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XtremeX
Admin
| Posts: 26 |   |
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Re: What do i need to hook in |
- 2006/07/15 09:41 |
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#2 |
I'm fairly keen on hooking up to the network
Great to hear 
i've also got access to an old austar satelite (if that helps)
this would be a to directional, bit if you can get an old austar parabolic grid, then that would be perfect.
1. What do a need and how much will it cost (just aprox's will be fine)
This would depend on the type of setup that you would like to use.
If you would like to simply act as a client then the cheapest / easiest option (Ill add some other options later) would be to get a linksys wrt54gl, as this unit supports custom firmware that allows it to connect at longer distances and generally adds more configuration options. These units are about ~$115.
there are multiple ways of actually attaching the unit to the modded dish, the most common being either a unit in the roof with a length of coax leading to the antenna, or the unit in an outdoor box with a short patch into the antenna and power over ethernet to supply power to the unit. So the best setup will depend on your location, accessibility, etc.
You will also need some coax which must be at least 400 spec. LMR400 is the most common and is approximately ~$4.80 meter.
You will also need some plugs (the number and type depends on your setup). For a coax run where you dont plan on relocating then you could have a long patch directly off the antenna with only a single plug to go into the adapter on the linksys unit. Otherwise, if there is a possibility that the setup will be relocated or adjusted a more dynamic approach may be needed which involves a short patch out of the antenna with a N-Type socket, and using a set lenght of coax with N-Type plugs on both ends. The length and attenuation can then be adjusted with various lengths of coax, without affecting the modded antenna. Plugs are generally from ~$4 to ~$25
Eg for a general lengthy run where relocation is a possibility.
RP-TNC male to N-Type female adapter for the linksys, 2 x N-Type male plugs for the patch cable, and an N-Female socket for the antenna patch) and some mounting equipment.
The coax and plugs can be obtained from Livewire, they (or some other members) can also modify the hills grid for you.
2. would i need anything extra to 'protect' my net connection
Using these units with custom firmware allows you to use NAT (Network Address Translation) which is a natural firewall within itself. Once again, there are many ways to go about firewalls and on the wireless network it would definatelly be must have, as it is an open network, and therefor is open to possible attack or virus etc. Using NAT also allows you to keep your internal network seperate. If you also have an internet connection, you will also need to add some routes in to point to the wireless network. Routing information is available here
3. how likely would i be able to include the house next door into the network (we can pick up their network from my roof with their lappy)
Hmmmm... how close?. If you set up an AP, they could connect to it, or if they are really close, you could run a bit of cat5  .
(also are you looking for places to put up ap's, as i might be able to get access to the pressy church depend on what would be needed)
Any place is a great place to have an AP .
Hope this is enough information to get started, just ignore any error's, it is late now and time for bed 
if i get a chance ill add some of the more.
Cheers,
Phill
Behind every little problem there's a larger problem, waiting for the little problem to get out of the way. When I do figure out the problem, my mind is like lightning, one brilliant flash then it is gone! |
