wireless repeater

[TheCoop]

This isnt really a gentoo question, but im sure you wont mind...

I have a basic home lan (wired + wireless on router), with a wireless card on the router and a wireless pcmcia card on the laptop. Unfortunately the wireless network only extends halfway into the kitchen, and I need it to go all the way. Is there any very inexpensive way (other than moving the router) to extend the wireless network to the kitchen?

I've got a desktop computer on the wired network next to the kitchen, will putting a wireless card in there and have the whole thing in ad-hoc extend the network to the entire kitchen?
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95% of all computer errors occur between chair and keyboard (TM)

"One World, One web, One program" - Microsoft Promo ad.
"Ein Volk, Ein Reich, Ein Führer" - Adolf Hitler

Change the world - move a rock

[lghman]

What wireless card are you using with that. Some of the cards have a lower "mW" rating to them and therefore do not send or recieve the signal at father distances (sometimes its not the AP's fault). I currently run a Orinoco and a Cisco card. The latter is good for home/office use at 45-50mW, the Cisco is hard-core with 2 antenna outputs and 100mW. A simple suggestion is to maybe hook up some kind of exernal antenna to either you AP or your wirless card. Since I have been able to recieve signals from over 10 miles away, I think you can get to your kitchen.

[TheCoop]

[lghman]

Come on now, being "l33t" and all I would think you know how to use google .. j/k
As far as antenna's go, it really depends if you want to make one yourself (run you around maybe $25US) or if you want to buy a professional one (run you about $50-$100US). If you want to buy one heres a list. As far as setting up your card to act as an access point for your network, check this manpage. Basically you just use the wireless toolset to set the card into "master mode".
If you really want to build an antenna, that takes a little more time, effort, and innovation (kinda sounds like running linux ). If so, just let me know, and I will send you some designs.

--sonik

p.s. I am happy to see that my knowledge of wireless isnt going to waste!
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"What a distressing contrast there is between the radiant intelligence of a child and the feeble mentality of the average adult" --Freud

[TheCoop]

ah, what does a 6 dBi power rating equal in range?
_________________
95% of all computer errors occur between chair and keyboard (TM)

"One World, One web, One program" - Microsoft Promo ad.
"Ein Volk, Ein Reich, Ein Führer" - Adolf Hitler

Change the world - move a rock

[lghman]

Depending greatly on type, atmaspheric conditions, walls, metal etc., anywhere from about 1000ft to almost a mile (seeing that a 4dBi is around 1000-1500ft and an 8dBi is 1-1.2 miles). This also depends on the type of antenna and so on. If you want somthing that small, I would suggest just makeing a small antenna. Its really not that hard . Saves a bunch of cash too, especially since you are just running into the kitchen .

--sonik

[edit] An indoor sector-directional antenna at 6dBi would give you 1000-3000ft. Which are the ones sold by linksys, siemens, and so on.[/edit]
_________________
"What a distressing contrast there is between the radiant intelligence of a child and the feeble mentality of the average adult" --Freud