Wifi help. PLEASE!

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WebhostingTalk

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I would like to setup a wifi network in our apartment complex.
Will the Linksys Wireless Access Point 802.11g (WAP54G) work? Whats its range?

The network will not be for commercial use, just for file sharing etc.
What security will i need?

I don`t expect you to just hand everything to me. If you can point me in the wright direction it would be great! Is there anything i can read that will help me?
 
The range is affected by many things most obvious being the walls and barriers the signal has to pass through. Place the access point in a central location, and survey the coverage with a wireless enabled notebook. If it does not cover the intended area, look into higher gain antennas or multiple AP's.

The manual included with the AP will show you how to set up WEP, and MAC authentication. Try not to use the standard range of IP's 192.168.0/192.168.1/10.0.0.
 
Does anyone know whats the range +/- of the WAP54G in a build up area ex apartment block. Can the network be setup so that each person that connects to the network, expands the range? ex person1 -> person2 -> WAP54G?
 
You can use WDS to repeat the signal. I am not certain if the model you want supports that, but most AP's do.
 
if you get multiple WRT54GL's you can use WDS mode... this is basically a repeater mode to the master AP. Range varies but inside a house its 50 mtrs.. outside its ALOT better (150mtrs +)

What I would do is put a Wrt54GL at opposite corners of the complex attached to 90Degree Sector antennas (facing each other) but that depends on how the complex is layed out.
 
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I am on the one corner of the complex. Will start with only one WAP54G and then later maybe get another one. Will the antenna increase the range allot?Will it create allot of noise?
 
WebhostingTalk said:
I am on the one corner of the complex. Will start with only one WAP54G and then later maybe get another one. Will the antenna increase the range allot?Will it create allot of noise?
Click to expand...

Imagine a torch light .. if you take off the reflector the light goes everywhere... but its not blinding. put the reflector back and the focused light can blind someone, and its the same wattage of bulb.

Change the light to a electromagnetic signal. An omni antenna is like the torch with no refector.... it radiates everywhere with no control... A directional antenna will focus the signal to where you want it to go... thus better performance.

Keep in mind that Wifi only has 3 usable channels that dont share frequencies... so keeping you signals in a controlled space is prefered
 
Ok i will not use any antenna until i get another WAP54G. I will still be able to give allot of flats access if i don`t use one. I will start with the basics before i move on. Will i need any firewall or anything for security on my pc? or will the AP provide enough security?
 
RichardP said:
Imagine a torch light .. if you take off the reflector the light goes everywhere... but its not blinding. put the reflector back and the focused light can blind someone, and its the same wattage of bulb.

Change the light to a electromagnetic signal. An omni antenna is like the torch with no refector.... it radiates everywhere with no control... A directional antenna will focus the signal to where you want it to go... thus better performance.

Keep in mind that Wifi only has 3 usable channels that dont share frequencies... so keeping you signals in a controlled space is prefered
Click to expand...
Excellent description! I never thought of it in this way....

I played around with a WiFi hotspot in our complex, and the only true way to see how far the signal goes is to walk around with a WiFi Laptop! My experience was actually quite bad.. Could only get about one road (in the complex) down and one up with Omni as well as normal antenna. You get very nice small directional antennas that will improve the quality of the ppl connecting to the AP.

There is only one way... Play, adjust, play, adjust, add antenna, play, adjust, etc.
 
WebhostingTalk said:
Ok i will not use any antenna until i get another WAP54G. I will still be able to give allot of flats access if i don`t use one. I will start with the basics before i move on. Will i need any firewall or anything for security on my pc? or will the AP provide enough security?
Click to expand...

How paranoid are you? :) The WRT has a firewall in it that is VERY configurable. but if you want to add another one - go for it :-) .. the WRT54GL runs linux :-) (Take note, there are many models of WRT54G .. v1 to v5, and then the WRT54GL. the v5 WRT is bad.. all the rest are good)

start small... if you need more coverage, its usually cheaper to get another WRT than a sector antenna :eek:
 
The thing is i am not allowed to put anything outside my flat. Would a omni work better, if i was in the center of the complex? would it provide signal for most of the flats?
 
RichardP said:
How paranoid are you? :) The WRT has a firewall in it that is VERY configurable. but if you want to add another one - go for it :-) .. the WRT54GL runs linux :-) (Take note, there are many models of WRT54G .. v1 to v5, and then the WRT54GL. the v5 WRT is bad.. all the rest are good)

start small... if you need more coverage, its usually cheaper to get another WRT than a sector antenna :eek:
Click to expand...

No not paranoid i just don`t know much about wireless networks. This will be a first for me.:D I was think of the WAP54G not the WRT. Will the WAP54G still work?
 
WebhostingTalk said:
The thing is i am not allowed to put anything outside my flat. Would a omni work better, if i was in the center of the complex? would it provide signal for most of the flats?
Click to expand...

I really dont like omni's but they do have a place. It will work if it was placed at the centre of the complex, I dont see any reason why it shouldnt. I prefer other solutions but they involve more cash to implement.
 
the 2.4Ghz sector antenna is about R2000! .. to fit it you need the RP-TNC -> NType adapter and a length of LMR400 cable...
for short distance (1 mtr) LMR195 will be ok
 
Trial and error really.

Just keep in mind, that upgrading the antenna on the AP wont necessarily help in every situation.

Its like trying to have a 2 way conversation, where the 1 party cant actually hear the other.

You'll find that in a few points, you'll have to put an external antenna on the client too.

Test it out. Get yourself a WRT54GL, flash a nicer firmware on it that can do WDS, and see what you get.
If that fails, and you dont mind going for a proper, supported installation, get hold of TheRoDent (www.neology.co.za), They have some seriously cool Mesh network stuff. (Press button, wait. Autoconfigure style :P)
 
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