home
NEWS       BLOGS       FORUMS       NEWSLETTERS       RESEARCH       EVENTS       DIGITAL LIBRARY       CAREERS  
Network Computing Network Computing Powered by InformationWeek Business Technology Network

IMMERSE YOURSELF:

SOA

  |

Data Center

  |

802.11n

  |

Data Privacy

  |
APO  |

Virtualization

  |

NAC

  |

Security

  |

Network Mgmt

  |

Enterprise Apps

  |

Storage & Servers


Mobile & Wireless
F E A T U R E  
WaveBase: A Gateway to Wireless Heaven

  October 29, 2001
  By Dave Molta



SMC Networks Wireless Barricade Router



The SMC Wireless Barricade Router is based on a hardware and software platform nearly identical to that of D-Link's DI-713P. While we were extremely impressed with the features, range and performance of the Wireless Barricade Router, offering our enthusiastic recommendation is difficult for a product that didn't work when we received it. In fairness to SMC, the company was prompt in sending a replacement unit, and that unit worked well during testing. If it were not for the fact that we had similar reliability problems with its cousin from D-Link, we might have dismissed the failure as an unfortunate twist of bad luck. If the vendors can resolve their quality-control problems, this might be the best value.



The Wireless Barricade Router's range was near the top of the list for all the products we tested. Many of the products included in our tests depend on a PC Card interface and the card's internal antenna, but SMC takes a different approach. It still uses a PC Card radio, but the radio is permanently mounted inside the box and connected to two flexible antennae mounted on the back of the unit. The larger antennae and the separation between them likely provides slightly higher radio-frequency gain and better immunity from multipath interference, a common source of wireless-range problems.

The Barricade's performance was also very good. However, like that of many of the other products, performance dropped significantly when WEP was enabled, particularly for data transmitted from the router to wireless clients. We found the configuration and management interface easy to use, and the unit is packed with features. The built-in print server worked as advertised, and the security implementation was complete. The Barricade is one of only four products in this review that supports access-control restrictions based on MAC address, a security feature that is relatively difficult to manage in an enterprise environment but useful in a SOHO environment. In fact, some might argue that MAC-address-based access control is a more powerful security feature than WEP, and it doesn't hurt performance.

Wireless Barricade Router (SMC7004AWBR), $250. Available: Now. SMC Networks, (949) 707-2400, (800) SMC-4YOU; fax (949) 707-2360. www.smc.com


   Page: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | Next Page





Ready to take that job and shove it?

Function:

Keyword(s):

State:
SPONSOR
RECENT JOB POSTINGS
CAREER NEWS
Go beyond Google and get vertical. These specialized search sites will help you find the business information you need -- fast.

Ari Balogh was named to the post of chief technology officer as the companys for a "realignment" of employees.










InformationWeek U.S. IT Salary Survey 2008
Salaries for business technology professionals are falling. Here's what you need to know in order to make good hiring decisions and personal career choices. Download Today
 
ROLLING RIGHT ALONG
Follow key Network Computing Reviews from conception to completion. This Week: Holistic APM.



Network Computing Reports Emerging Enterprise Podcast Series: Secrets to Success








TechSearch


Microsite of the Week


Powerful Information at Your Fingertips



InformationWeek Business Technology Network
InformationWeekInformationWeek 500InformationWeek 500 ConferenceInformationWeek AnalyticsInformationWeek CIO
InformationWeek EventsInformationWeek ReportsInformationWeek MagazinebMightyByte and SwitchDark Reading
Digital LibraryIntelligent EnterpriseInternet EvolutionNetwork ComputingNo JitterPlug Into The Cloud
space
Techweb Events Network
InteropVoiceConWeb 2.0 ExpoWeb 2.0 SummitEnterprise 2.0 ConferenceMobile Business ExpoSoftware ConferenceCSI - Computer Security Institute
Black HatGTECEnergy CampMashup CampStartup Camp
space
Light Reading Communications Network
Light ReadingLight Reading EuropeUnstrungLight Reading's Cable Digital NewsConstantinopleInternet EvolutionPyramid Research
Heavy ReadingLight Reading Live!Light Reading InsiderEthernet ExpoOptical ExpoTeleco TVTower Technology Summit
space
Financial Technology Network
Advanced TradingBank Systems & TechnologyInsurance & TechnologyWall Street & TechnologyAccelerating Wall StreetBank Systems & Technology Executive SummitBuyside Trading SummitInsurance & Technology Executive Summit
space
Microsoft Technology Network
MSDN MagazineTechNetThe Architecture Journal
space


App Infrastructure   |   Messaging & Collaboration   |   Network & Systems Mgmt   |   Network Infrastructure   |   Security  |   Storage & Servers   |   Wireless   |   Enterprise Apps
About Us  |  Contact Us  |  Site Map  |  Technology Marketing Solutions  |  Advertising Contacts  |   Briefing Centers
Copyright © 2008  United Business Media LLC  |  Privacy Statement  |  Terms of Service  |  Your California Privacy Rights