Wifi "Repeater", two antennas?

[GreenAsJade]

I need to "extend" my wireless LAN into my (metal) shed.

I feel like what I need is a repeater with two antennas - one that I can
have outside the shed and one inside.

I guess worst case I could have a wireless reciever on the outside
and go wired inside.

Any suggestions for the best approach to this?

[ad5mb]

It would help if you added

"I am a clueless newbie"

or

"I operate a nuclear reactor and can get technical help at work"

or

"I'm a Windows programmer, but linux command lines look like sea chanteys translated into Polish to me".

I use Linksys WRT-54G routers running DD-WRT firmware for this purpose. One system is one router acting as a bridge, another as an AP, and a third as another bridge. You could use one router set up as a repeater bridge.

If you choose to do this:

google DD-WRT. Read the wiki and tutorials. Browse the forum.

Do not buy a new router. Get something Version 4 or earlier; seems like Linksys screws up everything in Version 5+. Many varieties of Linksys WRT54G, some study required to achieve guru status.

[GreenAsJade]

You're absolutely right, sorry about that.

I can hack as deep as I need to, by applying myself to learning about it, but I"m lazy as hell and if I could buy something that was perfect, that'd be just great :)

Thanks for the pointers - that gets me started :) Once I read over there I will know better what I do and don't know and I can tell you :)

GaJ

[GreenAsJade]

So - starting from the "clueless" end.

Is it right to be looking for a solution with one device, two antennas (the "in" and the "out") , or should I be purusing with it in mind that I need a second device if I want wireless inside?

[ad5mb]

Is it right to be looking for a solution with one device, two antennas

I don't know what the arrogant pompous board know-it-all over there would say, but I use 15 dB yagis and 9 dB omnis on WRT54Gs set up as APs. Works great for me.

should I be purusing with it in mind that I need a second device if I want wireless inside?

If you use one unit, it:

receives
stores
retransmits

in both directions, cutting the speed in less than half. I use one router as a bridge feeding one router as an AP. the bridge connects to an open hotspot, the AP has a WPA2 connection to the second bridge. Connection is not fast enough for Youtube, but fast enough for anything else.

[GreenAsJade]

I missed - what pompous know it all?

Anyhow thx for the pointers so far - sounds like you are saying "set up one router on the outside, bridging into the shed AP on the inside".

Do I need DD-WRT in order to config a devies appropriately as that bridge?

[ad5mb]

I missed - what pompous know it all?

every forum has one. the guy who was the class know it all in ninth grade, now a world class know it all.

No, Linksys / DD-WRT is not the only way. It is a way. The way I use.

You can buy range extenders, APs, bridges, et cetera.

[GreenAsJade]

Are their handy "extension cables" available for the external antenna?

I spose I should buy a "better" antenna while I'm at it, for external mounting. Recommendations?

[ad5mb]

Are their handy "extension cables" available for the external antenna?

called pigtails. You can get any conceivable combination of connectors.

I spose I should buy a "better" antenna while I'm at it, for external mounting. Recommendations?

generic antenna advice: patches for hanging inside in a window or screwing to a wall outside, if the wall squarely faces the other antenna.

Yagis for pointing downwind in high wind areas, or for tucking up under the eaves if you need to point at some strange angle.

dishes for distance.