Possible to use wifi through multiple floors?

H

hunt3r

Discoverer
Hey guys, needed some help. Is it possible to share a single internet connection over Wifi over multiple floors in a building? Ie what is the max range of a Wifi router given there are floors and walls in between?

The problem is only one internet connection can be taken and it has to be shared by around 10 people over three floors. The router would be in the 2nd floor and the range has to be upto the 4th floor. Is this possible?

I've heard that its possible to extend the range using a series of routers as range extenders but i really have no idea how. Can anyone please help me out here? Is there a way to do this?

Also which is the best router to use in this case, ie the one with the best range?

Thanks in advance :)
 
^^Well thanks for replying but that i had posted already :P

What i wanted to know was how exactly do i do it?

And was looking for opinions on which routers have higher range, or dual antenna routers etc

Also the other question of whether it works through floors in the first place
 
Well to use router as a repeater, all you need to do is change the wireless mode to Repeater mode and turn off settings like dhcp, dns, etc.

This might be of some help to you

How to Use a Router as a Repeater | eHow.com

One of the best range routers I have come across is Buffalo WHR HP G54 series. Or you could try wireless n based routers. They are supposed to have more range and speed but would cost you more.
 
Do note that wi-fi signal degrades a lot while travelling through floors. ALso the signal is good only if the other wi-fi device is more or less right below or above the orginating wi-fi device. I suggest you test it out with any spare wi-fi routers before spending any more on new ones.
 
I have the Linksys WRT54G2 and it works fine till the ground floor (it's installed on the third floor).

Expect lots of degradation if you have lots of users and high security settings. Expect network intrusions if you keep the settings open. A dual-band Wireless N router should help somewhat, but for PCs near the router/s, try and use wired connections. It really helps with throughput.
 
You need one router (non wifi will do), one switch and multiple AP's (access points)

Place one AP in each floor.

Each AP connects to the switch.

Linksys AP costs approx 4k

Cisco AP will cost 22k

Did this long time back, so sorry if any mistakes!
 
spacenoxx said:
Do note that wi-fi signal degrades a lot while travelling through floors. ALso the signal is good only if the other wi-fi device is more or less right below or above the orginating wi-fi device. I suggest you test it out with any spare wi-fi routers before spending any more on new ones.
Click to expand...

The problem is its not for me, its for my sister who's currently in switzerland. Her hostel building dosent have internet access in the room and hence having to resort to all this. So cant try out anything :(

cranky said:
I have the Linksys WRT54G2 and it works fine till the ground floor (it's installed on the third floor).

Expect lots of degradation if you have lots of users and high security settings. Expect network intrusions if you keep the settings open. A dual-band Wireless N router should help somewhat, but for PCs near the router/s, try and use wired connections. It really helps with throughput.
Click to expand...

Ok thats good news, then it should at least work for a couple of floors. There'll be only one PC near the router. The rest are in different rooms. Alright will suggest a wireless N router, hope it works. Thanks!

sujit801 said:
You need one router (non wifi will do), one switch and multiple AP's (access points)
Place one AP in each floor.
Each AP connects to the switch.

Linksys AP costs approx 4k
Cisco AP will cost 22k

Did this long time back, so sorry if any mistakes!
Click to expand...

AP's are wireless or wired? Wiring wont be possible, it'll have to be wireless. And i think the total cost will be too high anyway
 
hunt3r!
What jampack said is perfect.

You want this only for internet right? and not for file sharing and stuff like that?

If its only for internet then you can get the job done at under 3.5k :P Just get 2 good cheapo routers and set up the second as a wireless reapeater.
Saw some really good TP link ones with good range for about 1.9k.
Same thing sells for 40$ at newegg.
 
You could also go in for a G Plus router for double the coverage as compared to normal G routers.

Don't bother with N Routers if your devices don't support it.
 
@ Sandy, yep just for internet.

Routers will have to be procured in switzerland itself so theres not much choice. and apparently its 7k per router there! ill check the model no of the routers and report back.

Thanks again for all the help guys :)
 
hunt3r said:
Routers will have to be procured in switzerland itself so theres not much choice. and apparently its 7k per router there! ill check the model no of the routers and report back.
Click to expand...

You did not mention this earlier.

Is there any reason to get it from there rather than here ?
 
^^Well as i mentioned, its for my sister who's in switzerland so the routers have to be purchased there unfortunately

I checked with my sis and apparently a D-link wireless N router is available for around 5.5k

She couldnt tell me the model number yet but from what i could gather on the net, it might be the D-Link DIR 655 Wireless N router, which is availabe on newegg for 92$ Newegg.com - D-Link DIR-655 IEEE 802.3/3u, IEEE 802.11g, IEEE802.11n Draft 2 Xtreme N Gigabit Wireless Router - Wireless Routers

EDIT: Actually maybe not that one, might be the DIR-615 also http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...etwork+-+Wireless+Routers-_-D-Link-_-33127241

Anyway will confirm as soon as i can
 
Shipping cost is crazy yaar, is about 4-5k just to send two routers. Plus takes a week to reach, router was needed kinda urgently.

Anyway it turned out to be the DIR-615 and they bought it, one router is working across four floors. Thanks a lot for the help guys :)
 
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