Basic Wireless Bridge Question

[dantonic]

I have never used a bridge before.

I am trying to extend the range of the wireless network.

I have a modem hooked to a wireless router in the "Garage Office" The signal is way to weak to reach the guest house located in the backyard. Some walls in the way.

I am not 100% sure how a wireless bridge works. If I place it in another room of the house, not connected to the router, will it "amplilfy" or redirect the signal to the back yard? or does the bridge have to be connected with a network cable to the router?

Thanks for any comments or ideas of how to solve the problem.

 

[JackMDS]

Consumer Bridge is simple a standalone Wireless card that do not need Drivers (usually used for Game Boxes or similar devices.

What you want to try id Repeater or WDS. (Wireless Modes - http://www.ezlan.net/Wireless_Modes.html ).

This is a High Power Wireless Router that can work as a WDS unit, http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16833162134

However, you have to investigate more because some device would work only with a Wireless device by the same manufacturer.

 

[dantonic]

Thank you for the response.

I was reading over the specs and reviews of that buffalo unit. It seems it is only compatible with other buffalo routers.

Do you know of something that would be compatible with a netgear router?

Or is there a different solution to this problem?

Thank you

 

[Madwand1]

A device such as the Buffalo "Wireless Ethernet Converter" is a client mode bridge, which connects to the main router / AP wirelessly, and shares that connection with locally wired clients. Something like this would not repeat the wireless signal further, but might still be worth trying -- perhaps its better radio / antenna would be able to pull in a signal where your laptop/etc. don't.

Running DD-WRT v24 on a compatible device would give you the greatest flexibility. Running it on a Buffalo WHR-HP-G54 would give you the advantage of the built-in wireless amplifier as in the "Wireless Ethernet Converter", and essentially do the same thing as it when run in "client bridge" mode. DD-WRT also supports WDS and v24 supports a new "repeater bridge" mode, which works just like the client bridge to start, but then allows you to "repeat" a wireless network further (it can be either the original wireless network or a new SSID/etc. combination -- the latter is easier to diagnose).

Another option to consider is power line networking. If the guest house shares the same power connection, maybe you can get a network signal through it using something like a Linksys PLK200 kit.

 

[dantonic]

Thank you for your response...

I dont quite know what DD-WRT v24 is. Could I simply place the WHR-HP-G54 in a separate room of the home, and make it wirelessly connect to the netgear router, and then share that connection with other devices also wirelessly?

Would the netgear router have to support WDS?

I've dealt with routers before, regarding their configuration, setup, forwarding ports etc. but by no means am I an expert in the area...

Also I don't think the power connection is shared, so the PLK 200 kit would probably not work.

Thanks

 

[Madwand1]

Originally posted by: dantonic
Could I simply place the WHR-HP-G54 in a separate room of the home, and make it wirelessly connect to the netgear router, and then share that connection with other devices also wirelessly?

Not out of the box -- it doesn't have that functionality as-is.

Originally posted by: dantonic
I dont quite know what DD-WRT v24 is.

DD-WRT is a third-party firmware which can run on the WHR-HP-G54 and give it the desired functionality of bridging + repeating, and do so without WDS. v24 is the latest version, which incorporate a new "repeater bridge" mode.

Originally posted by: dantonic
Would the netgear router have to support WDS?

Yes, to support a WDS bridge. However DD-WRT v24 has a repeater bridge mode which doesn't require WDS support on the main router / AP.

 

[JackMDS]

You would find links here, http://www.ezlan.net/buffslo.html

 

[dantonic]

Thank you very much for your responses that is a lot clearer.

I was looking around for more options as well... what would you think about a higher powered directional antenna?

the actual distance I need to achieve is about 150-200 feet, however there are several walls in the way. I assume a more powerful antenna could do the trick. How strong of a signal would I need?
Would I need another antenna on the computer itself as well or just one on the router?

Can you recommend an appropriate product of this kind?

The higher power wouldn't become a health hazard by being in its proximity for prolonged periods of time would it?

Thanks

 

[JackMDS]

150-200' indoor needs at least a second unit (may be even 3rd).

An Antenna would not solve such a distance indoor.