We're looking at linking two buildings together here at work, I'm wondereing what you guys have found for wireless bridges or AP's that can stretch approx 1000 feet. I've found a couple options for $1,200ish, but being a public school district and all, it would be nice to save a few pennies.

The scenario is giving net access to one system in a remote maintenance bldg. So a bridge IMHO is probably overkill, at least with an AP we could provide access for the entire high school as well. (Which could potentially open up more budgeting posibilities.)


Thanks for the input!

 

If you're on a really tight budget, give the ole' "Cantenna" a shot. Seriously though, there are many different Yagi antenna's that should satisfy your 1000ft need...

Check here too.

 

I vote pringles can!!! Save lots of money.

 

I'd bury 1000 ft a cable hehe

 

I'd go with the cable also. To much interfeirence can happen over that distance. Plus network security becomes a greater issue.

 

Can you get line of sight from both buildings?

 

Better make that fiber (multimode). The IEEE distance standard for UTP (Unshielded Twisted Pair) Cat 5e is limited to 100m (330ft). Anything beyond the spec'd distance, you'll likely sacrifice reliability...

The costs of conduit (typically required by local laws) would cost more than most wireless solutions for that distance.

 

They are in line of sight to each other, burrying isn't really an option. Concrete, tennis courts, softball diamand.....

If we went from the edge of the main bldg, we could cut the distance down to 400-500' ish. We were just thinking of a more central location so the whole building could benefit. Security isn't a huge concern, with 128bit WEP, MAC filtering, rotating keys, maybe a VLAN, I doubt students would have an easy time...

 

Check this site out, they have all kinds of info http://www.dslreports.com/faq/11828

And remember, Cat 5e cables are limited to 100m like hillbilly said.

Im working on a project myself too but dont have the $$$ or time (hmm spring break just started...). Im gonna use 2 APs (access points) with directional antennas (gonna try the pringle cans first,) bridge them, and have routers on both ends.

 

we just bridged two buildings together that were a little over 1500 feet. It was direct line of site. Couldn't bury fiber b\c it had to go under railroad tracks...

 

More info! :bounce2:

 

we just used dual cisco aironet 1400 series bridges. overkill for 1500 feet, but hey the boss bought them