This wasn’t as straighforward as one would expect. Although the final step is really simple, it took me hours to get this done in the correct order when using Windstream’s VDSL2 Bonded internet.
Step 1
Make sure you have the modem reset to factory settings. I noticed when I set mine up that there was some data saved in it – so, make sure it’s reset. If you can access the interface you can do this under the management tab. If you can’t, just hold down the reset button on the physical modem for about 30 seconds then let go. It’ll reboot and be reset to factory defaults.
Step 2
Connect to the modem. By default this is 192.168.254.254. When reset to factory it has DHCP enabled by default and you should receive a DHCP address as 192.168.254.1 (or something similar) when you connect to one of the LAN ports. The default username and password are both admin.
Step 3
Disable Wireless by clicking on the “Wireless” button in the left bar. It will show this menu:
Just uncheck the box that says “Enable Wireless” and click “apply/save”.
Step 4
Now in the left bar you’ll want to go to the “Auto Detection” link under “Advanced Setup”. From that screen just uncheck the box and save the config.
Once you select that, you should see a pop-up like this, to which you select OK:
Step 5
If you’re using Windstream then you’ll have a PTM connection. With that said, go to the “PTM Interface” under Advanced Setup -> Layer 2 Interface. Click “add” and setup the interface as follows:
Click “Apply/Save” and you should be presented with a page showing the newly created PTM.
Step 6
When reset to factory default, my modem had already set the “bonded” setting to enabled. I would double check this by going to the “DSL Bonding” link under “Advanced Setup” and just make sure the check box is checked.
Step 7
Now go to the “WAN Service” section under “Advanced Setup”. From there, click Add and choose the PTM connection you just made. Click Next.
Enter a service description if you want something other than the default (I don’t think it matters), select “PPP over Ethernet (PPPoE)” and click Next.
On this page enter your Windstream username, which is provided at time of setup or they will give you if you call them. Enter your password and name the service. Keep the Authentication mode set to AUTO:
If you scroll down a little bit (I did this on a laptop so you may not have to scroll) you’ll see a few radio buttons. I just selected “Enable NAT” but I am not sure if it’s requires since it’ll be omitted after you put it in Bridge Mode. Click Next.
It will now prompt you to choose a Default Gateway. Just leave the default and click Next.
Now it should be asking for the DNS Server Configuration. Again, keep the default and click Next.
You should then see a summary page. Just click “Apply/Save.”
Step 8
Under “Advanced Setup” there is a “BridgeMode” link – click that. Then just click enable bridge mode. Now reboot the modem.
The Following Steps are required for connectivity regardless of your router/edge device, but the steps listed are specific to pfsense. These steps will differ with different router/edge devices, but the principles will remain the same.
Step 9
Now I had to go to my pfsense router and change my WAN interface from DHCP to PPPoE. I entered my windstream username/password and then it was connected. This step is assuming you already have your WAN connection setup and configured.
Go into your WAN interface and change “IPv4 Confifuration Type” from “DHCP” to “PPPoE”.
Scroll down and add your username and password to the appropriate fields then save the interface.
Once you have your credentials, you should be able to connect to your ISP in bridge mode and avoid any sort of port restrictions their POS Arris modems have hard coded into them while also enjoying what I think is an overall better modem.