Getting ST536v6 to run in bridged mode

For the curious, I want the ST536v6 to run in bridged mode as I'm about to embark on a router upgrade project. So for a few days now, I've been trying various approaches found on the Internet to get the darn SpeedTouch to run in bridged mode with zero success.

First up was the auto-detect method. In this approach, just connect as usual (i.e. modem to WAN port of router, set PPPoE in router), hard reset the modem. If it don't work the first time, try a few more times. I swear, the last step is part of the instructions and no, its not a joke the Alcatel folks embed in their firmware. Anyways, no joy there.

Next up was the Residential CD method. Note: do not use this approach if you are using the modem for IPTV (i.e. MioTV) access as well. This is because the configuration wizard will remove the IPTV configurations when it writes the new bridged configuration for broadband to the modem! Learned this the hard way as I spent a couple of hours fiddling with the set-top box thinking it was a problem there and I couldn't check the modem configurations as the web admin console is no longer available once the modem is configured in bridged mode.

As luck would have it, just as I was about to give up, I found method 3 - manual configuration via telnet and it works! Yeah! I can finally revert back to using my DI-524 as the router. Here are the steps in making the magic happen. Telnet to your modem using the IP 192.168.1.254. Then just enter the commands in the sequence below.

Oh, if you make a mistake or if you screw up *touch wood!*, simply hard reset the modem by inserting a pin into the reset hole found at the back of the modem and hold it for 10 secs (or until you see the power led alternates between red and green).

Username : Administrator
Password : *********** (this is the serial number of the modem)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                             ______  SpeedTouch 5x6
                         ___/_____/\
                        /         /\  6.2.17.5
                  _____/__       /  \
                _/       /\_____/___ \  Copyright (c) 1999-2007, THOMSON
               //       /  \       /\ \
       _______//_______/    \     / _\/______
      /      / \       \    /    / /        /\
   __/      /   \       \  /    / /        / _\__
  / /      /     \_______\/    / /        / /   /\
 /_/______/___________________/ /________/ /___/  \
 \ \      \    ___________    \ \        \ \   \  /
  \_\      \  /          /\    \ \        \ \___\/
     \      \/          /  \    \ \        \  /
      \_____/          /    \    \ \________\/
           /__________/      \    \  /
           \   _____  \      /_____\/
            \ /    /\  \    /___\/
             /____/  \  \  /
             \    \  /___\/
              \____\/
------------------------------------------------------------------------
_{Administrator}=>ppp relay
{Administrator}[ppp relay]=>flush
{Administrator}[ppp relay]=>..
{Administrator}[ppp]=>flush
{Administrator}[ppp]=>:eth
{Administrator}[eth]=>flush
{Administrator}[eth]=>:atm
{Administrator}[atm]=>flush
Some ATM interfaces are still in use. Interfaces that are in use cannot be deleted.{Administrator}[atm]=>phonebook
{Administrator}[atm phonebook]=>flush
Some phonebook entries are still in use. Entries that are in use cannot be deleted.{Administrator}[atm phonebook]=>add
name = pvcInternet
addr = 0.100
:atm phonebook add name=pvcInternet addr=0*100
{Administrator}[atm phonebook]=>..
{Administrator}[atm]=>ifaddintf = atmInternet
:atm ifadd intf=atmInternet
{Administrator}[atm]=>ifconfig
intf = atmInternet
[dest] = pvcInternet
[qos] = default
[clp] = 0
[encaps] = llc
[retry] = 10
[fcs] = disabled
[ulp] = mac
:atm ifconfig intf=atmInternet dest=pvcInternet ulp=mac
{Administrator}[atm]=>ifattach
intf = atmInternet
:atm ifattach intf=atmInternet
{Administrator}[atm]=>..
{Administrator}=>eth bridge
{Administrator}[eth bridge]=>ifadd
[brname] =
intf = snbbridge
:eth bridge ifadd intf=snbbridge
{Administrator}[eth bridge]=>ifconfig
[brname] =
intf = snbbridge
[dest] = atmInternet
[portstate] = forwarding
[retry] = 10
[priotag] = 0
[vlan] = default
[prioconfig] = disabled
[ipprec] = disabled
[priority] = 0
[regenprio] = 01234567
[ingressfiltering] = disabled
[acceptvlanonly] = disabled
[mcastfilter] = disabled
[dynvlan] = disabled
[igmpsnooping] = enabled
:eth bridge ifconfig intf=snbbridge dest=atmInternet portstate=forwarding retry=10 priotag=disabled vlan=default prioconfig=disabled ipprec=disabled priority=0regenprio=01234567 ingressfiltering=disabled acceptvlanonly=disabled mcastfilter=disabled dynvlan=disabled igmpsnooping=enabled
{Administrator}[eth bridge]=>ifattach
[brname] =
intf = snbbridge
:eth bridge ifattach intf=snbbridge
{Administrator}[eth bridge]=>:
{Administrator}=>dhcp server config state=disabled
{Administrator}=>saveall
{Administrator}=>exit
Connection to host lost.