TPlink8817 and AC56U bridge mode

[keratos]

Having problems setting TP link as a bridge

My ISP provides a username and password, requires PPPoA/VCmux (note: not PPoE - which doesnt work), and provides my dynamic WAN IP.

I currently have the TPlink setup as a modem/router on a different subnet to my AC56U router (does that make the TPlink a bridge?). Anyway, all works fine except port forwarding. So, I thought I'd try to set my TPlink as a bridge only. So what I did :

TPlink:
- Bridge Mode
- PPPoA/VCmux, username and password are removed as options
- VCPI 0/38
- MTU 1500
- IP address 192.168.1.1
- WAN address set to dynamic (ISP provided)
- NAT off
- Firewall off
- DHCP off
- in fact most "router" related (layer 3) functions, off!

AC56U: (Merlin's .40 latest stable f/w)
- IP address 192.168.1.2
- DHCP on range 192.168.1.100 .. 200
- WAN: PPPoE/VCmux, VPCI 0/38, dynamic IP, username and password from ISP
- NAT on

no internet !!!

f/w options does not include PPPoA. PPPoE never works when I had a modem/router combo or just a pure modem. It needs to be PPPoA.

Have I missed something or is lack of PPPoA going to stop this dead.?

thanks