Closing thoughts

It's not that the VWBR is a bad product, but more that it doesn't seem to have anything special (except for its ability to handle Internet sharing for up to ten WAN IP addresses) that will spark potential buyers' interest. Gone is the ability to handle dialup or ISDN WAN connections, and also gone is the built-in parallel port print server. Although these features may not have had wide enough appeal to offset the increased Tech Support load they generated, I sure use them both on a daily basis on the original-series 7008BR that serves as my main router. As a wireless router, the VWBR has good long-range performance to recommend it, but comes up short on security and wireless client monitoring features and the ability to attach external antennas.

On the other hand, SMC's recent introduction of their TI ACX100-based "Turbo" 22Mbps wireless line does give prospective customers something interesting to consider. But four wireless Barricades in the product line (7004AWBR, 7004WFW, 7004VWBR, 2404WBR) just seems like one (or two) too many. The question is, will the VWBR be the one to get voted off the island?