Closing statement by me with some definitional clarifications.
A bridge is a network level under the OSI model at the OSI level 2. Look it up or feel free to expand here.
Fron Google AI overview
"level 2 network bridge," also called a "Layer 2 bridge," is a networking device that connects multiple network segments together by operating at the data link layer (Layer 2) of the OSI model, essentially allowing it to forward data frames between different networks based on their MAC addresses, creating a single unified network"
Any gateway has a bridge inherently designed into it whether point to point protocol PPP or Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol, DHCP.
The way bell historically has allowed us to bypass through the HH Series gateways is via terms like poor passthrough DMZ and ADMZ as a new third option. The process of bridging DHCP is fairly simple. Typically a tick box called Bridge Mode turns on and off the internal bridge between modem and when off there the bridge is modem to the Ethernet port switch and all routing and is now bridge that way via Ethernet to our own equipment. Basically a modem and separate router now.
PPP is a bit more complicated and requires backup and restore configurations to make things easier when swapping a box or support from isp as you need to take your own equipment out of the loop for them to diagnose beyond the gateway.
Companies that require you to call them to bridge DHCP basically don't want you doing it but know if they don't they risk a lot of users because this bridge has always been a simple. On off which they had never used the term bridge mode and just said bridge on or off. It is a toggle or power switch.
Yes bell has never had a bridge mode. That is a commercial term not a networking term and you can see the confusion it creates. I had to hit my network certification texts to clear this up for me just recently.
A bridge has always and still can be created on Bell PPP. It used to be easier, but then again our gateways were doing less diverse things and it was there was only one way. Poor passthrough turn on or off along with DMZ and dedicated msc of your router
Inherently there has always been high overhead on memory software and networking levels because it isn't just turn on or off (bridge mode loose that term please)
It occurs at a prograned level due to the need to build dmz ppoe passthrough is done for you in the past and you have to assign a Mac.
So yes you can create a bridge bridge mode is just the DHCP commercial work label for the on off switch DHCP is easier and ppoe requires user configuration of the Mac and dmz and ppoe passthrough.
Personally I believe that Bell and it's providers are just leaving the ability but not making it easy and tech support won't guide you in most cases unless you pay for expert tech and I don't know how far they will go.
I am done. No more comments discussion debate comnents from me. The techies who still up on things can figure it out and they will. Mee I am retired and not bored but also easily confused.
I think that is my last goodbye.
I will log only when I need to and I can live with the issues as they are and a solid network diagnostic by an insight tech has resolved my issues. I will not log in any more for now.
If only bell would put some more 5 g booster antennas in to clear up the dead spot at my neighbourhood. I just do all my calling on wifi calling preferred. They have confirmed congestion from too many active users at the tower and it was put on the list.
All the best this has been fun but I have more important ways to spend my dead time.
