7. Logging and Alerts

Logging on the SMC2804WBRP-G is OK, but could be better. The Status screen (Figure 13) has a logging window, but it can not be re-sized. A better idea would have been to move the DHCP status window below the logging window and use the entire width of the page.

Figure 13: The Security Log has lots of important information, I wish it had a bigger window

Another negative is that there doesn't appear to be any way to view stats related to wireless traffic. It is possible, however, to log events to an external syslog server and, if you are under attack, be alerted via email (Figure 14). Now all I need is to get a BlackBerry for when I am away from my desk.

Figure 14: Alerts will be emailed in the event of a hack attack

Other Features

Dynamic DNS support allows accessing services on your LAN using an Internet-friendly name (such as ftp.scottsbigfileserver.com) even though you have a dynamically changing IP address provided on loan from your phone or cable company. You can select from DynDNS.ORG and TZO.com as service providers.

Universal Plug and Play (UPnP) is also supported, but defaults to being disabled.

Other than having a line item on the SMC's web-based Status screen showing Printer Status "Not Ready" or "OK", there is no screen for configuring the built-in single-port USB print server. However, the CD that ships with the router has an SMC Print Server Monitor utility that can be installed on older Windows-based computers that don't support LPR-based printing.

WinXP users don't need to install this utility and can instead follow the setup instructions in the User Manual. Linux users will appreciate that they can also take advantage of the Barricade's print server, by using Gnome's printconf-gui.