I attached a photo of a problem I am having. Do they even make a device that would do this? Or could I somehow setup another computer and install 2 NIC cards to somehow route the signal. I don’t know much about wireless bridges and such so maybe they make something like this. Thanks!
topside
A router?
sorry, perhaps i should have clarified. I am in Building 1 and trying to pick up the wireless signal coming from building 2, but my computer is physically located in building 1. I can run ethernet cable to the other building no problem, but don’t know what device i should stick on the end of the cable to get internet access to the computer in building 1.
an ethernet aerial?
If you’re going to run a cable anyway, why not connect directly to the network hub in building 2? If there’s a source of wireless LAN signal it’s usually coming from a hub (or combined internet router and hub) which usually have both wired and wireless connections.
Or is there a reason why you can’t, or don’t want to, run the wire all the way into the other building? It seems to me that if you’re getting that close with the cable, why not go a bit further and connect it directly? Perhaps you don’t want the people in building 2 to know you’re using their network 
So I’d say your “mystery device” is an RJ45 plug 
Rob
In that case you would need a router that is configured as a repeater. It would pick up the WLAN signal from building 2 and feed it into the RJ45 cable which leads to building 1. Be careful: Not all routers can be configured as a repeater, and this device needs a power supply (so you can’t put it somewhere in the tree without a power cable)
I am assuming that you don’t intend to do anyting illegal because you need to know the encryption password anyway. However, if someone runs the wlan in building 2 w/o encryption and/or MAC filtering, it is their own risk that everybody has access to their network.
RJ-45 is the specification for the most commonly used Ethernet plug / jack, not the cable. You’d likely want to run Cat 5 / 5e cable, as long as the distance is under 300 feet or so. Anything longer and you’ll need to use a different method of networking.
As Rob said, if you’re going the distance with cable, why not jack in to the network?
If you’re trying to “sneak” onto the network, your method of sneaking is irrelevant. Most network supervision applications can easily enumerate the devices connected to that network, be they connected via wire or wireless… it doesn’t matter to the supervisor. Your network traffic is easily traceable.
If the network isn’t “technically” supervised, than a physical check might turn up your “rogue antenna” or patch cable if that job is done sloppily. Be careful. Stealing bandwidth is a federal crime. Cops have busted people surfing the 'net in the parking lots of coffee shops before. It’s silly, but that’s the way the law works, sometimes.
Not that I’m condoning such behavior, but have you considered using a high-gain antenna outside your building? There are commercially available antennas that can capture a wireless signal over longer distances… they require, however, that the antenna on your wireless NIC is dis/connectable, usually with some sort of coaxial connector.
no, my intentions are not to steal bandwidth. I am in a way, i guess, but I have permission. The network in building 2 in my drawing is encrypted, and I have permission to use it, but it is a big complex of shops and warehouses, and I think the actual plug is even farther down the building (it’s a huge building). The system admin i asked about it (we are in building 1 which is part of the complex, but not wired and the wireless doesn’t reach it) said I am free to use the wireless everyone in the building uses, but i think he would be less receptive to me trying to plug directly in. plus the cable I am running is in an old building between the 2 that is not used, but I don’t think i could do all the wiring in the new building. I’ll check out the wireless repeater option. is it just a router? I think I can probably get electricity so that’s no problem. Thanks for all the feedback.
topside
If you’ve got power (and depending on the distance between your computer and the wireless range from building 2) you might get away with just using a stand-alone repeater (sometimes called a “wireless network extender” or something similar). These just plug into a power socket somewhere within range of the wireless signal and just amplify and resend anything they pick up, effectively doubling the range.
Rob
Well, what is the distance between building one and two?
If that repeater can be set up to relay the recieved signal down the cable then that looks exectly what you want - but it’s hard to tell from that site.
Given the large distance and the metal building I think my suggestion of using a wireless repeater/booster/whatever you want to call it is definitely out.
Rob
Cat 5 cable is only spec’ed to carry Ethernet signals up to 300ish feet.
Anything past that and your signal will degrade beyond usability.
You might consider using fiber or coax to carry your signal from the WAP to your computer.
I think you’re better off using a wired connection to the other building. You’re going to have enough problems carrying the signal that far over a cable… introducing a wireless link will give you even more problems.
What if you put a dumb hub or switch in between to refresh the signal? These devices are really cheap.
That’d be the solution. It just adds the requirement that he’ll need to have a power source at the hub… unless he implements PoE (Power over Ethernet).
Make a cantenna. Super-charge it with one of those home satilite dishes (direct TV), if you have to.
KE4ENY’s opinion
I had a ham radio license back before the net, LOL.
Cables could work, but are to expensive to install, and won’t last exposed.
I don’t know what to call this setup, but it’s easy to describe.
You need 2 dish antenna’s with transceivers. Basically, like any normal wi fi setup. Only you need a dish connected to a repeater plugged into a power socket, in the wi fi network range. This must be aimed at your computers dish, with no buildings in the way. Look at it as the same as aiming 2 flashlights at each other in the dark. The 2 dishes are as reflectors in a flashlight. The data beam behaves much as visible light does, only you can’t see it.
I use a cable Ethernet set up here, so I’m not familiar with internet wireless antennas, or what exactly you would need to buy.
I bet you will end up with 2 dishes pointed at each other, when you find the best setup.
Coax or other cable setup’s would work, but are more work and money then a dish setup. Especially exposed to traffic and the weather.
make a double double biquad antenna, then mount it on your roof. alternatively use a double biquad antenna to feed a satellite dish. with that setup you should be able to get wireless from at least 7km away. ive made a double double biquad before and its not that hard (20 bucks and a day). it didnt work to well for me becuase i didnt have a big enough soldering iron and i used it from inside with trees around the house etc. But if you were able to get it onto a roof i shouldnt see you having many problems. even a cantenna should be able to do it.
