Extending My Range

[hackalive]

Guys,

I need to extend the range of my wirless network.

I am willing to start it all from scratch with new equipment but it must have the following features:
1) WPA-2;
2) MAC Address Restrictions
3) Usage and monitoring (optional)

I was looking at maybe a TP-Link TL-ANT2415D (or a TP-LINK ANT2414B ) attached to TP-Link TL-WA5110G or a TP-LINK TL-WA801ND.

Needs to get through a wall (brick) and a tree.

What do we all think?

Cheers

 

[jamesriley94]

What about using home plugs with a router, or even one with a built in access point at the other end?
Keep your current router, and add something like:http://www.netgear.com/home/products/powerline-and-coax/high-performance/XWN5001.aspx

 

[hackalive]

Cant use powerline as it comes off of a totally separate circuit (RCD) :/

Basically there is ZoneA with a 3-phase then single phase RCDs and then the same in ZoneB.
My thinking is powerline wont work in this scenario.

These are the powerline products I can get http://www.ht.com.au/list.hts?keyword=powerline

Also could this possibly be insecure if it 'leaks' down the mains power an into my neighbors power lines? (REF: http://forums.reghardware.com/forum/1/2008/12/05/qanda_powerline_networking_advice/)

Do correct me if I am wrong.

Powerline seems to messy and hard.

 

[hackalive]

No one?

 

[jamed2017]

First of all, I spent 18 months writing my dissertation on HomePlug AV and Digital Audio Networking over Socapex so I consider myself quite an expert. I see your concern, first of all about leakage, you can secure HomePlug network, dont worry about security at this point.

Just to confirm your setup

Three-phase in

- Singlephase to Zone 1
- Singlephase to Zone 2 - Each RCD'ed

Each zone on the same phase?

The simplest way is to borrow some and try if it works. If you do get it through your RCDs you will see a big speed drop though.

You could always use a repeater? Not sure if you could have the limitations you need though, guess you would have to look at different models.

 

[hackalive]

With the way the power board is and the RCDs I think doing it with powerline tech is a no go tbh.

Setup is more:

3phase In
|
Fuse ----------------
| ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,|
3phase RCD ,,,, 3phase RCD
| ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, |
Zone1A,,,,,,,,,,, Zone2B

NB: It does not like spacing so used "," for spacing purposes

What are the thoughts on the antenna etc?

 

[LiLGh0st]

You could try a higher decibel antenna on your wireless router. A 9dBi one for example, goes for around $5 on ebay, so it's worth a shot before upgrading everything!

 

[jamed2017]

Silly thought, your tech is N ?

 

[hackalive]

Silly thought, your tech is N ?

Yes all my tech is N .......

 

[computergeek]

Hmm I wonder if your issue is you're just using a heavily used wireless channel, so you are getting a crap load of interference.
Don't believe me, I can understand this but believe me it helps.
So onto the geekery.
You first want to plug in a wireless adapter into your PC and then install a wifi scanner.
Now run it and find the most used wireless channel used in your area? So in this example 9 so now you want to change the wireless channel your router transmits to a lesser used wireless channel and then change the wireless channel your wireless adapter uses to the same channel your wireless router now uses.
And I too understand the inefficiency of using your electrical lines as a network (static and noise anyone?).
Also as a few side tips, replace any dsl filters you're using if you use them and also check and if needed replace your network cables when needed.
Simple I know but it helps.

 

[hackalive]

I've tried different channels and it gets me a little further - but no where near far enough. I need the range to be almost double what I currently have.

It's not helped by the few walls and open air to go through either :/

 

[computergeek]

Well the simple answer is to move the wireless router then unless you want to install some network switches connected from your wireless router then rj-45 its rear to your PC as walls will shorten the distance quite a bit.
So less walls and a well placed wireless router should do the trick, also you could setup some wireless access points as repeaters but at least try and give your wireless router the most clearest path to help with the signal.

 

[hackalive]

well im not digging up a concrete pad and under a retaining wall to put in a cable - and i have moved the router as much as i can.

This is why I am asking about the antennas etc.

 

[computergeek]

Hmm I usually boost the receive capabilities on the wireless adapter, now from my experience Linksys is good for this for wireless adapters capable of receiving the best wireless signal but the software provided is crap in my opinion.
I prefer to setup any wireless hardware manually and you maybe better off using a Linksys wireless router as well and there antenna's are usually good and the wireless adapters they sell use antenna's as well.
Very good in my experience, never had an issue since using there wireless adapters.

 

[hackalive]

It's going to a notebook/tablet with inbuilt wireless reciever.

 

[computergeek]

What on earth then no wonder as inbuilt wireless receiver's are never as good as usb attached wireless adapters most of the time and you will find that most inbuilt wireless receiver's are never placed in the best spot in the hardware itself such as laptops, tablets etc. And notebooks especially use cheap wireless receiver's in my experience.

 

[JIMBOB93JONNY]

Hi just flicking through threads and came accross yours,
hope i can help.after setting many of these systems up for customers of mine with strangely layed out houses and them wanting WIFI where it is near impossibe, i have pictured your layour kind of like this (Please see picture)i know obviously it wont be like this in reality, but bare with me,
if there is a indirect route from the router to the location that you want the wifi signal to reach you could use a AP as a repeater to essentialy bounce the signal off of a wall to the location that you need, it is a real shame that you cannot run a cable or use Homeplugs as this would be a much simpler option. unfortunatly as the device you are using has a inbuilt wifi card the use of a 'bigger and better' antenna wouldnt work that well as the device dose not have the power to send the signal back so would not communicate properly, may be worth a try though as some have said you can get them for £5-£10 online.

Hope this helps in any way
Jon

 

[hackalive]

Hi Jon,

I'm doing up a drawing to show the situation - I'll upload here and see what you can come up with

 

[JIMBOB93JONNY]

cool look foward to the challange