OK, I'll start with the statement that I'm VERY NEW to wireless network set-up. I've used wireless as a 'consumer' lots of times, but never built a network, but now we're trying to find a solution to our issues.
We'd planned to build a small office network around a satellite system as the location is semi-rural, thus no DSL and No cable available. On one end of the road where we are, there are many trees to our south and the Sat installer isn't confident that he can get sat signal unless the dish is in front of the building. Boss doesn't want to look out the office window and see a dish, and won't cut down tress, so....
The building across the street does not have the tree problem and is using sat for Internet connection. The boss contacted them and they're willing to 'share' the connection and cost (likely upping the speed somewhat with the pooled $), but they don't want to spend any $ on hardware (we'd have to do that), AND their building is about 700' away from ours.
As I understand it, Cat5 or coax wouldn't go that far without a booster, and burying wire isn't the preferred option anyway (paved road makes it difficult), so I'm trying to figure out if there's a wireless solution. I've read about some folks getting very long range wireless (further than this), so I'm hoping this is possible.
Keep in mind that internet connection speeds with the sat are pretty slow in comparison to DSL or Cable, so overall wireless system speed isn't super critical, but a reliable connection is important.
In a perfect world, I'd want/need:
1) A WAP in our building for our laptops that has at least 2 ethernet ports for hardwired equipment is desireable
2) The building across the street has similar needs (3 ethernet ports) and wireless laptop access.
3) Minimal hardware expense, especially for the hardware that would be across the street and not in our direct control.
4)Some way of 'separating' the networks so there's no ability to 'share' files between buildings unless we really want to.
5) Both sides want a secure network (vague, I know, but I'm not yet smart enough to know much about the different security protocols)
They already have a "G" router that meets their current needs... still waiting for brand/model info. We bought a DLink Dir-655 (draft N) in anticipation of the SAT working at our place, but it's returnable if this is a bad choice give our new situation. One desireable feature of the DIR655 is the USB port...we'd planned to hook up an external HD to that port to use as a large, shared storage area.
Am I crazy? Can this be done without spending a huge $$? Ideally, the budget for hardware is about $500 or so.
Thanks!
Rat4Go
We'd planned to build a small office network around a satellite system as the location is semi-rural, thus no DSL and No cable available. On one end of the road where we are, there are many trees to our south and the Sat installer isn't confident that he can get sat signal unless the dish is in front of the building. Boss doesn't want to look out the office window and see a dish, and won't cut down tress, so....
The building across the street does not have the tree problem and is using sat for Internet connection. The boss contacted them and they're willing to 'share' the connection and cost (likely upping the speed somewhat with the pooled $), but they don't want to spend any $ on hardware (we'd have to do that), AND their building is about 700' away from ours.
As I understand it, Cat5 or coax wouldn't go that far without a booster, and burying wire isn't the preferred option anyway (paved road makes it difficult), so I'm trying to figure out if there's a wireless solution. I've read about some folks getting very long range wireless (further than this), so I'm hoping this is possible.
Keep in mind that internet connection speeds with the sat are pretty slow in comparison to DSL or Cable, so overall wireless system speed isn't super critical, but a reliable connection is important.
In a perfect world, I'd want/need:
1) A WAP in our building for our laptops that has at least 2 ethernet ports for hardwired equipment is desireable
2) The building across the street has similar needs (3 ethernet ports) and wireless laptop access.
3) Minimal hardware expense, especially for the hardware that would be across the street and not in our direct control.
4)Some way of 'separating' the networks so there's no ability to 'share' files between buildings unless we really want to.
5) Both sides want a secure network (vague, I know, but I'm not yet smart enough to know much about the different security protocols)
They already have a "G" router that meets their current needs... still waiting for brand/model info. We bought a DLink Dir-655 (draft N) in anticipation of the SAT working at our place, but it's returnable if this is a bad choice give our new situation. One desireable feature of the DIR655 is the USB port...we'd planned to hook up an external HD to that port to use as a large, shared storage area.
Am I crazy? Can this be done without spending a huge $$? Ideally, the budget for hardware is about $500 or so.
Thanks!
Rat4Go
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