SMC Barricade g 2.4GHz 54Mbps Wireless Router with built in USB Printer Server

I previously owned an SMC7004AWBR wireless router (802.11b w/ parallel print server) and was very happy with it. I upgraded to SMC's new version of this router, the SMC2804WBRP-G (802.11g w/ USB print server). I was very disappointed. I had to send it back and reinstall my old SMC7004AWBR router.

The SMC2804WBRP-G router has two major problems:
1) It regularly loses its wireless connection. The connection can only be restored by rebooting the router. The loss of connection has nothing to do with signal strength. The computer can be right next to the router and it still loses the connection. It's interesting that my old SMC7004AWBR had this exact same problem when I first installed it, which was later fixed by a firmware upgrade. So if SMC already had this problem with past routers, why did they release a new router with the same problem? Poor testing. I spent time with SMC tech support on this and they acknowledged the problem, but said there was no firmware upgrade yet...Read more

The SMC2804WBRP-G is my 3rd SMC router. I've been a happy SMC customer up until purchasing the 2804WBRP-G. I've always found SMC routers to be easy to configure and to have reliable connectivity. The 2804WBRP-G is no exception as a router, but the reason I purchased the 2804WBRP-G model (in place of the non print server 2804WBR) was for the added print server functionality.

Unfortunately, after 3 weeks of working with SMC Tech support, re-installing HP print drivers, changing 2804 firmware 3 times and reconfiguring the Win2000 LPR port dozens of times, I'm throwing in the towel. The Print Server feature is not robust - it simply does not work correctly. It will handle the first job in the print queue after system startup, but when you send a second job, the router crashes and re-boots. After that, the only way it will print again is after a complete system reboot.

I strongly suggest waiting a few months until SMC addresses this problem with the 2804WBRP-G and corrects the...Read more

I picked this unit up from a local store because it was inexpensive, had all the features I wanted, and was in stock. I have been pretty satisfied with the systems performance, but there are a couple of outstanding issues.

As a matter of course I flashed it to the latest firmware before even bothering to do the initial setup, so I can't comment on the earlier firmware issues, but with the latest firmware it seems to work quite well. Just about all AP seem a bit like alchemy getting things setup right the first time, but now that I have some experience the SMC came right up with WPA encryption.

BUt while I do have the following nits to pick, I'm planning on purchasing a second one for home use, since it seems unmatched for a price/capabity standpoint.

1. Despite having a mode labeled WEP/WPA, it does NOT work with both protocols (even says so on their site? Why don't they update the public firmware to remove this option until its fixed?). In...Read more