School needs help with wireless!!

[Gravity]

We just moved into a new building. Sprint and quest have been giving us hell about moving the t-1 line 500 feet into the new building so, we are in but the t-1 is still in the old building. Our e-rate grant ran out so we have about 50 days left on our quest contract. They are quoting thousands to move the t-1 line, which we won't keep because we can't afford it.

How can we inexpensively install wireless devices to feed the t-1 across 5-700 feet to feed at least the admin computers (7) and possibly the classrooms (10 more).

Thanks for your ideas,

Gravity

 

[InlineFive]

You could try looking for some of those super-powerful Intel antennas that can breach that distance but you wont make it on standard hardware. Sorry, I dont know much in this area.

 

[gunrunnerjohn]

If you have clear line of sight, it should be no issue to pick up a couple of wireless bridges and directional antennas, 500 feet is no sweat. For the antennas, here's a typical directional 14dB gain model at $139.95 http://www.dlink.com/products/?pid=54

For the bridge, here's a typical 802.11g 54mhz model at $109.95. http://www.dlink.com/products/?pid=10

Note that these are retail list prices, and you can probably do better. In truth, for line of sight, the antennas here are probably overkill, but you might as well error on the conservative side. I picked D-Link because I've used quite a bit of their stuff, but other brands exist, just trying to give you an idea of what you're looking at.

If you're close, I'll even come install them cheap! 😀😀😀

 

[martind1]

wow, gunrunner gives a solid answer AND offers his services 😀


you heard him, but are you lookign for a solution for only 50 days? I am not 100% sure what the deal with your T-1 is.

you can ignore this if it isnt relavent

 

[Gravity]

You got it right. In 50 days our t-1 contract is up and we won't renew. Therefore, spending more than about $700 is prohibitive. It may not be doable but if it is, I figured the knowledge was here to point out how.


Thanks!

Gravity

 

[martind1]

are you out of that building completely? Becaus eif you aren't stick some machines in there.


if you are, then I wouldn't bother spending money on wirelss.

jsut stick some servers on old t1 line for now and put the other computers on your new ISP

 

[gunrunnerjohn]

Well, actually, the equipment I pointed out would probably set you back about $500 at retail prices. If you can install it yourself, you'd be set, obviously if you have someone set it up, that will also cost.