The Barricade performed admirably in CNET Labs' tests. With 4.9Mbps of wireless throughput and 88.3Mbps of Ethernet throughput, it matched the NetGear MR314 cable/DSL wireless router. In informal range tests, the Barricade delivered better and more consistent signal strength than the MR314 when connecting through walls but by only a few feet.
Lasts a lifetime?
SMC's complex warranty and support policies make the user work a bit to get the best deal. The Barricade comes with a standard 90-day warranty, but you can upgrade to a limited lifetime warranty if you register your product within 30 days. Limited lifetime means SMC will support the product for up to one year past the date the company decides to discontinue the product. After that, warranty repair or replacement is considered on a case-by-case basis. Toll-free phone support, however, is available 24/7 for as long as you own the product. The SMC Web site also offers drivers, FAQs, and e-mail support.
If you need a wireless router for your home or small office, SMC delivers an attractive package at a reasonable price. The Barricade offers excellent performance, a plethora of ports, and good security to boot. But we do find the carrot-and-stick support policies rather harsh.
| Throughput tests Measured in Mbps (longer bars indicate better performance)
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| Response time Measured in milliseconds (shorter bars indicate better performance) | ||||||||||
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How we tested For practical throughput tests, CNET Labs uses NetIQ's Chariot software as our benchmark. For our wireless testing, the clients and routers are set up to transmit at short ranges and maximum signal strength. CNET Labs also runs Chariot software using the TCP protocol in response-time tests. Response time measures how long it takes to send a request and receive a response over a network connection. Throughput and response times are probably the two most important indicators of user experience over a network. |
What You'll Pay
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