wireless routers

That's right, after instant and mail-in rebates. For the price, I couldn't complain. Anyway, I don't like the online manual. I like to see the manual printed out so that I can read it while I'm working with the product. I also don't like the "3-step" setup. It didn't seem to go well. It took me some searching through the docs, but I was able to determine how to get to the Web interface to set up the router.

I moved out a Linksys Cable/DSL Router/Switch out to replace it with the SMC. I feel that I am now getting faster refreshes with this product. Pages come up extremely fast.

The Wireless portion of this isn't all that bad either. I do have a Cisco Aironet Wireless card that is superior, but I'm not convinced that is the only reason my wireless is successful. I did utilize the 64 bit WEP and I do not see the service suffer.

All in all, I have not had any issues with this unit. I'm happy with my purhcase. I have a 1600 sq ft house and I can move all around and still have ok signal. If you can get a good deal on the unit, I say get it.

Realize this is a Consumer unit and will not perform the same as a professional unit.

Setup takes less than 30 minutes; plug in the power, network cables, install drivers and configure router per instructions.

For those starting a home network using network cables, this is an excellent starter router with room to expand into the 801.11b wireless network.

Some nice features:

1. Built in firewall to prevent hackers. The built-in capability is sufficient for most casual users who want to prevent amateur hackers from randomly finding and hacking your computer(s). Easy setup and management of VPN.

2. Wireless encryption (upto 128 bit): encrypts your wireless network to prevent unauthorized access.

3. Disable wirelss network: useful if you are using only the router for a wired network and do not want to hassle with the wireless setup and encyrption.

4. SMC offers a user friendly website where you can download the latest updates. Updating the firmware used by the router takes only minutes.

Missing features:
A built-in print server. SMC offers a more expensive product that is identifical in everyway except it has one fewer wired connection port, but replaces the missing port with a print server connection. The print server connection allows you to share a printer, without having the printer tied a any particular computer. Without the print server, to share a printer means you need to have the computer connected to the printer turned on for the printer to be shared.

I have now tried two SMC wireless Barricades (this unit and it's newer version, and both have "crapped out" after a few months.
Unfortunately, I also had problems with their older, wired router. Although I have ensured that there is adequate air circulation, and the ambient temperature never exceeds 70 degrees, it appears that these units are prone to overheating. (...)I found that my internet access was getting slower and slower, and my FTPs were aborting more and more frequently.

Also, be aware that if you upgrade the firmware, you WILL lose all your settings (you [cannot] read the old .bin file back in!)
[Be sure] to write down ALL your current settings [before] doing an upgrade!

It's too bad, since I have been a proponent of SMC ever since they marketed one of the first high speed UARTs many years ago!