Extending WiFi Signal to Nearby Building??

[bawoo49]

Well, here is the problem:

I have a relative who has an office with cable internet service in a building approx. 100' from her home, and she would like to extend wireless access to her house. She currently has a Netgear N600 WNDR3400 wireless router in a room in her office with no windows. Her office building has a window facing her house that is approx. 15' from the wireless router.

Would a wireless extender or other device placed in the window facing her house and connected to the wireless router via cable provide a good signal? I have looked at this extender, this extender, and this extender. I think I am correct that only the Almond extender will connect to her router by cable.

Can anyone please advise if any of the above devices would do the job or recommend a better solution?

Thanks for any advice!

 

[remixedcat]

I have the SR20000G and I can stream youtube vids and browse at decent speeds at 200 some feet away! it was very easy to setup as well...

 

[JackMDS]

bawoo49 I hope that is clear line of sight between the Window and the destination building, otherwise there might not be a simple solution.

The classical solution for such setting is to lay a cable to the 15' away window. Install in the Windows a Wireless Router configured as an Access Point with High gain Antenna directed toward the destination building.

If it works you are done, otherwise you will have to install a second Wireless Router in a facing Window at the Home. Configure it as a Wireless Bridge and feed it with a cable into the house.

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The probability that one device configure as an extender will solve the problem is low.

If opt to try, given the high price of the device make sure that you can return it with minimal lose if it does not provide fast stable solution.

 

[mammador]

Two solutions I can see here:

- Get a router capable of covering all buildings. There should be some home-designed routers that have a large range.

- Lay an Ethernet cable from the router to an access point, and configure the access point with the subnet's SSID and network key.

The first solution may allow neighbours to see your SSID, but if it's WPA2 and has a strong network key, then it shouldn't be an issue. If anything though, the second solution may be cheaper.

 

[bawoo49]

Thanks to all of you for being so helpful with your knowledge and recommended solutions.

After posting my question last evening, I began researching Wireless Access Points - I was beginning to see that an "extender" with a wired-to-router feature is not so common. I found these wireless access points this morning and would like your opinions of them.

Although my relative has a Netgear router, I have had better service from my D-Link router than Netgears I have previously used. For that reason I included the D-Link DAP-2310 in my comparison. The INTELLINET 524735 has a very good price point and the EnGenius ENH202 has a built-in 10dBi directional antenna, but may be overkill and difficult for me to set-up.

>>Update>> After reading more user reviews of the DAP-2310, I found several that said it is very unreliable and fails quickly. The DAP-2553 reviewers state it is more reliable. Comments??

JackMDS, I see the need for a High gain Antenna, can one be used for either the D-Link DAP-2310 or the NTELLINET 524735? Which antenna(s) would you recommend?

Again, thanks to all of you for your recommendations!

 

[JackMDS]

Add-On Antennae are Not simple.

See the general choices - http://www.google.com/search?q=10+d...MMW60AGQyYGIBg&ved=0CIgBELAE&biw=1280&bih=552

In general (for short distances within 100'- 200'), I prefer the flat panel solution.

Example - http://www.data-alliance.net/servlet/-strse-125/Antenna-10dBi-wall-dsh-mount-Sector/Detail

Scroll down on the Antenna page you can see a choice of pigtails to make sure that the AP output jack matches the Antenna.

I (personally) stay away from the D-link brand so I donot know what antenna connector they take.

If your WIFI environment can tolerate (electronically and legally) the 800mW EnGenius, it can be your preferred choice.

 

[bawoo49]

JackMDS,

The flat panel antenna you linked to would alone probably solve this problem, however, her Netgear router with internal antennas does not have an external antenna connection. I also like the completeness of the 800mW EnGenius, but am not sure if a novice like me could set it up.

Thanks for your reply!

 

[JackMDS]

The main Router (in this case looks like the Netgear router) does not need a replacement Antenna since in order to get a countable outdoor transmission the additional AP (EnGenius ) has to be connected to the Netgear via a cable plugged to one of the Router's switch ports.

The EnGenius has high performance antenna, there is a good chance that you will not need an additional Antenna. The EnGenius configuration is similar to most Wireless Routers.

In other words if you opt to buy the EnGenius the principle process would be...

Buy one (EnGenius AP), take a long cable connect it between the Netgear and the EnGenius put it temporarily in the facing window configure switch on the whole system and go to the other house and see what you get there.

There is a strong probability that you will get there nice signal that can be used.

If it works well, do a nice installation between the Netgear and the EnGenius by physically installing the cable and the EnGenius to be secure and safe.

If all of it is too much, get a Pro to do it, or tell your friend to get an additional separate Internet account in her house and set an online secure sharing capacity between the system in the house and the office.

 

[bawoo49]

I think my concerns regarding installation of the EnGenius AP were unfounded. After reading the EnGenius User Manual and your instructions, I see that installation is straightforward and relatively simple.

Thank you.