Upgrading from Wireless-G 1

[dBjason]

Hello,

I'm a programmer that has been turned into the I.T. department due to budget cuts, so many of my new functions are completely new to me. This is one.

I've been asked to extend the range of our wireless network. We are currently using a Linksys Wireless-G WRT54GS router (2.4 GHz). It's worked great, but a little short of the range we need.

The general move is to replace it with a Wireless-N. However, I've noticed that there is quite a selection to choose from. Cost is a factor, but we must have a greater broadcast radius. Some of the N routers have 2 or 3 antennas, and I'm not sure whether to step up to a 5 GHz or not. At the same time, we have customers and employees using our wireless-G via Wi-Fi; would we have to purchase additional hardware for the clients?



So my question is:

How could I extend the range of our current wi-fi to meet my boss' demands AND if I move to a wireless-n would the existing users have to purchase additional hardware/software to access the internet via the new router?

Thanks in advance for any/all help!

 

[rclarke250]

N will not get you any more distance, the extra antennas are for mimo, multi-in/multi-out that is one of the way they increase the speed, but without an n adapter to connect to, you will gain no speed increase,or range. you would be better served by getting an access point or 2 and increasing the range of the existing wireless setup. Another problem seen with N is it's speed is really susceptible to range, and noise interference. I would also look into replacing the existing router's antenna with a larger antenna, that will net you some range also.

 

[dBjason]

Thanks, I'll check into getting a larger antenna. If anyone else has an idea about getting some extra range, please post!

Thanks again,
Jason

 

[americanmcneil]

rclarke250 is right on the money as far as the N issues go.

However, if it's a Linksys then you may or may not be able to replace the antennas. Most of the older models had removable antennas (2Dbi) and can easily be replaces with the larger versions you can find for $30 bucks or so (4 and 7 Dbi versions) but most of the newer versions of the Linksys models have permanent attached antennas (which really sucks if you ask me)

Now, if you don't mind running a little bit of Ethernet cable back to said router then there are all manner of inexpensive (anywhere from $80 to $200) access points that you can use to dramatically increase the range of your wireless coverage. It all depends on your environment and what you feel comfortable doing.

On another note, the Linksys units are typically pushing 28 milliwatts of transmission power. You could simply get a single high powered (250 to 500mw)access point and mount it right at the router and then disable the wireless on the router.

There really are a lot of options that won't break your budget!


Americanmcneil
Network+

 

[vipergg]

You also won't get much out of "N" unless you replace all the wireless adaptors in your pc's and laptops to "N" adaptors otherwise they will only run "G" speeds and range . you are better in doing a new site survey to see where the signals are or aren't and add a couple of "G" routers .