Hi there, I'm trying to put together a plan to join 3 nearby sites into 1 big network and I hate to say it but budget is a big concern.
The layout is shaped like a capital letter L with Site A being at the top of the L, Site B at the bottom left corner and Site C at the bottom right tip. Site A and B are separated by 2 houses and sites B and C are next door to each other (i.e it goes A, house, house, B, C). I'd like to give you exact ranges but for now just think of average to above average houses/lawns.
I'll need WiFi access at Site A for sure and probably C but B might get away with wired only. I'd also like all of them to be on the same network. i.e. Share files/printers from a PC at site A with a PC at B, etc. Currently they are paying for 2 DSL services, 1 at A and 1 at B and C has nothing. I guess a worse case scenario is to extend B's coverage to include C (which is next door so more feasible) and figure something else out like VPN or Google Apps for document sharing. This means paying double ISPs every month and isn't ideal.
One idea I had was to setup Wireless N routers at all sites with 2 of them at site B (4 in total). Set the routers to provide Omni directional WiFi on the Wireless G channels and then add YAGI unidirectional antennas to the Wireless N (if required) and point them at each other. While I'm hoping for Line of Site (possibly rooftop to rooftop... I'm going onsite tomorrow) it's possible the 2 houses in the middle will prevent this.
Any thoughts? I'm used to Linksys routers and I've flashed them to DD-WRT before which lets you set up bridges (although with the above config that's not necessary) as well as boost signal strength. However the newest crop of Linksys Wireless N routers seem to have internal only antennas which pretty much kills using YAGIs.
Is this even the most economical way to do this? It means buying 4 routers and 4 YAGIs even if I can recoup the costs of cancelling 1 of the ISPs monthly service.
If my solution sounds good can you recommend the cheapest routers and antennas you know of that would work? If not, any alternative solutions you would recommend?
I can write back with more specifics tomorrow but I'd like to give the client some ideas on what's possible and a ballpark cost.
Thanks for your time!
p.s. I'm in Ontario, Canada so winters get cold if any solutions involve outdoor hookups. Also I've seen Cantennas but I'd rather use a commercial product.
