Best way to extend internet access and home network to remote shop (400+ feet from wifi router)

[geraldvg]

I live in a rural location (no issues with security or other RF devices) and need to establish home network and internet access from my house to my 400 foot distant workshop office. My Netgear WNR3500 v2 wifi router is located on the second floor of the house, is connected to my satellite modem via ethernet and adequately covers my entire house (main and second floors and basement). The 400 foot distance to my shop, however, makes an ethernet run a non-option even though I have unoccupied PVC conduit already buried between the house and the shop. Line of sight from the house to the shop is obscured by large trees.

I have a second out-building (chicken house) directly between the house and the shop (nominally 270 feet from the house and 130 feet from the shop). The chicken house has uninterrupted AC wiring to the sub-panel in the shop (~150 ft.) and reasonably clear line of sight from the first floor of the house.

I have assumed that trying to use power line adapters from the house service panel to the sub-panel in the shop would meet with the same problems as ethernet and not be an option. The only other possible option I've been able to come up with is to set up a wifi bridge or hot spot at the chicken house connecting to my (or a second router) at the house and connecting from the chicken house to the shop using power line adapters. The wifi equipment can operate at any frequency, 900 mHz up, without concern for interference.

Some good advice from you, who know a lot more about this than I do, about this requirement and how it can best be accomplished along with some specific hardware suggestions would be greatly appreciated. I can and will provide any additional information, including pictures, that would be helpful. A discussion would also be welcome. I am on a budget that precludes the heavy-duty, industrial grade options.

Thanks up front for your expertise and thoughts.

 

[bill001g]

You likely would be better off with outdoor bridge wireless like engenious enh202 or ubiquiti nano m2 for the wireless connection. 270ft is a long way when you have to go though walls.

Other options that you may consider. The best of course is running a fiber optic patch. If you did not have the conduit it would be a lot more expensive. If you are very careful you can pull a fiber patch cord designed for indoor use though a conduit. The problem with fiber is putting the ends one, not a do it yourself project so you need to get a prebuilt cable. The media converters have come way down. I would guess $500 total and that is likely a little on the high side. You would get full 1g speed.

Another option is to use what are called ethernet extenders. What these really are is a single user DSL connection like ISP use to deliver. You would only need phone grade wire and you can go over 1km with it. These systems cost in the $300 range and you might get 100m if you are lucky.

 

[geraldvg]

You likely would be better off with outdoor bridge wireless like engenious enh202 or ubiquiti nano m2 for the wireless connection. 270ft is a long way when you have to go though walls.

Other options that you may consider. The best of course is running a fiber optic patch. If you did not have the conduit it would be a lot more expensive. If you are very careful you can pull a fiber patch cord designed for indoor use though a conduit. The problem with fiber is putting the ends one, not a do it yourself project so you need to get a prebuilt cable. The media converters have come way down. I would guess $500 total and that is likely a little on the high side. You would get full 1g speed.

Another option is to use what are called ethernet extenders. What these really are is a single user DSL connection like ISP use to deliver. You would only need phone grade wire and you can go over 1km with it. These systems cost in the $300 range and you might get 100m if you are lucky.

Thanks, for the quick response, Bill001g. I like the fiber and ethernet extenders ideas and will look into both of those as well as the wireless bridges. I had about written off the options using the buried conduit and will have to look into how to make the house end connections. Right now the conduit is terminated outside of my basement wall (adjacent to where my house service entrance penetrates the concrete. I'm assuming that I can drill another hole through the wall and mount whatever hardware I need there. Getting to my existing ethernet switch is, however going to be problematic (long story involving how the house is constructed and how to make the necessary cable pulls, :-( )

Will have to look into the outdoor bridge wireless option, but I don't think going through walls will be an issue, especially if I use a second wireless router.

Would you mind if I get back to you with questions if something I cannot answer myself comes up?

 

[bill001g]

Post to the forums, I do not read private messages, I am sure if I am not around many others can answer your questions.