I’d like to setup a network with my neighbor. I’m willing to install an antenna, extender, or whatever I need to do this. From the center of my roof to the center of his is about 300 feet. I have no problem setting this up, I’m just curious what the best type of product to do this is.
My linksys wireless extends half way down the block. I’ve used my laptop in my neighbors yard several times. That’s why it’s so important to secure a home network so nobody piggybacks into it.
I’d try seeing if your neighbors pc sees the wireless first. If so then it’s simply a matter of setting it up with your wireless WEP or WPA key.
They do sell wireless repeaters. I’ve seen them at work. But, they ain’t cheap.
I found a LinkSys repeater for $90. So, that’s an option if you need it.
http://www.google.com/products/catalog?oe=utf-8&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a&q=wireless+repeaters&um=1&ie=UTF-8&cid=5872740843227684656&ei=yVOtTOO5N8GBlAfczoz7AQ&sa=X&oi=product_catalog_result&ct=result&resnum=1&ved=0CCsQ8wIwAA#
A wireless repeated is one way of doing it, another would be to contact your Internet provider and ask them if they can split your connection into two access points. Then you’d just set up your own routers.
Note that one repeater might not be enough, depending on the materials between you and your neighbour.
300 feet is quite a distance for wireless and you’ll need some rather expensive setup to cover it.
In my opinion the cheapest and most reliable solution in the long run is to connect the two houses with FTP cable. Then you can use a wired switch or wireless AP inside your house. Better coverage and less chances to have your network hacked.
I would want to make sure that you each have your own distinct subnet.
In other words, your neighbor using 192.168.1.x and you using 192.168.2.x
This would require either a fancy router that can do subnets like this (I think DD-WRT can be configured like this) or multiple routers.
This would make it so that you don’t accidentally access your neighbor’s NAS device or networked printer and vice versa.
If you want to be sure your neighbor can’t see into your own network, then get a wire run to your home and put your personal router on the end of it. Then you will be firewalled from your neighbor.
I would disagree with that, 300 ft, if line of sight, should be no problem if the 2 neighbors are cooperating to make it happen. Very possible the normal antenna if placed in a window may work though at it’s limit. Also use channel 1 or the last channel, I’ve heard that those go further.
A indoor directional antenna should do it fine, just set it up in a window, IIRC I paid about $25 for it. You could also go for a outdoor antenna mounted outside to boost it further (requires passing an antenna cable through the wall)
On the receiving end a wireless repeater may be needed (quite a few routers have a repeater mode), should ensure it covers the house. This can be augmented with a directional antenna pointed at the transmitter antenna.
I would take this one step at a time, Try to set it up in a window and see if your neighbor can get it. And go from there.
Technical issues aside, you might want to check the Terms of Service with your ISP. Most of them expressly prohibit this kind of arrangement.
If you find a repeater is the best solution for you, avoid the Version 1.0 type of this hardware. It is terrible, crashes frequently and either stops working or floods the radio waves with gibberish that confuses other wifi equipment. I’ve gotten version 3.0 to work well, but I’ve never used version 2.0.