SMC SMC7004ABR Barricade Cable/DSL router with 4-port 10/100Mbps switch and Integrated Print Server

Other products by SMC

Product Details

Product Manual [1.67mb PDF]

• Shipping Weight: 4 pounds
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
• ASIN: B00005NBR6
• Item model number: SMC7004ABR
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (124 customer reviews)
• Date first available at Amazon.com: May 2, 2006

Product Description

From the Manufacturer

Barricade, the best-of-class broadband router is the ideal all-in-one networking solution for home and small-business users. This platform-independent, multifunctional broadband router combines a four-port 10/100 Mbps dual-speed switch for blazing network throughput, a built-in print server for sharing valuable resources, an RS232 COM port for fail-over dial-up or modem connections, and our battle-tested NAT firewall for bulletproof security against hackers and other unauthorized users. Barricade fully supports VPN tunneling via L2TP, PPTP, and IPSec pass-through, allowing remote users secure access to their corporate infrastructure.

Product Description

The Barricade™ is an ideal all-in-one networking solution for home and small business users. This platform independent multi-functional broadband router combines a 4-port 10/100 Mbps dual speed switch, a built-in print server, an RS232 COM port for fail-over dial-up or modem connections, and firewall capability for security against hackers and other unauthorized users. The Barricade™ provides a WAN port as well as Network Address Translation (NAT), which translates your WAN IP address into private LAN IP addresses keeping your internal network hidden from the rest of the Internet. Barricade fully supports VPN tunneling via L2TP, PPTP, and IPSec pass-through allowing remote users secure access to their corporate infrastructure. Also, a feature known as Hacker Attack Logging has been implemented which detects, logs, and reports any potential hacker attacks to your network. The new broadband router also allows the connection of multiple users to the Internet using a single WAN IP address. LAN IP addresses are auto-assigned and easily managed through DHCP server capabilities, and the IP routing supports a range of popular applications.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

73 of 74 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars SMC Barricade 7004ABR, November 10, 2001

By	Mac Coder (Tulsa, OK USA) - See all my reviews

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.

19 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars BEWARE! - Great Product but don't have a problem....., September 12, 2001

By	BobW (North Shore, MA USA) - See all my reviews

I purchased an SMC7004BR in March and it worked fine until two weeks ago when the WAN routing portion decided to quit. Don't get lulled into thinking SMC's advertised 24X7 support is a reality and their lifetime warranty easy to take advantage of. I have spent over 4 hours on 3 separate occasions, at different times and days, trying to get through to their support to obtain an RMA (Return Authorization - to get the device repaired or replaced)for repair unsuccessfully. I sent an email to them requesting an RMA and was instructed I could only get an RMA by phone. I finally had to buy a Linksys router to get back in service. I continue unsuccessfuly to get through to SMC support. BEWARE

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Good for basic use, February 20, 2002

By	D. Deavours "deavod" (Chicago) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I use my SMC Barricade extensively as a SOHO user. I VPN into my corporate network for hours on end. In the evening I like to play zone.com games. I have 5 PCs I use on my internal network.

I find the SMC Barricade adequate but with some serious shortcomings for my use. I'll attempt to outline where the Barricade falls short, but first let me say that if you plan on using this product simply for web or email it will probably do everything you want perfectly. If you are a more advanced user or a SOHO user please take the following into account.

1. VPN works great. Once or twice. Then the initial connection slows considerably. Then it stops working until you reboot the router.
2. DirectX or zone.com games will work great a few times. Then it stops working until you reboot the router.
3. DHCP works great until you reboot the router. The Barricade does no conflict detection before hading out addresses so every time you reboot you will get IP address conflicts.
4. You can not host DirectX or zone.com games internally despite the "DMZ" feature.
5. I find the best way to cope is to proactively reboot the router every morning before I start using it. Then I turn on my machines and everything usually works the reset of the day. But not always.
6. Multiple email to SMC support has returned not one word. The silence is deafening. I can repro every single problem every day with network traces for them, still no response from SMC.

Like I said above, if all you want is to do simple web browsing this is a great product. If you plan on using any of the more advanced features be prepared to do some configuration work and to reboot this thing at least daily.