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Re: Network bridge problem

Subject: Re: Network bridge problem
From: Paul
Date: Fri, 16 Jan 2009 14:02:41 -0500
Newsgroups: uk.comp.homebuilt, alt.comp.hardware.pc-homebuilt, alt.comp.hardware


Quis custodiet ipsos custodes wrote:
On 16 Jan, 11:11, "Rarius" <rar...@xxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
"Quis custodiet ipsos custodes" <newbie....@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in 
messagenews:d970d9d8-3823-4271-8061-82933f6709b4@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Hi,
My cable wireless modem is too far away in the house and behind too
many walls from my home cluster that I have set up an old computer as
a relay PC.
<SNIP>

A wierd error happens where I can connect to Google and get up-to-date
Google News, Groups, etc. When I ping a website (like news websites) I
can resolve their numerical IP address. However, when I try to connect
to them, the connection doesn't work. I've tried turning off my
Windows and software firewalls but it still doesn't work.
Any ideas what the problem might be?
What routing software are you running on the "stepping stone" PC? Have you
just bridges the connections using the XP "bridge connections" option?.
This might helphttp://www.windowsnetworking.com/articles_tutorials/wxpbrdge.html

Yes I'm just using Windows XP's bridge connections option.

XP generally has difficulty having both wired and wireless connections on
the same PC.

I was beginning to figure that out. Even when I don't bridge the
connections, and have just wired + wireless connections on, this
problem arises.

Personally, I would have just gone and bought a longer CAT5e cable and wired
the whole lot, but then I think wireless networks should only be used where
absolutely needed! You can buy 305m reels of CAT5e cable and wall sockets
for a few quid. I cabled up my observatory over 50yrds from my house and it
cost me less than the wireless router would have! And I had a full 100mbps
connection to the computers in the house too, not the crappy 1-2mbps
wireless would have given me!

If there is an outdoor portion of about 3m, how weatherproof are
ethernet cables? Will they survive in wet/dry, hot/cold, sun, snow,
etc. or do I need to put them in a PVC pipe?

I can think of a number of solutions

1) Have cable modem installer, install the cable modem inside
   the premises, so that any kludge solutions are avoided. Then,
   it it their responsibility to route the cable TV coax cable in
   a safe manner.

2) On the cable modem, if it has an external connector for an
   antenna, substitute a directional antenna on the unit, and point
   that at your house. Presumably, if you're the only person needing
   access to the wireless modem, then making the antenna directional
   will not be a problem.

3) Bridge the gap between buildings with fiber optic cable and
   Ethernet to Fiber adaptation equipment. That will avoid lightning
   protection issues. I'm not so much worried about a direct hit,
   as an indirect one. Long runs of outdoor wire, function as
   a transformer winding, and can end up at high potential
   via coupling of one sort or another. At the very least, you
   could consult with a local electrician, for a guide to
   best practice.

4) My very last choice, would be to run wire between buildings.
   They do make little surge protector plates. Notice there is
   no specification as to the level of protection afforded.

   http://www.ethernetextender.com/ethernet-extension-products/250LP.php

   Even a buried cable can have a potential induced into it. But
   with conduit and some grounding, the exposure might be reduced.

The cleanest solution is to get the cable modem installed
in the right building to begin with. Even if the installation
charge is a few more dollars. With a wired connection to your
PC, you have one less thing to worry about (wireless performance
as a function of the equipment your neighbors are using).

HTH,
     Paul

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