Well I can confirm that the P870H-51a V2 works very well. Updated the firmware, enabled PHyR ( Through CLI ) it was off by default , into bridge mode and poof. Nice and simple. Next up will be experimenting with upstream QoS
My request for the GPL source code so I can update PHY is still pending. I don't expect it to go too far as Zyxel are not very friendly when it comes to sharing.
Just to report back... some fabulous Telus Tech (who hangs out on this board) took pity on me and sent me an ALU.
Using a linux box connected to the outside (it's faster than going through my router w/ QOS):
Ping: 22 ms Download: 25.29 Mbps Upload: 2.58 Mbps
So at the very least the ALU can run the posted speeds.
I also have an Actiontec V1000h which I switched into bridge mode after entering the root password. (Found out that you can get it out of bridge mode by plugging a connected cable to the WAN port.)
But at the time, central had problems w/ my setup and hadn't fully switched it to 25 Mbps. When I finally got a 2nd (or 3rd) tier tech on the phone, I had my ALU plugged in so that's what it's running now for the last 4 days.
If I get bored one day, I'll plug in the Actiontec and see what speeds I get (and run it for a day to test stability).
