Will This Work?

I have two Linksys WRT54G routers. One is hooked up to my desktop via
cable and to my wireless Internet provider. I use several other laptops
in the office and the system works fine. My problem is, I need Internet
to another building about 300 ft away, but there are two trees in the
way. I can mount an outdoor antenna under a deck about 25-30 ft away
that will get under the branches and have a direct LOS to the other
building.

Here is what I'm proposing. Mount the second router, configured as an
AP, to the antenna support and connect to the first one via cat5 cable.
On the other end I would simply attach another antenna to the existing
PCI wireless card in that desktop by a 6 ft pigtail and aim it out the
window at the other one. Both antennas would be cantennas.

Will this work?
TIA

Forster Tuncurry wrote:
> Trees can be a real pain. Try doing a test with the AP and 1 can on the
> other side and see if you have something stable to work with.
>
> I have used a 24db grid just to punch thru 2 damn trees. If there was no
> trees a small omni would safice.
>
>
> J.
>
>
> "mac10" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
> news:E4NVh.59020$(E-Mail Removed)...
>
>>I have two Linksys WRT54G routers. One is hooked up to my desktop via cable
>>and to my wireless Internet provider. I use several other laptops in the
>>office and the system works fine. My problem is, I need Internet to another
>>building about 300 ft away, but there are two trees in the way. I can mount
>>an outdoor antenna under a deck about 25-30 ft away that will get under the
>>branches and have a direct LOS to the other building.
>>
>>Here is what I'm proposing. Mount the second router, configured as an AP,
>>to the antenna support and connect to the first one via cat5 cable. On the
>>other end I would simply attach another antenna to the existing PCI
>>wireless card in that desktop by a 6 ft pigtail and aim it out the window
>>at the other one. Both antennas would be cantennas.
>>
>>Will this work?
>>TIA
>
>
>
So you suggest I hook up the 2nd router as an AP at my office and a can
at the second building and see if/how it works? I was thinking of
building a weatherproof enclosure for the router outside. There is only
one way I can get out of my office and thats through an empty conduit in
the floor to the crawlspace. The owner will not let me drill any other
holes, and my office it on the wrong side of the building to see the
other building. I don't get much of a signal outside anyway. I don't
mind building another can. Have all the connectors and I sort of like
that beef stew

Is there anything magical about doing the 2 router hook up? I am a
complete novice. The office setup was my fist try at wireless.

Trees can be a real pain. Try doing a test with the AP and 1 can on the
other side and see if you have something stable to work with.

I have used a 24db grid just to punch thru 2 damn trees. If there was no
trees a small omni would safice.


J.


"mac10" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:E4NVh.59020$(E-Mail Removed)...
>I have two Linksys WRT54G routers. One is hooked up to my desktop via cable
>and to my wireless Internet provider. I use several other laptops in the
>office and the system works fine. My problem is, I need Internet to another
>building about 300 ft away, but there are two trees in the way. I can mount
>an outdoor antenna under a deck about 25-30 ft away that will get under the
>branches and have a direct LOS to the other building.
>
> Here is what I'm proposing. Mount the second router, configured as an AP,
> to the antenna support and connect to the first one via cat5 cable. On the
> other end I would simply attach another antenna to the existing PCI
> wireless card in that desktop by a 6 ft pigtail and aim it out the window
> at the other one. Both antennas would be cantennas.
>
> Will this work?
> TIA

"mac10" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:f1VVh.60145$(E-Mail Removed)...
> Forster Tuncurry wrote:
>> Trees can be a real pain. Try doing a test with the AP and 1 can on the
>> other side and see if you have something stable to work with.
>>
>> I have used a 24db grid just to punch thru 2 damn trees. If there was no
>> trees a small omni would safice.
>>
>>
>> J.
>>
>>
>> "mac10" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
>> news:E4NVh.59020$(E-Mail Removed)...
>>
>>>I have two Linksys WRT54G routers. One is hooked up to my desktop via
>>>cable and to my wireless Internet provider. I use several other laptops
>>>in the office and the system works fine. My problem is, I need Internet
>>>to another building about 300 ft away, but there are two trees in the
>>>way. I can mount an outdoor antenna under a deck about 25-30 ft away that
>>>will get under the branches and have a direct LOS to the other building.
>>>
>>>Here is what I'm proposing. Mount the second router, configured as an AP,
>>>to the antenna support and connect to the first one via cat5 cable. On
>>>the other end I would simply attach another antenna to the existing PCI
>>>wireless card in that desktop by a 6 ft pigtail and aim it out the window
>>>at the other one. Both antennas would be cantennas.
>>>
>>>Will this work?
>>>TIA
>>
>>
>>
> So you suggest I hook up the 2nd router as an AP at my office and a can at
> the second building and see if/how it works? I was thinking of building a
> weatherproof enclosure for the router outside. There is only one way I can
> get out of my office and thats through an empty conduit in the floor to
> the crawlspace. The owner will not let me drill any other holes, and my
> office it on the wrong side of the building to see the other building. I
> don't get much of a signal outside anyway. I don't mind building another
> can. Have all the connectors and I sort of like that beef stew
>
> Is there anything magical about doing the 2 router hook up? I am a
> complete novice. The office setup was my fist try at wireless.

Having the AP outside will make it much easyer and keeps your coax run
small. Weather proof boxes are getting alot cheaper too.

Give it a test with only one can to start so u can find the perfect position
then bother with the can on the AP.

Nothing special with the hookup. Make sure the outside router has its own ip
and dhcp turned off and your good to go.

If your router is 192.168.0.1 then your AP can be 192.168.0.2 no biggie. U
should find a DHCP field or tab and it will have an option to disable.
Connect the cable from lan port to lan port and shes done.

POE is simple and novice is over qualified for it :P

this is a guide http://www.olotwireless.net/catala/poe.htm

but it can be alot more dodgy err i mean u can use less parts then the above
example.

Joe.

Forster Tuncurry wrote:
> "mac10" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
> news:f1VVh.60145$(E-Mail Removed)...
>
>>Forster Tuncurry wrote:
>>
>>>Trees can be a real pain. Try doing a test with the AP and 1 can on the
>>>other side and see if you have something stable to work with.
>>>
>>>I have used a 24db grid just to punch thru 2 damn trees. If there was no
>>>trees a small omni would safice.
>>>
>>>
>>>J.
>>>
>>>
>>>"mac10" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
>>>news:E4NVh.59020$(E-Mail Removed)...
>>>
>>>
>>>>I have two Linksys WRT54G routers. One is hooked up to my desktop via
>>>>cable and to my wireless Internet provider. I use several other laptops
>>>>in the office and the system works fine. My problem is, I need Internet
>>>>to another building about 300 ft away, but there are two trees in the
>>>>way. I can mount an outdoor antenna under a deck about 25-30 ft away that
>>>>will get under the branches and have a direct LOS to the other building.
>>>>
>>>>Here is what I'm proposing. Mount the second router, configured as an AP,
>>>>to the antenna support and connect to the first one via cat5 cable. On
>>>>the other end I would simply attach another antenna to the existing PCI
>>>>wireless card in that desktop by a 6 ft pigtail and aim it out the window
>>>>at the other one. Both antennas would be cantennas.
>>>>
>>>>Will this work?
>>>>TIA
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>So you suggest I hook up the 2nd router as an AP at my office and a can at
>>the second building and see if/how it works? I was thinking of building a
>>weatherproof enclosure for the router outside. There is only one way I can
>>get out of my office and thats through an empty conduit in the floor to
>>the crawlspace. The owner will not let me drill any other holes, and my
>>office it on the wrong side of the building to see the other building. I
>>don't get much of a signal outside anyway. I don't mind building another
>>can. Have all the connectors and I sort of like that beef stew
>>
>>Is there anything magical about doing the 2 router hook up? I am a
>>complete novice. The office setup was my fist try at wireless.
>
>
> Having the AP outside will make it much easyer and keeps your coax run
> small. Weather proof boxes are getting alot cheaper too.
>
> Give it a test with only one can to start so u can find the perfect position
> then bother with the can on the AP.
>
> Nothing special with the hookup. Make sure the outside router has its own ip
> and dhcp turned off and your good to go.
>
> If your router is 192.168.0.1 then your AP can be 192.168.0.2 no biggie. U
> should find a DHCP field or tab and it will have an option to disable.
> Connect the cable from lan port to lan port and shes done.
>
> POE is simple and novice is over qualified for it :P
>
> this is a guide http://www.olotwireless.net/catala/poe.htm
>
> but it can be alot more dodgy err i mean u can use less parts then the above
> example.
>
> Joe.
>
>
>
Thanks a lot Joe. Thats exactly what I will do.I won't get to it until
after next week, but will let you know how it works.

I see what you mean about POE. The simples way would be to slit the
cable at both ends and extract the 4 wires, then splice the power supply
at one end and the plug at the other. Absolutely no cast setup. I think
I will get a little fancier though. I suspect one could open the router
case and jumper the wires to the jack too.

Thanks again
Blair

"mac10" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:aTeWh.336520$(E-Mail Removed)...
> Forster Tuncurry wrote:
>> "mac10" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
>> news:f1VVh.60145$(E-Mail Removed)...
>>
>>>Forster Tuncurry wrote:
>>>
>>>>Trees can be a real pain. Try doing a test with the AP and 1 can on the
>>>>other side and see if you have something stable to work with.
>>>>
>>>>I have used a 24db grid just to punch thru 2 damn trees. If there was no
>>>>trees a small omni would safice.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>J.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>"mac10" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
>>>>news:E4NVh.59020$(E-Mail Removed)...
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>>I have two Linksys WRT54G routers. One is hooked up to my desktop via
>>>>>cable and to my wireless Internet provider. I use several other laptops
>>>>>in the office and the system works fine. My problem is, I need Internet
>>>>>to another building about 300 ft away, but there are two trees in the
>>>>>way. I can mount an outdoor antenna under a deck about 25-30 ft away
>>>>>that will get under the branches and have a direct LOS to the other
>>>>>building.
>>>>>
>>>>>Here is what I'm proposing. Mount the second router, configured as an
>>>>>AP, to the antenna support and connect to the first one via cat5 cable.
>>>>>On the other end I would simply attach another antenna to the existing
>>>>>PCI wireless card in that desktop by a 6 ft pigtail and aim it out the
>>>>>window at the other one. Both antennas would be cantennas.
>>>>>
>>>>>Will this work?
>>>>>TIA
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>So you suggest I hook up the 2nd router as an AP at my office and a can
>>>at the second building and see if/how it works? I was thinking of
>>>building a weatherproof enclosure for the router outside. There is only
>>>one way I can get out of my office and thats through an empty conduit in
>>>the floor to the crawlspace. The owner will not let me drill any other
>>>holes, and my office it on the wrong side of the building to see the
>>>other building. I don't get much of a signal outside anyway. I don't mind
>>>building another can. Have all the connectors and I sort of like that
>>>beef stew
>>>
>>>Is there anything magical about doing the 2 router hook up? I am a
>>>complete novice. The office setup was my fist try at wireless.
>>
>>
>> Having the AP outside will make it much easyer and keeps your coax run
>> small. Weather proof boxes are getting alot cheaper too.
>>
>> Give it a test with only one can to start so u can find the perfect
>> position then bother with the can on the AP.
>>
>> Nothing special with the hookup. Make sure the outside router has its own
>> ip and dhcp turned off and your good to go.
>>
>> If your router is 192.168.0.1 then your AP can be 192.168.0.2 no biggie.
>> U should find a DHCP field or tab and it will have an option to disable.
>> Connect the cable from lan port to lan port and shes done.
>>
>> POE is simple and novice is over qualified for it :P
>>
>> this is a guide http://www.olotwireless.net/catala/poe.htm
>>
>> but it can be alot more dodgy err i mean u can use less parts then the
>> above example.
>>
>> Joe.
>>
>>
>>
> Thanks a lot Joe. Thats exactly what I will do.I won't get to it until
> after next week, but will let you know how it works.
>
> I see what you mean about POE. The simples way would be to slit the cable
> at both ends and extract the 4 wires, then splice the power supply at one
> end and the plug at the other. Absolutely no cast setup. I think I will
> get a little fancier though. I suspect one could open the router case and
> jumper the wires to the jack too.
>
> Thanks again
> Blair

Yea u got it. I might steal that steal that jumper idea it would make things
look very neat and tidy!


J.

>
> Will this work?



Yep, should work well.

Consider using your Linksys in a tupperware container with it's own
omni antenna and a homemade reflector on the AP end:

http://www.freeantennas.com/

That way you avoid any cable loss On the client end, it sounds like
you will need the cantenna to get into a line of sight position from
you pc card.

Nothing magical about setting up the second router as an AP. Assign
it a different IP addy, as mentioned. You may want to also give it a
different range for it's DHCP or else turn DHCP off. Check out the
web interface to familiarize yourself with that aspect. Test it in
your office first by ethernet with the wireless off to make sure it's
dealing with the address part ok, then go test the wireless link
outside.


Steve

mac10 <(E-Mail Removed)> hath wroth:

>I see what you mean about POE. The simples way would be to slit the
>cable at both ends and extract the 4 wires, then splice the power supply
>at one end and the plug at the other. Absolutely no cast setup. I think
>I will get a little fancier though. I suspect one could open the router
>case and jumper the wires to the jack too.

That will work just fine. You don't need "real" 802.3af PoE. The
WRT54G is unique in that it has a very wide range input switching
regulator inside the box. The WRT54G will run on anything between
about 4.5VDC to 18VDC. Here's a photo of my BEFW11S4v4, which has a
similar switching regulator, running off of 4.5VDC:
<http://802.11junk.com/jeffl/pics/drivel/slides/low-volt.html>
Using the CAT5 cable as an extension cord works just fine. However,
if you're going to run wire, you might as well run a 2nd CAT5 cable
and make the wiring easier.

As was previously mentioned, setup the 2nd WRT54G as an access point
(no router). Nothing goes to the WAN (internet) port. Disable the
DHCP server. Setup a different IP address for administration. If the
main router is 192.168.1.1, the 2nd access point should be
192.168.1.2.

There's also a question of whether to use the same or different RF
channels. If you think that there's some possibility of mutual
interference, such as when you are located half way between the two
radios, then use different channels (1, 6, or 11).

There's also a question of whether to use the same or different SSID's
for the two radios. The same SSID's will give you some semblence of
roaming. I don't think it will work, but give it a try. If the
client insists on staying connected to the weaker radio, then use
different SSID's and select which one you want to use.

--
Jeff Liebermann (E-Mail Removed)
150 Felker St #D http://www.LearnByDestroying.com
Santa Cruz CA 95060 http://802.11junk.com
Skype: JeffLiebermann AE6KS 831-336-2558