Networking between two houses.

[Crow550]

The second house is about 300ft-ish from mine? Just guessing. It's further down the drive-way through some trees and such kinda in the middle of the woods. While I'm closer to the road.

I don't think Wi-Fi would be ideal. However I think both rooftops have line of sight. Might be tricky with limbs & such from trees.

I was thinking maybe Power-line networking? I'd just have to match the right plug-ins between both houses so they see each other. Of course speed would depend on wiring & such. Monoprice is getting some Power-line adapters: http://www.monoprice.com/products/subdepartment.asp?c_id=105&cp_id=10501#1050106 Might be worth trying....

Or maybe running Ethernet either above or buried might be best way. Monoprice has: http://www.monoprice.com/products/subdepartment.asp?c_id=105&cp_id=10233#1023305
Just plug the Ethernet into my router. Run it under the House & down to the other? Can it be run safely above ground maybe through the trees? Or burial would be best?

What would be the best way to go about this? Any other sites that have better deals?

Thanks for any advice.

 

[MedicBob]

Anytime I have read about running cables outside, I read about grounding issues.

Basically, if lightning strikes the ground anywhere near the cable it can travel to both houses, strike one house and it travels to the other, etc.

Other thoughts are Frost Lines, other buried cables, cost of conduit, and actual termination of the lines.

 

[owensdj]

You could avoid the lightning issues by running a fiber optic line between the houses. On each end of the fiber optic line you would have a fiber-to-ethernet converter. The two converters will cost you something like $300.

 

[imagoon]

You could avoid the lightning issues by running a fiber optic line between the houses. On each end of the fiber optic line you would have a fiber-to-ethernet converter. The two converters will cost you something like $300.

Properly installing the fiber connection will cost a lot more than $300 though.

 

[Metron]

A turnkey point to point wireless system might work, assuming you could get a clear line of sight. The problem would be cost... RadioLabs makes a 5 mile wireless bridge turn key kit that runs about $375.

Another option, try a good wireless N router. I have had good luck with the Belkin Pre-N routers for large buildings and multi-story homes.

 

[SammyJr]

According to the MoCA FAQ, 100mb/s are available at up to 300m. So in theory, you could trench high quality RG6 and make a connection.
http://www.mocalliance.org/aboutus/faq.php

Not sure about grounding issues, but coax is routinely buried and grounded with a block outside of the structure. If the connection is grounded at both ends, then it might be fine. Definitely research this point, though.

 

[imagoon]

Please assume that everyone here is assuming that you own all of the property and that there is no easements in the middle. Crossing property lines with easements typically require some involvement of the city via permits. If you decide to ignore this, things like property and building insurance may be rendered void in the event that this "illegal install" is deemed to be the cause of say a fire or electrocution etc. Also depending on your deeds, you may not own deep enough in to the soil to safely install the cable underground or high enough in the air to legally run anything aerial.

You will also require attestors on the cables (except for fiber since it is not conductive.) You will also be required to use the proper cable (either aerial or burial cable.) Some areas may require buried pipe also. It varies from region to region.

FYI.

 

[Netopia]

You might also try making something like this at each house:

http://www.engadget.com/2005/11/15/how-to-build-a-wifi-biquad-dish-antenna/

The whole thing, routers included could be done for less than $300. Dishes could be picked up at ebay, or even get hold of a local cable company tech and pay them something for dishes they might remove that would otherwise just end up in a land fill.

Joe

 

[xSauronx]

A turnkey point to point wireless system might work, assuming you could get a clear line of sight. The problem would be cost... RadioLabs makes a 5 mile wireless bridge turn key kit that runs about $375.

Another option, try a good wireless N router. I have had good luck with the Belkin Pre-N routers for large buildings and multi-story homes.

good luck getting 5ghz through a number of trees....2.4 wont be much (if at all) better. 900mhz and 700mhz can do it (if the foliage isnt too thivk). not sure what kind of affordable, consumer level equipment is available for that, however.

 

[Metron]

good luck getting 5ghz through a number of trees....2.4 wont be much (if at all) better. 900mhz and 700mhz can do it (if the foliage isnt too thivk). not sure what kind of affordable, consumer level equipment is available for that, however.

Except the OP said this:

... However I think both rooftops have line of sight. ...

OP's best bet would be a point to point wireless system with dishes on the roof at each end...

http://www.radiolabs.com/products/wireless/point-to-point-bridge.php

 

[lord_emperor]

http://www.turnpoint.net/wireless/cantennahowto.html

 

[Crow550]

Please assume that everyone here is assuming that you own all of the property and that there is no easements in the middle. Crossing property lines with easements typically require some involvement of the city via permits. If you decide to ignore this, things like property and building insurance may be rendered void in the event that this "illegal install" is deemed to be the cause of say a fire or electrocution etc. Also depending on your deeds, you may not own deep enough in to the soil to safely install the cable underground or high enough in the air to legally run anything aerial.

You will also require attestors on the cables (except for fiber since it is not conductive.) You will also be required to use the proper cable (either aerial or burial cable.) Some areas may require buried pipe also. It varies from region to region.

FYI.

Property is owned.


When it comes to Ethernet I'd aim for for the stuff made for outdoors & weather.

What is the proper way to bury or run aerial to prevent any major issues? I would of course want to make sure nothing gets hosed.

Or would wireless still be a better bet? I know weather can play a factor. A set of trees is between both houses they can kinda see each other. Pretty sure both are more visible on the roofs.

I know power-line is a 50/50 chance. That's if the power-lines can handle high speeds.

What are some rough price estimates of each of these?

Thanks for the advice so far.

 

[Binky]

http://www.turnpoint.net/wireless/cantennahowto.html

Or...
http://www.oreillynet.com/cs/weblog/view/wlg/448

 

[Bashbelly]

pre terminated fiber isnt too bad

i put together a LC/LC 50micron multimode fiber cable with the pull eye on one end for $210. super cheap at lanshack.com

 

[Crow550]

According to this: http://compnetworking.about.com/cs/cablingcat5/f/cat5outdoors.htm

CAT5 surge protectors should be installed as part of outdoor Ethernet networks to guard against lightning strikes.

So just surge protectors that have an Ethernet jack? Or something else?

I'm still looking into the other two options as well....

Something that doesn't cost an arm & leg yet effective....Which is tricky....

 

[imagoon]

The problem you will see is that 300ft is getting really close to the 100 meter limit. Surge supressors add "feet of cable" based on their rating. This may work fine, it may start working really badly. You also *need* outdoor cable unless you plan to bury conduit between the buildings. Outdoor, direct bury, flooded Ethernet or a pipe conduit. Again you really do want to check if doing this is legal in your area. If someone reports you or an inspector (say when you want to sell the house) sees all this with out a permit and proper installation documentation, they can fine a ton of money. No permit also = they can blame that for a fire etc and deny your insurance claim if something does happen.

 

[xSauronx]

Or would wireless still be a better bet? I know weather can play a factor. A set of trees is between both houses they can kinda see each other. Pretty sure both are more visible on the roofs.

keep in mind if you mount wireless equipment on the roof of the house, you are basically mounting a lightning rod wired into your home. you can (and definitely should) make sure that equipment is grounded properly.

I saw a home where the install (a tripod-based pole-mounted reflector) wasnt grounded and the reflector took a hit...the cat5 line was busted and burned down into the house, and the router that the cable was plugged into set on fire...no grounding box was installed :-/

it wasnt good, and it could have been worse.

 

[Crow550]

I think I will give Powerline networking a try first. As I do know when my Sister lived in the house down the drive-way we used some plug-in Speaker phone things that sent voice over powerline and worked great.

Just had to plug both of them in the right wall plugs in both houses for them to see each other.

So if the network speed is too slow.......I will consider the other two options....

Thanks for the advice & such.

 

[Crow550]

Man I am looking into the other two options just to gain research.

I am having a hard time finding a guide on how to properly bury & ground outdoor Ethernet cable?

I see various outdoor grade cable for sale.

Just need a guide on how to safely install it....

 

[TimeKeeper]

Any chance to install a reapter between two house? That might be cheapest and safest way?

 

[Crow550]

Maybe....

So running Network cable outside is just a bad idea? Even if you get cable made for outside?

 

[Throckmorton]

I don't know anything about this topic but if it were me I'd use some kind of wireless bridge or router at each end of an outdoor ethernet cable. That way if lightning does strike, all it destroys is the two bridges, not computers.

 

[xSauronx]

Maybe....

So running Network cable outside is just a bad idea? Even if you get cable made for outside?

yes. it needs to be done properly, grounding is especially important

/calling spidey07, or anyone

 

[Crow550]

How do I ground it properly? I at least wanna see how it's done. Not finding much on Google....

 

[Crow550]

I did conduct a quick experiment with two hacked routers as repeater bridges. Linksys WRT54Gs. There is a well house in the middle of the two houses. I threw a repeater bridge in there.

The signal though was only two bars. LOL. Really weak. Yeah need bigger antennas. If I go wireless.

Looking more into Powerline networking.....Hell just get a really long outdoor extension cord and plug both in. LOL! It has a ground.

If the speed between both houses in the wall sockets are too slow. Testing that next week....

Get something figured out....