Wireless network in apartment?

[Swig]

Hi everyone.

I'm moving to a 2-storey apartment and would like to setup a wireless network in the new place. The problem is that the broadband gateway/AP needs to be downstairs, while the 2 (or more) computers sharing the internet connection will be upstairs.

I'm a bit worried about the 802.11b signals suffering immensely passing through concrete. The actual straight-line distance between the AP and computers will be < 10m, but there's 2-3 concrete walls (4-5 inches thick each) in the way :(

Can anyone pls. tell me if I'm s%#* outta luck in this scenario, or whether I might be able to get away with it, etc? Any suggestions on what options there are?

On a related note I've been looking at the LinkSys BEFW11S4 as the ADSL broadband gateway/AP. Does anyone know of any 'better' models with similar functionality? Complex configuration isn't a problem - I'd rather have more powerful features/controls than something simple for the average user.


Thanks in advance,

Swig.

[crashed]

Unfortunately, 2.4Ghz signal cannot pass thru walls hence it needs to be line of sight.

what u can do is to extend ur dsl line upstairs so that the computers and your access points are on one location or buy an extra coax cable with the right connectors extending only the antenna near your access point clients.

[gvenditto]

You may have problems getting a signal through all that concrete and the solutions outlined above are good ones.

However, I just have to correct a popular misconception -- 802.11a and b are not strictly speaking "line of sight" -- they are radio signals and so they can penetrate walls. Bridges that connect networks often require a line of sight but the type of 802.11 router you would install in a home does not.

You lose signal strength when passing through a wall but I have talked to many people who have successfuly installed wifi networks that connect separate rooms in an apartment or house without running antennas.

[Swig]

Thanks guys.

I took a notebook and wireless AP on loan over to the apartment to try it out, and was able to get a link at 2Mbps between the AP downstairs and either of the upstairs locations.

This is sufficient for my needs, so I'm going to go with it. I'll be getting better aerials so may do even better speed-wise.

FWIW, any equipment involving electromagnetic radiation/radio waves doesn't need to be line of sight. Concrete does 'absorb' radio waves somewhat (esp. at higher frequencies), but it's the metal reinforcing mesh often in concrete that REALLY kills the signal (like part of a Faraday cage).


Cheers,

Matt.

[Maagic]

Originally posted by crashed
Unfortunately, 2.4Ghz signal cannot pass thru walls hence it needs to be line of sight.

Better tell that to mine then. I'm getting 200 plus feet range from a AP that's inside a dang TRAILER :) Cordless phone won't even reach that far.

[gvenditto]

I found that just unplugging a laptop from its power adapter and running in on batteries could give an extra 20 percent.

I am running a Linksys WAP with cable access and the laptop has a Netgear PC card. I noticed the signal would drop for what seemed to be mysterious reasons. After ruling out a lot of factors (including a cordless Panasonic phone which caused only a 5 percent drop when it was used in the same room), I saw a clear drop from 80 percent to 60 percent signal when the laptop' s power adapter was plugged in.