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RJ
Slacker
Premium
join:2002-05-28
Miami Beach, FL
|  Confused about how to extend my wireless signal
Currently, I have a Linksys BEFW11S4 Wireless-B router. Until now, my experience with home networking has been 99% ethernet, with the last 1% involving a laptop and my router acting as an Access Point. Now I've got a new situation, and I'm a bit confused with all the wireless terminology--so, I'm going to describe what I want, and hopefully, someone will be able to tell me what I need. 
1. Wireless-B router transmits signal.
2. Signal travels through several walls, and is picked up about 30 feet away.
3. Signal is repeated by access point, wireless repeater, bridge, or whatever device is necessary. No wireless client activity is expected in this area, so the device needs only to be capable of sending to other Access Points.
4. Repeated signal gets picked up another 30 feet later, by device which is capable of transmitting to clients. This is zone where all the wireless network cards are located.
Essentially, I just want to extend the signal beyond the capabilities of a single access point--but setting up ethernet is far too complicated and inconvenient.
Router--->--->Repeater--->--->Access Point--->two wireless network cards
I came across the D-Link DWL-G710 Wireless Range Extender, and it seems to fit the bill just fine--for steps #2 through #4. However, I'd like to make sure I'm making the right decision before purchasing the equipment.
Hours of searching on Google resulted in more confusion, as apparently, Access Points can transmit to clients but not other APs, but bridges can connect between other bridges, and Linksys calls this feature something, whereas D-Link calls it something else... it's a real mess.
I'd really appreciate any advice the BBR community has to share. | |
rec9140
Provoice just DO it
join:2003-07-29
Mulberry, FL
| What is the point of having this setup?
Your Router/AP combo can not transmit the 60ft to the area where you will use it the most? You don't have coverage in this area from the AP/router now?
Construction of the building? Wood, steel, aluminum framing, heavy concrete walls? ?
What AP/Router combo?
Setting up a better antenna system on the AP/router would probably solve your coverage issue if that is the problem.
Adding bridges and repeaters for long links I can see, but to go 60 ft unless there is something blocking it ie: buildling construction is complicating thins. The signals from the bridges and AP's will all overlap at 60 ft.
More details on the setup are needed. How far you need to cover, type of terrain and/or building construction, what your trying to setup, etc.. | |
vincentfox
join:2003-03-18
Davis, CA
1 edit | reply to RJ
Re: Confused about how to extend my wireless signa
You should try out single AP with a good high-gain antenna first and see how you do. 90 feet should not be too much of a problem. Try the HawkingTech 15 dBi corner antenna on the AP, you'd be surprised how far it can hear a client laptop.
Might I also suggest next time instead of posting yet another thread with a common question, you check our FAQ? Here's the relevant section directly:
»Wireless Networking Forum FAQ »How Can I Boost My Range?
In worst case, to repeat you would need something like the WRT54GS units with sveasoft or openwrt firmware and WDS mode enabled. Your old 11S4 would not be repeatable, all AP's must support WDS so you'd have to discard it. WDS is Wireless Distribution System, but if you feel overwhelmed already this may be a bit complicated for you to setup. | |
RJ
Slacker
Premium
join:2002-05-28
Miami Beach, FL
| reply to RJ
said by rec9140  :Your Router/AP combo can not transmit the 60ft to the area where you will use it the most? You don't have coverage in this area from the AP/router now? Correct. 1) The direct range of the signal would be too far, even if they had line of sight. Which, they don't, because: 2) it has to travel through several concrete walls. There's a serious problem with signal quality at this location (it's a house). There's flat terrain between the two.
Sorry about the confusion. As I later found out, it's more like 90-100 feet. The problem is interference. The signal will originate from one small house, then travel through to the far end of a second house. I plan to setup both the BEFW11S4 and the repeater close to a couple of windows which almost have direct line of sight. The range between those two is about 25 feet.
Once inside the second house, my interference problems will be a bit better--but even with 100% signal quality, the main area that I need the signal to reach won't be close enough, which is why I need the second repeater.
The point of my post was to see if: A) There's an easier way to do this wirelessly, because I'm somewhat confused with the features of most wireless devices, and B) If that D-Link is the right tool for what I'm looking for. As far as I can tell, it simply repeats rather than acting as an AP, which means it doesn't need to be connected to the router via ethernet, and "can still communicate with other 802.11b/g wireless client devices." Also, access points can't communicate with other access points, but luckily, it's only a repeater.
said by vincentfox :You should try out single AP with a good high-gain antenna first and see how you do. 90 feet should not be too much of a problem. Try the HawkingTech 15 dBi corner antenna on the AP, you'd be surprised how far it can hear a client laptop. The problem isn't the distance, it's the interference. There's a whole lot of it, and the signal tends to die pretty quickly. However, I'll check that antenna out before I make any decisions. Thanks.
said by vincentfox :Might I also suggest next time instead of posting yet another thread with a common question I did read it; I also searched the forums both recent and all time--it just didn't help very much. I've got a somewhat unique situation here, which involves more than just getting the signal from the living room to the kitchen.
No problem, I have no reason to keep that 11S4 around. I may get a WRT54G anyway, regardless of how I setup the rest of the network. I have a basic understanding of what WDS is, just no experience... which is why I'm asking here. I hold BBR in rather high regards when it comes to advice and technical support.
Many thanks to both of you. | |
vincentfox
join:2003-03-18
Davis, CA
2 edits | Technically, concrete would represent a barrier that attenuates signal, not creating interference.
Interference would be if you have a bunch of 2.4 GHz sources in between you and your target zone. Such as microwave ovens, cordless phones, etc.
Let's point out you did not mention 2 seperate houses, nor concrete walls originally.
Still, try a high-gain antenna first, you'd be surprised at the difference. I prefer KISS solutions when possible.
Can you setup WRT54GS units, and a WDS network? Yes, but try out simpler and cheaper solutions first. | |
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