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Zimwy · Dec 6, 2002, 02:56 PM

Hi,
Okay, here's the story (a quick one). We used Airport in my house connected to a Cable Modem. It's a 3 story brownstone, and the Airport used to make it to all Floors, even using a TiBook. Now, the house has been renovated, and Airconditioning ductwork has been put in. This has had the lovely effect of limiting the airport to basically a 1 room distance. The house still isn't finished, but most of the rooms are, so there's only a small amount of time to fix this. My ideas were:

1) Run 1 ethernet wire to each floor (which we *might* be able to do). Have them all go into a router, attatch the Cable Modem to the Router, and then put Base stations only where we need them on each floor. Is that possible?

2) Run the cable modem straight to a different brand of wireless access point, one that can relay signals. This way we wouldn't need to run ethernet wires. Do you guys know of any good brand to do this that can be configured from OS X? Don't Linksys routers do this? I need help!!

Thanks, Gabe

Socially Awkward Solo · Dec 6, 2002, 03:12 PM

Originally posted by Zimwy:
of time to fix this. My ideas were:

1) Run 1 ethernet wire to each floor (which we *might* be able to do). Have them all go into a router, attatch the Cable Modem to the Router, and then put Base stations only where we need them on each floor. Is that possible?

2) Run the cable modem straight to a different brand of wireless access point, one that can relay signals. This way we wouldn't need to run ethernet wires. Do you guys know of any good brand to do this that can be configured from OS X? Don't Linksys routers do this? I need help!!

Thanks, Gabe

I just did the same. I use all Netgear routers and have 3 wired computers and one iBook that has access to two wireless routers. The trick is to give each station the same name and then it will be condidered one network that the wireless laptops will switch between whichever is strongest.

Smart move not to buy a linksys! I just ditched all my linksys that I had for years and got Netgears for less money. They are WAY better.

Tomster · Dec 6, 2002, 10:19 PM

Originally posted by Zimwy:

1) Run 1 ethernet wire to each floor (which we *might* be able to do). Have them all go into a router, attatch the Cable Modem to the Router, and then put Base stations only where we need them on each floor. Is that possible?

Doing this with Apple Base Stations is possible, but a bit expensive with one per floor. All three base stations would be connected via ethernet to a hub. Only one does DHCP and NAT and is set to bridge airport to ethernet. The other two are set to just pass the info along. You will have to play with the whole station density thing.

You can also try a different brand of wireless router with an external antennae. Or you can try attaching an external antennae to your base station by voiding the warranty, cutting some plastic, and connecting a wavelan antennae.

Hope it helps.

Socially Awkward Solo · Dec 7, 2002, 12:40 AM

don't buy Apple Airports. They are expensive as all hell and don't provide anything over 3rd party models.

aaanorton · Dec 7, 2002, 10:12 AM

Originally posted by Zimwy:
It's a 3 story brownstone, and the Airport used to make it to all Floors, even using a TiBook. Now, the house has been renovated, and Air-conditioning ductwork has been put in. This has had the lovely effect of limiting the airport to basically a 1 room distance.

Before you do ANYTHING, I'd make sure it's the ducts that's really the issue. I would think concrete would be more of a signal inhibiter than the thin ducting metal.
Have you moved or started using a cordless phone near the base or TiBook? Can you move the base a little further away from your computer?
Just a couple thoughts.

Zimwy · Dec 8, 2002, 04:28 AM

Hey,
Can you post a link to the routers you used? I'd like to take a look at them. Yeah, I'm pretty sure that it's the ducts that are killing the signal. We live in a brownstone, and there's almost no concrete in it anywhere. All wood, and plaster. Does anyone know of any other wireless routers that can relay signals that are cheap enough to buy a bunch of?

Gabe

Originally posted by Socially Awkward Solo:

I just did the same. I use all Netgear routers and have 3 wired computers and one iBook that has access to two wireless routers. The trick is to give each station the same name and then it will be condidered one network that the wireless laptops will switch between whichever is strongest.

Smart move not to buy a linksys! I just ditched all my linksys that I had for years and got Netgears for less money. They are WAY better.

msykes · Dec 9, 2002, 03:58 PM

I've been pretty successful with Linksys products, but haven't used much else so hesitate to give them a huge recommendation. However, they have one new product that looks pretty interesting, basically a bridge between networks, which might be what you want (note, this is NOT the WAP11, which is a piece of junk PC item).

http://www.linksys.com/Products/prod...2&prid=432

Check it out, the guys on one of the nerd blogs were pretty excited about this a couple months ago.

Socially Awkward Solo · Dec 11, 2002, 12:46 AM

Originally posted by Zimwy:
Hey,
Can you post a link to the routers you used? I'd like to take a look at them.

Sure highly recommended:
http://www.netgear.com/products/prod...=151&view=

I got them for $109 Canadian which is like $75 US each!

Also want a really good reason NOT to get a linksys? The biggest linksys supporter just trashed his whole site dedicated to linksys because they are so crappy:
http://www.evansconforti.com/befw11s4/