Topic: Wireless (Airport-extreme) distance run/ best way?

[ArchivalAudio]

any other ideas or suggestions?

[scb]

powerline adapter?

[ArchivalAudio]

powerline adapter?

what exactly do you refer to?
I would like to know more
--Ian

[kindms]

If you were using a more modern airport extreme you could simply install a router in the garage and another int he main hose. there should be enough over lap to create the wifi backbone

using 802.11n on both units should give you the throughput and necessary penetration to do it.

WDS is built in to many newer routers (airport extremes the newer ones). It is more than likely available int he 3rd part firmware like DDWRT
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wireless_Distribution_System


You should be able to do this. I have folks in big mansion multifloor setups that this works well with

[DigiGal]

powerline adapter?

what exactly do you refer to?
I would like to know more
--Ian

Powerline adapter is what was ultimately suggested in the Mac Observer Forum link by the admin Dave Hamilton.  You may want to contact him, I reposted the original thread link and his twitter address from his posts from there, quoted in blue below.

http://www.macobserver.com/tmo/forums/viewthread/79342/

"My experience with all of this is that Wi-Fi extenders rarely (if ever) reliably extend the signal range more than a few percent. Usually they just cause interference and reduce overall signal strength (yes, I know I talk about the one time I used my AEBS in a hotel room to bounce the hotel’s Wi-Fi from the front of my room to the back, but it turns out that was the ONLY time I ever saw success with anything like this… and that was VERY limited success, at best).

The right answer is to get a PowerLine adapter set, plug one in where your router is, plug another in where you’re having signal issues, and the hang a router (in bridge/access point mode) from the latter. Works *fantastic* and I’ve never looked back.  -Dave Hamilton / The Mac Observer / Dave on Twitter"


"Powerline is pretty-much plug-and-play. You plug both powerline units into AC outlets on the wall, then plug ethernet cables into each one. In essence, treat it as though those two ethernet cables are two ends of the same cable. Once plugged into your routers, the two will be connected.

The trick is that your “extension” router needs to be put into Bridge mode (as Apple calls it) or Wireless Access Point mode (as it’s called on other, 3rd party, routers).

Does that help?   -Dave Hamilton / The Mac Observer / Dave on Twitter   http://twitter.com/davehamilton"

[scb]

i've used powerline with great results and with not so great results. it all depends on the wiring.  it worked perfectly at my parents house

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833122318&cm_re=powerline-_-33-122-318-_-Product

it uses your power lines as ethernet cable.  you plug in a box to an ac outlet (NOT a power strip) at both ends.  plug ethernet cable from your router or whatever into the powerline box on one end, and plug an ethernet cable from the powerline box on the other end to your computer, to another router, etc. no need to lay more cable since your powerlines are acting as the cable for you

[ArchivalAudio]

i've used powerline with great results and with not so great results. it all depends on the wiring.  it worked perfectly at my parents house

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833122318&cm_re=powerline-_-33-122-318-_-Product

it uses your power lines as ethernet cable.  you plug in a box to an ac outlet (NOT a power strip) at both ends.  plug ethernet cable from your router or whatever into the powerline box on one end, and plug an ethernet cable from the powerline box on the other end to your computer, to another router, etc. no need to lay more cable since your powerlines are acting as the cable for you

hey thanx all
That New egg link is great! great price- may be I sould just try that
but I do have more questions [Of Course!]
So at this one link http://support.plasternetworks.com/support-notes/using-powerline-adapters-to-extend-your-wifi-network
and  http://www.tested.com/news/tested-wi-fi-antenna-boosters-and-powerline-adapters/306/

and else where It appears that it works best when the powerline adapters are on the same circuit.
my garage is definitely NOT on the same circuit breakers are the rest of the house  or where the other Wifi Modem/Router is.
and it appears likely due to old wiring in much of the house - not all circuits (outlets) are grounded. however the garage is grounded just fine
would there ba any issues with one outlets grounded  and one not?

thanx
so much
--Ian

[ArchivalAudio]

wow looking more at the new egg link and at the netgear site - it sure appears the units are not grounded
and looks like a great solution

but perhaps I should also consider the newer "refurbed"  Airport extreme

though for no my old school one would work
the powerline option looks like it could work great!

any other input is appreciated!

[ArchivalAudio]

would there be any reason to go with a faster model
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833122233
like that?

my last speakeasy speedtest result was
Last Result:
Download Speed: 8635 kbps (1079.4 KB/sec transfer rate)
Upload Speed: 750 kbps (93.8 KB/sec transfer rate)
with my old school Airport extreme
which I am currently only getting a 50% reception rate - since it's going through a plaster wall about 15' away
--Ian

[ArchivalAudio]

Ok thank you to all
for helping me to understand what the hack a powerline adapter unit is.
I ended up ordering the  "faster" units http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833122233

with the plan that I will also upgrade to a new "current version" airport extreme in the near future.
I'll let you know how successful this is after I try them out.
--Ian

[ArchivalAudio]

My two Netgear  XAVB101-100NAS
Arrived from NewEgg today
it appears to be working great from one room to the other in our home
next step will be trying it out from house to garage- which may not happen until I have more time this weekend!

[DigiGal]

Ian,

Finally determined my saucer Airport Extreme has been giving problems lately after my ISP recently fixed their issues.  Turns out there are several people that started experiencing the same issues with these units according to this Apple Discussions thread.

http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=2520326&start=0&tstart=0

I decided to replace it with a current model airport extreme since the Protection Plan expired.  I was considering a new one anyway before the problem started.  Apple set me up with a certified refurbished unit that is fully covered under my current Apple Care Protection Plan.

[ArchivalAudio]

Ian,

Finally determined my saucer Airport Extreme has been giving problems lately after my ISP recently fixed their issues.  Turns out there are several people that started experiencing the same issues with these units according to this Apple Discussions thread.

http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=2520326&start=0&tstart=0

I decided to replace it with a current model airport extreme since the Protection Plan expired.  I was considering a new one anyway before the problem started.  Apple set me up with a certified refurbished unit that is fully covered under my current Apple Care Protection Plan.

DigiGal, thanx  - it will take me a while to digest those pages of discussion.
So far My (refurbed) Aiport extreme has not lost connections- though it did a while back before I updated the firmware-  I would have to restart it multiple times a day - so I know how that sucks...
you must have bought apple care for your original airport... how long was it for and how much was it?

--Ian

[DigiGal]

DigiGal, thanx  - it will take me a while to digest those pages of discussion.
So far My (refurbed) Aiport extreme has not lost connections- though it did a while back before I updated the firmware-  I would have to restart it multiple times a day - so I know how that sucks...
you must have bought apple care for your original airport... how long was it for and how much was it?

--Ian

I'm running the current version 5.7 and having the problems with the old style flying saucer extreme.  The thread suggests rolling back to a different version as a work around.  My saucer extreme was covered under the apple care protection from my old imac but that had expired a year ago.  The current model extreme that I just purchased is an apple certified refurbished unit, it will now be covered under the apple care protection of my current imac.

If you have the old style saucer shaped extreme it will likely need frequent re-boots with the latest software.

Thought you originally mentioned having the saucer shaped extreme and didn't see a post mentioning that you got a new extreme.  If you have since picked up a current model flat unit as a refurb you shouldn't have the issue. 

So which model airport extreme do you have now? 

Note: the new units do not have an external antenna port like the old models did.

[ArchivalAudio]

^^^^ thanx DigiGal
I still have an older style flying saucer extreme (which I got as a refurbed unit)- a few years back I had the need to restart it multiple times a day -  did the retro firmware downgrade as suggested- eventually I upgraded the firmware to 5.7 as well and have not seen the restart issues in a couple of years...
So if I wnet to the current version extreme (refurbed) http://store.apple.com/us/product/FC340LL/A?mco=MTc4MzI5NzM
that they no longer have an external antenna port?  - after looking at the pics- that appears correct!  but then n is supposed to be faster and stronger signal then g - correct?

--Ian