SMC Barricade SMC7004ABR Broadband Router
4 x 10/100Base-TX LAN, 1 x 10/100Base-TX WAN, 1 x ISDN BRI WAN, 1 x Parallel

Besides its NAT feature, it also has print server and dial-up backup. The only drawback of this device is that under heavy usage (or somehow randomly), it will freeze. The web interface and the "router" part of this device will shut down. The "switch" part of this device still works though. This causes internet to drop. You have to push the reset button to recover. This freezing incident has occured to me for about once a month. Also if an administrator forgets to log out, the interface is locked until time out.
 
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Great product -- buy it -- it works 100% -- I loaded all updates -- it works like a charm!
 
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I purchased this product based on a Computer Magazine's review. Although not the top rated box, when I examed the test results, it looked like the best one to me. I had previously used the Linksys and Belkin Routers with some trouble and returned both. To hook up my Sprint/Earthlink DSL, I followed the directions closely and had it operating in about 15 minutes. Since I was previously connecting through some WinPoet software, I did not realize that I was fully connected and did not need that software. I used an online speed test to check my connections, and both computers are connected at the same fast speed I was connecting to prior to adding the router. My next task was to connect a HP Laserjet printer to the port on the box. I could not get it to work until I emailed tech support. All I needed to do after following the directions was to turn the box and the printer power off and on and everything worked great! I was also able to network the computers to share files and my other printer, although tech support said that this was a Windows issue not something that they can help me with. They did ,however, provide me with several useful links for me to figure it out. I'm running for a few weeks now and am completely happy with this product. I strongly recommend it.
 
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After I got a cable modem, it was a toss-up between the SMC and the Linksys to share it, and I went with the SMC7004ABR because it had the built-in print server. I'm glad I did. I hooked it up to the cable modem, connected a couple of computers, and connected my HP Deskjet to the printer port. The only configuration item I needed to change was to enable the 'clone MAC address' function - which I didn't think I would need to do, but it turned out I did. Anyway, I installed the small print server driver on the computers (to allow you to set the port to the SMC box instead of LPT1:), and bingo, everything works perfectly. It really could not have been much easier. So now I have Internet access on a few computers, and they can all use the printer (without a specific computer being on). Can't beat that for the price - I highly recommend this.
 
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This box as a router is very good. The print server though sets records for the slowest print function on earth ( its like it has about 4 K cache). I wll be setting up a different print server shortly. The router and DHCP functinon are fairly reliable but the power port on the back neds to be re thought. It comes loose easily.
 
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I had this router up and running inside of 5 minutes with my AT&T Broadband RCA DCM-245R cable modem. A note to cable modem users: many broadband ISP's filter MAC addresses (unique device serial number) to keep home users from adding new computers or network devices. To get around this with your router, call your service provider and tell them that you've changed your network card and want to update your MAC address, give them the MAC address that's written on the bottom of your router and you'll never have to worry about it again. As the headline says, EXCELLENT product and price.
 
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Probably the reason I bought this instead of a D-Link or Link Sys is because I work for an IT shop and we have purchased SMC enterprise level products, so I know that SMC is not just a SOHO manufacturer like the other two. After I purchased the Barricade I had it up and running in minutes, its WEB interface was extremely intuitive and easy to navigate. I have turned off my software firewall now, the Barricade keeps my computers safe from harm.
 
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Bought the barricade to share a cable internet connection and for the firewall and printer server. I have a windows xp machine and everything works great. Copying files across my home lan is really fast. The firewall works well and so does the print server. If you have one printer and multiple computers, the print server feature is a must have. I looked today and I didn't see any other routers on this site from other manufacturers with all the features of the barricade for the price.
 
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I bought this product to share my DSL connection with my brother who just came home for winter break from college. SMC 7004ABR router has been running flawlessly and the speed is great. We play internet games together and there's no added lag! Highly recommended!
 
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I don't think there is a router out there that has the price to performance ratio as this SMC model. Specifically, this router has more features than I expected and they are all very well implemented. The router itself is relatively fast, although it is not *the* fastest 4-port router that I have worked with. Setup and installation was *very* simple and easy. However, those less technically inclinded might get a little confused configuring the wealth of options available.
 
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Can't go wrong with this one. It's very cheap and it actually works. Do download the drivers from the website first and keep the cd rom for backup. I did have to reboot a lot at first and the printer port gives me a little trouble but nothing that is serious. The only issue with my wife are the cables - my next step is to stick the router in a closet and get a wireless access point.
 
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Here's the set up.
DSL line.
SMC 4 port Barricade.
SMC Wireless Access Point.
Windows 2000 Server Machine with a POP/SMTP, FTP, and HTTP server.
Windows 98 Desktop.
Windows 2000 Pro laptop.
Mac OS 9.1 G3 Tower.
Canon S800 Printer.
This unit handles it all! I have all of the computers (except the Mac) printing to the print server on the Barricade. The computers all talk to each other seamlessly with the DHCP server, including the wirless laptop. It also handles all of the IP port routing to the server machine for all external requests. It really has been care free...
I strongly recommend this unit even if you've only got one computer and are looking for a solid firewall, but rest assured, it can do a whole lot more.
 
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Out of the box, it connected to my cable modem, set up DHCP and off we went. The setup screens were easy to follow and the firmware upgrade was just as easy. Based on Sheilds Up! (www.grc.com), this thing is a strong firewall. No open ports or holes for hackers to get into. With my small 3 system lan, that is important. If you are reading this because you need this kind of device, JUST DO IT!!! Count Darling IV
 
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This unit DOES NOT support bidirectional printng. Router seems to perform well. I bought this based on the "hook" that you won't need 2 computers to be on just so 1 can print. Nowhere did I read that it will not work with multi-functional devices until I got error messages while installing my HP R40 and checked SMC's tech support section on their site. If you need a value priced router, and have a printer that can function without bidirectional functionality, then the SMC7004ABR is a great deal at $69.95. But if you need it, you had better look into a different router.
 
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This is not an easy product to setup if you have not had experience working with modem AT commands, setting up dial-up networking etc. But, if you do have that knowledge, it is a great product. After figuring out I needed to add an AT&F1 for my USR Courier, it worked awesome just as a router with a dial-up account. I haven't even tried the print server yet. :-)
 
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I network peoples homes and small businesses for a living, I have 2 SMC routers running, 2 linksys routers, and many Linux routers. One of the SMC's is in my home, and the other is in my friend's home. The one in my home was purchased 2 months ago, the other 8 months ago and they work flawlessly. I only need to reboot them when I change settings!! One of my customers who has a Linksys router calls me about once every 2 weeks with a problem, and the other can not achieve the desired performance out of it. By far I would only reccomend the SMC Barricade.
 
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I bought this router/switch on an impulse because I was time constrained to implement my own. I have a Mac, a Windows ME PC, a dual boot Linux/FreeBSD box and a triple boot WindowsME/Linux/FreeBSD box. The DHCP works flawlessly. I have not used the print server because it is limited to Windows. I have some configuration issues and name resolution issues for the local boxes, but as far as DSL connection sharing, it works extremely well for me. I would like to see better documentation, especially on how to look at DoS attack logs etc.
 
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I've had experience with large scale routers and a few broadband routers, but installing the SMC router couldn't have been easier. I recently installed DSL and followed that installation with the SMC Broadband router. I've been using it for a week and have not had one problem. As a matter of fact, all of my previous internet sharing problems have disappeared.
 
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Just a quick note: Their Help line is extrememly helpful!
 
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I can't buy a router like this at Best Buy or Circtuit City. They don't have anything like this. If you have more then two computers at home or office, buy this product! It is very reliable, easy to configure and very reasonably priced. I use it as the middleman between five computers in my house. I am running my own web and email servers with a DSL static IP address. The router's firewall allows you to easily send port 80 to your server if you want to have a web server. I have the wireless 802.11 SMC hub as well which is great for my two laptops (my and my wife's). I used the router through straight static IP connection for Verio DSL and through PPOE for Earthlink. Flip the router's DHCP server on and you don't need anything else, no custom software to connect to you ISP. Earthlink for example, wants you to install their own crap software and PPPoE client on your machine. Once you do that, it is a challange to do a Network at home. Forget all that. Buy this router, connect it to the DSL modem. CAUTION: use the CAT5 cable that came with the modem to connect the router to the modem. A normal category 5 cable between the modem and the router will not work!. Once the DSL modem and the router are connected, go ahead and connect your computer to the SMC router. Log into the router's configuration utility using the ip address (probably http://192.168.2.1) and insert the PPPOE username and password and press connect. That's it, nothing else needs to be done. Connect up to 250 plus computers on that one router!! Happy surfing, Feel free to contact me if you have a question andreitamas@yahoo.com
 
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I purchased my SMC router 2 years ago when they first came out. For the first 6 months the router worked great. After that the router would either stop working or perform slowly. I replaced the router with a Linksys wireless router and haven't had a problem. As for the print server, it's not a true print server plus it never worked like advertised. Buy a 3com or use Windows NT, 2000, XP as a print server.
 
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It is a true PnP router, you just need to follow the instruction and everything will work. The only problem is the print server configuration, they make a mistake on the user menu for printer setup. Make sure you install the SMC port software CD that come with the router, or go to the SMC web site for printer installation instructions. It is a great product, I like it.
 
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Fantastic product... Had some minor issues setting it up, but SMC has 24/7 toll free support which took care of the problem. I REALLY REALLY like this product- integrated firewall and the print server is a real bonus!
 
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IMHO, most of these routers are all the same. I have used LinkSys, NetGear, and now SMC. The SMC rules the roost. It's support of VPN (IPSec and PPTP) is great, and the built-in print server is the BEST! At first I thought the print server would be a "nice" feature, but it turns out to be the #1 advantage over the competition. No more worrying about which PC the printer is connected to, and whether it's on or not, etc. Kudos to SMC for adding such a great feature to give it the definite edge over the competition. And at such a great price!!!
 
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Purchasing this router has been the worst experience I've ever had. The printer server they describe as being included doesn't work with any printer requiring bi-directional communications. (When was the last time you saw a printer that didn't require bi-directional communications? dot-matrix?) For FTP client software, PASV is not supported. The fireware was updated and all documentation following to the letter without successful results. You'd be better off spending your money somewhere else!
 
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We have been using the SMC Barricade for eight months now and love it! The firewall protects our PCs on our private little home LAN while our computers share our Cable Modem connection. My wife and I simultaneously work from home, tunneling through the firewall to our respective companies' LANs using separate IPSEC VPNs (Nortel and Lucent clients). We usually find our home connection much faster than our big companies' large Internet connections! The Barricade was simple to install and configure. I upgraded the firmware free from SMC's web site without a hitch. I bought SMC because of its value: great firewall features for a low price, and am not disappointed.
 
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Ready to go right out of the box or can be configured via browser. I went from 5-10 firewall hits per day to 0. Initially had problems connecting to a Cisco VPN, but an easy ROM download and update did the trick. Very dependable. I never reboot it. Print server and dial-backup are bonuses. Can't go wrong with this unit. Eventually, I'll upgrade to the wireless version and will definitely stay with SMC.
 
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It's been great. I use it on a cable connection and it does very well. Every 4 days or so I have to reboot it becuase it stops working for some reason on the cable side. However, I just upgraded the firmware and havn't had that problem for about 3 days now. Perhaps the firmware fixed the problem. It's easy to do the upgrade. Overall I rate it a 4 just because of the reboot trouble I have had.
 
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