Apartment Complex... WiFi???

[imported_Pablo]

I had an idea pop into my head and don't know if it will work. (I'm in college right now, and in class my mind tends to wander. )

The apartment complex I am in was built slightly before broadband was popular. Since it was not built wired for networking, they have since installed an HPNA system (run through standard phone jacks.) This seemed to have solved their problems, and my internet connection is fine.

What i was wondering was if it would be feasible (either now or in the next 2 years) to "wire" an apartment complex using wireless technology. Also would this be cost effective? It seems that this method could drastically decrease setup costs for a building, as there is no need for wires to be run into each room of every unit.

The building i am currently in has 14 units on 4 floors. I would guess and say the buildings are 100' x 50'. There are about 10 buildings in my complex.

If you were to install wireless... would the multiple connections pose a problem? and would the fact that each building would likely need to have its own access point create interference of some sort?

Another question... what kind of connection would be sufficient to provide internet access to a complex this size? (and what would the cost be per month... and setup charges as well)

I know this is a chunk of reading, but thanks in advance for the info!

 

[imported_Pablo]

my only bump

 

[amdskip]

There is tons of things to think about here. I'm no wireless expert but I do have a few thoughts. Why type of internet connection would be shared or what do they have now that they are sharing. What about running cat 5 from building to building so that there is a reliable connection there and just have the wireless inside the buildings.

 

[glugglug]

Originally posted by: PabloMartinez

What i was wondering was if it would be feasible (either now or in the next 2 years) to "wire" an apartment complex using wireless technology.

I'd wager that if you were to put a wireless NIC in your machine right now, you would already have wireless internet access without buying an access point just from picking up your neigbor's signal.

Also would this be cost effective?

It would suck, regardless of cost, for a combination of several reasons:
1) Only 3 wireless channels can be simultaneously available (from 3 access points) at any point in space (at least if you follow 802.11b/g standards -- most don't.... but it still won't buy you too much more without interference.
2) The TOTAL throughput on each channel available to you and all your neighbors COMBINED would only theoretically be 22Mbps (or 56Mbps for the new 802.11g standard) and in reality be far less - actually less combined network throughput the more people are on it.
3) The walls between apartments will interfere with the signal make the crappy throughput even crappier.

It seems that this method could drastically decrease setup costs for a building, as there is no need for wires to be run into each room of every unit.

The wires and wall jacks probably cost less than $5 per unit (unless they went and bought all the parts at Rat Shack & J&R, etc.). Wired hubs are cheaper than wireless access points also.

 

[AWEstun]

I would say that a Full T1 (about $1200/mo) would be sufficent to service the site.

One of the dorms just off-site of the University of Texas campus is an older 3 story building and they use the Wireless Linkysys USB Adapters. They have antennas in the hallways cause it's an OLD building with solid concrete/plaster walls.

shelbY

 

[imported_Pablo]

Actually i have a wireless access point on my computer right now, and sadly nobody near is sharing....

How do college campuses do it? I know several of the buildings on campus have wireless access points. I'm sure they are like amdskip mentioned.... running hard lines building to building... This seems to work fine.

Reception through walls, while not ideal, is fine for a decent wireless adapter. Especially newer buildings w/o plaster. When you can drive through an apartment complex and pick up a good internet connection, there must be a decent amount of strength available...


Anyways thanks for the feedback guys.

 

[Soybomb]

From the management and troubleshooting side I'd prefer it to be wired. A new tennant moves in and their 2.4 gig phone makes the network crap, or access control, etc.......