Can wi-fi routers talk to each other wirelessly?

[weegillis]

I've never seen it done, and have no idea whether it can be done, or not. We've got one DIR-615 currently serving our wi-fi devices and most of the time it works well. However our garage is 80 feet from the house, and it's a steel building so wi-fi only works in a few select spots within the building, mainly a line of sight through the window facing the house.

What I've gone ahead and done is order another DIR-615 to place inside the garage, and wonder if it will be able to connect to the one in the house, or will I have to run a CAT5 from the house to the garage?

[LD]

Do you mean a router labeled an "extender"? I'm in the process of doing something similar, but within our home. 2nd floor washer and dryers are a time saver, but they apparently block wi-fi signals pretty good.

I think you have to find the best point to put the second piece of hardware that can still pick up the signal from the first, and amplify that signal on to the problem source/location. You may have to fiddle with positioning of the second one.

Failing that - nothing beats a hard-wired system, for performance anyhow.

[ESM]

I think??? A Wi-Fi is basically only a “sender” of the signal. Your nic connection / cat5 feed the source from cable, dialup, ECT. Don’t thinks a second Wi-Fi will help.

Have your read about the Pringles Chips Can Wi-Fi booster? It does work and the basic system can be tweaked. Stephen Hawking Company offer some range extenders at hawkingtech.com.

On the cheap, the basic design and usage of the Pringles can theory might be just what you need for your 80 foot shot to your shop. I have read where some people got that much and more in the way of boost.

Here is a good post on building your own Wi-Fi booster. Google; Homebrew WiFi Antenna Shootout.

[weegillis]

I think??? A Wi-Fi is basically only a “sender” of the signal. Your nic connection / cat5 feed the source from cable, dialup, ECT. Don’t thinks a second Wi-Fi will help.

That clears that up. Had I gone to trouble to research that first, I might not be asking this question. Guess I just joined the club of crocodile posters.


Have your read about the Pringles Chips Can Wi-Fi booster? It does work and the basic system can be tweaked. Stephen Hawking Company offer some range extenders at hawkingtech.com.

On the cheap, the basic design and usage of the Pringles can theory might be just what you need for your 80 foot shot to your shop. I have read where some people got that much and more in the way of boost.

Here is a good post on building your own Wi-Fi booster. Google; Homebrew WiFi Antenna Shootout.

No, but will do. Thanks for the reference. Some science is always a good place to start.


...nothing beats a hard-wired system, for performance anyhow.

Copy that. I have a coil of CAT5, but didn't get any ABS in the ground this year, like I hoped. Our cordless phones don't work out there either, so I still need to pipe a phone line. Might just have to run the CAT5 through the snow for the time being. Once a router is in the building, my weak signal problems will be over.

[deepsand]

This what you're looking for?

WiFi Repeater (http://www.google.com/search?q=wifi+rpeater&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&aq=t&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a#pq=wifi+rpeater&hl=en&cp=7&gs_id=8&xhr=t&q=wifi+repeater&pf=p&sclient=psy-ab&client=firefox-a&hs=pXT&rls=org.mozilla:en-US%3Aofficial&source=hp&pbx=1&oq=wifi+repeater&aq=0&aqi=g4&aql=&gs_sm=&gs_upl=&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.,cf.osb&fp=440bfd025060ec2a&biw=1280&bih=586)

[LD]

I'm eventualy setting up a Belkin universal repeater. We'll see how it goes.

[LD]

@weegillis - did you manage to get your setup working for you?

I could not get mine configured. I have a cable modem, and a Belkin "repeater". I wanted the repeater because gammer boy was getting disconnected from Xbox live. But sadly, I cannot log in to the belkin to config the settings. In fact, I cannot even get to the Belkin's login screen. I can log into the cable router without issue, but not the Belkin.

I've tried all the IP addresses, but not sure if I need drivers/software that the manual suggests. I've even tried going directly to the Belkin by separate cable connected to a Laptop. I've tried downloading management utility software, but the available downloads don't run on Win 7.

I know my PC support guy would know the answers and be able to set it up, but he's on holiday. The nerve!;) But this sort of thing shouldn't be that hard to configure, damn it all!

[weegillis]

What is the network name of the Belkin on the main router? You should be able to see all the connections and their assigned IP's, as well as their status. That might give you a clue about what to do next. Just a dumb question, you're not plugged into the WAN port, are you?

We're still waiting for the X-mas hardware haul to arrive. Can't wait. Apparently there's a new laptop under the tree for Ukrainian Christmas. I trashed my wife's a couple of months ago, and this time she's not taking any chances. She ordered two.

I've looked at repeaters and have my reservations, for our installation. The buildings are so far apart the best I can get with any laptop or smartphone is two bars. Not a lot there to repeat, but then I don't know squat about these things.

Will definitely be running CAT5, since I already have lots. It will be nice for visitors to be able to connect from anywhere in the building.

[LD]

I had them connected individually and could only access the main cable modem/router. As per the online manual I found, it instructed to plug the repeater into the main router and then config it that way. I could not find a way to find or log on to the repeater.

I've just adjusted the location of the cable modem/router and it's working better for gamer boy, but I'll try again another day. Thanks for the suggestions though.

[weegillis]

..., all you do is turn DHCP off on the second router...
... and UPnP. I also like to block incoming WAN ping requests since nothing I do requires them.

Not sure what your second paragraph is saying. English, please?

[LD]

... and UPnP. I also like to block incoming WAN ping requests since nothing I do requires them.

Not sure what your second paragraph is saying. English, please?

I understand the "bob's yer uncle" part.

[Peter]

Bit late but... the poster above was suggesting to try using the power line method to get from house to garage. It is possible to send an IP signal through your house electrical wiring. He suggests putting an adapter in the house and one in garage. Then in the garage put the wireless transmitter and broadcast there.
However, that would require the electric cabling for the garage to be on the same circuit as the house, which may or not be the case.
Google for "netgear powerline adapter" to find out more. Useful in many circumstances.
The issue you are having though, is your garage materials. Metal does block wireless, so either bigger ariels, or directional ariel. However the CAT5 is going to be best overall

[weegillis]

Thanks @Peter. What you state is what I had believed the other member was saying. In Canada we seldom refer to A/C as 'Mains' but I know in Britain it is the common terms, even in labeling of electrical devices. My own investigation turned up the same proviso, must be a common circuit (in Canada, 'branch'). My problem with this is that we have one meter, and both 'mains' branch from that, so there is nothing in common without passing through the meter, itself. Mains idea shot to hell.

[deepsand]

...we have one meter, and both 'mains' branch from that, so there is nothing in common without passing through the meter, itself.
That's still the same circuit for RF purposes. Each branch is simply in parallel with the other, just as are all outlets on a given branch.

The demarcation point for RF over AC Power is the utility company's local step-down transformer.

[Peter]

It appears this should work.

http://www.billion.uk.com/product/powerline.htm <- a company that makes these devices stating rule of thumb its based on the meter.

[weegillis]

It appears this should work. www.billion.uk.com/product/powerline.htm <- a company that makes these devices stating rule of thumb its based on the meter.
Couldn't find anything on the Billion site for North American service (120 VAC mains). Any idea if such a thing is available on this side of the pond?

[deepsand]

All sorts, including devices from Netgear.

homeplug powerline adaptors (http://www.google.com/search?q=Homeplug+powerline+adaptors&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&aq=t&rls=Palemoon:en-US:official&client=firefox-a)

[NetProwler]

There is a caveat though in using these powerline Adaptors. Most domestic circuits are divided into different groups based on the usage. Circuits which feed appliances may contain power factor correction capacitors which will attenuate your RF signal. Extension adapters designed for sensitive computer equipment will contain toroid wound filters/capacitors specifically designed to attenuate RF. So at the end of the day, you may or may not get decent connectivity depending on the overall attenuation along the power line. There is still nothing to beat that CAT5.

[weegillis]

I'd say this question is resolved, in that I have lots to explore, and good information to continue with. Thanks, everyone. I'm off to dig a trench in the snow, drill a hole in some walls, mount a shelf for the router, and put this project to bed. CAT5 it is.

[LD]

... and throw some wood on the fire. It must be cold out there?