| SMC Barricade g Wireless Broadband Router (SMCWBR14-G) |
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Model: SMCWBR14-G
Brand: SMC
Manufacturer: SMC
Average Rating: 
(submit your review here)
Total Reviews: 8
Form factor: External
Hardware platform: PC
Data link protocol: Ethernet, Fast Ethernet, IEEE 802.11b, IEEE 802.11g
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| Features: |
Wireless Cable/DSL Broadband Router
Detachable antenna
Platform independent, multi-functional
High security
Limited lifetime warranty |
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| Description: |
| The Barricade g 2.4GHz 54Mbps Wireless Cable/DSL Broadband Router (SMCWBR14-G) is the perfect networking solution for the user that is looking for a simple, all-in-one home or small office network product. This platform independent multi-functional router combines a 4-port 10/100 Mbps switch, a high speed 54Mbps wireless access point, Stateful Packet Inspection (SPI) firewall security, Web-based network management, and support for Virtual Private Network (VPN) pass-through into one convenient device. It offers a high data rate that is up to 5 times faster than the widely used 802.11b wireless LAN and is backward compatible with existing 802.11b network devices. To secure the wireless connection, the Barricade g supports 802.1x for authentication, Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA), MAC address filtering and 64/128-bit Wired Equivalent Privacy (WEP). In addition, the Barricade g has one detachable antenna (1 Dipole antenna with RP-SMA connector) that can be replaced with your choice of SMC high gain antennas for added performance and coverage. |
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| User Reviews (8 total): |
Page 1 of Total 1 Pages
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Ok, but not great, March 8, 2006
By user
It does the job, but compared to even a Buffalo high-speed wireless router, the SMC does not have a very long range nor is the signal strength as good as I was hoping for. Luckily, I am only using this one for surfing the internet which it works just fine for, but my reccommendation is to get a linksys or netgear on sale.
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So far so good..., January 7, 2006
By user (Delaware County, PA (USA))
I had experience with earlier SMC Barricade products that all prevented my VPN connections to work, so I couldn't recommend them. I tried this one with the terrific rebates of late just to play with it, and I'm now using it as my primary router!
This router is easy to configure and has been working extremely well. I only played with wireless distances a little bit, and they seem reasonable for a residence. I live in an apartment, so I can only roam so far. I couldn't go too far down the hall before I lost signal, but I think that's due to my cheap PCMCIA card in the laptop I was playing with.
I played with WEP and WPA - both worked fine.
One very cool feature that I've found with more recent routers - they seem to be "plug and play" with the Vonage IP service adapters. I had an old Netgear router and I had to open up the VOIP port numbers for the VOIP adapter. This SMC router (and the Motorola WR850G) don't require any ports to be set up - they seem to be VOIP "aware".
One other reason why this is my primary router now. I had a Motorola WR850G as my main router, but I upgraded it. VPN had some issues, and it occasionally would stop routing and I'd have to cycle the power. I did successfully downgrade the firmware and it worked fine again, but I'm staying with this one... at least for now!
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reliable wireless router, December 7, 2005
By user (Tennessee, USA)
Never used SMC products before, but this is impressive. Easy setup, operating flawlessly for 2 months now. Strong wireless signal, good configuration layout, and dynamic DNS updating that works (as opposed to my previous DLink router). Includes true firewall features, including SPF. Does not offer WPA2, only WPA. Very little activity at SMC support site, no firmware upgrades at all. But I guess if it works this well, who needs support?
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Disappointed, October 26, 2005
By user
I've had nothing but troubles with this router. I've been doing research for a couple days now trying to track down all the problems I've been having with it and come up with nothing.
It was a snap to hook up and get working initially for both wired and wireless connections even with the advanced setup utility. Everything seemed to be flowing normally and naturally and at great speeds. The only exception was that I couldn't get into many secured sites. Email, online shopping, bank accounts, all unavailable to me. I figured I'd do the requisite research and solve that problem later.
The next day things went down the tubes. Connection speeds fluctuated and failed over wireless even when the signal was at full strength. Connecting and acquiring IP's began to fail wirelessly, which seemed to be due to the router still believing the device was connected - even after several hours of my laptop being off. Unplugging and replugging the router became neccessity each time I wanted to connect wirelessly. Wired connectivity still seemed to be working fine, so I used that for a couple days.
The last straw fell last night. I decided to forego wireless entirely and tried to get out with a couple of my wired boxes. Speeds throttled to unuseable levels, and then failed. After a few minutes of snooping around I unplugged this router and put one of my wired routers in to test to make sure it wasn't a problem with my ISP. The speeds were fast, reliable and clean. The problem definately resides within the router.
I've resolved to pack the SMC Barricade G Wireless router back into it's box and return it. I must have gotten a bad unit or something, because I can't fathom them putting such a poor product to market.
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Not all features enabled at this time!, August 14, 2005
By user (Midwest USA)
This product is very economical when purchased with a rebate, yet, the WDS function only works with WEP or (worse yet) no encryption! The device does not work with WDS and WPA enabled at the same time. SMC advised that it "MIGHT" be fixed in a future firmware update. I've been waiting 5 months for a firmware update, to no avail. Be sure to verify the functionality that you need for your net is actually operating on this device.
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What a welcome change!, July 29, 2005
By user (Tennessee, USA)
I purchased this router after going around in circles for weeks with Gateway customer support for my previous router which never worked properly. It was a snap to set up, the configuration options are simple to use without sacrificing functionality, and my secure home network plus VPN were up in no time. Some of the documentation is a bit sketchy and vague, but nothing that a trip to the SMC website won't solve easily. I am very pleased with this product.
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A steal with the rebate!, June 17, 2005
By user (Houston, TX)
Update - Dec. 30, 2005: I liked how well this router worked at my home that I bought a second one to install at my mother-in-laws over the holidays. As with my first unit, it installed in minutes, was operational immediately and the only 'set-up' needed was to configure some basic encription which took another couple of minutes.
Perhaps there are more robustly featured routers out there, but what I want is ease, speed and basic security. And this thing delivers all three at an excellent price pont!
Pros:
a)Installed smoothly, replacing an older SMC 802.11b router. Everything was operational within 30 minutes, including three wireless PCs (including my new Hawking USB device on one), a wireless printer (see note below, though) and a secondary Linksys access point.
b)Connections on my two 802.11g-enabled PCs immediately linked at the higher speeds. And you can tell the difference!
c)Surprisingly, my signal strength in the remote office jumped significantly, increasing from ~40-60% levels to 90+% levels. I was not expecting this type of improvement because 802.11g is not supposed to go further, just faster. And this unit only has one antenna vs. two on my older SMC so I was actually concerned that I might even see poorer signal strength.
Needless to say, I am very pleased as my network is faster and covers a greater distance than before!
Cons:
a)Not a real con, but if you must have your router be a printer server as well, this does not have that function built in. Not a big deal for most home applications - just hook up your printer to a PC and slave it from there. Or, use a wireless printer like I do (highly recommended HP 7410) and eliminate the wires altogether!
Installation notes - While everything easily installed an configured as noted above, if you have a second access point or a wireless printer, keep the following in mind:
a)Your access point needs to be reconfigured to a new IP that matches the new router's address range. If you don't, your second access point does nothing for you! Easy to do but easy to forget!
b)Okay, this one stumped me for a while! I had my wireless printer configured to the new network in less than a minute. Everything was `visible' on the network. The PCs all `saw' the printer. But nothing printed! Hmmm ... nothing in the router or printer manuals. No help from Windows XP. Guess not too many people have wireless printers and change their wireless router! The problem isn't the printer, the router or the PC, really. It is just that each PC's printer port is configured to `point' to an old IP address from your prior router and nothing updates this automatically for you. Simple, really. Just open your printer properties and `add' a new printer port (the wizard will find the new IP address for you) and everything once again works flawlessly. This is not an issue for 99% of you who have wired printers, but for anyone with a wireless printer (and I love mine!), keep this in mind!
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Router is pretty good., June 9, 2005
By user (WOODSIDE, NY USA)
Got this router for $15 (w/ $50 SMC rebate)
I've had linksys wrt54g, always had some sort of issue with it. Slow, unstable connection. And one year later it just stopped working. Got this router because of the rebate, and I am very impressed.
Right out of the box, I just plugged it in the cable modem and it was ready (for wired connection). Then I just needed to setup the security and ssid (for wireless) and in less than 5 minutes, it was all ready. With linksys, I needed like an hour to set/fix it.
This is really an excellent buy.
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