Thanks Les-70. The Linksys EA8500 is already configured to accept 'anonymous ping requests' and works fine with my HG612, ie no red spikes on my TBB BQM:
http://www.thinkbroadband.com/ping/share/07b4d36b37d14c596f6e4b0b129ab724.htmlAnyway i've given up on the Zyxel VMG1312, its far too buggy eg the GUI is slow as pants via wifi, only some of the LEDs get switched off when switching them off in GUI and obviously i can't get the TBB BQM properly working. On the plus side the max attainable rate on my VDSL2 service has gone from 81mb/s to 84 mb/s but obviously the actual sync rate remains unchanged at 80mb/s.
I've gone back to my tried and trusted Huawei HG612 modem, if anyone wants to buy the Zyxel VMG121 off me pls drop me a PM. I paid £65 for it brand new on ebay a few days ago and i will accept £50 incl p&p. Its almost in a brand new condition and comes in original box, with all accessories included etc. Otherwise it will be sent to the rubbish tip