[SOLVED] Router for concrete/steel walls

[lasch888]

I live in a high rise apartment made of concrete and steel. While the overall apartment isn't extremely large, my router simply can't penetrate the walls very well, and the edges of the apartment all have extremely poor signal, even just 30 feet away. This same router was fine for my previous 4500 square foot wood frame home.

Is there a router that has a high penetration? The router is centrally located and the maximum range is probably just 30 feet. Obviously range isn't a issue. I have a 600 Mbit fiber connection that frankly feels more like 600 K.

 

[RARRAF]

Powerline network adapters are probably your best option. Here is Tom's 101 on powerline -- http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/network-switch-guide,4047.html#p1
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ywQeJCa3jl8&t=293s
The newest standard is AV2. It will provide the most bandwidth.

 

[lasch888]

Thanks Rarraf, that looks fascinating, but appears to only offer one pair of connections? I need at least 3 connections on opposite ends of the apartment.

 

[RARRAF]

you can have as many connections as you require just mains sockets and you are fine.

 

[bill001g]

There is really no magic high power router. The output power is limited by the government and most router transmit near the maximum legal limit. It takes very little to block the signal. Your microwave oven works on the same 2.4g frequency and can put out 1000 times the power. The coating on the glass lets you see in but completely blocks all that energy. A cement wall absorbs huge amounts of signal.

Even if there was a magic router it is only 1/2 the problem. Most peoples problem are with the end devices. Things like cell phones put out very low power in order to conserve battery. This would mean even if a magic signal got to you your phone could never send the signal back.

They make powerline units with AP/radio on the remote unit. It is not as good as putting a router/AP on the remote end but it is much more simple to set up

 

[lasch888]

Thank you all for the advice. I'll see what I can find!