Setup and guides

How to use your existing router/firewall with SmartWiFi

Whether it's a MAC-based or Port-based IP passthrough, learn how to use IP passthrough to utilize your existing router or firewall with Shaw Business SmartWiFi.

When to use existing equipment

ComplexityMedium

IP passthrough will split your routing equipment from the main SmartWiFi network and is generally used for secondary networks rather than primary office networks. If you operate multiple networks, setting up IP passthrough will work if your business runs separated or multiple networks for uses like:

  • Email, web, and data servers
  • Security appliances
  • Multiple separate networks If you only have one router but have customized routing settings, the SmartWiFi modem can actually fully replace most singular network router needs. See How to manage your Hitron router settings for more information on using SmartWiFi to replace your existing router.

IP passthrough will split your routing equipment from the main SmartWiFi network and is generally used for secondary networks rather than primary office networks. If you operate multiple networks, setting up IP passthrough will work if your business runs separated or multiple networks for uses like:

  • Email, web, and data servers
  • Security appliances
  • Multiple separate networks If you only have one router but have customized routing settings, the SmartWiFi modem can actually fully replace most singular network router needs. See How to manage your Hitron router settings for more information on using SmartWiFi to replace your existing router.


What to look out for prior to setup Any private network outside of the main SmartWiFi network will prevent automatic shared resources between the two networks. These shared resources might include:

  • Networking printers, scanners and copiers
  • Shared network drives

Often this is the intention of a separated private network and there are ways to get shared resources to work across multiple networks if needed. This is just a common forgotten point when setting up an IP passthrough network. Multiple private networks will require subscribing to multiple static IPs. Check the static IP configuration email you received from Shaw. If you need more static IPs, contact Sales, Billing or Technical Support to verify the account and request additional static IPs.

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IP passthrough setup basics

ComplexityAdvanced

Each plan includes one static IP, with additional static IPs being available for an additional cost and up to a maximum of eight (8) total IPs per plan. Make sure to subscribe to enough IPs for the setup you’ll need.

Each plan includes one static IP, with additional static IPs being available for an additional cost and up to a maximum of eight (8) total IPs per plan. Make sure to subscribe to enough IPs for the setup you’ll need.

Modem port use: Your SmartWiFi Hitron modem has four (4) Ethernet ports, but only use the 4th (bottom) port for IP passthrough devices. Using Ports 1-3 can cause connectivity issues and should be avoided. Use a quality Gigabit Ethernet switch if you need to use multiple passthrough devices.

SmartWiFi Hitron modem
SmartWiFi Hitron modem


Mixed SmartWiFi LAN and IP passthrough:

Using the SmartWiFi network for some Ethernet devices while also using private networks with IP Passthrough is supported. Clearly marked Ethernet cords, preferably colour coded cords, and careful documentation, should be maintained. Shaw agents will not know which devices need to be used in which way and cannot support your internal third party equipment. The preferred configuration for this type of network is a MAC-based IP passthrough.

  1. Hook up all equipment into a single gigabit switch hooked into Port 4 of the Hitron modem.
  2. Use the MAC-based IP passthrough method, adding a MAC address of each passthrough device into the Hitron modem setup.
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MAC-based IP passthrough setup

ComplexityAdvanced

MAC-based IP passthrough allows specified devices to bypass the internal DHCP and obtain an external public IP address based on the device's MAC address. Note that if you change out your equipment, you'll have a new MAC address, which will need to be updated on your Hitron settings.

  1. Connect a computer directly to your Hitron modem.

MAC-based IP passthrough allows specified devices to bypass the internal DHCP and obtain an external public IP address based on the device's MAC address. Note that if you change out your equipment, you'll have a new MAC address, which will need to be updated on your Hitron settings.

  1. Connect a computer directly to your Hitron modem.
  1. In a browser window, log in to Hitron settings (default: 192.168.0.1).
  2. Log in to Hitron settings (username is usually 'cusadmin' and passphrase is listed on the modem).
  3. Go to the 'Admin' menu at the top, then select 'IP Passthrough'.
  4. Set 'IP Passthrough Enable' to 'ON'.
  5. Set 'IP Passthrough Mode' to 'MAC'.
  6. In the 'IP Passthrough MAC' field:
    1. Enter your router's WAN interface MAC address, using ':' (example: 90:50:XX:60:11:50).
    2. Click the '+' icon to add it.
    3. Verify your MAC address shows below the '+' symbol to verify that it has been added.
    4. Click 'Save Changes'.

Hitron Modem Settings: IP Passthrough Settings
Hitron Modem Settings: IP Passthrough Settings

  1. Your Hitron modem will reboot. Services will be restored once the '@' symbol is lit up solid.
  2. Any static IP information will need to be manually programmed into your third party equipment.
  3. Document your settings for future reference in case the settings need to be re-entered.


Wiring notes

  • Use a gigabit switch connected to Hitron's Port 4 to allow wired devices to be connected to the main SmartWiFi private network. Connect the IP passthrough router into the switch as well.
  • For multiple passthrough networks
    • Make sure you subscribe to enough additional static IPs with your SmartWiFi plan.
    • Repeat Step 7 to add multiple MAC addresses.
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Port-based IP passthrough setup

ComplexityAdvanced

Port-based IP passthrough allows the specified port on the Hitron to bypass the internal DHCP and allows any device connected to the specific port to receive an external public IP.

  1. Connect a computer directly to your Hitron modem.
  2. In a browser window, go to the Hitron settings address (default is 192.168.0.1).
  3. Log in to Hitron settings (username is usually 'cusadmin' and passphrase is listed on the modem).

Port-based IP passthrough allows the specified port on the Hitron to bypass the internal DHCP and allows any device connected to the specific port to receive an external public IP.

  1. Connect a computer directly to your Hitron modem.
  2. In a browser window, go to the Hitron settings address (default is 192.168.0.1).
  3. Log in to Hitron settings (username is usually 'cusadmin' and passphrase is listed on the modem).
  1. Go to the 'Admin' menu at the top, then select 'IP Passthrough'.
  2. Set 'IP Passthrough Enable' to 'ON'.
  3. Set 'IP passthrough Mode' to 'Port'.
  4. For 'IP Passthrough Port', select '4'.
    • Only Port 4 should be used as Ports 1-3 are reserved for Shaw equipment.

Port 4 on Hitron Modem
Port 4 on Hitron Modem

Hitron Modem Settings: IP Passthrough Settings
Hitron Modem Settings: IP Passthrough Settings

  1. Click 'Save Changes'.
  2. The Hitron modem will reboot. Services will be restored once the '@' symbol is lit up solid.
  3. Any static IP information will need to be manually programmed into your third party equipment.
  4. Document your settings for future reference in case the settings need to be re-entered.


Wiring notes

  • For multiple passthrough networks, use a gigabit switch connected to Port 4 and make sure you subscribe to enough additional static IPs with your SmartWiFi plan.
  • Any device plugged into the passthrough port will get its own unique public address and can't be used for the SmartWiFi's private LAN.
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Shaw support scope

ComplexityEasy

Shaw phone agents can help make sure you’re able to sign in to your SmartWiFi modem to make the changes you need to our equipment, and direct your through the basics of the IP passthrough feature. All modified settings are best saved and recorded separately for safe keeping. This will prevent any loss of information if something should happen to the SmartWiFi modem. Shaw does not provide on-site IT support and cannot help in the setup, maintenance, or troubleshooting of third party networking equipment.