Quite a lot of information on this little, but rather useful device (which in fact is a VDSL/ADSL modem router) can be found at kitz.co.uk, but a step by step guide of how to use this device as a ADSL modem only is not easy to find, so I decided to put my adventures in writing.
First thing first – to get a hold on a device like this you have to visit eBay, as these are made for BT and are the cheapest possible option to get a hold on a device capable of being VDSL/ADSL modem, compared to NETGEAR DM200 with its bad reputation or the pricey DrayTek Vigor 130.
What basically has to happen is to set the WAN interface of the device in bridging mode, so it just passes on the frames to your cable router. The device is by default configured to be a VDSL bridge for the BT network in UK, so it has to be unlocked first, which is a fairly easy procedure, which I have only performed with HG612 type 3B device.
Navigate to https://mega.co.nz/#F!LdJFDIJL!e_E1twsIg2kTet8mPjrb4w and go to B030SP08 folder, where you will need to download the firmware. The file you would most likely want is called bcm96368MVWG_fs_kernel_HG612V100R001C01B030SP08_webgui, which you could probably guess by the name has the web GUI, unless you would like to try the hard way of course…
When ready, do the following:
Configure your computer’s Ethernet port with the IP address 192.168.1.2 and subnet mask 255.255.255.0
With the HG612 powered off, connect a cable between the LAN2 port (you may need to remove the “not in use” sticker) and the Ethernet port on your computer.
Hold down the reset button on the back of the HG612 whilst inserting the power cable. Keep the reset button held for about 5–10 seconds after powering up, then release.
After about 10 seconds you should be able to access the HG612’s “Update Software” web page at the address http://192.168.1.1
Follow the on-screen instructions to upload the latest firmware, you will be notified the process will take 2 minutes – please be patient, give it 3 minutes, go to the toilet, make yourself a coffee, but do not interrupt or power off.
When this is done navigate again to http://192.168.1.1 and you should be greeted by the login page, use default username and password which are both “admin”. Navigate to BASIC -> DSL, tick ALL and then Submit.
Next step is important, configuring the ATM interface. It has to be configured as Ethernet over ATM type so it can translate the PPPoA frames to PPPoE and pass it on to your cable router to do the authentication, this is a handy function you won’t easily find on many devices, especially cheap once. More about the technology behind can be found at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Point-to-Point_Protocol_over_Ethernet#PPPoEoE-to-PPPoA_converting_modem
Navigate to BASIC -> ATM and choose these options: for the virtual identifiers use 0/38, these are for UK, if it happens so you are somewhere else round the globe check these with your ISP. Leave DSL latency as it is – Path1. For the DSL link type pick the correct one, EoA, this is kind of important. Encapsulation mode – pick VCMUX, again check with your ISP if not sure or see what it is on the router you are supplied, if available. Service type is UBR without PCR. When ready press Submit.
We are almost ready… Now we have to assign the ATM interface to be the WAN interface. You have few things to do before that though, as by default the device is set to be a VDSL modem, not a ADSL. You have to either remove the PTM interface from the WAN setup, or disable it. In my case I just disabled it, thinking it might one day save me a few clicks.
Go to BASIC -> WAN and select the PTM interface, there untick the WAN connection option and also untick the Port binding LAN1. Click submit when ready.
Now while you are still there click on the New tab so you can assign the ATM to WAN. From the Layer 2 interface drop-down menu pick atm1/(0_0_38), thick WAN connection so it enables the interface on the WAN, Service list live as it is – INTERNET, Port binding – tick LAN1, this will be the port you connect to your cable router, LAN2 will remain the port you can connect to HG612 if you want to do some configuration changes in the future. For Connection mode select Bridge. And final, but important bit, set Bridge type as PPPoE_Bridged. Click Submit button.
And this is it! You have a pure ADSL modem only device which passes the WAN IP to the WAN port on your cable router as nature intended! 🙂
On your cable router under the WAN interface configuration choose Connection type PPPoE, add your username and password and you should be good to go, enjoy!
Vessinity's IT Blog - Vess Georgiev 
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