| SMC7004AWBR Barricade Cable/DSL router w/ 3-port 10/100Mbps, Print Server, and 802.11b 11Mbps Access Point |
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Model: SMC7004AWBR
Brand: SMC
Manufacturer: SMC
Average Rating: 
(submit your review here)
Total Reviews: 247
Platforms: Windows NT, Macintosh, Windows 98, Windows 2000, Windows NT 3.5, Windows NT 4, Windows NT 5, PowerMac, Windows Me, Windows XP, Windows 2000 Server, Mac OS X, Mac OS 9 and below, Windows
Form factor: External
Hardware platform: PC
Data link protocol: Ethernet, Fast Ethernet
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| Features: |
Built-in NAT firewall security
Wireless operation at 11, 5.5, 2, or 1 Mbps
Connects to a cable/xDSL modem, dial-up modem, or Ethernet backbone
All-in-one solution provides switching, IP sharing, print server, and firewall security
Platform independent--works with PC or Mac |
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| Description: |
| The Barricade wireless broadband router is the ideal networking solution for home and small business users alike, providing the ultimate in mobility with its wireless operation. The platform-independent multi-functional router is combined with a 3-port 10/100 Mbps dual-speed switch and incorporates both a built-in print server and firewall security against hackers and other intruders. |
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| User Reviews (247 total): |
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Great product, Great support, Just great, November 19, 2001
By unknown
Living in Australia, I had to get a new 240V power supply for my Barricade (from Jaycar). It works great. Within half hour of starting to set it up I had it all working great. Make sure you get the latest barricade drivers from the SMC site though. The print server works great. The wireless works great. The NAT works great with my Telstra BigPond connection. Using the Web interface is great too. It is just great. Should have got one years ago.
Bottom line - great.
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Great while it worked, November 16, 2001
By unknown
I bought this item and was able to set it up very quickly. However, as soon as I tried to upgrade the firmware, it fried. So much for ease of use. A general complaint of all of these types of products is that they are COMPLEX!!!!!! I can't say that enough. If you don't know a little bit about PC's and networking, you are gonna be lost. It's not just plug, plug, go. It's plug, plug, try, replug, retry, access config, try, pray, retry, power down, retry, etc. It took me 30 minutes to set up and that's after I had already set up another vendor's product. Be warned!!!!
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You'll never go back to wires, November 14, 2001
By Bob Carpenter (New York, NY)
This product is cheap, reliable, and easy to install. Three different people in my office installed this model, and none of us has had any problems. It also lives up to its rated speed in tests through our office and my house (you may still want wires if you have a 100 megabit network available).The router installed easily following the instructions on the CD for a Windows 2000 machine using a Time-Warner cable modem. Ignore the misleading quick install instructions, though -- they didn't work for me.
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Good hardware, beware of software., November 14, 2001
By wolfgang brinck (Milwaukee, WI United States)
Now that I got the whole thing working, it's great. So 5 stars for a working system. Luckily I read the reviews so I knew ahead of time that the software that ships with the product is brain-damaged. Perhaps this isn't true for everyone, but it was for me. So step one of the installation manual should read: SOFTWARE SHIPPED WITH PRODUCT MAY BE DEFECTIVE. DOWNLOAD LATEST SOFTWARE FROM WWW.SMC.COM BEFORE PROCEEDING. This is true of firmware for the access point/switch as well as the driver for the wireless USB adapter. My problem was that I installed the shipped software for the USB adapter and then spent a lot of time uninstalling and reinstalling the right stuff over the top of it. I repeat, do not install shipped software. It doesn't just have annoying bugs, it flat out doesn't work.The other problem I noticed was that one of the pieces of software I installed has a memory leak that locks up the computer after a few hours. I suspect the wireless LAN utility that comes with the USB adapter. You install it and it runs in the background, therefore a perfect candidate for eating memory. This problem might be fixed in the latest version. Unlike the driver software for the USB adapter which flat out doesn't work. The utility software that ships with the adapter does work but may have the memory leak. One nice thing about the wireless LAN utility is that it shows me my neighbor's hub. So if you're living in an apartment building, you can see who else is broadcasting and what channel they're on and whether they're encrypted or not etc. It also gives you an idea whether your own access point puts out enough signal for them to get on your network and look at your files. Handy things to know if you're trying to keep your LAN private.
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works pretty good, November 14, 2001
By Michelle Madayag (Seattle, WA United States)
I've had it for two months and there are no problems so far!
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Worked great after a firmware upgrade., November 14, 2001
By neoc (Cambridge, MA United States)
I purchased this access point a few weeks ago and have had only one minor problem with the hardware that was easily fixed with a firmware upgrade via tech support. The router was providing sporadic access to it's admin console and the ability to ping the outside world was intermitent. I called 3COM tech support about the problem, they had me check the firmware version and then they directed me to a firmware update on their website. Ran the self-extracting exe, reboot the router bam... No more problems. I am using a Linksys PCCard and an ORiNOCO GOLD PCCard both of which had zero problems connecting to the AP. I get SIGNIFICANTLY better range and service with the ORiNOCO. The admin tool is easy to use and configure. I am also able to connect to my corporate VPN with no problems. All in all I am very satisfied with this product.
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PERFECT, FLAWLESS, November 12, 2001
By Mickie (Celina TN USA)
Even with XP.
Print server is fast.
Wireless to my Laptop with SMC PCMCIA card is fast from anywahere in my house.Very Easy to set up. DSL connecting-----I didn't even have to turn on my brain!
DSL sharing--same.
This is it!
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Flawless operation and easy installation., November 10, 2001
By ambrose01 (Baltimore, MD USA)
BOTTOM LINE:
This product works great, has good tech support, a lifetime warrenty, and is easy to install. To top it off, it is AMAZINGLY cheap. You can not go wrong by buying this product.OPERATION:
I have used this product on a Dell Laptop running first Windows ME and then Windows XP. I have used it both with cables and an SMC wireless networking card to connect to my static DSL line.
In all environments, it has worked great. It should be noted that I live in a horrible environment for wireless operation, and yet the combination of the SMC card and this router has proven itself to be both fast and reliable. TECHNICAL SUPPORT:
I have found SMC to have exceptionally good tech support. Their employees are friendly and knowedgable, and will do their best to help you out. The only negative is that sometimes hold times can be quite long (I've found them to range from 5-30 minutes.) However, it is a toll free number, so the call is on their dime. Besides, you can always email in questoins too. INSTALLATION:
Installation for this product is VERY easy. In fact, it can be done in a matter of minutes with very little fuss.
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This router works well, November 9, 2001
By yogahead (San Francisco, CA)
After having spent considerable amount of time researching wireless routers, I settled for the SMC Networks MC7004AWBR. As you can tell from this forum, this router has received very good reviews and it is very competitively priced. At the time of the purchase, ...
The router works very well and the setup is a snap. The only issue is the strong interference from 2.4 G wireless phones that totally shadows the LAN signal and disrupts data communication. So no browsing and talking on the phone from the garden.
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The ultimate value for your SOHO money, November 8, 2001
By der_bobi (Brussels, Belgium)
This offering from SMC is the very best thing you can get for your money in SOHO networking. Took me only 20 minutes to set up, and works perfectly with my ISDN connection as well as with my DSL line. If you're looking for a router to enable you to make better use of your DSL/cable line, just go past the non-wireless stuff. For a few bucks extra, you get wireless freedom. And it's addictive.
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3 defective routers within 60 days, November 7, 2001
By C. Schafhalter (San Francisco, CA USA)
I bought the first in September, it stopped to work after one day.
I got the second 10 days later, it did not work at all.
I got the third 5 days later, it worked for 5 weeks. It is defective again. Stay away from this product.
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One of the better wireless routers available, November 4, 2001
By unknown
Works great right out of the box. Anybody can get this unit working with the wireless PC cards.
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SMC rocks!, October 31, 2001
By unknown
Received the SMC Barricade router today along with the 2632 PC card. Got home, unpacked the router, did the rewiring (DSL wallplug, LAN wires and printer parallel cable), powered it, fired up my browser and surfed WWW instantly!Unplugged LAN caple, plugged in the PC Card and installed the driver upon request and installed the link meter utility afterwards. Installed SMC WLAN printer port driver on both my PC's and printed a test page. At a total I spent about 15 minutes setting up the router and PC Card and everything is working absolutely without problems. The admininistration is embedded in the router and accessed via HTTP. I haven't played with the NAT settings yet, but I'm sure it'll fulfill my needs. Great products at a great price.
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Great Wireless all around unit.. 5 Stars Plus, October 29, 2001
By Ronald T. Shaw (Port Huron, MI United States)
Very good and the best cost for a complete all in one wired/wireless unit. I love this thing. 10 mins or less to hook up, i just unplugged my 2 Towers from my old netgear ethernet switch, plugged em to this one, plugged my USR Veverything 56k modem in, turned on my toshiba laptop plugged in my orinioco pcmcia wireless card - bought the orinioco after reading bad reviews on the smc & the linksys one. but i had an smc card (purchased the smc access point pkg first - now returned) so i did test it against the orinoco, reviews were right. about 15ft away the connection dropped to 45% (smc pcmcia) but the orinoco stayed at excellent 95-100% even after 50 ft. that was with 2 walls and my metal front door. this combo smokes everything else i tried. been running it 24/7 and the printer port allows me to put my printer in a diff room giving me room 4 my scooter (i'm basically a bedridden ex hdware/sftware nasa engineer) so i do know my stuff. get this sucker.. the manual is pretty bad but not needed) so when cable modems are ready in this hick town i just have 2 plug it in. For some reason i had to name the default config network name "WLAN" in the orinoco but that was all. can't recall why i had 2 do that cause everything else in both units was default. u won't be disappointed - for new users it's a snap. excuse the misspellings & run on sent. i'm pretty ill & have eyelid spasms but even that didn't stop this from being one of the easiest setup/config hardware i've ever used.
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Easy setup, works great!, October 27, 2001
By unknown
Setup was very painless and easy. I have it setup upstairs connected to a printer and a 56K modem. I have two wireless clients downstairs and was able to use the printer server feature as well as sharing the 56K modem connection.
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Range of transmission of this product is STRONG!!!!, October 26, 2001
By Y. Harrington (Tucson, AZ)
I am impressed! I was outside, across the street, at least 200 feet from my front door...beyond the front door, another 75+ feet to where this SMC Wireless Router is located.... still, the signal is strong and I am loading web pages in the blink of an eye...Powerful enough to transmit through interior brick walls and an exterior brick wall. I love this product!!!!
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So far so good, October 24, 2001
By Ying J Chen (San Jose, CA USA)
Pros:
- Good signal strength
- Printer server included
- DHCP server allows your client PC to be assigned a specific IP based on MAC ID
- Port forwarding.. etcCons:
- Runs kind of hot
- Kind of bulky
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Solid basic wireless router, October 23, 2001
By unknown
+ All-in-one box for cable or DSL users
+ Easy to set up
+ Reasonably accurate instructions
+ Four 10/100Base-T ports for wired computers
+ Works well in my mixed environment (Macs & PCs)
+ Great price- Firmware on the box was old, had to download update from SMC.com and install to get it to work
- 100Base-T routing speed for wired computers not as great as it could be
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i got rid of all the 20 foot cat-5 cables now, October 20, 2001
By irwin (NJ, United States)
best networking device i ever bought. super easy installation.
its really neat to look at the daily log and see all the other computers that where trying to snoop at my computer
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Works with no glitch, October 19, 2001
By gurus2 (Staten Island, NY United States)
Very good Product. Print server is one of best features that other products don't have. But updating the firmware is a must when getting this product. Router wouldn't let me go to specific menus if firmware wasn't updated.The SMC2632 wireless ethernet adapter is not recommended if using it in Win 2000. If using with Windows 9x/ME, the smc2632 wireless adapter works great with router.
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