SMC Barricade SMC7804WBRA - wireless router

Upon moving into my new house, I was informed by landlady that I wasn't allowed to stick holes in the walls. Clutching my ADSL line and with 5 other people wanting to share it, this obviously posed a problem to my traditional solution - wired networks. Instead, I went reading through PC magazines to find a good wireless router with ADSL, and came upon this device.

On first impression, there doesn't seem to be much to it. However, looking ...
...(both on the ADSL line and to protect your wireless network), wireless access point/router, and a 4-port Ethernet switch all in one very stylish looking box. And what's better still, is that it all works.

To first set it up I plugged it all in, hooked up my ADSL line, and turned it on. To set up all your details is very simple; you just go to the correct website (generally 192.168.2.1 for those interested) and follow the set up process, ... more

Upon moving into my new house, I was informed by landlady that I wasn't allowed to stick holes in the walls. Clutching my ADSL line and with 5 other people wanting to share it, this obviously posed a problem to my traditional solution - wired networks. Instead, I went reading through PC magazines to find a good wireless router with ADSL, and came upon this device.

On first impression, there doesn't seem to be much to it. However, looking closer, you'll find an ADSL modem with highly configurable firewall (both on the ADSL line and to protect your wireless network), wireless access point/router, and a 4-port Ethernet switch all in one very stylish looking box. And what's better still, is that it all works.

To first set it up I plugged it all in, hooked up my ADSL line, and turned it on. To set up all your details is very simple; you just go to the correct website (generally 192.168.2.1 for those interested) and follow the set up process, which handles everything. You either pick one of the pre-setup ADSL details, or put in the ones your ISP will give you, and after a quick save, it's all up and running with absolutely no fuss. From that point on you can leave it, or enter the advance settings and tweak away; it'll just keep on running happily no matter what you chuck at it.

As a first time user of wireless products, this was perfect for me, I had the network setup instantly, and everyone could connect. I then went into the advanced settings and started tweaking. Again, very simple, it's all via a web interface that's well thought out, nothing is more than about 3 clicks away. And almost every setting is changeable, from the IPs used on the network, to the SSID of your wireless (your wireless network's name in other words). There are also a lot of options for security levels making it suitable for both home and small business users, and the firewall is very flexible to allow port forwarding, IP redirects and blacklisting to name but a few features.

In short, I've had very few problems with the product that I didn't cause, but none yet that have been its fault. It just keeps running constantly, without any need for regular maintenance, so that I can forget about it and just get on with whatever I'm doing. An excellent product that I'd recommend to anyone seeking a good wireless router. 

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