PK5001Z transparent mode with RT-AC68U

[rdy2]

I am setting up PK5001Z with RT-AC68U(Merlin). ISP is CenturyLink, home. I am attempting to run the DSL modem in transparent mode, letting the ASUS router do the rest of the work. I have limited networking experience. This is what I accomplished in many iterations and reboots:

1) PK5001Z(LAN1) <-> PC(Static 196.168.0.3).
- Quick Setup with WIFI(NO) results in encapsulation LLC Bridged, ATM 8/35, ISP protocol IPoE via DHCP (no credencial fields).
- WAN gets assigned 184.97.x.y
- LAN side: I disabled DHCP, Dynamic DNS and UpNP
- Left NAT enabled

2) RT-AC68U(LAN1) <-> PC(dhcp 192.168.1.x)
- WAN: Static(196.168.0.2), NAT(YES), UpNP(NO), DNS(8.8.8.8 , 8.8.4.4)
- LAN: DHCP(YES), DNS(192.168.1.1)
- WIFI: configured/enabled.

3) PK5001Z(LAN1) <-> RT-AC68U(WAN) ; RT-AC68U(WIFI) <-> PC
- Successful WIFI access to both GUI admins on 196.168.0.1 and 196.168.1.1.
- Successful WIFI internet access from PC and rest of clients.

All seems to work, but is not transparent and has double NAT. I have been wondering... Would the following work?

- Change modem WAN ISP protocol from DHCP to "Transparent bridging" or "Transparent bridging 8/35".
- Disable modem NAT
- Set router WAN connection type to "Automatic IP". Does it equate to IPoE via DHCP?

Would that result in transparent mode, passing the CL assigned internet address to the router WAN ?
Will I loose access to the modem GUI ? Will it still be available at 192.168.1.1 by LAN connect to the modem ? or 192.168.1.1 disappear ? Will CenturyLink allow this configuration for home ?

I am a bit concerned about bricking the modem or locking myself out. I will appreciate any comments

 

[rdy2]

I think I have found the answers over at dslreports.