August 28, 2007 -- SMC Networks has introduced some additions to its line of wireless networking products that comply with the latest 802.11n draft v2.0 standard. The new products include the Barricade N Wireless 4-port Gigabit Broadband Router (SMCWGBR14-N); the EZ Connect N Wireless Access Point/Ethernet Client (SMCWEB-N); and the EZ Connect N Wireless USB 2.0 Adapter (SMCWUSB-N).
The company says the products provide the speed, distance and bandwidth advantages of 802.11n with backward compatibility to support the earlier 802.11b/g wireless standards. Optimized for applications such as gaming, high-definition video streaming, file sharing, and VoIP, the products are capable of achieving data transfer rates of up to 300 Mbps - nearly 6x the rate of 802.11g, notes the company - and provide expanded wireless coverage.
The Barricade N Wireless 4-port Gigabit Broadband Router (SMCWGBR14-N) is billed as an "all-in-one networking solution for connecting wired or 802.11b, g, or n wireless devices to high-speed cable or xDSL," designed to enable ultra high-performance for online gaming, P2P downloading, VoIP, and video streaming applications. The router incorporates draft 11n wireless capability, Gigabit connectivity, and built-in "Intelligent Stream Handling" technology that automatically manages and prioritizes the flow of LAN and Internet data, without the need for end-user configuration. As a result, time-sensitive applications such as online gaming and video streaming run smoothly without lag or breakup problems, says the company. The router supports the latest WPA and WPA2 wireless encryption standards; wireless security can also be set up using Wi-Fi Protected Setup (WPS), via push button or PIN configuration. Other features include a firewall with Stateful Packet Inspection (SPI) capability, a USB 2.0 multi-function print server and a Web-based management interface.
The SMC EZ Connect N Draft 802.11n Wireless Access Point/Ethernet Client (SMCWEB-N) is a multi-function device that can operate in either "Access Point" or "Ethernet Client" mode. Incorporating the same advanced performance and wireless security features as the SMCWGBR14-N, the SMCWEB-N is optimized for multimedia applications. It can be used in Access Point mode to add high-speed wireless connectivity to the network or in Client mode to simultaneously connect multiple Ethernet-enabled devices (e.g. game consoles, digital media players or Network Attached Storage devices) via an integrated 4-port 10/100 switch.
Connected to a network anchored by either of the aforementioned routers, the EZ Connect N Wireless USB 2.0 Adapter (SMCWUSB-N) brings draft 802.11n connections with enterprise-class security to desktop or notebook PCs.