Need info on "long range" wireless connection

[GohanSSJ]

So i got my own place a few days ago, and when i'm settled in 1 of the options is to share internet with my brother, i can his place from mine, it's about 25-30 meters from my window to his with no obstructions.
So obviously it would have to go wireless, now he keeps talking about a linksys set (router + card) that will cost about 110 euro, which isn't really worth it imo. So what do i really need for this and how well would it work?

Also because these routers are very cheap second hand, for what models should i look for?

The network card needs to have a antenna that is connected with a wire so it can stand infront of the window.
Any other ideas are welcome aswell ofcourse.

 

[Rishwin]

Is the router for your brother or for you? There is no reason for you to get one, just find a Wireless access Point for yourself, it means you won't have to keep your laptop/computer hard pressed against a window, and it enhances the signal (like a repeater). Also i would not recommend any second have NIC's or routers; when it comes to computers unless its an entire pre-build computer, second hand of anything else is extremely risky and often a mistake.

Linksys is a decent brand, so is netgear - they should both have pretty decent prices, and when it comes to the NIC, see if they sell antenna's separately so you can buy a bigger one for longer distances (and fix it onto your WAP, not your NIC).

Although if you know the power cables are properly insulated. you can always try and run a 50M cable between the houses lol, Not sure if it would create any extra noise in the cables, but it sounds like it could work

 

[GohanSSJ]

We are both on the 3rd floor and i really don't think they would like it if we use a cable.

The networkcard would go in his server, the router would go in my house.

How can a second hand router be a problem really, i mean not that much can go wrong with that stuff.

 

[Rishwin]

But if he is the one with the net connection, it would make sense for him to have the router - that way he does not have to use the internet sharing service for you to use his net (inconvenient and not very reliable).

Plus, a WAP is cheaper than a wireless router - he could just get a WAP (with a long range antenna) to connect to his existing router, then you can connect to it with your own NIC / WAP (whichever is easier / cheaper).

And you do not want second hand network devices because you have no idea the condition they have been kept in. Even if you test them before buying, under certain circumstances the wireless may drop or not connect at all. Also a single drop or a hard knock can mess them up ; unless you know exactly what condition they have been kept / operated in, i recommend not to buy them.

 

[Pat V2.5]

If you're trying to get a better connection in a long distance, try what i did with my school. I got dads old 100ft (something like that) that he doesn't use, get a heap of external cord for the antena and climb up and masking tap the external antena on the tower =D

I've made it so, instead of saving it to the schools computers it saves to my home coputer.

I hope this helps, i wasnt really sure what you meant.

btw, my schools about 1000m as the bird flies.

 

[Mazo]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cantenna

Problem solved =)

 

[GohanSSJ]

But if he is the one with the net connection, it would make sense for him to have the router - that way he does not have to use the internet sharing service for you to use his net (inconvenient and not very reliable).

He has a server running 24/7, if it goes down, then so does his internet. It's a dualcore system and all and has a average uptime of over 3 months.

This is basicly what we have

My brother obviously has the internet connection, he runs this through a server, i want to get connected on that, i also want to stay wireless within my own house. Oh and he has no wireless yet, well except for some crappy routers, but they are unusable for this.

EDIT: I think he was looking at wireless points btw, not sure why he was talking about routers.

 

[theRAGE]

Sounds like you'll have to have an Ad-hoc network.

A wireless access point is still usually connected via a wired connection and is simply used as a node to relay packets back to a router.

What you'll need are two wireless network cards (one in your brother's server, one in your PC) if your brother is unwilling to use a router for this.

Both computers (once wireless network cards are installed) simply need to have the same wireless channel and SSID (with a password, unless you want strangers accessing your brother's server) configured with their wireless cards. Internet Connection Sharing must be enabled on your brother's server, and preferably a DHCP server running.

 

[GohanSSJ]

Network cards won't work well, atleast not the regular ones as it would have to be infront of the window to get a good connection, not to mention i'm using a laptop most of the time, and i got a whole bunch of other stuff that needs to go online aswell.

And why would my brother be unwilling to use a router?

All the connecting stuff is not a problem, my brother knows all about that, i simply need advice on what would work best without spending a whole bunch of cash.

 

[theRAGE]

Oh and he has no wireless yet, well except for some crappy routers, but they are unusable for this.

And why would my brother be unwilling to use a router?

:X
I guess I might have ad-lib'd a bit there...

Okay, so assuming your brother has a wireless router set up you could try using a router at your end compatible with DD-WRT (or other 3rd party firmware) configured to run as a wireless repeater.

I'm not sure how well this will work... you'll definitely have some high latency if you choose to game - mind you any type of wireless signal boosting will have an effect of increasing latency.

 

[GohanSSJ]

How bad would the latency be anyway? I can't be bothered with a high ping.

 

[Robert]

Just get a router with an external antenna. Attach the server internet to it with a wire and stick a Cantenna aimed at your flat to the external antenna in.

Pretty sure that would be the cheapest and easiest way to do it. Plus with a Cantenna the wifi is aimed at your house which should stop people hacking it.