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Extending a network wirelessly
Hi guys,
I'm after any suggestions you can give me. I have a wired network, using a NETGEAR cable router and a NetGear 8-port switch. Most internal traffic going over the network are high definition video files (to or from NAS devices) which are used in DVD production. All works fine.
However, we want to move the NAS devices to another room in the floor below (no steel work to contend with), but getting a network cable down there is tricky because of the layout of the building. My mind is saying ... is there a way of extending the network wirelessly that will a) work well and b) keep a high transmission speed - the latter is necessary because the file sizes are 700MB-2GB on average. The wireless network is all using 1000Mbps equipment. The Netgear route has wireless networking ability, although its only using 100Mbps ports for Ethernet.
Again, because of the way the electrics are structured, networking over power lines isn't an option.
So the question is can it be done and if so, what equipment (Wireless Access Points, Switches etc..) do we need?
Any thoughts/suggestions welcome.
I'm after any suggestions you can give me. I have a wired network, using a NETGEAR cable router and a NetGear 8-port switch. Most internal traffic going over the network are high definition video files (to or from NAS devices) which are used in DVD production. All works fine.
However, we want to move the NAS devices to another room in the floor below (no steel work to contend with), but getting a network cable down there is tricky because of the layout of the building. My mind is saying ... is there a way of extending the network wirelessly that will a) work well and b) keep a high transmission speed - the latter is necessary because the file sizes are 700MB-2GB on average. The wireless network is all using 1000Mbps equipment. The Netgear route has wireless networking ability, although its only using 100Mbps ports for Ethernet.
Again, because of the way the electrics are structured, networking over power lines isn't an option.
So the question is can it be done and if so, what equipment (Wireless Access Points, Switches etc..) do we need?
Any thoughts/suggestions welcome.
mijanous
I vote for wireless N routers with MIMO capability configured to be ADHOC between each other with WPA-AES encryption
Not sure what you mean by "The wireless network is all using 1000Mbps equipment. "
I would avoid wireless for high volume work and stick to Gigabit ethernet.
802.11n only shifts about 50 Mbits/s of actual useful data.
I would avoid wireless for high volume work and stick to Gigabit ethernet.
802.11n only shifts about 50 Mbits/s of actual useful data.
Short answer is no. No off-the-shelf wireless system will ever give you the same experience as a Gigabit Ethernet LAN. The cost in acquiring, testing, and returning the equipment might pay for your wiring.
Consider that a multi-story commercial building already has a pathway for wiring between floors. Use that existing conduit, or even an existing abandoned cable.
If there's no existing path, then a coring job should run $350-500 for a single core through the slab. Conduit and wiring are variable, based on distance, firestopping, etc. But if you're straight above, I can see it being done for a thousand dollars. Do you have a facility manager/owner/landlord?
Consider that a multi-story commercial building already has a pathway for wiring between floors. Use that existing conduit, or even an existing abandoned cable.
If there's no existing path, then a coring job should run $350-500 for a single core through the slab. Conduit and wiring are variable, based on distance, firestopping, etc. But if you're straight above, I can see it being done for a thousand dollars. Do you have a facility manager/owner/landlord?
ASKER
Thanks for all your responses.
@aleghart:
Thanks for that. We're in an older building that doesn't have conduit and networking has always been kept to the upper of the two floors (ground and first) hence there are no old cables that can be reused. The budget that we've got for moving the necessary equipment is not high, so the ability to bring in a contractor to do it is a no go. Hence, my thinking wirelessly!
I feared the answer would be a no, but thanks anyway. I presume CAT5 isn't weatherproofed?
Cheers
@aleghart:
Thanks for that. We're in an older building that doesn't have conduit and networking has always been kept to the upper of the two floors (ground and first) hence there are no old cables that can be reused. The budget that we've got for moving the necessary equipment is not high, so the ability to bring in a contractor to do it is a no go. Hence, my thinking wirelessly!
I feared the answer would be a no, but thanks anyway. I presume CAT5 isn't weatherproofed?
Cheers
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if your budget permits then you can lay indoor multimode fiber with media converter
Try a bridge using a couple of Engenius ECB3500 units. I've been able to pull off some miracle wifi setups with those things and at under $100/each are very economical. Power over ethernet means you can stick them anywhere you want and won't have to run any power lines - one cat 5e and you're done.
ASKER
Everyone,
Thanks for all your help and advice.
@mingano : Thanks i'll have a look at those Engenius units - do you know if they are available in the UK?
Thanks for all your help and advice.
@mingano : Thanks i'll have a look at those Engenius units - do you know if they are available in the UK?
They are.
ASKER
Didn't solve the original query about Wireless, but provided a good alternative which was what we used.