This means I want the modem to have NAT etc disabled and let the router do the heavy work. Also, do you recommend that I connect the modem to the DSL line while I do the reset in order to sync with anything? One final question, do I really need the Web UI? I don't plan on using the additional features of the modem as I just need it to connect to my router.

[CrimsonLiar]

If the modem is fully and properly reset then you don't need to change a single setting on it, and if you want, will never need to use the modem Web UI.  Just set the username and password on the router.

*While MPoE bridge mode has worked on many OpenReach cabinets, it's not officially supported and unlike PPPoE/PPPoA it can interfere with your router retrieving its WAN DHCP info - so for now it's probably best to avoid MPoE mode!

[SamA2V2]

That's fine. So you advise that I reset it with unlocked firmware, connect straight up to my 3rd Party Router and enter the PPPOE credentials and hopefully it'll connect? How would I alter my MPoE details? Also, are you sure it'll run as Bridged and not Route with default settings?

[CrimsonLiar]

Quite sure, but see here for details: https://wiki.kitz.co.uk/index.php/Huawei_HG612 There are probably a few tricks on there too!

If you enter in your details and it doesn't connect, you can test that the Username and Password are correct by connecting the Vodafone router WAN port to the Huawei HG612 V3b LAN1 port.  If the VF router works that way, and your own router doesn't then VF have probably given you the wrong details (its something that is often reported in these forums).

[SamA2V2]

Okay. Bad news as I've realised the 3rd party router I'm using will not support Option 61 so explains why I can't connect. I can see the HG612 can do this for me. What do I need to configure on the HG612 for it to provide internet access to my 3rd party modem?

[SamA2V2]

Apologies for that. I just realised that Option 61 is for Sky broadbands. I think I'm now at a point where I don't want my 3rd party router to do any PPPOE authentication of any sort and just want it to grab an IP address from the HG612. What do I need to configure to get an IP address from the HG612?