Networking the house

[big_tiger]

Just for the record, I'm not a wireless expert. I can dive a little further into channels and frequencies - but much past that I'll start getting into things I'm not 100% sure on.

I started down a wireless path awhile ago, until I figured out someone has to hang the 50, 100, 1000 or whatever amount of APs a customer buys.

Yup, ill be hanging about 20 APs soon.

http://www.cisco.com/en/US/products/hw/wireless/ps441/products_tech_note09186a00805190f1.shtml

The repeater extends the signal via wifi.


Multiple APs extend wifi coverage, but connect thru the wired network.

[propellerhead]

Not being a network/IT person, I get lost in the terminology.

So I have a wireless router/modem that the phone company provided. It connects to the phone plug in the wall and has an antenna. All the wireless devices connect to it via wifi. The wireless router/modem also has Ethernet ports. I have the desktops connected to these ports via Cat 5. So the two desktops are wired.

The problem I run into is the wifi signal is weak at the other end of the house. If I connect Cat 5 to the wireless router/modem and run it to the other end of the house, what can I attach to it so I get good wifi signal at that end of the house? AP? Repeater? What is it called?

[ceyko]

Not being a network/IT person, I get lost in the terminology.

So I have a wireless router/modem that the phone company provided. It connects to the phone plug in the wall and has an antenna. All the wireless devices connect to it via wifi. The wireless router/modem also has Ethernet ports. I have the desktops connected to these ports via Cat 5. So the two desktops are wired.

The problem I run into is the wifi signal is weak at the other end of the house. If I connect Cat 5 to the wireless router/modem and run it to the other end of the house, what can I attach to it so I get good wifi signal at that end of the house? AP? Repeater? What is it called?

Best option is to run a cable and use another access point (AP).

2nd Best option is to see if some custom firmware is available (depends on make/model) and just crank up power on everything. or look into different antennas.

3rd option is to buy a repeater.

At least the stuff I worked on, there are 3 major channels to worry about. 1, 6 and 11. I think this is different in newer equipment/standards but the concept is still the same.

Basically if your current AP is on channel 6, and you install another AP nearby on channel 6 - there will be interference and it'll jack everything up. You'll want to use 1 or 11.

This is why for businesses major surveys are done. You have to worry about competing APs from other companies, and then the layout for your own customer. Those multi story buildings are a bitch.

[propellerhead]

Best option is to run a cable and use another access point (AP).

I read something about how to make an old router into an access point. I have an extra router so I can probably do that. The downside is the AP cannot have the same SSID as the primary router. Is that possible with a real AP?