Submission + - Building to building 802.11 on a budget?
Shoeler writes: An organization I do volunteer work with has two buildings, separated by about 200'. Currently there's only a single CAT3 wire run between the two buildings for the single PBX drop we have in building 2. We wish to run a network connection between the two. We can run a network cable between them, but that would require digging and conduit and wireless seems, on the surface so far, to be simpler. We'd like to keep the total solution $1000, using off the shelf components.
The goal is to bring a network connection to building 2. Building 1 is the main building and has the current DSL line, LAN, and a single access point. Building two currently has no network currently, only a single phone. My idea was to run an external antenna on both buildings (a yagi or similar), connecting to an access point on each side. That part seems straight forward except there's not many small business-type (i.e. easy to manage, not a grand each) devices that have external antenna ports, from what I can find. Linksys had some cool stuff but it's 802.11b/g. I suppose I could always go with a WAP54G or something like that, but I'd love some suggestions for: 1) external, outdoor antennas (be specific — where can I find that specific one) 2) access points with external antenna ports. Power over Ethernet is not necessary but would be fine. Would I need more than 2 antennas?
In my perfect world I'd like to have the access point be able to do 802.11n — either the 2.4Ghz or 4Ghz bands are fine. I'd like to have the feature my Airport Extreme has where there's dual SSIDs that can be partitioned if desired, and their "simultaneous dual band" would be sweet too. Built-in gigabit is a plus if it's 802.11n, but honestly not necessary, though I have to question why any 802.11n access point doesn't have at least a single gig port.
Bringing the network in via wireless seems to be a win because we then not only provide the network connection building 2 needs, but we also provide wireless there so we don't have to run cables internally. Building 2 is not currently wired for any network.
We are in north eastern Florida, so we get storms. Lots of them, with lots of cool-looking electrical activity, if that makes any difference. I'll admit ignorance on this issue as to how it related to outdoor 802.11.
It is too much to ask for those features except with an external antenna connection?? I mean I guess I can get 2 WAP54G's and 2 antennas and be done with it, but I'd be surprised if I can't get a more modern access point with an external antenna.
Thanks in advance!
The goal is to bring a network connection to building 2. Building 1 is the main building and has the current DSL line, LAN, and a single access point. Building two currently has no network currently, only a single phone. My idea was to run an external antenna on both buildings (a yagi or similar), connecting to an access point on each side. That part seems straight forward except there's not many small business-type (i.e. easy to manage, not a grand each) devices that have external antenna ports, from what I can find. Linksys had some cool stuff but it's 802.11b/g. I suppose I could always go with a WAP54G or something like that, but I'd love some suggestions for: 1) external, outdoor antennas (be specific — where can I find that specific one) 2) access points with external antenna ports. Power over Ethernet is not necessary but would be fine. Would I need more than 2 antennas?
In my perfect world I'd like to have the access point be able to do 802.11n — either the 2.4Ghz or 4Ghz bands are fine. I'd like to have the feature my Airport Extreme has where there's dual SSIDs that can be partitioned if desired, and their "simultaneous dual band" would be sweet too. Built-in gigabit is a plus if it's 802.11n, but honestly not necessary, though I have to question why any 802.11n access point doesn't have at least a single gig port.
Bringing the network in via wireless seems to be a win because we then not only provide the network connection building 2 needs, but we also provide wireless there so we don't have to run cables internally. Building 2 is not currently wired for any network.
We are in north eastern Florida, so we get storms. Lots of them, with lots of cool-looking electrical activity, if that makes any difference. I'll admit ignorance on this issue as to how it related to outdoor 802.11.
It is too much to ask for those features except with an external antenna connection?? I mean I guess I can get 2 WAP54G's and 2 antennas and be done with it, but I'd be surprised if I can't get a more modern access point with an external antenna.
Thanks in advance!
