SMC Barricade

If you have Web and FTP servers on your LAN, these can be made available to other Internet users, as the Barricade can act as a virtual server. You need to provide the appropriate port numbers for each service, and SMC provides a list of well-known services and a useful help file showing port numbers and their functions. Access control is supported, so you can place users in three groups and allow or deny access to specific TCP or UDP ports. A special DMZ (demilitarised zone) host also allows one PC to sidestep the NAT firewall and have unrestricted communications.

To use the print server, you need to install a printer port on each PC from the supplied CD-ROM. This only takes a few seconds and then you can select the new PRTmate port, add the IP address of the Barricade and send your print requests directly over TCP/IP. The print queue can be accessed from the Web interface and the current print job cancelled if required.

Overall, I found the Barricade comparatively easy to install and configure, although the supplied documentation could be more informative considering the target market. Even so, if you need to extend Internet access to all users over a cable or xDSL modem connection and want a complete solution for all your other office networking needs as well, then the Barricade is a good, cost-effective choice.

Author: Dave Mitchell