Hello All.
Update:
Had a bad night last night. I couldn't sleep so I got up at 2:30.
Time to play:
Total success!! VDSL now working on the first HG612. I opened this one up and found a dry joint on an electrolytic capacitor (on the 12V rail).
I'm now getting 69850 down and 20000 up.
A brief description of my network layout and my reasons for doing it this way (further slight changes have been made from those described above):
The HG612 is connected to the phone line. The unlocked HG612 can be used on ADSL as well as VDSL. In modem mode (as used when crippled by BT), login etc. is handled from another device (router or computer etc.) further downstream.
In router mode, the HG612 handles login etc. and the two lan ports are available for network use. I'm now using the lan1 port for router 2 (7800N) and lan2 for router 3 (EP-WR2603D).
The Billion 7800N is configured in bridge mode. Connecting the HG612 lan1 port to the WAN port here gives me what is effectively (nearly) a 4 port managed switch with a wireless AP. The 7800N Lan1 is used for a PC in this room (actually the front upstairs bedroom. This will become my workroom/mancave)..
Lan2 - lan4 are connected to the house wiring. (new cat6 cabling to the other bedrooms.)
The Edup EP-WR2603D (Ebay purchase, under £20 from China) is a 4 port router with a wireless N AP. I bought this as an experiment to improve wireless performance in my downstairs front room. I've installed a lot of foil backed insulation in the walls and ceiling here, so wireless speeds attainable from the 7800N (upstairs) are somewhat reduced.
The router is again in bridged mode, so is again effectively a managed 4 port switch with wireless AP. The connection from router 1 (HG612) is made to the WAN port here. This leaves the 4 lan ports fully available (for TV, media server PC and satellite hardware).
Wireless is configured on the EP-WR2603D on a different SSID so I have some sort of fallback capability (for the laptops used here) if either the EP-WR2603D or the 7800N have to be taken down for any reason.
I have fulfilled every requirement on my original wishlist (see the first post) so am therefore a very happy bunny.
Comments appreciated.
Bodge99.