BEFW11S4 range questions? Help please!

I live in a fraternity house and am trying to build a wireless network
using linksys routers. I have a linksys 802.11b router placed in a
closet and a computer underneath a bar about 30 feet down the hall
from the closet.

I'm in IS, but my knowledge of networking is minimal and knowledge of
wireless signals non-existent.
The signal strength received for this particular computer is horrible.
I was wondering if buying those 5dbi omni antennas for $25/pair on
ebay would help this situation? I have delayed pushing everyone to
abandon are shabby yet reliable wired connection for the wireless
because we need to have a stronger signal for the whole house. The
house is old and the walls are thick and the doors are solid wood. We
don't want to put the wireless router out in the open as it is a
fraternity house and things get broken rather easily.

How does positioning the antennas in certain angles help signal? The
antenna on the back of the computer underneath our bar is vertical, as
our the antenna on the back of the wireless router.

Also, what is network authentication and how can it help wireless
connections as I read earlier? Our network does use WEP so our
neighbors don't steal our bandwith.

Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

Chris

Check that the channel on the Linksys matches that on the computer. Get it
all working without WEP first so you know the best case situation. I'm
surprised you need an antenna unless it's a steel building. Bring the other
computer close to the Linksys and see how quickly the signal fades as you
walk away. Maybe a little change in positioning will save you lots of work.

"Chris Parker" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:(E-Mail Removed) m...
> I live in a fraternity house and am trying to build a wireless network
> using linksys routers. I have a linksys 802.11b router placed in a
> closet and a computer underneath a bar about 30 feet down the hall
> from the closet.
>
> I'm in IS, but my knowledge of networking is minimal and knowledge of
> wireless signals non-existent.
> The signal strength received for this particular computer is horrible.
> I was wondering if buying those 5dbi omni antennas for $25/pair on
> ebay would help this situation? I have delayed pushing everyone to
> abandon are shabby yet reliable wired connection for the wireless
> because we need to have a stronger signal for the whole house. The
> house is old and the walls are thick and the doors are solid wood. We
> don't want to put the wireless router out in the open as it is a
> fraternity house and things get broken rather easily.
>
> How does positioning the antennas in certain angles help signal? The
> antenna on the back of the computer underneath our bar is vertical, as
> our the antenna on the back of the wireless router.
>
> Also, what is network authentication and how can it help wireless
> connections as I read earlier? Our network does use WEP so our
> neighbors don't steal our bandwith.
>
> Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks
>
> Chris