"Jim" <jim@hmail.com> hath wroth:

>Got a wireless network running in a building across from the one my office
>is in. I want to connect wirelessly to the network - which I have done and
>everything works. Only problem is that the signal is quite weak.

The spirit is willing but the signal is weak? Perhaps if you would
disclose something about what hardware you are using, it might be
possible to offer a suggestion? How far are you trying to go? What
is in between you and the wireless access point? Any metalized mylar
in the windows? Stock rubber ducky antennas or external antenna?
Laptop, desktop, or ethernet client radio? Do you have lots of
altitude so that you're picking up lots of interference from the other
users in the buildings?

>What I want to do is insert a wireless repeater to boost the signal to my
>office. Can I use a simple wireless bridge? If not - what is needed?
>I can source the repeater/bridge next to the window so that it is much
>nearer and think that will be fine.

Hmmm... You've been reading the manufacturers literature. Repeaters
have their own collection of problems. They usually have to be
"supported" by the vendor of the access point or wireless router. A
repeater will work, but you will get half your maximum thruput. If
there's no other way to do this, such as better antennas, then I guess
a repeater will suffice.

If your unspecified wireless router happens to support WDS (wireless
distribution service), then purchase an identical router. This has a
few advantages (which I don't wanna go into right now).

A "simple wireless bridge" won't work directly because wireless bridge
radios are made to talk to each other, not to other access points or
wireless routers. However, you can make a pair of wireless bridge
radios function by simply installing one bridge radio on the LAN side
of the existing wireless router, and another in your office. You will
need to plug into this wireless bridge radio as you cannot connect to
it wirelessly with what I presume is your wireless laptop. Since
there will be two radios operating (the existing wireless router and
the added wireless bridge radio) you will need to select two different
non-interfering channels and different SSID's. Not recommended if you
are the only user in your office area, but a good solution if you are
trying to glue two networks together.

The good news is that most wireless bridge and access point radios
have a repeater mode. No need to buy a dedicated repeater. The
problem is that the insipid literature often doesn't bother mentioning
this feature. Try:
http://www.linksysdata.com/ui/
http://support.dlink.com/emulators/
for various emulators. Dive through the menus and see if your
prospective bridge or access point has a repeater mode.

The same boxes also sometimes have a "wireless client mode". This
will allow you to plug your ethernet cable into the box, and use it to
connect to the wireless router. If located in the window, it will
function in place of whatever you're currently using. The cable may
not be convenient, but you may be able to position the wireless client
in a better location than your presumed laptop.

In the future, if you have a question, kindly supply:
1. What you are trying to accomplish? (you did that nicely)
2. What you have to work with? (hardware, software, topography, etc)?

--
Jeff Liebermann jeffl@comix.santa-cruz.ca.us
150 Felker St #D http://www.LearnByDestroying.com
Santa Cruz CA 95060 http://802.11junk.com
Skype: JeffLiebermann AE6KS 831-336-2558