SMC Networks Launches DOCSIS 2.0-Compliant Dual-Band Draft 11n Wireless Cable Modem Gateway
The gateway incorporates a four-port router, firewall, and dual-band 802.11n wireless access point to provide an all-in-one networking solution for cable-based home and small office networks.
Irvine, Calif.-based SMC Networks Broadband Development Group, a provider of consumer and commercial solutions for the broadband MSO and cable CPE markets, has begun shipping its SMC DOCSIS 2.0 Draft 11n Wireless Cable Modem Gateway (SMC8014WN-RES), an all-in-one networking solution that incorporates a DOCSIS 2.0 cable modem, dual-band draft 802.11n wireless access point, four-port 10/100 router, and SPI firewall.
Designed to address the challenges facing SMC’s multiple system operator (MSO) partners,†the SMC8014WN-RES offers dual-band 2.4Ghz and 5GHz 802.11n to provide higher throughput while maintaining compatibility with legacy devices based upon the 802.11b/g technology, according to the company. The cable modem gateway delivers speed enhancements on both the WAN and LAN side that enable MSOs to meet their premium speed tiers in a DOCSIS 2.0 environment.
“As a function of the economic climate, capital expenditures are tightening up.† Subsequently, DOCSIS 3.0 deployments aren’t as aggressive as planned 18 months ago,” explains Todd Babic, vice president of sales, broadband business development for North America. “However, competition in the telecommunications and retail sectors is driving consumer demand for speed enhancements on both the WAN and LAN sides.†We’ve developed a unique product that addresses these current and real challenges facing our MSO partners.”
Babic also says that DOCSIS 802.11g gateways have range and throughput limitations that are driving customer care calls, and that the embedded 802.11n in the company’s cable modem gateway extends the wireless range and enhances the throughput so MSOs can deliver an all-in-one solution that delivers on their operational and marketing goals.
Featuring a Web-based interface for setup and management, and an LED display for monitoring, the SMC8014WN-RES can be installed using downloadable configuration files. A suite of security features includes a SPI firewall, MAC address filtering, VPN pass-through, and support for WEP and WPA/WPA2 to enhance the security of the network.
The platform-independent cable modem gateway is DOCSIS 1.1, 1.0, and 2.0 compliant and works with both PC and Mac operating systems.†The integrated dual-band 2.4Ghz/5GHz draft 802.11n wireless access point provides wireless throughput at speeds of up to 300Mbps, says SMC Networks, to provide connectivity for up to 256 clients with up to eight BSSIDs using four distinct MAC addresses.†To customize network performance, each of the four 10/100 auto-sensing MDI-MDIX ports can be independently enabled and disabled, and port speed and duplex capabilities can be set.†
To help ensure the security of the network, the gateway features an ICSA-compliant SPI firewall, 64- and 128-bit WEP encryption, WPA, WPA2, intrusion detection, Denial of Service (DoS) protection, smart tracking, domain validation, multiple user profiles, Web-based authentication, and comprehensive logging capabilities.†VPN pass-through support (PPTP, L2TP and IPSec) provides remote users with secure access to network assets, and a built-in DHCP server allows the dynamic assignment of the static IP block.
Additional features include a Web-based GUI, support for Universal Plug and Play (UPnP), port forwarding, remote management, URL blocking, and DMZ.
