9. Wireless Features

By default, wireless is enabled, but you can shut off the radio if you don't need it . Wireless settings include Mode (mixed b and g, long range mixed b and g, b only or g only), Transmit rate, Channel, SSID, and the ability to disable SSID broadcast.

You will also notice at the bottom of Figure 15 the option labled g Nitro, which controls Conexant's throughput enhancement technology.

Figure 15: Wireless settings

We've all heard about WEP's infamous weakness, most of them addressed by WPA, which is why the Barricade g can be configured to allow only WPA if you opt for more security. Note that the SMC2804WBRP-G is one of the few routers that allows both WEP and WPA clients to connect at the same time.

Figure 16: You can set up your network to have no security, a little, or a lot with WPA

Though this appears to be an advantage, using this mode essentially negates WPA's enhanced security, since WEP provides a weak point that can be exploited by an attacker who could relatively easily gain access to your network.

The WPA features include support for both the simpler Pre-Shared Key and "enterprise" modes and supports only the mandatory TKIP cipher (some products support both TKIP and stronger optional AES encryption). "Enterprise" mode supports 802.1x authentication (Figure 17) via a RADIUS server on your network.

Figure 17: RADIUS support provides centralized authentication and auditing control

Of course, if you don't have a RADIUS server on your network and want to rely on MAC address filtering, you can do that too. Filtering can be set for "allow" mode only and you can enter up to 32 MAC addresses.