How to connect two buildings via wireless LAN

tsk1979 · 3rd August 2007, 00:58

WEP WPA PSK etc., all is BS.
Ideally you let router be WEP etc., etc., and have your network behind a VPN.
That way even if somebody hooks to your wireless that guy can't come "on the network"

Samurai · 3rd August 2007, 06:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by tsk1979

WEP WPA PSK etc., all is BS.
Ideally you let router be WEP etc., etc., and have your network behind a VPN.
That way even if somebody hooks to your wireless that guy can't come "on the network"

You think I am putting my LAN network on Wifi?

Look at the diagram I posted few posts back. Even if someone gets on the network, they will run against the Firewall and external web server (which is on Internet anyway).

Only the external DMZ is on WiFi. I still want maximum security because I don't want bandwidth leeches trying to share my Internet or listen to clear text transmissions (http/smtp, etc).

Samurai · 3rd August 2007, 18:01

Ok, did that too. I flashed both the Buffalo WHR-HP-G54 routers with dd-wrt v23 SP2 generic firmware. That's like replacing the BIOS of a PC.

After many hours of effort, I finally got the bridge working exactly like I wanted on 802.11g mode, I am getting full 54G speed. The security is WPA-PSK with 63 character/504 bit key. There is one more step I can take to make it fully secure, I can simply disable all wireless clients. Since I will be connecting wired network on both side, it can practically keep all the riff-raff out.

I think v24 supports WPA2 too, right now it is in beta. But that can wait.

Thanks SumitB, I think you were hugely responsible for this success.

austere_sly · 4th August 2007, 01:03

Hey Samurai , can you provide cost break up ?

Samurai · 4th August 2007, 07:06

The routers were $100 each, the backfire antennas were $58 each, and the 20feet cables are $43 each. So the hardware cost was $402. The items were brought as personal luggage to India. This config has maximum 30Kms range, but I am planning to reduce the power drastically to fit my 1KM need.

SumitB · 4th August 2007, 09:39

Samurai I am very happy to know that you setup works

Just a piece of advice, in the last few weeks (after the start of the monsoons), I have had a few routers failing on me due to power surges. Please ensure that you connect both the routers to a good (APC preferred) UPS to prevent any surges.

Lifewater · 10th May 2008, 13:13

Dear all, I live in a tea garden with my parents living in a separate house at a distance of about 600-700 mts. Now I want to connect my computer with the one in my parents house using WiFi. Problem is that not many people here are clued up on WiFi and how to implement my requirement. Moreover there are a lot of tea bushes and a few trees in between the houses. Cost of Hardware also is sky high and can be got from the vendor on prior order with full payment. Please help.

P.S. I have sent a PM to SUMITB today morning as he is the nearest Bhpian to me.

Thanks in advance

Lifewater

greenhorn · 10th May 2008, 15:16

600m seems like a tall order for Wi Fi
maybe you can try something like this

Uni-Directional WIFI Range Extender - Instructables - DIY, How To, tech

Samurai · 10th May 2008, 15:46

Quote:

Originally Posted by greenhorn

600m seems like a tall order for Wi Fi
maybe you can try something like this

The WiFi setup I have used is rated up to 20 miles or 32Kms.

Since my need is 760m, I have kept it in the low power setting of 28mw.

SumitB · 10th May 2008, 15:59

Lifewater, I have already responded to your pm with details. For the benefit of others, I am posting here.

For your requirement, I don't think it is very difficult to achieve what you want for a mere 5000 rupees. By Line of Sight, I mean can you see one location from the other. A few shrubs and trees in between will hardly make a dent in the connectivity. Get 2 Buffalo WHR-54GS from Datamation, Guwahati. It should be available for 2200 per piece. Please contact Mr. Pawan Agrawal of Datamation on 09435047633 or 0361-2451582. He has the above routers.

Then go and do some research on www.dd-wrt.com and mod your routers with the latest available firmware. Now you will need to do some testing with the optimum power setting for the routers to stay connected. That should be it.

One warning though. If you mod the routers, you will void the warranty, but that is a risk you should be willing to take.

I am sure there may be other options for your needs. I provided you with the best and tested solution which I have utilised on several occasions. The maximum distance I have covered on stock antennas for the above routers is 1200mts. LoS.

Samurai · 10th May 2008, 16:20

If you get the parabolic antenna, your range can really increase.

I use this: WiFi Antenna - Backfire 802.11 Antenna

SumitB · 10th May 2008, 16:20

An update, Lifewater. The WHR-54GS has now been replaced with a better and more sturdy WHR G-125. For the same price. This is also compatible with dd-wrt. Your call.

clevermax · 10th May 2008, 17:10

Whatever it is, you shouldn't be paying any service provider for getting connectivity between two of your locations 500 meters apart!

reignofchaos · 10th May 2008, 19:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by SumitB

An update, Lifewater. The WHR-54GS has now been replaced with a better and more sturdy WHR G-125. For the same price. This is also compatible with dd-wrt. Your call.

Yup the build looks better but it comes with a cheapo non detachable 2dBi antenna compared to a nice 4dBi antenna with the original that was also detachable. As of now, tomato doesnt support it either.

Someone said WPA is bull****. On the contrary, WPA is way way more secure than WEP. WEP is like leaving a lock on the door and not locking it. Having a VPN does help over any of these techs though.

SumitB · 10th May 2008, 23:02

In the case of Lifewater, we have to keep his location in mind. He wants the setup at a tea garden which would mean away from the atmospheric congestion and general radio interference that would exist in an urban area. My gut feeling is that the new WHR G-125 should work for him with the dd-wrt firmware (which does support it) Supported Devices - DD-WRT Wiki

Lifewater, I will not vouch for the router to work for you as reignofchaos already said, this new one comes with a 2db antenna. In any case, get in touch with Datamation's Mr. Agarwal and see if he can provide you with the WHR-54GS. If he can, get it, mod it and I can vouch for it to work for you.

Let me know if you want any further information. It would be a pleasure to help you achieve what you want ;-)

3rd August 2007, 00:58	#61
tsk1979 Team-BHP Support Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: San Jose, CA Posts: 23,717 Thanked: 22,825 Times View My Garage	WEP WPA PSK etc., all is BS. Ideally you let router be WEP etc., etc., and have your network behind a VPN. That way even if somebody hooks to your wireless that guy can't come "on the network"
	() Thanks

3rd August 2007, 18:01	#63
Samurai Team-BHP Support Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Bangalore/Udupi Posts: 25,826 Thanked: 45,514 Times View My Garage	Ok, did that too. I flashed both the Buffalo WHR-HP-G54 routers with dd-wrt v23 SP2 generic firmware. That's like replacing the BIOS of a PC. After many hours of effort, I finally got the bridge working exactly like I wanted on 802.11g mode, I am getting full 54G speed. The security is WPA-PSK with 63 character/504 bit key. There is one more step I can take to make it fully secure, I can simply disable all wireless clients. Since I will be connecting wired network on both side, it can practically keep all the riff-raff out. I think v24 supports WPA2 too, right now it is in beta. But that can wait. Thanks SumitB, I think you were hugely responsible for this success.
	() Thanks

4th August 2007, 01:03	#64
austere_sly BHPian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: New Delhi Posts: 295 Thanked: 15 Times View My Garage	Hey Samurai , can you provide cost break up ?
	() Thanks

4th August 2007, 07:06	#65
Samurai Team-BHP Support Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Bangalore/Udupi Posts: 25,826 Thanked: 45,514 Times View My Garage	The routers were $100 each, the backfire antennas were $58 each, and the 20feet cables are $43 each. So the hardware cost was $402. The items were brought as personal luggage to India. This config has maximum 30Kms range, but I am planning to reduce the power drastically to fit my 1KM need.
	() Thanks

4th August 2007, 09:39	#66
SumitB BHPian Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Shillong Posts: 986 Thanked: 263 Times	Samurai I am very happy to know that you setup works Just a piece of advice, in the last few weeks (after the start of the monsoons), I have had a few routers failing on me due to power surges. Please ensure that you connect both the routers to a good (APC preferred) UPS to prevent any surges.
	() Thanks

10th May 2008, 13:13	#67
Lifewater BHPian Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Dibrugarh Posts: 68 Thanked: 0 Times	Please help me connect two pionts using WiFi Dear all, I live in a tea garden with my parents living in a separate house at a distance of about 600-700 mts. Now I want to connect my computer with the one in my parents house using WiFi. Problem is that not many people here are clued up on WiFi and how to implement my requirement. Moreover there are a lot of tea bushes and a few trees in between the houses. Cost of Hardware also is sky high and can be got from the vendor on prior order with full payment. Please help. P.S. I have sent a PM to SUMITB today morning as he is the nearest Bhpian to me. Thanks in advance Lifewater
	() Thanks

10th May 2008, 15:16	#68
greenhorn Senior - BHPian Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: KL-01 Posts: 7,745 Thanked: 4,397 Times View My Garage	600m seems like a tall order for Wi Fi maybe you can try something like this Uni-Directional WIFI Range Extender - Instructables - DIY, How To, tech
	() Thanks

10th May 2008, 15:59	#70
SumitB BHPian Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Shillong Posts: 986 Thanked: 263 Times	Lifewater, I have already responded to your pm with details. For the benefit of others, I am posting here. For your requirement, I don't think it is very difficult to achieve what you want for a mere 5000 rupees. By Line of Sight, I mean can you see one location from the other. A few shrubs and trees in between will hardly make a dent in the connectivity. Get 2 Buffalo WHR-54GS from Datamation, Guwahati. It should be available for 2200 per piece. Please contact Mr. Pawan Agrawal of Datamation on 09435047633 or 0361-2451582. He has the above routers. Then go and do some research on www.dd-wrt.com and mod your routers with the latest available firmware. Now you will need to do some testing with the optimum power setting for the routers to stay connected. That should be it. One warning though. If you mod the routers, you will void the warranty, but that is a risk you should be willing to take. I am sure there may be other options for your needs. I provided you with the best and tested solution which I have utilised on several occasions. The maximum distance I have covered on stock antennas for the above routers is 1200mts. LoS.
	() Thanks

10th May 2008, 16:20	#71
Samurai Team-BHP Support Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Bangalore/Udupi Posts: 25,826 Thanked: 45,514 Times View My Garage	If you get the parabolic antenna, your range can really increase. I use this: WiFi Antenna - Backfire 802.11 Antenna
	() Thanks

10th May 2008, 17:10	#73
clevermax Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Tvm/Amsterdam Posts: 2,086 Thanked: 2,640 Times View My Garage	Whatever it is, you shouldn't be paying any service provider for getting connectivity between two of your locations 500 meters apart!
	() Thanks

10th May 2008, 23:02	#75
SumitB BHPian Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Shillong Posts: 986 Thanked: 263 Times	In the case of Lifewater, we have to keep his location in mind. He wants the setup at a tea garden which would mean away from the atmospheric congestion and general radio interference that would exist in an urban area. My gut feeling is that the new WHR G-125 should work for him with the dd-wrt firmware (which does support it) Supported Devices - DD-WRT Wiki Lifewater, I will not vouch for the router to work for you as reignofchaos already said, this new one comes with a 2db antenna. In any case, get in touch with Datamation's Mr. Agarwal and see if he can provide you with the WHR-54GS. If he can, get it, mod it and I can vouch for it to work for you. Let me know if you want any further information. It would be a pleasure to help you achieve what you want ;-)
	() Thanks