Customer Reviews

SMC7008ABR Barricade Cable/DSL router with 8-port 10/100Mbps switch and Integrated Print Server

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

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).

I have used this unit and its smaller brother (SMC7004ABR) for a few years now.

It has been 99.998% reliable in that time. (I reset the unit only four times in 3 years.) It also has an excellent failover capability, so you can use dial-up, ISDN or even a cell phone as a back up for your standard internet connection.

The default security settings are incorrect, and you must disable remote administration and add a password to the unit. I don't rate against the SMC as other reviewers have because most other vendors have the same default settings. (Linksys for example has remote administration on by default, and uses a well known default password for all its routers.

Despite what another reviewer posted the print server is configurable over the web interface, and you do not need any configuration wizard at all. As a result the printer can be used as a standard UNIX queue with all operating systems, including Mac OS X, Linux, Solaris, BSD and of course Windows. I used mine in just this way for years.

As a result of its reliability, and its excellent failover capability I rate this unit at 4 stars. To move up a star it would need better security defaults and additional interface polish. (5 stars is PERFECT in my book)

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.

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.

This is simply a great product for the price. As a network engineer I am particular about what devices I use to protect my home network and I like the Barricade for several reasons:

1. Ease of setup. Setup on this router is a no-brainer.
2. Reliability. I have not had to reboot it or had it lock up in the 3 months it has been protecting my home network.
3. Features. The Barricade has features that you would expect in a much more expensive solution.

I would recommend this device to anyone.

This unit worked fine the moment the wires wire connected. It assign IP addresses to connected PC's AND even RePlayTV recorders. It is fast and has a browser based "configuration" program to access the largely unnecessary additional functions. It offers 8 ports and a modem (for backup of the DSL) connection in addition to the print server. This stuff cost MUCH more just 3 years ago. For abt 100$ with strong Mfg support it's THE way to share DSL unless you go wireless. For me the Cable approach is Faster Cheaper and more Reliable.

I rarely write reviews, but this router has proved so reliable over the past four months that I wanted to actively endorse it. It was easy to install and has not required resetting or any other adjustment since installation. I have used other routers from Linksys and Dlink with mixed to bad results so I was most pleased to finally have a router that quietly did its job with no issues of peformance degradation. I use it for three windows XP and an HP printer.

I have very limited knowledge of running a Home LAN so I needed a router that would be easy to set up, maintain, and more importantly provide protection.

This router fits that description;I had it up and running in about 30 minutes. The browser based router setup interface is a breeze to use.

I checked my security settings through the Shields Up website and passed all port security checks.

I am also able to connect my Xbox to Xbox Live without any special router configuration.

Rock solid. I highly recommend this NAT router.

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!

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.