Cable / DSL Router w/ 4 Port Integreated Switch

[TLowe]

Zones is offering the Allied Telesyn AT-AR220E - Cable / DSL Router with 4 Port Integrated Switch for an unbelievable $99.98. What do you think?

 

[jaybittle]

Linky..

Not a bad find, but does anyone know anything about this product ?

cheers,
--jb

 

[Revenge786]

I don't know, but why would you wanna get this if you can get the linksys or netgear for the same price.

These days both netgear and linksys have their 4 port cable/dsl router for 129.99 with $30 rebate.

just ma 2 cents... take it or leave it

 

[JD]

Reading from a collection of 240+ negative reviews, Linksys would not even be a consideration from my view. Check out these comments (noting, too, a pattern of reported Linksys router failures after a few months, even if it works initially):

67% Negative Reviews of Allied Telesyn AT-AR220 (...but Only 3 Total Reviews Submitted)
Inexpensive, but you get what you pay for. 40% Negative Reviews for "twin" Addtron ADR-E200P...only 18 Total Reviews Submitted)

39% Negative Reviews of D-Link DI-701 (36 Total Reviews Submitted)
Fast, but very basic and has security hole. [ D-Link DI-704 = "Different package, but TWIN to SMC Barricade & Asante FriendlyNet" ("twin"...yet, 31% Negative Reviews of 29 Total Submitted, vs 10% & 7% for SMC(211) & Asante(43) respectively...same OEM, different support)]

21% Negative reviews of Linksys BEFSR41 ( 1151 Total Reviews Submitted )
Very popular, fast router, but with ongoing firmware problems for many users

10% Negative Reviews of the SMC7004BR (211 Total Reviews Submitted)
Fast router with optional built-in Win printserver and ability to use with Dialup modem or ISDN TA. Different package, but clone of Asante FriendlyNET FR3400 (7% Negative Reviews of 43 Total submitted). (OEM is AMIT)

10% Negative Reviews of the Netgear RT314 ( 283 Total Reviews Submitted)
Very fast 4 port 10/100 switched router, but with admin interface only a propeller-head could love. - Twin with ZyXEL Prestige 314.

(Summary lines from Practically Networked Hardware Router Comparison Chart)

SMC Barricade (Best Router: SMC's Barricade 12/25/00 Byte.com) and Netgear personal routers far more desirable/reliable than Linksys' (seems a crapshoot at best).

(SMC 4-port can be had for $67 after $20 MIR) (item may be sold out...temporarily?)

 

[SpideyCU]

Don't rule out D-Link; I know they're not as big a name in networking but I've got one of their routers running right now for me and it's satisfactory. Quite easy to set up too.

 

[SFGuy]

The link to the SMC Barricade above is incorrect. Here is the working one:

SMC 4-Port Barricade

 

[c0pperas]

The SMC comes with a printer port that lets everyone access your printer as a network printer...

 

[SLEEPER5555]

get the SMC I have this unit (actually the asante version) and it is great has a hard firewall, and great reviews!

 

[Deuce300]

I don't know who these billie's are setting up these Linksys routers and having problems with them. I've already recommended a couple to my friends (they love theirs and had them for months now) and I have had one for a year (it seems that long at least) myself to add nothing but praise to the damn thing.
I believe in the motto, "It isn't the car, but actually the nut behind the wheel" that is usually to blame.

 

[Slowlearner]

I second that. Been using my Linksys router for a year, got it last march, with no problems. Saw a few reviews at timhiggins.com (now practicallynetworked) which initially confused me, but there were no inexpensive alternatives. It was easy to set up and there is litle degradation with 4 users. If it doesnt work, send it back. Though I like the print server feature in the SMC.

 

[JD]

SMC7004BR back in stock at allbusiness.com for $87 (excluding $20 MIR). User feedback below.

(79 left as of 20:26 PST 03/13)
(74 left as of 20:39 PST 03/13)
(72 left as of 06:29 PST 03/14)
( 0 left as of 11:30 PST 03/14)

$87 SMC Barricade SMC7004BR at Allbusiness.com...free ship (3-7 days)...no tax 'cept CA

$20 MIR til 5/31/01

 

[MoMoney]

I'd go for the SMC Barricade 7004BR. I have this thing running right now and it ROCKS! All my computers (4) are connected to it, sharing the printer and the one IP address I have for DSL. Works wonders and is easy to configure. Got it up and running in less than 10 minutes. Works great with games too. I play Starcraft alot and this thing is totally battle.net friendly.

That print server function alone is worth at least $20 in my opinion. No more damn manual printer switches for me, hehe. Anyone interested in a 4-1 manual printer switch?

 

[tantos]

Been using my Linksys since July and it's been running fine..People probably had trouble when it first came out, the new firmware should fix any problems...As for the set-up, how much easier do you want?

 

[Rio Rebel]

Same thing with the D-link.

 

[SnakeJC]

I got the SMC from Allbusiness (above) and it works great and it was the easiest thing i've ever added to my computers (mice included). Secure and reliable.

 

[Binar]

If you know what are you doing and read a little bit the manuals what are coming with the piece of hardware you wanna install everything must be easy.
But now the best deal(price and quality) is SMC Barricade.You just can't beat $67 after MIR.
Just a thought

 

[Maverick215]

SMC is nice...

 

[Sesopedalian]

The "know what you are doing" part only is valid when you set the thing up. The real question is after they are set up and working correctly, are there failures of some sort at that point. Do they stop working for reasons that are router hardware related? That should be the main concern for everyone. Any data that addresses just this point?

 

[JD]

More SMC7004BR coming into Allbusiness.com, according to Nightwatch:

...They were expecting to receive 800 of these yesterday so order up. The sales rep told me that you can still order online and you order will be fulfilled once the shipment is received...

Source = Nightwatch post of 03/14

Sesopedalian: Here are two interesting feedbacks made on same day, by the same party, probably within hours...that highlights the "failure-after-first-success syndrome" with many (?) of the Linksys BEFSR41 routers:

First, a positive recommendation from "MrMulti"...

...followed by...

...a negative re-evaluation by "MrMulti" after the "death" not only his own Linksys unit, but apparently that of an associate...within a day of each other!

 

[BossDog]

Just got my SMC earlier, and it didnt take too long to set up. This thing is great!! Ive finally gotten both my comps online and the bandwidth still feels great. Not to cr*p on the current thread, but if you are looking for a soho cable or dsl router, The SMC at allbusiness.com is it!

 

[JD]

Note re Gateway offer of $79.95 thru 3/31 :

*** Take advantage of this limited-time special price on the SMC7004BR Barricade Router, good through March 31, 2001! This offer excludes use of any other rebates or coupons from SMC. Limit 99 units per customer. ***

Doesn't look like the $20 MIR can be used with purchase from Gateway.