How can I extend me wireless internet over 100 meters?

Question

Please speak slowly as I am technically challenged;)

Here is my prob. I have been running my business from home for the last four years, but now it is getting too big and I need to rent office space and hire staff. The office I am looking at is approx 100 meters from my current internet connection as the crow flys, with residential properties in between. As I have small children I need to be flexible with my working locations and would prefer to keep the same internet connection and use my laptop. I know you can purchase repeaters, but what do I need to buy. I have googled, but as I said I am technically challenged and it doesn't make alot of sense to me.

***The most important issue is that however I do this I need to keep my internet speed! ***

I am also looking at purchasing a long range cordless phone for over $1000AUD (I'm in OZ) if I could combine the two that would be great.

BTW, there is currently no phone line in the office, but can be added if need be.

Thanks :)

Answer 1

There are point to point and professional radios built just for this purpose. The off the shelf consumer line products MIGHT be able to do it but using commercial gear is sure to make it work.  IN Oz land visit http://www.comnet.com.au/  check the Tranzeo brand AP/Clients or the actual Point to Point units. You will need to put these Outdoors - they use power over ethernet and the radio units are built into the antennas. 100meters is no issue - we use them to well over 8 miles!  

Most people don't even know these are available but they are, they aren't overly expensive but they are not cheap either! They do work! A couple of the CPQ unit will do it well.

http://store.comnet.com.au/details/75647...  if you have good "line of sight" - you can pole mount them if needed.

Edit: actually you will need ONE TR6000 http://store.comnet.com.au/details/76329...  as you need one end to be an access point.

Answer 2

Try a high gain antenna like one of those below.  however, why not just put in an internet link in the new location.  even with a high gain antenna you will lose through put.  the rf spectrum used by wifi is unregulated and competes with other wifi devices, nursery monitors, cordless phones (like the one you plan to use) etc

Answer 3

I would prefer a setup where you used two Internet connections and used a VPN between them.  (A VPN is a Virtual Private Network which is basically a secure, encrypted connection between two diverse locations.)

Wireless is insecure by nature and extending the range to as much as two miles is only widening that security hole.

There are very good VPN clients (Hamachi comes to mind) that are cheap or even free.  With a VPN in place the two locations are as one in terms of computing.

Answer 4

Something like this should work:

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/...

Note that it says when paired with a similar device on the receiving end you can extend your range up two miles (US >3 km) which is a bit more than needed.

As for the phone, have you considered and VoIP?  This is generally a better deal if you have a large volume of calls and you should be able to use the same number anywhere you have internet.