Warm deal- SMC DSL router $116 + free overnight shipping

Fritzo

Lifer
Jan 3, 2001
41,920
2,161
126
Outpost.com has the SMC Barricade router for $116 + free overnight shipping.

SMC Barricade

I just got mine today, and here's a mini review:

Pros:
- Can be used with cable, DSL, modem, AND/OR ISDN. I have mine hooked up with DSL, and an external modem for backup. Very cool and very unique.
- Built in print server. You don't need a computer on to share a printer anymore. You can even print from the internet! You can't use USB or a printer that requires bi-directional printer ports, but this works great for older laser printers.
- Fast. My connection speed increase from an average of 603K to 647K. Nice! It handles the overhead from PPPoE DSL connections much better than software routers.
- Web based administration. No funky front end software...just call up the router's IP address in a web browser, and a nice interface appears. You can also remotely admin the router over the internet.
- Built in 4 port 10/100 SWITCH (not a hub). Nice to increase network performance (won't do much for your DSL connection though since you're only using like 1/100 of the bandwidth :) ).

Cons:
- It's ugly. Not just a little ugly, I'm talking "fell down an ugly tree and hit every branch" ugly. Not a good looking unit at all.
- Ports on both sides of the router make it a bit difficult to keep cables neat. Again, not a good case design.
- No wall mount holes. Come on! Not only are you going to have cables hanging every which way out of the router, but I can't hang it on my comm board in my basement! Oh well...nothing some velcro tape couldn't fix :)

So, great performance, louse looks. Your call.