Wireless in a production area

[shmoes]

Hey all, we have a manufacturing area which I want to add some computers to however the only accessable way to these computers by cable is through what we call a clean room. So this is not an option there can be no cables tacked to the walls in these rooms. So the suggestion was what about wireless?

I don't know jack about wireless with exception to what I have at home.

Is there a better commercial application that I can use

-Needs to go through Concrete (though I can likely get an antenna past the concrete if that's enough)
-Needs to go through walls made of aluminum that are insullated.
-Needs to work around manufacturing type machinery

I don't even know if this is possible, looking for experienced advice. I have a meeting with a Wireless specialist tomorrow, and i'm hoping I can be somewhat prepared instead of going in and just taking everything at face value because I don't know anything..

What should I ask?
What should I avoid?

All responses are appreciated! Thanks!


~Shmoes

 

[wahnula]

Wireless Access Points are better than wireless routers, stronger radios.

http://www.radiolabs.com/products/wireless/wireless-range-extender.php

is a good amplified antenna but I'm not sure about getting it through an aluminum wall. Possibly an exterior antenna and bridge/relay? I know someone who got a wireless camera to transmit several hundred feet through the woods using a directional antenna (like a spotlight, not a floodlight) and a bridge. The SMCANT-DI135 is what he used I believe.

That's what I know...

Tony

 

[Kwazzy]

Have you thought about a conduit piping around the exterior of the building? Depending on the thickness of the walls and the and interferance levels of the equipment, you may have to consider an option of conduit piping. If this is a larger distance between locations you can look at 'line of sight' wireless. But as far as your SOHO wireless... I doubt it will help you much.

 

[krabban]

I have just bought wireless... to share in the office with the neighbour upstairs. The concrete seems to genereate a great deal of headache!! Still, there are only a few meters apart...

Help!!

Shall we adjust the extra antenna for better cover!? Shall the antenna be horizontal and not upstraight...!?

 

[Auger282]

I would look at how they have power in this "clean room" and run the network line the same way....

 

[Kwazzy]

SOHO (Small Office/Home Office) wireless devices are not manufactured to transmit through dense materials like Concreate. It not the nature of wireless. Even when planning out a wireless survey with the big companies (Cisco, Nortel, 3com...) you must take in effect the materials around you. (Example - Cubical walls, chairs, elevator shafts, in house wireing, support columns... ect.) All that can cause limitations and interferance with your wireless connectivity. You can try the higher power antennas ($80 for a set for most SOHO devices) but I seriously doubt it will get through the concreate. We tried this ourselves a while back to see what items are too dense for wireless transmitions. Wireless is a more along the lines of line of site comms. Anything in its path can cause interferance.

PS Tip - For those of you who are new to Wireless, avoid Microwave Ovens with your setup. They will cause interferance with your connections.