Rating: 
Summary: Lots of bang for the buck
Review: I installed one of these for a client using Optimum Online Cable and I was amazed at how easy it was to install. Just follow the wizard and select the Cable Modem (or DHCP if you haven't upgraded the firmware) option and you are on the Internet. This is a low-priced SOHO router, but it does have some nice options that you won't find in some more expensive routers like integrated Stateful Packet Inspection (SPI), time zone settings, and a lifetime warranty (Most dsl/cable routers are limited to three years).This router has been running for nearly two months without any problems. I would definitely buy another and recommend it to others. You can't beat the quality and features for the price.
Rating: 
Summary: smc stuff performs well at it's price point
Review: I kind of respect smc stuff given their price point - it's inexpensive, mostly reliable, etc. It definitely does not provide the level of security of cisco's stuff though. The word "stateful packet inspection" doesn't tell the whole story on how well a firewall really works/performs. "You get what you pay for" does kind of apply still to this day in the firewall arena.
Rating: 
Summary: Firmware and Tech Support have room for improvement
Review: I settled on this router after researching various brands, and decided that it was a good value, considering that it contains many features normally found only in more expensive units. However, after upgrading to the then-latest firmware, I discovered that the router would constantly reboot itself about every five to ten minutes, causing a total network shutdown for about 30 seconds during this time. I called Tech Support for help on this issue, and they initially blamed the problem on my Motorola Surfboard 4200 Cable Modem, claiming that a "NAT feature" contained within the modem was causing the problem, and I needed to contact my ISP to deactivate this feature. I contacted my ISP (Adelphia) and they told me that the NAT feature was not supported by my modem. I called Tech Support again and supplied this information to them, and they had me reset the router to the factory default settings and reload the firmware. This corrected the problem, then a series of tests after a newer firmware was released a month later revealed that the rebooting issue was being caused by the Universal Plug-and-Play (UPnP) feature interacting with Windows XP. I called Tech Support to supply this information to them, and they seemed to be completely caught off-guard. I later sent an e-mail to them asking if there were any plans for a newer firmware to correct this problem so that I could use the UPnP feature. Their response instructed me to turn off the firewall. I wrote back and told them that that was the most asinine solution I have ever heard, since it would leave me vulnerable to hacker attacks, and that I would simply not use the UPnP feature. Other than the UPnP bug and the apparently lackluster Tech Support, this router provides superb firewall protection and network speed. I have tested the firewall from a friend's computer - it is air-tight, and even includes a "Discard Incoming Ping" feature, which will make your network completely invisible on the Internet when enabled.
Rating:
Summary: Firmware and Tech Support have room for improvement
Review: I settled on this router after researching various brands, and decided that it was a good value, considering that it contains many features normally found only in more expensive units. However, after upgrading to the then-latest firmware, I discovered that the router would constantly reboot itself about every five to ten minutes, causing a total network shutdown for about 30 seconds during this time. I called Tech Support for help on this issue, and they initially blamed the problem on my Motorola Surfboard 4200 Cable Modem, claiming that a "NAT feature" contained within the modem was causing the problem, and I needed to contact my ISP to deactivate this feature. I contacted my ISP (Adelphia) and they told me that the NAT feature was not supported by my modem. I called Tech Support again and supplied this information to them, and they had me reset the router to the factory default settings and reload the firmware. This corrected the problem, then a series of tests after a newer firmware was released a month later revealed that the rebooting issue was being caused by the Universal Plug-and-Play (UPnP) feature interacting with Windows XP. I called Tech Support to supply this information to them, and they seemed to be completely caught off-guard. I later sent an e-mail to them asking if there were any plans for a newer firmware to correct this problem so that I could use the UPnP feature. Their response instructed me to turn off the firewall. I wrote back and told them that that was the most asinine solution I have ever heard, since it would leave me vulnerable to hacker attacks, and that I would simply not use the UPnP feature. Other than the UPnP bug and the apparently lackluster Tech Support, this router provides superb firewall protection and network speed. I have tested the firewall from a friend's computer - it is air-tight, and even includes a "Discard Incoming Ping" feature, which will make your network completely invisible on the Internet when enabled.
Rating: 
Summary: Poor Router
Review: I tried to like this router. It has some good parental control features which let me set specific time limits for web browsing for each of my kids computers. Up to 12 rules can be set. It connects PROMPTLY with my cable modem and resets quickly. It works well with my VPN connection to work.
HOWEVER, it is completely unusable. With the firewall activated (who wouldn't want it activated?) and with a set of 8 timing and URL rules, this router completely slows to a crawl and locks. Routinely. Repeatedly. Several times a day. I have reset the router, installed and reinstalled the latest firmware, reset factory defaults, you name it. Tech support is polite but unhelpful. Two different units have the same problems. I suppose that those of you who have had success with this router have not turned on all the options. If you only have one computer in your house and don't set up any parental control rules, this router may work for you. Don't forget to turn on the firewall (off by default) and only buy it from a place with a good return policy. Better yet, buy a D-Link, like the 604, or a Netgear, like the 614.
Rating:
Summary: SMC routers are always the best
Review: Love this router like I love my other smc routers.
They are always easy to setup. They are always compatable with everything else on your network.
I own a Computer Business and do networking. I have never had a problem networking with a SMC router.
The web-based administration page for their routers are always easy to understand.
I would recommend this router to anyone.
Rating:
Summary: Exceptional customer support
Review: The functioning of this small item has been flawless. I quickly became confused trying to set it up and called customer support. They answered on the second or third ring. It was a guy in a small town in India. He was very patient and talked me through a number of steps. Finally, after asking what number appeared on my screen, I told him and he said, "It's working" and hung up. It has worked perfectly ever since.
Rating:
Summary: Easy set up, lackluster performance
Review: The word on the street was this was a good item. It turned on
fine, it set up really easily, and it ran from the beginning, with almost no thinking going into the setup. As a wired router, it's fabulous, showing no degradation vs. having a wired computer hooked directly to the modem and not using a router. Of course, the point to this baby is to be a wireless router. I have a laptop with an SMC wireless PC card in it. At 5 feet from the router, it's got excellent reception -- but at 5 ft., I can use a cable directly to the modem anyway, I don't need a router. At 20 feet and one wall (all walls are wood and sheetrock) there's an occasional dropout. Not bad, but if I'm listening to streaming audio it does kill the connection.
At 30 feet and 4 walls, it's downright buggy. It did help to get the router off the floor and out from the (solid, hardwood) desk. Is this bad enough for me to box everything up and send it back?
No. I'm happy to be able to get me e-mail in bed or on the deck. It's just an A on setup and a C on performance. If I'd known, I would have bitten the bullet, and gotten a router with a tougher setup but better performance.
Rating:
Summary: Works Great. Easy to Install
Review: This is my 2nd Barricade. The first was not as easy to setup. This one was incredibly simple and it performs well. A real value. I recommend it to all of my friends.
Rating:
Summary: Long boot time, Likes to freeze.
Review: This thing totally freezes up for me all the time and requires a restart if I enable the Firewall/Access Control features, and none
of the firmware updates seemed to fix that. I have talked with others who own the SMC 7004VBR, and many of them have experienced the same.
Another thing about this item that I found annoying is that after a restart it takes about 2 minutes to come back online.
I replaced my SMC brand router with a D-Link, and I have been much happier.
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