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Originally Posted by Sleeping Dog
I am also trying to design a wireless system for my sister's business. There is a distance of 1000 plus feet between the house (that has the DSL connection) and the horse barn. The barn will have three computers in it. (one desktop, one laptop WiFi built in, and one older box that just handles the video monitors for the birthing stalls and burglar/fire alarms.)
Hardware wise, I have selected the Linksys WRT54g at each end with identical Yagi antennae.
There is a company called SVEASOFT that sells a firmware upgrade for the WRT54g that boosts power by 900% and adds some additional control and security features. All of the reviews that I have read about them are great and it only costs about 20 bucks. Check out:
http://www.sveasoft.com/
More regarding Yagi antennae that I chose can be found at:
http://sharperconcepts.zoovy.com/product/YSC-HG2415Y
I will probably use the 14.5 dBi version because it only costs about 55 bucks.
The WRT54g router doubles as a 4-port hub/switch so the hardwired components at each end are almost a non-issue.
Beginning to end, I'm looking at 250-300 bucks in hardware and shipping for everything including the antenna cables.
My questions are:
1. Is this overkill for the distance even though the securitybox is always on sending real-time video?
2. What setup recommendations would you have for full duplex communication between the WRT54g's?
3. What setup problems with a rig like this can you think of that other people have had?
4. Would you suggest using different or other brands of hardware?
5. What caveats should I look for? (After all, forewarned is forearmed!)
Thank you all again for your help and input. It is greatly appreciated.
Sleeping Dog |
1) 14.5 dB gain might be overkill, and if you also are going to be upping the tx-power of the WRT's then you definitely will be violating the maximum EIRP limit for PtP usage of the 2.4 Ghz band. Something the FCC doesn't look kindly upon. Unnecessary RF polution.
Do the math, calculate the link budget and fresnel zone, check for RF-LOS, then choose an appropriate antenna, with enough gain. More isn't allways better.
2) No such thing as full duplex wrt to WiFi. All transmissions between devices adhering to the WiFi standard are half duplex. Remember that this is radio based devices. Unless you have seperate transmitters and receivers in the device, it can't be full duplex.
3) As long as you do the math, and plan things correctly, there shouldn't be any problems in setting such a system up. Either as a standard bridging setup, or if you don't mind the overhead, as a WDS setup.
4) For consumer/SoHo setups like this sounds like, the WRT54g's are a good choice. Just make sure that if you want to use third party firmware, that you get WRT54G's with a version number under 5, or go for the WRT54GL's.
5) Main caveat : If you don't do the math, then you can only blame yourself for any lousy performance, and/or possible fines from the FCC.
Dutch