[RndTbl] Issues encountered with the Shaw BlueCurve modem and app

[Hartmut W Sager]

On Tue 22 Nov 2022 at 15:13:19 -06:00, David Milton <david at dmilton.ca> wrote:
> Hi Brian,
> 
> I had similar problems with the Blue Curve modem in bridge mode with a firewall however there are additional issues.
> 
> I would be open to virtually any alternative modem but it seems this is the only one Shaw will hand out. .....the Blue Curve cable modem is junk.
> 
>> On Nov 21, 2022, at 22:31, Brian Lowe <brian2 at groupbcl.ca> wrote:
>> 
>> Following is an information dump detailing all the issues I've encountered with the Shaw BlueCurve gateway and app since I got it installed back in September.
>>  
>> 

I'll contribute here by re-posting what I previously wrote on the subject "On forcing people to get Google accounts", where I did point out, with details, that Shaw still distributes the superb Hitron CGNM-2250 cable modem.  I use that, alongside the Motorola/Arris/whatever DCX-3510-M box (also still distributed by Shaw) for Shaw TV.  That way, neither my Shaw Internet nor my Shaw TV is afflicted with this space-age BlueCurve junk.  And note below just how flexible the Hitron CGNM-2250 is.  It also doesn't have the NAT table bugs that prevent the cheap Cisco DPC-3825 from usability with VoIP.

On Thu 03 Nov 2022 at 20:11:05 -05:00, Brian Lowe <brian2 at groupbcl.ca> wrote:
> The most egregious offender here is Shaw Communications. In order to make even basic changes to their BlueCurve modem (change the SSID or WiFi password, setup port forwarding or DMZ, apply parental controls, etc) one *must* use their Shaw Home app. They offer no alternative.
> 
>  
> 

On 05 Nov 2022 at 06:42 -05h00, Hartmut W Sager wrote:

Those BlueCurve devices that look like a miniature space-age "Mars Lander" contraption cater entirely to the home entertainment crowd, who want to use their mobile (and an app) for everything.  And to add insult to injury, it's "all or nothing" re bridge mode - no selective IP pass-thru per RJ-45 socket.

Shaw still distributes the superb Hitron CGNM-2250 cable modem/router combo, which I've been using for a number of years.  It's the finest Shaw modem I've ever had (though the Motorola/Arris/whatever 3848V is probably also excellent), and the Hitron is configured the usual way via 192.168.0.1 from a local computer wired to one of its 4 RJ-45 sockets.

The Hitron CGNM-2250 does have selective IP pass-thru per RJ-45 socket (of its 4 RJ-45 sockets) - 2 of my 3 Shaw IP addresses are passed thru this way, and the 3rd one simply does the normal thing in the Hitron CGNM-2250.  And the Hitron CGNM-2250 certainly lets you configure SSID names (2.4 GHz and 5 GHz), Wi-Fi passwords, Wi-Fi guest, several other parameters, and DMZ.

The main problem is, convincing the Shaw rep (on the phone) that you really want this device, and I had to forego a bit of financial incentive when I later added Shaw Limited TV but insisted on retaining the Hitron CGNM-2250 instead of switching to the "Mars Lander".

Hartmut
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