kjbann@verizon.net wrote:
> I would like to create a bridge between our house and a recreational
> cabin we have on the farm in order to have internet service at the
> cabin. I presently have a D-Link Di624 wireless router connected to the
> satellite modem. This is situated about 5 feet from a window which has
> clear line of site to a cabin window 850 feet away. All I need in the
> cabin is wireless internet. I presently have computers and printer
> connected to the DI624 and a wireless notebook.
>
> I am considering a WAP54G at each end of the bridge with (2) Ez12 12dB
> antennas from www.freeantennas.com on each.
>
> 1. Is there a better approach?
> 2. Assuming the Ez12's will block the signal in the cabin, what is the
> best remedy for this?
> 3. Are the rubber duckies good enough or will it require the 7dB high
> gain antennas?
> 4. What about signal conflicts between the DI624 and WAP54G in the
> house?
>
> I am basically looking for experienced help in designing the best (ie
> most economical) system to add the internet access at the cabin.
> Retaining the DI624 is not a must. I do need to retain the wired
> network and wireless access in the house.
>
> The satellite modem has to have ip address 192.168.0.1
> The WAP's will be sitting at the windows.
>
> I've researched the group and learned a lot, but I'd appreciate a
> little expert help.
>
> Thanks in advance,
> Ken
>
I have set up quite a few low cost systems like this for farmers.
Assuming no other problems such as interference, parking machinery in
the line of site etc, since it is a do it yourself job, I would start
small and work my way up. You could use a couple of WAP54G's one as
access point and the other one at the far end as a repeater and see what
happens.

From past experience, at that distance you will probably need to use
one of the 12dbi antennas at the main farm house mounted externally, and
the repeater in the window at the other end.

If the connection isn't reliable then add the other 12dbi at the remote
end. Sometimes you can get enough signal off of the external antenna to
be functional inside the building. If you can't get enough signal
inside, then you might want to set them up as a point to point bridge
and add a third access point or router inside.

Some people have reported issues with the WAP54G but so far I haven't
had any and have found them to be quite reliable - touch wood.

As an alternative to the WAP54G you could use WRT54GL routers running
DD-WRT.

A couple of things to remember - as far as I know the WAP54G can only
serve as a repeater using WEP. In point to point mode you can use WPA.
The people in the other house will be on your network.

If you need to keep them off your network I would place a WRT54GL router
running DD-WRT in front of your existing router and use WDS to connect
it to another WRT54GL running DD-WRT sitting in the remote window. In
this setup you can use WPA.

I haven't tried the 7dbi antennas before.

Selecting different channels (use 1, 6 or 11) and you shouldn't have a
problem with your existing setup.

Ian