Help Sharing Network connection, partial line of sight, from 25 meters away?

[jamezjunk]

Hello, I am wanting to sign up for a 4mbs uncapped connection with a friend of mine in the same complex, however, he is 25 meters away from me and one floor up. we are both on the same side of the building and If I lean over my balcony I can see his, but our regulations state that we can't have any visible antennas or anything showing from outside, so I need to put something in each of our windows which would mean any signal would have to go outwards about 2 meters and then 25 meters arcross, etc. Was wondering what kind of hardware would be necessary to broadcast a signal that far so we could share one connection and share a shared folder, etc. I willing to pay quite a bit for hardware as it will save a lot in the longrun.

Any help would be appreciated.

 

[SirFooK'nG]

Maybe try those ethernet over power lines devices. It might work...

http://www.netcomm.com.au/products/ethernet-over-power

 

[jamezjunk]

Maybe try those ethernet over power lines devices. It might work...

http://www.netcomm.com.au/products/ethernet-over-power

Thanks for the recommendation. Just looked into them. Apparently they don't work if you are behind a meter. So wouldn't work as we each have our own meter. Thanks for the thought though.

Just trying to find out if a powerful external antenna or something like that might work.

 

[SirFooK'nG]

So I'm guessing he is not directly under or above you , his flat diagonal to yours? A network cable hidden with the aerial cables would be the best thing.

If there is another building (not too far) across from you, you guys might be able to bounce a signal off it to each other, but strength and quality will deteriorate quite badly. You might not even get a 2mbs connection from that... You need antennas facing each other. But 25m only, two AP's in bridge mode placed at the windows should see eachother and connect (just get nice high powered devices like 200mw+)

 

[jamezjunk]

So I'm guessing he is not directly under or above you , his flat diagonal to yours? A network cable hidden with the aerial cables would be the best thing.

If there is another building (not too far) across from you, you guys might be able to bounce a signal off it to each other, but strength and quality will deteriorate quite badly. You might not even get a 2mbs connection from that... You need antennas facing each other. But 25m only, two AP's in bridge mode placed at the windows should see eachother and connect (just get nice high powered devices like 200mw+)

Thanks for responding, he is 25 meters across and one floor up, so daignol. there are two apartments with concrete walls between them. we are on the 4th & 3rd floor and opposing buildings are only ground level.

As for antennas facing each other, this is where I am a total noob. Do they need to have line of site? or are they able to send out a signal that "crosses over" the other signal? If I have a powerful enough antenna, like one of those powerful omnidirection ones I have seen on line, would they go around corners, etc?

Another question, it looks like we would also have the option of running an ethernet cable in the attic of the apartment from his room on the top floor to the space above the tenants above me. Which could get an access point in the roof, above the floor apartment above us and power it with a "power over ethernet" adapter. That would put an access point about 8 meters above us going through 2 solid concrete walls. Would this be better or worse?

Any recommendations on what kind of access point to get? would a standard linksys wrt54g with ddwrt on it for power boosting be strong enough? I have also seen these buffalo "extended range" ones: http://www.amazon.com/Buffalo-Technology-WHR-HP-G54-Wireless-G-Performance/dp/B000AOKTJ8

Thanks so much for your help.

 

[Conradl]

This is illegal - you may not share your capped connection with other people....

If you were to try, then remember that indoor wireless is around 1/4 the power of outdoor wireless. Most wireless specifications (abgn) have an outdoor range of 100m+ (new specifications go higher than 100m). As a rule of thumb, line of site will increase the range - as the signal does not have to go though walls/floors etc. I have worked with some VERY knowledgeable people with Wireless links, and the consensus is that it is very difficult to determine if a solution will work - it is more reliable to actually install a test solution and see if it works. So try to get hold of two wireless devices and try to connect them (like two laptops for example). You may find that it works, and then have to spend no money at all - or you can see that it works but requires better equipment to improve the signal etc....

 

[ponder]

I have worked with some VERY knowledgeable people with Wireless links, and the consensus is that it is very difficult to determine if a solution will work - it is more reliable to actually install a test solution and see if it works.

+1 Site survey is the only way to go.

 

[rurapente]

I have a Buffallo router, at 725mw (not its highest power output) and I get 60m EASY on built-in antennas of my laptop and phone. and thats through numerous walls.

[Edit: obviously thats at about 5-6mbits by the time i hit 60m, but since my line only syncs at 3.4mbits im not complaining ]

 

[rurapente]

i just read where you say he is.

you can put two monster indoor directional antennas in place, but courtesy would mean telling your neighbours they're in the firing line and chances are they'll say no Although as i said above, u might get away with omni's and a good powerful access point like a linksys or buffallo.

 

[Paul0]

I would go wired if at all possible, if you can run the wire across from the two balconies. Or go up and then back down from the roof depending on how large your building is.
Wired will obviously be your fastest most reliable and cheapest solution.
If you are choosing to go wireless then you might try two Ubiquiti Nanostation M5's mounted on either balcony, depending weather u have line of sight or not.
If those are too large and you might get called out for having an antenna on the balcony. You could try two of their Picostations, 25M away shouldn't be a problem for two Picostation. Two Nanostations will definitely get the job done but the picostations should be fine.

If you want to go the DD-WRT route, make sure you get the same model and make routers to set up the bridge connection. But I honestly havent had the greatest luck in longer distance wifi with that setup.

Here is where you can buy some of the Ubiquiti gear in SA

 

[jamezjunk]

I have a Buffallo router, at 725mw (not its highest power output) and I get 60m EASY on built-in antennas of my laptop and phone. and thats through numerous walls.

[Edit: obviously thats at about 5-6mbits by the time i hit 60m, but since my line only syncs at 3.4mbits im not complaining ]

Thanks for all the help I just went ahead and shipped 2 Buffalo Nfiniti routers to a friend who is coming from the states, at 80US dollars a piece. http://www.amazon.com/Nfiniti-Wirel...G300NH/dp/B0028ACYEK/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top.
It seems to be one of the most powerful consumer models available and people were talking about getting connections around the block. And, if it doesn't work, it is a pretty sweet router with built in NAT USB storage.

Thanks for all the input. I'll see if it works in 2-3 weeks when he gets here.