Cheapest & best way to extend a network between buildings?

Geekomatic on 30/01/2014 - 10:44
Last edited 30/01/2014 - 10:56

Hi all, here's the situation:

I'm currently renting a house that sits on a subdivided lot. To the rear is a "granny-flat" which I'm considering taking on, as well. I'm toying with the idea of running my biz out of there in order to have the full tax write-off.

What I'd like to avoid is having to connect another internet account/telephone, but I go through more data than the 2GB that I'll soon be downgraded to courtesy of the Boost data-robbers. However, not so much as to warrant an entirely new account.

So, I'm wondering if anyone here has ever set up a wireless repeater across a distance of approximately 20- 30 metres?

I have a new Linksys E1500, in a box, & was thinking I might be able to set that up at the rear of this house & hopefully it would be able to push the signal to the back flat. I'm assuming so, since I can pick up my neighbours network (@ 3 bars) & their house is further away than the granny flat.

I'm not against buying some new hardware (one-off fee) if someone knows of a better plan?

Ta!

Computing

Comments

humdingaling on 30/01/2014 - 11:20

have you looked into EOP?
http://forums.whirlpool.net.au/forum-replies.cfm?t=1958979

not sure if it works for granny flat…assuming the power is pulled from the main house?
- Geekomatic on 30/01/2014 - 11:48
  
  Funny you mention that. I also have, in the box, the D-Link DHP-307AV "Powerline AV Network Starter Kit". The only chance I've had thus far to use it, was my last house & it turned out it couldn't work between the rooms I needed it for…I think it was two different circuits?? Something like that.
  
  Then, there's also the bit where these units need to be plugged directly to a mains port. Unfortunately, there was only one, single outlet in the room. Unless someone knows different- I assume it's a no-go if used through a power board?
  
  I just looked in the box & spot a CD- hopefully nothing special on it as-in "needs Windows to run it" as I use Linux Mint.
  
  Ta.
  - humdingaling on 30/01/2014 - 12:04
    
    since you already have it…wouldnt hurt to try it in this setup to see if it works
    
    other people have managed to use EOP on power board so it is possible
    
    anyway you should run it thru to an access point somewhere else in the granny flat
    that will also solve any wireless connectivity you require in the granny flat
    mobile devices/ipad/tablets etc
  - ESEMCE on 30/01/2014 - 13:50
    
    Should work through a regular power-board, provided it doesn't have surge protection..
    And you should be able to access the setup page through a browser..
    try going to 192.168.0.1
TheBatman101 on 30/01/2014 - 11:21

I have used a Linksys extender which when configured right will boost the signal quite well. You may however need multiples for 20-30metres.

I have a brand new $100 extender on eBay currently for only $40. PM me if interested.

It relates to this thread if you want to see product details; https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/131636
- Geekomatic on 30/01/2014 - 12:04
  
  I may yet contact you…I might have a chance to see the flat this weekend- the owner is coming over to have some dead trees cut from that side of the property. If so, I'll just bring my laptop over & see if my signal reaches (at all).
  
  As for the extender, did you ever get this unit to connect & stay connected successfully? I ask due to the rating/reviews at amazon.com.
  
  Ta.
  - Ramrunner on 01/02/2014 - 17:20
    
    Be aware of halving of throughput using extenders. You're better off using an access point with giant antenna.
geek001 on 30/01/2014 - 11:32

+1

I remember way back when I was back in uni, the hall of residence I lived in spanned across a tall block of rooms and few surrounding houses, we used to have "LAN parties" and all we did was run a long network cable to each building. But that was only for a few days at a time though, I am not sure if network cables can withstand being outdoors for extended periods of time.
- pax on 30/01/2014 - 11:59
  
  +3
  
  Lay some PVC electrical pipe and run the cable through the pipe.
  
  You can get CAT5e/CAT6 which is designed for being exposed to the elements, and running through the pipe should suffice.
  
  I have pipe laid at my place between house and garage by previous owner for ethernet and the alarm system.
  
  Pax
  - Geekomatic on 30/01/2014 - 13:42
    
    Thanks for that idea, Pax…hmm…At any rate, I'll know more when I can actually see the property & what (if anything) might prevent a straight run.
    
    Ta.
  - c64 on 30/01/2014 - 16:31
    
    that might be considered a no no with the acma. you should probably glue the pvc as well seal it from moisture and have the exit points underneath each house.
    
    an alternative is wifi + antennas
    - ESEMCE on 31/01/2014 - 08:57
      
      It WILL be considered a No-No by ACMA, especially if you do it yourself with "indoor rated" cable…
      Then there's a possibility of electrocution/fire due to different ground voltage in each building.
      Even if you did it with outdoor cable and a power over Ethernet setup, I reckon it'd be against code, cause there's the potential for someone to plug in a different device in the future.
      
      Powerline Ethernet or WiFi bridge are both options to investigate.
      WiFi will be sketchy at that distance without a cantenna sort of arrangement to amplify the signal..
      http://www.foggydave.co.uk/images/cantenna%20new%20020.jpg
      
      For more reliable Wireless bridging, you can investigate options available from Ubiquity Networks.. It'll cost you $500+ to set up, but should be rock solid stability-wise.
  - Whybird on 31/01/2014 - 09:04
    
    It is also possible to string a cable above ground if the granny flat and house have suitable high points - just don't expect the Ethernet cable to support itself: use a proper steel cable properly anchored and tensioned and attach the weatherproof Ethernet cable to that.
    
    No idea about the regulations part, but is everyone talking about the same thing here - ie just running Ethernet and maybe an ordinary phone extension cable as well?
Ramrunner on 31/01/2014 - 08:49

I HIGHLY recommend:

Ubiquiti NanoStation M5

I bought them pre-configured from Tang Computers.

Plugged them in and they went. ULTRA reliable up to a distance of (yes, get this) 10Km.

Line of sight though. They're not picky, and have a signal strength meter on them for adjustments, but I wouldn't have a clue how they go through walls and stuff.
tab58au on 31/01/2014 - 10:27

I purchased a DLINK Range Extender from office works and I find it works Great, almost Doubled the signal Strength
and it only cost $28.00.
Check it out Here
http://www.officeworks.com.au/retail/products/Technology/Net…
- Ramrunner on 01/02/2014 - 17:22
  
  Again be aware range extenders halve speed.
  - Geekomatic on 01/02/2014 - 20:30
    
    Actually, I've used an extender (only rated 54G) here before— and it boosted the speed to the rear of this house by about 30%.
    
    FYI
    - Ramrunner on 02/02/2014 - 11:24
      
      I understand it can boost the signal because the original signal doesn't reach properly and due to error rates in the original signal the boosted signal is faster than the original.
      
      But unfortunately I'm not making this up if you do some research.
      
      It will halve the available overall throughput in most cases. The ONLY exception is if you can tell the extender to re-transmit the signal on another channel for example 2.4GHz to 5GHz or vice versa. Most won't do this though be their design.
      
      It's simple physics, I've read quite a few articles in magazines and on the net and experienced this myself. An extender basically reads the original signal, the re-transmits it in the same broadcast space. By having two devices transmitting the exact same information, they have to share the available space. The space is limited. If this is just a tablet that can only do 54Mbps, and your router/extender can do Wireless N at 300Mbps then yes, you may not notice at all as your are limited anyway at the tablet end.
      
      But assuming you have a router AND a laptop both capable of 300Mbps as an example. Turn off the extender move the laptop near the router. Do a file copy. Note the speed.
      
      Then turn the extender on, it will start repeating every signal the router sends. Run the test again. You can try moving your laptop around wherever you want but you will find you won't get the same speed again as you had without the extender.
      
      There's conflicting arguments everywhere but in my experience the magazines are spot on. Extenders slow the network down and you are far better off getting an AP with a bigger antenna. Do some reading yourself:
      
      http://forum.securifi.com/index.php?topic=182.0
      
      http://forums.thinkbroadband.com/multiuser/4126290-wireless-…
    - Geekomatic on 02/02/2014 - 15:35
      
      I was reporting what I could personally verify- I don't doubt your research. My trouble is that:
      
      1) I already have my landline + internet bundled for the current, main house,
      
      2) I don't believe that the granny flat even has a phone line- at all. It would be a major investment to install a new line & then I'd have the cost of two, separate fees.
      
      So, I have to try- as best as I can- to find a way to either transmit wirelessly or safely/soundly run ethernet cabling.
      
      Thanks for the links. I'll have a look!
      
      Ta!
- Geekomatic on 01/02/2014 - 20:31
  
  I took Tab's advice & ordered two of these D-Links, based on reviews. We'll see how it goes. I'll try to remember to return with the report.
  
  :)

Cheapest & best way to extend a network between buildings?

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