{I've done this before with other ISP's & DSL devices, so I know it to be possible, but I'm trying to eliminate some factors here}

I connect to XNet via PPPoA, using a TP-Link TD-8840 device.
MC/MUX, MTU=1492, UID=username@adsl.xnet..co.nz, etc All those standart ISP-supplied settings.

I also have an old-ish D-Link DSL-502T modem on-hand (one of those Telecom jobbies).

For my firewall, I use FreeBSD-based systems (presently using pfSense, both v.1.2.3 release & v.2b).

I'm trying to switch from PPPoA to PPPoE, sot that I only use my "modem" *only* for "dialing", and let my firewall do all the heavy-lifting it's designed to do.
One of the reasons is that I want to eliminate double-NAT, reduce latency & have better control over my environment (i.e. I have more confidence inthe security of my firewall than that of my modem).

I've set up similar configs in the past, but I'm having absolutely no luck in my present setup.
I've set the modem to full-bridge mode, and supplied my authentication details on the firewall, but I am unable to connect.

I've run this issue by the firewall's forum, and it has been suggested that it may be an issue related to my ISP, since there may be significant differrences in the way PPPoA & PPPoE connect

Does anyone have a similar setup (pfSense connecting over PPPoE), using XNet as an ISP, or am I barking up the wrong tree?

- J