Microsoft Vista Home Networking Setup and Options
The most daunting part of upgrading to Windows Vista may be trying to figure out where in the layers of menus the networking and file-sharing options are hidden.
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Seemingly minor and easily overlooked settings can still have profound security implications. Here are some steps you can take to make sure your wired or wireless home router — and by extension, your network — is as secure as possible.
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SMC 7004WBR Barricade Wireless Broadband Router
Author: Tim Higgins Review Date: 1/19/2001
Model: SMC7004WBR
Pros:
- Fast routing and wireless speed. - Supports dialup modem WAN connection. - Has built-in Windows/LPR printserver
6/26/01 Discontinued. Replaced by the SMC7004AWBR.
The Basics
Indicators
"M1" Status
"M2" Status
WAN Link/Activity
LAN Link/Activity
Wireless Link
Wireless Activity
Ethernet LAN Link/Activity (3)
Ethernet LAN 10/100 (3)
Connectors
One RJ45 10BaseT Ethernet WAN
Three RJ45 10/100BaseT switched Ethernet LAN
One DB9M "COM" port.
One DB25F parallel printer port.
Power
Comes with
printed Quick Installation Guide
CDRom with PDF copies of documentation and print server client installer
One CAT5 UTP cable
100-240V Power supply
Other
Two moveable position, non-detachable dipole "rabbit ears"
Hardware reset button
On-Off switch
NO Uplink port or Normal / Crossover switch for LAN Ports (see this page if this concerns you!)
Short and sweet!
SMC's Wireless Barricade (WBR) is essentially the same product as the previously reviewed D-Link's DI-713 Wireless Router Plus Switch, but with a few differences:
the WBR doesn't come with a printed user manual, just PDF docs on CDROM
the WBR is less expensive
the admin interface is different from the D-Link's but similar to other Barricades. The same functions are presented in both products... the navigation and look of the pages are different (see screen shots below)
the default ESSID comes set as "default"
the default IP address is set to 192.168.123.254
Both products use the same boards internally, with the WBR's board loaded with the print server components. For all the details and speed numbers, just go read the D-Link review.
Summary
SMC gets the nod if you're trying to decide between the WBR and the D-Link DI-713. Although there's only about a $40 price difference between the two products (as of Jan 19, 2001), the WBR has a built-in printserver.
SMC has toll-free 24/7 Tech Support, too, but I wouldn't let that be the deciding factor, given the reported difficulties that folks are having reaching pretty much everyone's Tech support people lately! On the other hand, SMC has been very good at posting firmware updates (which their Web site has right now for the WBR).