According to what I was able to glean from the article, you must have root access to the device to be able to change this setting, as the port and the TR-069 protocol are not on the end-users standard menu options.
Perhaps one of the more knowledgeable FReepers who work closely with these devices can suggest a workaround.
The work around is to go down to best buy and spend 50 bucks for your own switch. The ones the cables companies provide are crap anyway.