On Wed, 02 Nov 2005 08:12:33 -0800, LurfysMa <invalid@invalid.invalid>
wrote:
>The cable company (Comcast) is coming out next week to install
>broadband. I have decided to install a wireless router -- partly so
>they don't have to pull cables into the upstairs home office and
>partly so I will have portability for my laptop.
>
>Does it make much difference where the wireless router goes?
Yes. Rule of thumb is by number of walls and construction type.
One wall is usually not a problem.
Two walls is somewhat difficult.
Three walls is next to useless.
If you have aluminium foil backed insulation in the walls, it won't
work. If your house is made from concrete or steel (you live in a
jail), then it won't work.
>We have an average-size 2-story house. Can it go on the first floor?
Average size for what area? Do you have some aversion to supplying
numbers?
If you expect coverage between floors, the major limitation is the
construction of the floor. Modern houses often install insulation in
the floors for sound deadening and environmental isolation. If it has
aluminium foil backing, you will have problems. Again, count the
number of walls (including the floor).
Also, the vertical antenna found on most cheapo wireless router does
not radiate very well straight up or down. Try to get a router that
has two antennas (for diversity) and set one vertically for the first
floor, and the other horizontally, for going up to the 2nd floor.
>The current cable (for TV) comes in under the house and then goes up
>through the floor to the first floor rooms. There is a study on the
>first floor with a closet that would be a great place for the wireless
>router. Would that work?
No. That would be the absolute worst place to locate a wireless
system. The radio part needs to be in the middle of the area where
the computers are located and as close as possible. Burying the
wireless is not a great idea.
I always recommend a more complex and expensive solution. Comcrash
will be supplying you with a cable modem (Motorola BitSuffer). Buy an
ethernet router (non-wireless) and locate these almost anywhere you
find convenient. The closet is fine as long as there's ventillation.
Then, buy either a wireless access point or a wireless router
configured as an access point. This should be located in some
optimium RF location, as high up as possible, as clear of obstructions
as possible, and going through as few walls as possible. There will
be one CAT5 cable between the ethernet router and the wireless device.
>If there are signal problems, I am willing to put in repeaters or
>whatever.
Think about using WDS type routers as repeaters. There are also
wireless bridges that use the power line for interconnection.
>Does the wireless router need to be away from other electronic devices
>such as TVs, VCRs, TiVos, etc? I was thinking about putting a spare
>computer in that study for the grandkids to use.
I can see a bit of junk on my TV coming from the wireless at a
distance of about 1ft. 2.4GHz cordless phones are fatal. Same with
some microwave ovens, 2.4GHz wireless security cameras, and anything
else that operates on 2.4GHz. Take inventory.
--
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
Best location for wireless router in 2-story home? 
Linear Mode
