All you have to do to set up the router is plug in a ethernet patch cable to your Cable or DSL modem, plug another patch cable to each computer you want to share, plug in the AC adapter, and turn it on. In a few short minutes, you will be up and running. However, you may have to set up the Firewall so certain applications will work (more on this later).

One of the greatest things about this router is how easy it is to use. Nearly everything it does is in the background. From getting IP addresses from an ISP, to routing the information, to even networking the computers in a small LAN, this thing quietly does its work. From the moment its plugged in, it will do what you want it to, without ever complaining.

One of my favorite features of this router is how it can be configured through a web browser. Just launch any browser, type in the router's IP address, and you have a boat load of options at your fingertips. From Special Applications, to WAN type, to IP lease information, you can configure this router to meet your needs.

But, I suggest caution when changing the settings. Don't go around wily nily, changing what sounds good. You could end up completely messing up the router, or letting hackers into your LAN. The options you change change include the DHCP server status, and the pool numbers it picks IPs from. Also, you can set up your own little virtual servers with FTP, POP3, and many more.

From there, you can poke holes in your firewall so some special applications will work correctly (mainly used if you will be serving or hosting information). Also, you can give certain groups of computers different access to different ports. Not to mention stuff like your LAN IP address, remote admin hosts, and ping blocks. You can be the most secure person on the net, or let intruders run free. It's your choice.

Talking about intruders, this router has a built in NAT firewall. Already, I have seen well over 100 attempts to gain access to certain ports, all of which were blocked by the firewall. However, this firewall, like any other firewall, can wreak havoc with certain applications. Some games won't play properly, you may not be able to stream data, and sometimes applications will refuse to work with it, no matter what. Luckily, if this happens, you can put one machine in DMZ, so that it is no longer behind the firewall. This will expose that machine to anyone on the net, so use it wisely.

SMC has been really good at getting new firmware updates out in a timely fashion. It seems they are always releasing new firmware which squashes bugs, adds new features, and sometimes makes the router more robust. These updates only take a few seconds to install, and can be done via web, FTP, or a PC application (if you have a PC). Normally, I will wait a few weeks after one is released, so others can see if there are bugs in it, or if somehow would ruin their router, even though the chances of that are very small.

One thing everybody wonders about when using a router is "How will it effect my performance on the 'Net?" Well, the only way you will get less performance is if you are on a slow connection to begin with, or many people on your network are doing bandwidth intensive tasks. Unlike a switch, the router will give each computer as much bandwidth as it needs (delegated by the amount you get from your ISP). This means nobody should interrupt others while on the internet, a very good thing indeed.

One thing SMC likes to advertise about this router, is its built in print server. However, this can only be used with Windows computers, and therefore adds a little expense, that us Mac users will never get to use. This would normally increase the price of equipment, but in this case, it hasn't. In fact, this is still one of the least expensive routers on the market today.

Finally, a good and a bad, all in one swift move. First, the Barricade router is tiny. When I saw the pictures of it, I thought it would be twice as big as it is. This is great for getting it out of sight, because its boxy shape isn't what I would call artistic. But the placement of the lights just gets me. Every light on the thing is on the top, making it very difficult to monitor performance when it it above my head. If at least the LAN lights were on the side, I could see where the data is being routed, so I can judge who is doing what on the network.

The biggest problem is the AC adapter cord does not fit well into the router. A very small bump can leave everyone on your network out to dry. The quickest and easiest way to fix this it to take a piece of scotch tape, and secure the plug a little better.

You can't beat a hardware router for broadband Internet sharing. It does all the heavy work for you, leaving you and your family/friends to surf the Internet at their leisure. No more dedicating one computer as a server, this little box really does some magic.

Pros	Cons
Share the internet with up to 253 computers Easy set up Manageable through any web browser Frequent useful firmware updates Small, and easy to keep out of sight Very little performance degradation Perfect way to share a Cable or DSL connection	AC Adapter plugs in very loosely Firewall can be difficult to set up All the lights are on the top Print Server can only be used with Windows
8/10 stars