Extending Wireless Range

[mcharley94]

Hey Network Gurus',

I have a client that has asked me to extend the range of their wireless router and I was hoping for some advice.

Here's the scenario...

They presently have a Netgear wireless router (I am not at their facility ATM so though this model is very close I am not positive it is the exact one). The router is in the main office/building, which is concrete block. There is a second building/service garage, where access is needed for a laptop with integrated WiFi as well. The service garage is of steel construction and sets about 300 ft from where the router sets. The signal, though weak does reach the front of the garage, but does not reach the office, which of course is in the far back corner.

Other than running a CAT5 or better wire from building to building, what other options do I have in regards to strengthening the signal. About one year ago I tried to use a Netgear signal booster, (I can't seem to find the model to show you ATM ), but what it consisted of was two modules where you ran an Ethernet cable from the router to one module that plugged into a nearby electrical outlet and was suppose to send a boosted signal to the receiving module in the front of the garage bridging the signal to the laptop. This didn't work worth beans.

Anyway, although I do have the signal encrypted at 128 bit this is a very rural area so signal theft is not really a major concern. Even so, security is always a factor, isn't it ?!?! As such a directional boost would probably be better but I'll leave that up to those who reply to offer their recommendations.

Thanks, Mark

[johnwill]

Here's some suggested products. The directional external antenna and the signal booster would probably be a good choice. You'd want the antenna in direct line-of-sight to the garage.

Hawking Tech has a number of products that will help you increase your wireless range. The root page is Hawking Hi-Gain™ WiFi Range Extending Products.

Some of the more interesting products are this Hawking [HSB2] Hi-Gain WiFi Signal Booster, which can be used on either end of a wireless connection to boost the signal power.

Another way to increase your signal strength is by the use of hi-gain antennas. You can choose from omni-directional or directional models, here are a some examples.

Hawking [HAI7SIP] Hi-Gain 7dBi Omni-Directional Antenna

Hawking [HAI15SC] Hi-Gain 15dBi Corner Antenna

[HAO14SD] Outdoor Hi-Gain 14dBi Directional Antenna Kit

[mcharley94]

OK, I am back at this one again.

I went and bought the Hi-Gain™ USB Wireless-G Dish Adapter to see if this would do the trick. It improved the range but not quite enough to reach where it needs to. so what I did was purchase a TRIPP LITE 16 ft. Active Extension Cable and ran it through the wall which allowed me to mount the antenna on the other side of a steel wall. This has given me, not a great signal (about 25%), but at least it works. Thinking that maybe I was losing signal strength due to the length of the cord I brought the laptop out into the garage and pluged it in direct....no change in strength, so I guess it is what it is

Anyway, to get the Hawkings antenna to work I had to disable the built in Dell Wireless 1370 WLAN Mini PCI Card on this laptop, which presents a problem. There are times where the owner needs to access wireless elsewhere, such as the main building, or say even a coffe shop, but seeing as the Hawkings antenna is mounted in the garage and is cumbersome anyway, obviously this can't be toted along. I wouldn't think they should have to anyway, but maybe I am assuming too much?

So, my question is...can the built in Dell Wireless 1370 WLAN Mini PCI Card still be active along with the Hi-Gain™ USB Wireless-G Dish Adapter, and if so, why can't I seem to get it to work?

If it can, no doubt you will need more information from me regarding the configuration, but I had to start somewhere, right?

BTW, for some reason the link for the router in use, which is in my first post, takes you to an incorrect page so here is the right one...just on case. Netgear Router

[johnwill]

Maybe you should consider a wireless bridge right near the outside antenna and run a wire from the bridge to the office in question and connect wired. Then when you take the machine elsewhere, you have the standard wireless option available.