Rating: Summary: Terrible out of box security Review: . Although SMC deceptively states that this product is "platform independent" you will not find any Macintosh software to configure the print server. BOTTOM LINE ... Unless you play on a PC the integrated print server will be useless - a real waste of your hard earned money.
Rating: Summary: It is *NOT* platform independent!! Review: . Although SMC deceptively states that this product is "platform independent" you will not find any Macintosh software to configure the print server. BOTTOM LINE ... Unless you play on a PC the integrated print server will be useless - a real waste of your hard earned money.
Rating: Summary: Terrible out of box security Review: Be careful when you setup this router! Out of the box, it has remote administration enabled *by default* on its port 1900 on the WAN side of it meaning ANY arbitrary person can login and do what they want with your router, including making any internal machines that you think are "protected" by the router vulnerable! An oversight like this indicates lack of quality assurance/control by SMC. SMC of course denies this, but anyone with this SMC router who never touched their advanced settings to enable the firewall or forward port 1900 to a non-existent internal IP address can visit http://1.2.3.4:1900/ where "1.2.3.4" would be your external (internet side) IP address and simply hitting "login" lets you login without a password (since setting one is an "advanced" option)
Rating: Summary: Easy Enough for the Network Newbie & Good Enough for the Pro Review: For those of you that are just starting out, or who want something of high quality, with a very straight-forward set-up, and want a good value to boot, then this is what you need. I bought this to set up my first home network because it came highly recommended by my local techie. (He has it personally and also installed it for my office peer-to-peer network.) My level of computing knowledge is a high average: I can build my own computers, but I'm self-taught and don't always know about the "latest and greatest" without researching it. I used the printer-server, which was a nice bonus and I'm currently using it with 5 computers. I've had the unit for at least six months and have had no problems whatsoever and don't expect any. Don't hesitate on this one. If you can set up your own network, then this is almost too easy!
Rating: Summary: Easy Enough for the Network Newbie & Good Enough for the Pro Review: For those of you that are just starting out, or who want something of high quality, with a very straight-forward set-up, and want a good value to boot, then this is what you need. I bought this to set up my first home network because it came highly recommended by my local techie. (He has it personally and also installed it for my office peer-to-peer network.) My level of computing knowledge is a high average: I can build my own computers, but I'm self-taught and don't always know about the "latest and greatest" without researching it. I used the printer-server, which was a nice bonus and I'm currently using it with 5 computers. I've had the unit for at least six months and have had no problems whatsoever and don't expect any. Don't hesitate on this one. If you can set up your own network, then this is almost too easy!
Rating: Summary: Had Linksys--This is a better unit Review: I had the equivalent Linksys unit for a couple of years but it began powering down randomly so I had to replace it. This unit has many more firewall features and offers finer controls on the LAN/WAN settings--much more than the Linksys. My only complaints so far are with the DHCP server: there is little control over leases and no way to specify a WINS server address. On the Linksys you could call up the current lease table and remove items if you wished. This unit only has a running log of leases. The SMC is also much more solid. Steel case. Reset button on front. Only uses a line AC cable. The Linksys has a laptop-style supply that became flakey after multiple resets (which involved unplugging the power from the cheap plastic unit).
Rating: Summary: Easy to use: plug it in, run the wizard and forget it....... Review: I have used a few routers/switches in the past. I will say that this SMC is the easiest to set-up and manage. Easier than a Linksys by far. You don't need a degree to manage it and the online help is the best that I have ever seen for a router. My .$02 :Don't mess with a wireless router combo. Spend the extra cash and get you an access point AND this switch. You can then place the AP (via ethernet cable) where you wish, not where the router decides because of the physical properties. I have 2 diff models (Linksys and D-Link)of the wireless router combos: both are back in their boxes. Anyway, you can't go wrong with this SMC and it has a lifetime warranty: something unheard of these days.
Rating: Summary: Solid Product Review: I ordered this product for a client of mine, and I will say that I was pleased with the way this router is laid out. It has some nice features that make it valuable, such as blocking internet access at certain time intervals, etc. Not to mention the price for this product is less than most other products in its class. The only thing I would remark about is the user interface is not the greatest, but that was not enough to affect my review.
Rating: Summary: Solid Product Review: I ordered this product for a client of mine, and I will say that I was pleased with the way this router is laid out. It has some nice features that make it valuable, such as blocking internet access at certain time intervals, etc. Not to mention the price for this product is less than most other products in its class. The only thing I would remark about is the user interface is not the greatest, but that was not enough to affect my review.
Rating: Summary: Excellent Product Review: I purchased this router a year and a half ago, and I am very happy with it. The software is excellent, and does not require you to install anything on your computer. All of the configuration can be done through an intuitive web interface. The print server is also a nice bonus that can be very useful on a network. The only problem with the print server is that it does not support bidirectional communication very well, which can cause problems with some advanced printers. However the router costs less than most routers making the print server is basically a freebie, so I am not going to complain too much. I have bought multiple SMC routers for my self and others, and except for the wireless one I have been very happy with all of them.
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