Rating: 
Summary: SMC Barricade 7004ABR
Review: There are several items that set this SOHO router apart from its peers:1. Support:
SMC actually tries to solve problems with the product in an expeditions manner. 2. Flexibility:
The 7004ABR can be used with a serial modem, a serial ISDN TA, or any Ethernet-based broadband interface. It can also be configured to AUTOMATICALLY switch from the broadband interface to the serial interface if the broadband loses its connection, and automatically switch back when the broadband problem clears up. The unit also includes a print server so PC/linux users can convert that old parallel-port printer into a network printer. I can't meaningfully comment on that feature, as I don't use it. 3. Security:
Stateful Packet Inspection, and logging of attack attempts. This unit _could_ be sold as a firewall, not just a SOHO router.
Unit can be configured to be totally stealthed on the WAN side. (good)
Client filtering can be used to selectively control internet access based on client IP, and date/time. 4. Convenience and Reliability:
Changing settings does _not_ require rebooting the router. This is a unique feature among SOHO routers that I have tried.
Only operation requiring router reboot is a firmware upgrade, which is, btw, extremely easy from any modern web browser.
As a result, it is easy to achieve just about 100% network uptime reliability with this product, even when making changes in the configuration. Very cool feature. This unit is a class act, and at (dollar amount), an absolute steal.
Rating: 
Summary: A wonderful unit, but, needs better printed documentation
Review: I was looking for a print server for my home network. My wife's computer is in a place where we can't setup a printer and this was our solution. And after a lot of research, I found that a lot of the print servers on the market, where more expensive than just replacing my old router and so I decided on the SMC. Everything was very simple to setup and get going. I do suggest that if your competent at setting up the system manually, please do. I ran the software provided and couldn't get the router working. It wouldn't collect an IP from my provider's DHCP server. The print server was also very easy to setup and works just like as if the printer was hooked directly to my computer. I would give the router 5 stars, but the printed book provided needs to be a little more complete and the software for LAN/WAN setup needs to work. They also don't tell you what the access password is for the web-based setup, then I found out, there isn't a password, I suggest highly setting one. Info not provided in the printed manual is the address for the web-based setup is http://192.168.2.1 with no password, again, please set a password first thing. I would highly suggest reading the provided PDF owners manual, instead of the provided printed manual. You'll be a lot less confused. So far, I am very happy with the router; I would highly recommend it to anyone.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent but.......
Review: The unit itself is wonderful! Connections are stable and the print server option at this price point is fantastic. Here are the problems I had. Very limited manual/help files. Same for tech FAQ's at the website. Had to contact tech support for the install and after holding for 30 minutes was told to add :88 to the address for login. They said there is a known issue with some browsers....would have been nice for them to mention this in the manual. Printer instructions are invalid. Manual says to run this as a network but instead you run it as a local after installing the driver. I was getting lots of hits off of probes but they are no longer coming through the router. Works fine with the Norton Firewall (after all I am also concerned about what leaves my computer :) also) If you play on-line games you will have to open up some ports but this is true with all routers I believe. Overall I highly recommend....
Rating: 
Summary: DHCP Server has some problems
Review: All in all, the SMC router is a good bang for the buck compared to Linksys routers. Its internal firewall had no problems yet and compatible with a lot of service provider's protocols. I've had no-name brands of routers before and had that fail me (email couldn't work through the router). I've had this router for about 2-3 months and the same problem comes. The router would kick off anybody connected while using the DHCP function. For example, one person is surfing the internet and another turns on their computer to log on. The latter person would have the connection halted while the other computer gets an IP address. The firmware is fully updated and the only solution is to hit the reset button. I gave it 3 stars for the price and functionality but DHCP addresses....look out!
Rating:
Summary: 5 stars based on setup - haven't tried print server
Review: Setup of this barricade on my Cox Roadrunner service at home was extremely simple....given that a host name is not required in my area. Just connected the router to the cable modem and my desktop at first, powered on, configured the router via Internet Explorer (computer settings didn't require any changes), and followed a couple pages of instructions on releasing and renewing IP addresses to allow a new address to be assigned to my computer. After that worked without any trouble, just plugged my laptop into the router, an IP address within the pool was automatically assigned by the router and the laptop was good to go. Can't wait to try the print server.---In short, just follow the user manual exactly as it reads and you should have no problems.
Rating:
Summary: A heavenly out-of-box experience!
Review: Well, we finally got around to networking our home PCs and I am SO very pleased with the SMC Barricade (SMC7004ABR) broadband router. It was unbelievably quick and easy to set up. My first router (in 1992) was a Cisco IGS/R. It was the size of a desktop PC, required an additional ... CSU/DSU and came with about 20 pounds of manuals. Configuration was a nightmare, requiring extended conference calls with the telco's network engineers. My second was an ISDN router (don't remember the make), but it was down to about the size of a laptop and configuration took a couple of hours. Well, this wonderful trend continues. The SMC Barricade is only about the size of a paperback novel and configuration was a complete "no-brainer" - you literally don't have to know anything about networking! I had to set only one value in the configuration: I changed the default password. That's it! I had the first PC connected to the internet and printing in less than 5 minutes. The other three were equally easy. Since the Barricade's switch ports are auto-MDI/MDI-X sensing, I didn't even have to get a cross-over cable to daisy chain the hub in the library. Also, my wife is a telecommuter and logs into a VPN through PPTP. This was our biggest uncertainty - it would have been a showstopper if that hadn't worked. Happily, the PPTP pass-through works fine. As a solution for sharing a cable modem connection and central printer in a home-based network, the SMC Barricade does the job, is very easy to set up and is a remarkable value. -- Scott Loban
Rating:
Summary: No problem with TimeWarner RoadRunner, NYC
Review: This is update from my last review.
SMC sent me "DEBUGGED" version of firmware 1.3. The firmware solved the time out issue. Since then the router haven't lost connection and as a result I haven't restart my router. Now I fully recommended this router. Following is the review I wrote last time. I am using Time-Warner RoadRunner service in NYC and bought this product to share the connection among 3 computers. The set up was pretty easy. I set up the roadrunner in my desktop computer and then make SMC router clone the MAC address of the desktop that I set up the roadrunner. And set the router as DHCP server. And I upgraded the firmware to 1.3. Problem I'm having is that the router lose connection once a day. Only way to get the connection back is restarting the router. (turn off and turn on, not the redoing the set-up) It is cumbersome to do that. I'm not sure whether this is problem of SMC 7004ABR or problem of RoadRunner. Also the 'reset' button on the machine sometime doesn't work. And log-in page asks password twice. I read some review that some people prefer to use its old model 7004BR because 7004BR is more stabilized and faster. However the speed of 7004ABR can increase to 7004BR level if you turned 'the hacker attack monitoring and logging function' off. Also I recommend to use ZoneAlarm with your broadband connection. It really catches a lot of suspicious inbound packets. If I hadn't any problem with losing connection once a day, I probably gave 5 star for this router.
Rating:
Summary: SMC X 3
Review: Bought the 7004 ABR when an ISP promised that they would supply a broadband connection. Well that was 18 months ago and it didn't happen. Just got cable so I hook-up the router, it came out of the box DOA. Called customer support they shipped out a new one...although I purchased it 18 months prior the replacement was "no-charge". Customer support was easy to contact. The replacement router with print server work great. Nice doing business with companies that stand behind their products.
Rating:
Summary: WOW!
Review: Well my Belkin Router crapped out today, and I went to COMP USA and bought this puppy, which was cheaper than the DLINK, NETGEAR and BUSLINK products. I was apprehensive because I had never heard of this brand. It is an impressive metal box (all others are plastic). Has a bvuilt in parallel printer port, which teh competitors do not. Prepared for the usual BS of downloading firmware updates rebooting 10 times, etc. Box says it will be up and running in three mouse clicks. Yeah right! Ummmm I had it up and running in 3 mouse clicks, = less than three minutes. YAAAAAY! They must have really worked on the software and firmware. VERY impressed, and highly recommended.
Rating:
Summary: Great Product
Review: Great product! Installation guide could go into more detail though.
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