SMC Barricade g 2.4GHz 54Mbps Wireless Router with built in USB Printer Server

by SMC

Product Details

Product Manual [6.12mb PDF]

• Item Weight: 14.1 ounces
• Shipping Weight: 2 pounds
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
• ASIN: B000117DBW
• Item model number: SMC2804WBRP-G
• Average Customer Review: 2.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (24 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #137,034 in Electronics (See Top 100 in Electronics)
• Date first available at Amazon.com: July 7, 2004

Product Description

From the Manufacturer

The Barricade g 2.4 GHz 54 Mbps Wireless Broadband Router with USB Print Server (SMC2804WBRP-G) is the Industries First 802.11g Router with a USB Printer Server! With this new router you can share a single printer to all the PC's connected to the Barricade via a wired or wireless connection. The SMC2804WBRP-G is the perfect networking solution for any home and business user that is looking for a simple, all in one network product. This platform independent multi-functional router combines a 4-port 10/100 Mbps dual-speed switch with Automatic MDI-MDIX feature, a high speed 54 Mbps wireless access point, two detachable antennas, Stateful Packet Inspection (SPI) firewall security, network management, Virtual Private Network (VPN) pass-through support, and a USB 1.1 Printer Port for sharing a printer across your network into one convenient device. The new Barricade g offers a high data rate that is up to 5 times faster than the widely used 802.11b wireless LAN and is backward compatible with existing 802.11b network devices. The SMC2804WBRP-G supports Prism Nitro technology to extend your wireless range and optimize your wireless throughput and performance.

The ultra high-speed Barricade g Wireless Router with USB Print Server has an integrated Stateful Packet Inspection (SPI) firewall to provide the maximum level of network security. This advanced firewall provides protection against hacker invasions, such as Denial of Service (DoS) attacks by analyzing individual data packets, as they pass through the Barricade g, to ensure that only authorized packets are allowed access to the network. To control network access, parents, or business owners can block certain websites by entering either a URL address or just a keyword of the website. In addition, this latest Barricade g Wireless Router provides hacker prevention and logging functionalities -- including an integrated system log server to export the Barricade g log files directly to a PC on your network. The Barricade g can also alert you at work, school, home, or anywhere via email, when a hacker attempts to access your network, so you can take appropriate action.

The Wireless Barricade g provides a 10/100 Mbps WAN port for high-speed integration into your network. Supporting NAT, the Barricade g can provide simultaneous Internet access for up to 253 PCs using a single purchased IP address. To manage these connections, the Barricade g has a built-in DHCP server to auto-assign IP addresses to devices on your network. To install this device, simply place the EZ 3-Click Installation Wizard CD into your CD-ROM drive and in minutes you will be surfing the web. By using the web-based management interface, you can configure this router to handle IP routing and port forwarding through the Virtual Server option.

For wireless connectivity, the Barricade g Wireless Router with USB Print Server supports up to 54 Mbps high-speed wireless connection at data rates of 1, 2, 5.5, 6, 9, 11, 12, 18, 24, 36, 48 and 54 Mbps. To secure this wireless connection, the Barricade g supports 802.1x for authentication, Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA), disable SSID broadcast, MAC address filtering and 64/128-bit Wired Equivalent Privacy (WEP). This integrated wireless router allows you to connect to your network at distances up to 1155 feet. Furthermore, this latest Barricade g has two detachable antennas that can be replaced with SMC high gain antennas for added performance and coverage.

Featured

• Built-in USB Print Server
• EZ 3-Click Installation Wizard
• Universal Plug and Play support
• Connects to a Cable/xDSL modem
• Simultaneous Internet access for up to 253 PCs on the LAN using only one IP address
• Built-in Stateful Packet Inspection (SPI) firewall security
• 4-port Auto-sensing 10/100 Mbps switch versatility plus 1 10/100 Mbps port for WAN connection
• High Speed wireless operation at 1, 2, 5.5, 6, 9, 11, 12, 18, 24, 36, 48, 54 Mbps and has an operating range of up to 1155 feet
• Supports Nitro technology for optimized distance and throughput
• Robust security features include 802.1x for authentication, Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA), 64-bit/128-bit WEP encryption, disable SSID broadcast, and MAC address filtering
• URL blocking to limit access to certain websites by entering a full URL address or a keyword of the website
• Access control based on IP address filtering, MAC address filtering, date and time of the day.
• Hacker prevention and logging capability with email alerts prevent common hacker attacks

Benefits

• EZ 3-Click Installation Wizard is a new and improved way to install your Wireless Barricade g. In 3 mouse-clicks, you will be connected to the Internet
• All-in-one solution provides switching, IP sharing and firewall security in one single device
• Advanced Stateful Packet Inspection (SPI) firewall monitors and analyze all the information entering your network
• Enjoy wireless freedom at up to 54 Mbps and 1155 feet - 5 times faster than the widely used 802.11b wireless LAN and is backward compatible with existing 802.11b network devices
• Wireless security features such as, 802.1x, Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA), 64-bit/128- bit-bit WEP encryption and disable SSID broadcast to protect your wireless network
• Port Forwarding to support a wide range of popular applications
• Parental control features based on URL/Keywords, Time/Date, Application, or Protocol
• Hacker attack monitoring and alert emails allows you to always know what is going on with your network, even if you are not home

Product Description

The Barricade 2.4GHz 54 Mbps Wireless Cable/DSL Broadband Router is the perfect networking solution for any home or business user that is looking for a simple all-in-one network product. This platform independent multifunction router combines a 4-port 10/100 Mbps dual-speed switch with Automatic MDI-MDIX feature, a high speed 54 Mbps wireless access point, Slateful Pocket Inspection (SPI) firewall security, network management, and Virtual Private Network (VPN) passthrough support into one convenient device. High data exchange rate. Provides protection against hacker invasions.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

29 of 29 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Requires frequent rebooting, print server doesn't work, December 22, 2003

By 

Pen Name - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: SMC Barricade g 2.4GHz 54Mbps Wireless Router with built in USB Printer Server (Personal Computers)

I previously owned an SMC7004AWBR wireless router (802.11b w/ parallel print server) and was very happy with it. I upgraded to SMC's new version of this router, the SMC2804WBRP-G (802.11g w/ USB print server). I was very disappointed. I had to send it back and reinstall my old SMC7004AWBR router.

The SMC2804WBRP-G router has two major problems:
1) It regularly loses its wireless connection. The connection can only be restored by rebooting the router. The loss of connection has nothing to do with signal strength. The computer can be right next to the router and it still loses the connection. It's interesting that my old SMC7004AWBR had this exact same problem when I first installed it, which was later fixed by a firmware upgrade. So if SMC already had this problem with past routers, why did they release a new router with the same problem? Poor testing. I spent time with SMC tech support on this and they acknowledged the problem, but said there was no firmware upgrade yet available to fix this (there is an upgrade, but it doesn't fix this). I would definitely wait until they fix this problem before buying this router -- it then might be a great router. But right now it's a *really* frustrating problem that forces you to get up from your couch, walk to the room with the router, unplug the power cord from the router, count to 5 and plug it back in again. Repeat this on average every 30 min. (it might happen again in 5 min. or 1 hour, but it will definitely happen at least several times a night).

2) The USB print server does not work with the HP LaserJet 3330 printer. My old SMC7004AWBR router with a parallel print server worked perfectly with this printer. But this new router crashes every time I send a print job to it. Again, poor testing on SMC's part. Will this router work with your printer? Only trying it yourself will tell since SMC has not tested it with a range of printers and has not released a supported printer list -- their first customers are their testers.

I've now reinstalled my SMC7004AWBR and I continue to be happy with it -- it's rock solid. I guess I learned a lesson -- wait until SMC has a product out for six months or so before you buy.

BTW -- don't confuse this model with the similar 802.11g model without a print server (SMC2804WBR) -- that one uses the old-style case. It's getting good user reviews -- maybe it also uses older, more reliable firmware. Just watch out for this brand new model in the new case.

Bottom line: the SMC2804WBRP-G was released without thorough testing. Wait a few months until SMC processes the feedback from frustrated users like me and fixes the problems that currently make this router unusable.

One more note: You can tell this product is not ready for prime time when you go to the SMC web site and they still list it as "coming soon". There is no support information whatsoever, no driver downloads, no documentation, no acknowledgement of any kind that this product is shipping.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars SMC2804WBRP-G Print Server Does Not Work Reliably, February 14, 2004

By 

"jmillernj" (Holmdel, NJ United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: SMC Barricade g 2.4GHz 54Mbps Wireless Router with built in USB Printer Server (Personal Computers)

The SMC2804WBRP-G is my 3rd SMC router. I've been a happy SMC customer up until purchasing the 2804WBRP-G. I've always found SMC routers to be easy to configure and to have reliable connectivity. The 2804WBRP-G is no exception as a router, but the reason I purchased the 2804WBRP-G model (in place of the non print server 2804WBR) was for the added print server functionality.

Unfortunately, after 3 weeks of working with SMC Tech support, re-installing HP print drivers, changing 2804 firmware 3 times and reconfiguring the Win2000 LPR port dozens of times, I'm throwing in the towel. The Print Server feature is not robust - it simply does not work correctly. It will handle the first job in the print queue after system startup, but when you send a second job, the router crashes and re-boots. After that, the only way it will print again is after a complete system reboot.

I strongly suggest waiting a few months until SMC addresses this problem with the 2804WBRP-G and corrects the firmware. Meanwhile, the non print server 2804WBR is an excellent alternative.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Nice Package, September 13, 2004

By 

James Earl Shagford "Shaggy" (Alexandria, VA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: SMC Barricade g 2.4GHz 54Mbps Wireless Router with built in USB Printer Server (Personal Computers)

I picked this unit up from a local store because it was inexpensive, had all the features I wanted, and was in stock. I have been pretty satisfied with the systems performance, but there are a couple of outstanding issues.

As a matter of course I flashed it to the latest firmware before even bothering to do the initial setup, so I can't comment on the earlier firmware issues, but with the latest firmware it seems to work quite well. Just about all AP seem a bit like alchemy getting things setup right the first time, but now that I have some experience the SMC came right up with WPA encryption.

BUt while I do have the following nits to pick, I'm planning on purchasing a second one for home use, since it seems unmatched for a price/capabity standpoint.

1. Despite having a mode labeled WEP/WPA, it does NOT work with both protocols (even says so on their site? Why don't they update the public firmware to remove this option until its fixed?). In fact, after switching to this mode, I was locked out and unable to connect wirelessly. I was able to fix this by connecting directly, but it was a big pain.

2. There is no interface to the print server via the web interface; but this is because it is excruciatingly manual. On the bright side the manual takes you through all the custom steps pretty clearly, but I was surprised I even had to pick the printer driver manually.

But these are two minor annoyances for a home system, since you'll deal with them once in a blue moon. Its got an excellent built in firewall, and supports standard syslog logging, which is very nice for troubleshooting.