Wireless AP Upstairs (2nd floor) and Computer in the Basement

BigJ

Lifer
Nov 18, 2001
21,330
1
81
Does this have a good chance of being successful? Only one computer is going to be on the basement, while 2 are going to be upstairs, so I'd like to save the money of only buying an adapter for the one computer in the basment. I really don't want to run CAT5 outside (which is the only way I'd be able to get it into the basement), so this is my only solution.

Was thinking about getting the Netgear ME102 AP.
 

amdskip

Lifer
Jan 6, 2001
22,530
13
81
You should be able to run cat 5 to the basement, if there is a will, there is a way.
 

BigJ

Lifer
Nov 18, 2001
21,330
1
81
Originally posted by: amdskip
You should be able to run cat 5 to the basement, if there is a will, there is a way.

It would be such a biatch drilling through over 5 walls and 2 floors, so this is why my only 2 options are outside or wireless.
 

sep

Platinum Member
Aug 1, 2001
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In my previous house I used the air ducts, heater/ac vents and phone line runs to run my cat5 to the BASEMENT. Is this an option for you?
 

BigJ

Lifer
Nov 18, 2001
21,330
1
81
The problem is, in my house, its actually 2 separate living areas. The power lines are on the same circuit breaker, but the phone lines are restricted to their level (2 story and a basment, so the top and bottom are different phone lines coming into the house at different points). We don't have central air so thats out, and theres separate installations of cable, so I can't run it through where they would go.
 

Fiveohhh

Diamond Member
Jan 18, 2002
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You can always use some conduit and run it outside if thats your worries. Depending on how it was built going through 5 walls and 2 floors is probably going to degrade your signal abit with wireless.
 

sep

Platinum Member
Aug 1, 2001
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FYI....

I bridged two network together with a bare (nothing covering it) 300ft cat5 cable going from 2x16port Hub network to a 4port switch then 2x16port hubs. It's funny, the cable went from one house to another, through some trees and acrossed the street. Never once did we loose a connection. It was even up during all four seasons (Beaver Falls, PA).
 

BCskunk

Golden Member
Jun 1, 2002
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u guys arent answering his question...

let me give it a go.. im similar to u...i have 2 computers on the 2nd floor and thats where the wireless router is to.

i also have a computer in the basement which i have wireless hooked up already.

it does work..but signal isnt great...im using a PCI card so maybe thats why it sucks since i cant really move it around. but im guessing if i got a USB one i should be around 50% signal by changing the position

it works but not excellent...
 

Pulsar

Diamond Member
Mar 3, 2003
5,224
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Sep is going to get a Scottmac smackdown if he keeps talking about running net cable outside, above ground, without proper grounding between houses.
 

sep

Platinum Member
Aug 1, 2001
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Originally posted by: LsDPulsar
Sep is going to get a Scottmac smackdown if he keeps talking about running net cable outside, above ground, without proper grounding between houses.

What?
 

sep

Platinum Member
Aug 1, 2001
2,553
0
76
I didn't recommend him to do that, I just gave an FYI....Geeeez! :Q

But did I mention it work!
 

rw120555

Golden Member
Jun 13, 2001
1,263
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I can't remember a single post on these forums from someone who has actually used powerline...But just so you know about it as an option:

Power-Line Networking Leverages Wireless

Another thing that would be tempting to try:

Linksys Wireless Signal Booster WSB24

I have 2 Netgear ME102s and they are ok, but if I was buying from scratch it would be tempting to try the above Linksys stuff out. Sounds like it does a good job of extending range, plus it would be easier to configre and reconfigure a single WAP. Right now it is a nuisance when I want to change the WEP codes or MAC address filters, since I have to do everything twice.

As others say, whatever you buy, make sure you can return it.
 

mattbta

Senior member
Dec 15, 2001
223
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brotherson.com
That signal booster looks neat. Wonder if it's connect to my Netgear MR814? They'er all coax connections, right?

Like said above, buy and try. If it doesn't work, you've got a couple options: return it, buy the linky signal booster, or buy a higher dB antenna.

There are quite a few manufacturers that make antenna's for AP's. 3com has some. You really have to consider what sort of access you'll be needing to determine if you need a bi-directional or omnidirectional or one of the various other types of antennas available. My Netgear MR814 (bought for $40 AR) works great in all areas of my 4200 sq ft house, but we don't have a basement to test. In the attic, it does work great. However, I don't get signal in my detached 3rd car garage. I'm going to get an antenna so that I can give my garage pc net access, for that occasional install lookup (pc has service manuals loaded).

Like said before, buy and try. Have fun!
 

rw120555

Golden Member
Jun 13, 2001
1,263
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That signal booster looks neat. Wonder if it's connect to my Netgear MR814? They'er all coax connections, right?

According to the docs, it only works with the Linksys Wap11 and BEFW11S4. If I knew it would work with a Netgear ME102, I would buy one, but I assume it won't. If anyone knows that it does work with other brands, I would love to hear about it. Yes, you can buy 3rd party antenna, but the Linksys thing supposedly takes 30 seconds to install and get running, provided your other equipment is Linksys.

I'm thinking I'll wait for 54G to settle down, and then buy something like this.
 

ynot167

Senior member
Apr 2, 2003
279
0
0
I got my Netgear MR 814 AP in my basement, and I get an excellent connection 2 stories up using ORINOCO wireless card on my laptop.

If I were you, go wireless. Its a hassle to run lines through the walls.