Arris TG4482A (XB7) Unlocking DNS options

[Unknown303]

Why in this day and age with custom DNS options are we locked in to specific DNS servers on the new XB7 modem/router?  Is Shaw fighting back against ad blocking hardware like the Pi-Hole?  Is this something that Shaw is able to open up for users that want to utilize a different DNS?

[mdk]

@Unknown303 -- are we locked in to specific DNS servers on the new XB7 modem/router? 

Yes. 

> Is this something that Shaw is able to open up for users that want to utilize a different DNS?

There already exist two options for Shaw customers:

1. You can individually configure the TCP/IP settings on each device connected to the XB7 to use your choice of DNS-servers.
2. If you don't want to use any of Shaw's "remote" TV boxes, you can "bridge" the XB6/XB7, to reconfigure it to solely be a cable-modem (modulator/demodulator), and connect your own router to one of the LAN ports, and configure your own router to use your choice of DNS-servers for all wired/wireless devices that connect to your own cable-modem.

> Is Shaw fighting back against ad blocking hardware like the Pi-Hole? 

In this discussion forum, nobody, other than this forum's moderators, can speak on behalf of Shaw, to answer your question.

[Unknown303]

This is why I'd like to see an answer from Shaw justifying this action or inaction.  Not allowing a user to specify their own DNS if they have the know how is limiting the security actions that you can make on your own home network.  And the solution shouldn't have to be connect another router that allows that option, the XB7 appears to function extremely well in all other aspects and it would be a waste of money to have to add in similar hardware downstream off it just to get use of a function you can see is available in the XB7 modem but is disabled.

[mdk]

@Unknown303 -- this reminds me of Red Green -- if you have not broken it [choosing your own DNS-servers] you are not trying hard enough.

I would guess that 99% of Shaw customers are happy with the use of Shaw's "caching" DNS-servers.

I suspect that some of Shaw's customers would BEEP it up, if they could change DNS-servers, and then call Shaw, in the (faint?) hope that Shaw's CSRs (Customer Service Representatives) are well-enough trained to detect and then "undo" the customer's misconfiguration.