PPPoE/A Bridged Routers

[sky user]

Disclaimer: In accordance with Sky's T/C you must use the specific router they provide to you and must allow them to update the firmware.

After looking through the forums (and Google) I've found that there are a number of people using their routers as simple modems to establish a type of PPP bridge. Unfortunately, even using the various bits and pieces of information I've scrounged together I've been unable to establish a bridged connection with my home router/firewall. --And just to address the issue before it is asked, I would like to do this because I would like the publicly accessible IP address on my equipment, not natted, not using DMZ, I suppose I probably have control issues

I originally had the Sagem router but got my hands on a 2nd hand Netgear DG834GT- wanting to keep my Sagem with its stock configuration I've focused my efforts on setting up the DG834GT.

I started by flashing the DG834GT with Netgear's native firmware as found in the forums. Using the password finding website also found in the forums, I've found the username/password used by the router to connect to the internet. With that, I've configured the DG834GT to with the appropriate username/password and cloned the DSL MAC address to match the original router for good measure. At this point the DG834GT is up and running just as my previous router was, except now it establishes a connection that is about 50% faster and has VPN endpoint support (supposing I want to fork out the $ for a netgear licensed VPN client).

The problem comes in when I try to create a bridge between the DG834GT and my home route. I've visited the http://192.169.0.1/mode.htm page and set the router to "Modem only" mode. Next I ensured that port 1 on the DG834GT is running to the WAN port of my home router. From the home router I've set the WAN port for PPPoE and used the username/password combination that I had working previously when typed on the DG834GT.

From this point on nothing happens. One guide I've seen suggests using a Windows box to test the PPPoE connection but unforunately my only Windows machines are running Windows 7 which has a known issue* with establishing PPPoE connections.

Any help is certainly appreciated, but I am trying to avoid using any HTTP Injects to bridge any connections.

Thanks in advanced,
Rob

* Error 651 with PPPoE connections in Windows 7 | Windows Reference

[Proppinupthebar]

Hi Rob,
I had Netgear V1 but I actually used a shop bought netgear when I used PPOE. It should be the same though for a Netgear running Netgears own firmware.

The one thing I seem to remember that you haven't mentioned doing is making sure the bridged modem is still set up to use 0,38 and VC/LLC (can't remember which one) for the ATM settings.

I also prefferred to use my own firewall and mail filtering without being forced to double NAT.

[sky user]

I can confirm that 0,38 is used and that VC is selected. On my personal home router (the one hooked up to the DG834GT) I need only set the username/password, is that correct? Currently I'm running dd-wrt on my home router and I wish it offered more verbose troubleshooting options. I didn't mention it specifically, but sky connect is the only option where I'm located- the settings should still be the same right?

[Proppinupthebar]

Yes settings are still the same for Connect. I used an Endian PC firewall, and all I had to do was set it to PPPoE and enter the recovered username and password.
Did you copy and paste recovered details to avoid incorrect characters?

Other than that I can't see that you have done anything wrong. I didn't bother with the cloning of MAC address.

[sky user]

I did copy/paste the settings (and I've completely reset the modem a few times to confirm no bad settings), but no love. I've yet to try LCC as opposed to VC- I just figured since VC worked when using the modem as a router it should work when set to bridged mode. In retrospect it would make sense that I should set it to LCC.
When I get a minute I'll try the LCC settings-- I have the "wife approval factor" to consider when it comes to when I take down the internet

One more thought, the link between the modem and the router is layer 2 correct? I read on one site that said the bridge is formed using a layer 3 link and stated that the 10.0.0.0 network was used to create said bridge. I assume this site is probably wrong and that the bridge is indeed formed at layer 2, but if it is layer 3 then I might have difficulty establishing the bridge as my home network is on the 10.0.0.0 network.

Rob

[sky user]

I've tried LLC and still no love. I decided to try my computer again and this time ran wireshark to try and track the problem (the generic 651 in Win7 from earlier didn't help). Attached is a 'shopped' screen shot of the PPPoE/CHAP as seen by wireshark*. It seems quite clear to me that my attempts to authenticate via PPPoE are failing due to bad credentials. The odd thing is that using the same credentials directly on the Sky Router works fine . I've confirmed that the user name as seen by Wireshark is the same as the one set on the DSL modem but I'm not sure how to perform my own chap hash on my password to confirm the same password.

*Changes: things in blue**, 66's, one configuration req/naq removed, last termination line

**Wow, the forum compresses everything as jpegs- blue is hard to read

[Proppinupthebar]

I can't see that there is anything you have done wrong. Obvious question but the modem is set for PPPoA? It must be or you wouldn't see the VC, VP ATM settings.
The only thing you have mentioned that I didn't bother with was cloning the original modems MAC.

[sky user]

I've tested my PPPoE link using the BT Test Login and initially I had no luck. I change from VC to LLC and suddenly my connection to BT worked great. I then wanted to try the bt_test_user@skydsl but wireshark indicated that the PPPoE connection wouldn't even start to connect (much less perform CHAP).
I think I have 3 problems preventing my connection from working: 1- VC didn't work with the test page but LLC did (so I'll use LLC) , 2- connecting via pppoe to sky still gives credential errors (When it makes it that far) and 3-often times when trying to establish a pppoe connection my router receives no replies to offer dsl services (so it is done before it really even gets started)

[Proppinupthebar]

I've found a post on this site which suggests it should be VC for Sky. Non-Sky Router Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Again, you have set the modem to PPPoA?