Customer Reviews

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

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(9)
1 star:		(6)

 

 

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.

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.

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.

I bought an SMC2804WBRP-G and had the same problems that a lot of reviewers here have complained about - print server not working well at all. Then, I went into the SMC SYSTEM Password Settings page and found an Idle Time Out setting that I could set to 0 to specify "No Time Out". Big improvement after I did that. In fact, I have had no problems with my Canon i850 printer since I made that change. I agree with everyone that a firmware upgrade is needed but in the mean time this will help.

After reading the reviews of this router, I was a little nervous purchasing it for a friend of mine. He specifically wanted printer server capabilities and many of the reviewers stated they had problems with getting the print server to work correctly and/or reliably. Other routers with print servers were $50-$100 more expensive (and reviews also indicated various problems printing), so we decided to purchase this one from Fry's electronics, confident that we could return if it had problems. I have one of SMC's original routers (the 7004WBR - with a parallel port print server) and it's worked reliably for the last 3.5 years ( I paid ~$299 for it back then, the price of early adoption).

My friend also wanted to go wireless with 2 notebook PC's, so we also purchased two SMC wireless cards. One of the notebook PC's was a relatively new Dell Inspiron, while the other was an old IBM A20 with just 128M RAM, 10G HD and a ~500 MHz CPU. Both the Dell and amazingly, the IBM had Windows XP running.

Installation of the router was fast and easy. Per the quick start manual, I installed the software from the CD, then checked the "wired" capability to the Dell. I was able to log into the router and check the settings. I did not change anything from the default (including security) before installing the wireless cards. Those too went quick. I was surprised there were no real problems with either PC. One reboot later and both notebook were wireless. I enabled some of the security features (WPA, discard pings from WAN, MAC Address filtering) and left the rest untouched.

The last task to do was to install and configure the print server. I had to pull up the full manual for this as I remember the process was involved for my old SMC router. This is not in the quick start guide. Following the instructions word for word, I set up the print server. Several "wizards" and related windows come up during the process, but manual is pretty easy to follow. My friend had a HP deskjet 940c, which was on of the many HP printers on the list. In fact, the list of "configurable" printers seemed very comprehensive. We printed a few documents without problems. The printer seems to print the last page first now, but otherwise worked fine. I set up both computers to print to the SMC print server and tested several documents. No problems.

Some reviews have mentioned reliability and the need for reboots as a problem. Well I cannot say one way or another as I just installed it, however my older SMC 7004 WBR has lasted almost 4 years with no reliability problems.

I gave it 5 stars because after only about 1 hour of setup I had both computers wireless and using the SMC print server without any problems at all. My friend was very impressed. I showed him some "cool" multimedia links (www.ifilm.com) and we watched a few movie trailers wirelessly from the kitchen. He was impressed and very thankful.

I'll update the review if I get a "support" call from him.

I can confirm what the other reviewer has said here, that the SMC2804WBRP-G *WILL* lose connection on your wireless client with annoying frequency, and that the ONLY way to bring it back is either a Reboot from the Browser Configuration Screen (or by unplugging it for a few seconds).

I had heard good things about SMC, but this product is simply not ready for primetime.

Also, unlike the other Reviewer, I had a tech support person say the OPPOSITE of the above, in that they were blaming the client for this problem. (NOTE: A word of warning about tech support - it is outsourced to India, and you stand a 50/50 chance of not being understood, but instead have recited back rote "answers". Very unsatisfying.

I've had this unit for 8 months now (2/05). I bought it because it was a great price for 802.11g speed, plus the USB print server. Turns out you get what you pay for. I have Windows XP, Windows 2000 and Mac OSX laptops. The windows machines work fine all the time. The Mac laptop crashes the wireless network every day, despite a Summer, 2004 firmware upgrade (however, wired connections are fine?!!?). Never actually got around to using the print server because of the networking problems that tech support couldn't fix. Now I'm having problems with my corporate VPN. I've already spent too much time with this thing. I'm going back to Linksys.

The main positive of this router is its cheap price, relative to the features included. I was able to get the wireless working with 128-bit WEP, set up as DHCP server, and print server.

Setting up printer is easy, if you follow instructions in the manual (available from SMC website). Printer worked better after firmware update from SMC website.

Compared to my old SMC router, it is slightly less reliable. It has had to be reset about once every 10 days, whereas my old SMC barricade ran for 2 years without a reset.

The web-page administration page has one important interface glitch. If you don't "logout" from the last computer that went on the page, you can't get in and must do a hardware reset. I found this feature annoying, as I have multiple computers.

I don't want to waste any more time than I have messing around with the USB Print Server capabilities. I have a Lexmark Z65n printer which works great EXCEPT when hooked up to this router's USB port. I spent 2 hours with 2 different SMC support reps on 5/21, they had me download two different Runtime Code Versions, multiple reboots, and had me try numerous settings that were completely different then what they publish in their manual etc... Then they said they would escalate the problem and I waited one week. Finally on 5/29 I called them back, they had me upload a third Runtime Code Version and IT STILL DOES NOT WORK. Yes, the router works for wireless but that isn't why I bought this product. As mentioned in other reviews, every time you update the firmware or runtime code you have to reset the defaults back to the factory settings and start all over. If I added up all the hours I wasted on this SMC product and could bill SMC for MY normal billable hours they should be writing me a check for over $700 dollars. Don't companies feel a responsibility to make sure their products work before sending them out to the public? Maybe they should spend more money on Quality Assurance than they do on their marketing. Also, with no harm intended, it is VERY, VERY difficult to understand the support representatives because the SMC support is outsourced in India.

It has an exceptional range in wi-fi! It supports both 802.11b and 802.11g. If you don't need the printer port, I say this is the BEST wirelss router yet on the market.

I have Deskjet 932C. Everytime I tried to print, the router resets itself and never prints. I called the customer supports and they gave me their latest (or beta?) driver, but too bad that it still didn't work. (Oh, they have very good customer supports. Very minimal waiting time. that's another plus)

Overall: if you don't need the printer port or if you have faith in SMC to come up with a working driver, this is a great buy!

Since I wanted to use the printer port, and it gave me soo much trouble, I gave it a 2 star.