Best wireless broadband router
Written: Dec 08 '01
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Pros: All-in-one, firewall, ISDN/dial backup, switch ports
Cons: Wireless range
The Bottom Line: Highly recommended product - it does the business for a bargain price.
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| mab23's Full Review: (SMC7004WBR) Wireless Access Point |
I bought the SMC Barricade 7004WBR for approx. $300 when it was first released, and have now had it for just over 6 months.
During that time it has performed virtually flawlessly. The product packs so many features into one little package it's amazing.
There's a WiFi access point (note that the SMC unit bridges between the wired and wireless networks, some other access points won't do this), which functions fine, however I find the range a little lacking sometimes - I can be 1 floor and about 30m away from the base station and the client PC is reporting "poor" signal quality. I also haven't got the WEP encryption working but I suspect that may be something to do with one of my client PCs. Other than that the wireless service just works.
There is a simple but effective firewall with port forwarding, essential if you are using this on the end of an always-on DSL or cable modem connection. It can do MAC spoofing so you can use it with DSL and cable modem providers who restrict based on MAC address.
It also offers ISDN and modem dialup capability (using an external TA or modem) as backup for the broadband connection, or as the primary connection.
There is also a print server built in which works fine, and to top it all off 3 10/100 switch ports for wired PCs.
The SMC is such a great unit I have now recommended it to THREE of my friends, all of whom are delighted with it. In my opinion it's the best unit on the market right now.
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 300
Driver Availability: Windows, Linux, and Mac
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Epinions.com ID:
mab23
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Reviews written: 3
Trusted by: 1 member
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