I keep seeing Shaw's commercials on TV about running a wireless network. Is Shaw now giving away modem's with wireless capabilities like Telus does? If so, how do we get one and does anyone know the performance of this router versus say the tried and true WRT54GL?
New Shaw Modem / Router?
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I saw the ad a few days ago so I looked up the url from the ad. It's an extra $3.95/month.
http://www.shaw.ca/en-ca/ProductsServices/Internet/WirelessGateway/
http://www.shaw.ca/en-ca/ProductsServices/Internet/WirelessGateway/
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I looked into this just for curiosity as I own my Internet cable modem and my Dual Band Wireless-N Router with Storage Link. The later is now over 3 years old.
Shaw's offering combines the two into one box but, I believe, omits the dual band capability and the Storage Link. Although, looking at the connection diagram it seems that the box has a USB connection but there is no mention of being able to set up an external USB drive as a server.
I am currently having trouble with Internet download slow downs. I called Shaw for technical help yesterday but when I described my problem the tech said I was likely having problems with my router. I agreed as the slow down can be temporarily fixed by toggling the MTU setting on the router between Auto and a fixed value. The tech said if it was a possible problem with my router Shaw couldn't offer help and suggested I contact my router manufacturer for help which I will do. If I can't get it it fixed, I am thinking of replacing it with a new unit. Shaw's may be an option if it will fix the slow down problem. A speedtest say the slowdown is by a factor of 5 to 8. Very noticeable.
I don't like renting this type of equipment but will consider it as getting rid of one box, one power block and one connecting cable is attractive.
For someone who is just starting with Shaw Internet it is a better deal though it can expensive if you rent for more than two or three years.
Shaw's offering combines the two into one box but, I believe, omits the dual band capability and the Storage Link. Although, looking at the connection diagram it seems that the box has a USB connection but there is no mention of being able to set up an external USB drive as a server.
I am currently having trouble with Internet download slow downs. I called Shaw for technical help yesterday but when I described my problem the tech said I was likely having problems with my router. I agreed as the slow down can be temporarily fixed by toggling the MTU setting on the router between Auto and a fixed value. The tech said if it was a possible problem with my router Shaw couldn't offer help and suggested I contact my router manufacturer for help which I will do. If I can't get it it fixed, I am thinking of replacing it with a new unit. Shaw's may be an option if it will fix the slow down problem. A speedtest say the slowdown is by a factor of 5 to 8. Very noticeable.
I don't like renting this type of equipment but will consider it as getting rid of one box, one power block and one connecting cable is attractive.
For someone who is just starting with Shaw Internet it is a better deal though it can expensive if you rent for more than two or three years.
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@bowmah, at one time Shaw gave you the modem to keep. Their current terms of service include free rental of regular modems (not the wireless).
The advantage of the Shaw modem is that they will install it for you for an extra fee.
The SMC8014WN only supports USB 1.1 for connecting a PC without an RJ45 port.
You can probably pick up a WRT54GL for about a year's rental on Shaw's wireless modem.
The advantage of the Shaw modem is that they will install it for you for an extra fee.
According to what I've read elsewhere, Shaw uses the DOCSIS 2.0 SMC8014WN-RES modem. If you have Warp, you will get the DOCSIS 3.0 SMCD3GN-RES modem.
The SMC8014WN only supports USB 1.1 for connecting a PC without an RJ45 port.
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Renting a wireless gateway from Shaw for $3.95 a month doesn't seem like a good deal to me. I'm not sure why they wouldn't match Telus with the free all in one Wireless Router/Router/Modem.
I don't mind renting the Shaw router if the reliability and throughput performance is there. If it is a stable N router that can perform as well as the WRT54GL with a 3rd party firmware, I am up for that. I have a feeling, no consumer router is better than this setup at the moment. Anyone comment?
The WRT54GL is a good router, but it certaintly wouldn't be my choice if I was buying a new router. ASUS RT-N16 4 Port Gigabit Wireless N Router with 2X USB 2.0 Ports (RT-N16) is somewhat more modern, and also supports 3rd party firmware.
Shaw probably doesn't feel the need to compete with Telus on the wireless modem pricing.
Shaw probably doesn't feel the need to compete with Telus on the wireless modem pricing.
The WRT54GL has been rock solid after using Tomato. We just run Gig switches behind it but the throughput has been excellent and does not hang.
How is the router inside the ASUS RT-N16 4 Port Gigabit Wireless N Router? How doe sit perform in a heavy / business environment?
How is the router inside the ASUS RT-N16 4 Port Gigabit Wireless N Router? How doe sit perform in a heavy / business environment?
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Hi there, the Telus Router is not Wireless N I believe. Our Bundles at regular rates are also typically less expensive than Telus so consider the bigger overall picture.
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Shaw Employee but views/opinions are solely my own and do not represent or are in no way endorsed by any other party.
I think $3.95 a month is a money grab for people that don't know any better. Also N doesn't give that much more performance over G in a normal house. The only time you would see the N difference is when you are transferring between two computers using N. Also a lot of people forget that their smartphones, PS3s, iPhones, iPod Touchs, Wiis and DSs are all G and once those are on the network it will go down to G speeds anyways.
I'm glad I have my Airport Extreme Gigabit with dual band (G and N).
I'm glad I have my Airport Extreme Gigabit with dual band (G and N).
A dual band router, or a G router along with a dedicated N access point (or vice versa) is the way to go if you want to support both G and N devices without slowing down the N connections.
BTW, G and N are standards, not bands. The bands are 2.4GHz for B/G/N and 5GHz for A/N.
I run both the WRT54GL and the new wireless gateway and to be honest they both work equally as well. Was quite impressed after beta testing it for a few months on my wireless equipment upstairs in my house (wanted it close to my kitchen to see if anything would interfere). I had a few random disconnection issues on my wifes computer but I blamed that more on her wireless card (Antenna has been destroyed). Everything else worked flawlessly (iphone, ps3, macbook) without issues.
The wireless gateway comes pre-configured with wireless security enabled so all you'll have to do is plug it in and configure your wireless networks accordingly. The password is based upon unique identifiers within the device so each one is different.
The new wireless N gateway is aimed more for our customers that aren't as technically inclined and like knowing that we'll be there to support the basic wireless connectivity of the router. These customers usually don't want to deal with multiple support departments if their 3rd party router fails or has problems.
If you're comfortable with your 3rd party router there's really no need switching to the new gateway unless you want to upgrade to a N capable router.
Sean
Shaw Employee - Customer Care for Social Media
The wireless gateway comes pre-configured with wireless security enabled so all you'll have to do is plug it in and configure your wireless networks accordingly. The password is based upon unique identifiers within the device so each one is different.
The new wireless N gateway is aimed more for our customers that aren't as technically inclined and like knowing that we'll be there to support the basic wireless connectivity of the router. These customers usually don't want to deal with multiple support departments if their 3rd party router fails or has problems.
If you're comfortable with your 3rd party router there's really no need switching to the new gateway unless you want to upgrade to a N capable router.
Sean
Shaw Employee - Customer Care for Social Media
Only if all N devices are on the 5 GHz band. As soon as you mix G & N on 2.4 GHz, the N devices will slow down (and I've read that even the performance of the G devices can be degraded by as much as 50%).
So is there no 1 SUPER STANDOUT wireless router that can get the job done these days? The WRT54GL is a very reliable piece of equipment but it would be nice to have a stable N gateway running these days with all the media streaming going on. What is the best unit to buy that is under $200? Requirement is that it has to be super stable and allow high throughput for small business use.
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