[NTLUG:Discuss] wireless network

[terry]

Tom Tumelty wrote:

>I want a wireless network that will work in either of
>2 buildings which are about 500 feet apart. i.e. i
>want to be able to be at home and access data at my
>office without tying up a phone line, etc , or without
>running a cable if possible between the two buildings.
>there are some trees (not many) and a square area
>between the two buildings enclosed by a cyclone fence.
>
>the only other obstacles i know of wojuld be the
>walls...possibly needing to penetrate  up to 3
>sheetrock walls and a brick exterior. but i could
>always move it near a window :-)  .
>
>I would also like to access the internet through this
>network, my connection is only a 56k dialup which
>connects any where from 28k to 41k
>
>if i was to get the better antennas (full wave length
>i think) would that allow me to do this? 
>
>
>Thanks,
>
>  
>
Antenna's are key.   You can get 20 or 25 db gain just from an improved 
antenna.  
(Doubling RF power output will only net you about 3 db.)
For info on antennas, see: 
 http://www.hyperlinktech.com/web/antenna_types.html

What you need is a combination of a high-gain antennas and "wireless 
bridges" (instead of "wireless network adapters")

For antennas, see:  http://www.hyperlinktech.com/web/antenna_types.html

Wireless bridges:
 Linksys WET11 -- Wireless Ethernet Bridge 
<http://www.linksys.com/products/product.asp?prid=432&grid=>:
See:  http://www.linksys.com/products/product.asp?prid=432&grid=
 Dlink calls theirs a "Wireless Range Extender", the 802.11B version's 
model number is:  DWL-800AP+  
See:  http://www.dlink.com/products/?pid=18


The "wireless bridge", ( or wireless range extender ), affords several 
advantages:
1)  It's more powerful  ( although I've yet to find the exact specks on 
RF power output, someone help me out here... )
2)  It connects to your PC's ethernet network adapter and requires no 
special software to run it.  ( has firmware aboard to do all the RF 
sending/receiving, connecting/serarching, channel selection, etc... )
3)  Is a stand alone device and therefore has it's own stand alone power 
supply, independent of your PC's
4)  Affords the ability to  place it anywhere in the room, (or elswhere 
), up to 350' away from the PC, so that you can locate the device in the 
best possible location in order to obtain maximum performance, ( such as 
up on a tower with a hi-gain parabolic dish antenna attached to a very 
short feed line.)  ( Short feed line is very important because at those 
[ultra-high] frequencies, the feedline losses are significant, so 
shorter is better, ... much better.  )

-- 
Registered Linux User #188099
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