First, let me tell you what we have: We are running DirectWay Satellite Internet System, and what we have on our own computer is a Hewlett Packard with XP Home Edition. The other computer we are wanting to link to is the same as ours; Hewlett Packard with XP Home Edition. I was wanting to ask you (seeing that the house is 100 yards away), would we be better off lying the cable underground, than going wireless? We do have a clear view, but traffic would be flowing through it, as it is the driveway. Whichever one you suggest, we will probably go with. Would you please tell us what we would need to network the 2, where we can both use the same internet: part numbers, places to buy, etc. ~ would all be appreciated. Thanks for your help......James.we dont mind digging if that is the better way.

100 yards is the maximum limit of conventional cat 5/6 wire, you would be better off here running fiber, You may also be pushing it for a wireless setup without spending some good money, I would try the wireless first being that wireless hubs are cheap money at circuit city, etc.

Fiber isnt that expensive buying it as a sngle setup, but if you have to have it installed it is extremely expensive (not that it is as cheap as cat 6 wire). You can buy a peice pre-made up to any length, belkin makes a transciever that will convert the fiber to a cat 5 cable that you can plug into a hub, these are real cheap but certainly cheaper than buying a hub that supports fiber.

First off, IMO, cable is much safer and more stable than wireless. As mentioned you would be pushing the limit on both media for distance. If you are going to lay the cable yourself, I would go with an outdoor/ underground Cat5/6 cable myself. If you can swing fiber cost, although not a whole lot more to purchase, to have someone lay it correctly will add to a fair amount to the cost. They make repeaters/amplifiers that you can lay with the cable that will compensate for the distance. While your laying it, lay extra...just is case you want to expand and more later.

Again, just my opinion, unless your running a business out of the home, I think the copper cable would be your best bet for the dollar. Make sure you lay whatever cable deep eough so you don't do an OOOOOOOPS later one with a shovel (Don't ask me how I know :rolleyes: )

You might be able to find some one from the cable/phone comapny that can do this in their off time an save some $.

James, I'm really sorry I dropped the ball on your PM. Life's been a little hectic the past week.

My 2¢:

100 meters (~109 yards) is the max safe distance on Cat5 cable. Cat6 will handle *gigabit* speeds up to 100 meters and I think it is the best solution for your particular case. If I were you, I would accurately measure the distance between where you will mount one switch and the other, then purcase a Cat6 patch cable to fit into that length from http://www.cablesdirect.com/ or another similar website that sells pre-made cables wholesale (I've done business with them, they're great!). As for the cable, you have two choices:

1) Get something with a bury-safe sheath that's with solid copper (not stranded) twisted pair lines.
2) Get something with a cheap sheath and solid copper lines and bury it underground using PVC.

DO NOT run a power line with or near this cable in the tube. Power lines disrupt transmission on network cables. Two big ones are standard house wiring (never run a network line in parallel or bundled with to a power line for more than a couple feet) and flourescent light ballasts will also disrupt tramissions enough to kill the connection.

Here's another thought : if you are not running the cable directly out of your router and directly into another computer, you'll need to purchase at least one network switch. Also, if there is a building in between with power, you can just as easily run the cable from your place, into that building, install a switch into the building, then use that switch as a "repeater" to send out the wired signal to the other building. Just a thought.

Wireless routers are more than capable of reaching that far and are a much more reasonable solution in my opinion, as long as you secure them properly so Joe Blow Neighbor can't steal your connection. The cost is negligable. If I were going the legth of a football field, I would probably want to buy one of the new Linksys wireless routers with SRX technology. Expect the cost to be between $100-150. If you want the model I would recommend personally, go to amazon.com and search for "SRX 400". Linksys SRX 400 model router is killer. This may also mean you'll need a wireless card for any computers that will connect to that access point. If you don't have one, I have a spare PCI card floating around I can give up, but please - only ask for it if you're hard up for cash. I keep little parts like this laying around for friends, family and forum members in the case that someone really genuinely has a need for them and would like to keep it that way :)

As for which one you should choose, I would really need to know the exact distance and post some pictures so we have an idea of what you're lookin at doing. While I agree with the suggestions on fiber above, I do not think it is worth the money on a residential install and I would try the wireless before spending that kind of money. Between the fiber line and the equipment needed, you're looking at spending at least $500 - granted, it will kick fkn ass, but ... yeah. You spend that kinda money, it better :D

Sorry this took so lont but had a few life changes....lol.They are ready to do whatever it takes to do this now so i have added a couple of pics to show you what we have now :) It is a hughesnet setup for satelite internet that we are wanting for both of us to use.thanx for any help :)

One idea which is how I have it setup with me and my mother in laws:
place a wireless router on the internet connection side as close to the corner or wall to the opposite house, running the Cat5 from the connection to the router. Then on the receiving side/house that doesn't have the connection, use another router (as close as possible to the other house) and run them in Ad-Hoc mode so they only talk to each other and not other devices that may be in the area.

I have this setup between my house and my mother in laws (she lives next door) and she gets a medium to high connection signal and around 10-30Mbps (close to normal network speed). There is about 200 yards between my router and her antenna by her computer, this is even through one window on my side and standard siding/drywall on her side.
In your case being as they are both trailers (I am guessing from the pictures) the metal might interfere a little but for testing you could buy a wireless router at a local store or online like Newegg that is easy to return if it doesn't work and also a signal checker to see how strong a signal you get in different locations at the other house.

Another possibility is run the Cat5 halfway (in the ground), build an inground or slightly above ground box, get a standard 10/100 switch (will have to run power there to an outlet inside the box but can use basic 14 or 16 gauge wire as it is low draw). Place the switch inside the box and run the second Cat5 length to the other house. The switch acts as a repeater and helps keep the network signal strong in either direction. Plus if you keep the box water proof and maybe a little insulation, heat/cold and moisture shouldn't be a problem. You would need a basic router on the connection side for DHCP but thats easy and cheap enough, plus most have a NAT firewall to keep all but the most dangerous hackers out.

Okay, this is going to be a step out there, but it's what I would do.

I would get two routers that support DD-WRT's firmware, flash both of them with the DD-WRT firmware, then replace the antennas w/directional antennas (more info (http://compnetworking.about.com/od/wirelessrouters/qt/routerantenna.htm) and point the directional antennas at one another. They should easily be able to hit 100yards. Then setup a WDS bridge between them.

I am sure this is greek, and i wouldn't even begin to know how to explain how to do this process any better without typing a freaking novel of an instruction manual, but ... you asked :D

I am a huge fan of Hawking Tech. They have a lot of high gain wireless devices on the market that are suited for environments like yours. They also have a wicked high-range repeater:

http://www.hawkingtech.com/products/index.php?CatID=32&FamID=105

Combine that with one of their high gain routers, and you should actually be OK:

http://www.hawkingtech.com/products/productlist.php?CatID=32&FamID=113&ProdID=292

Now, a typical example setup would be:

Put the wireless high-gain hawking router near your modem.

Install one repeater at the side of the house closest to the other house you want to beam to. Put another repeater in the outher house closest to the house you're at. Then install wireless cards on all of the machines that need to connect. Using this method, no special firmware or special steps are needed.

My suggestion:

Find a clear line of sight between both houses - between two windows will suffice. Make a note of any obstacles between, what they are, what they are made of. Take an accurate measurement from one window to the other, exactly, then add 10 yards to it.

Call Hawking Tech sales. Here are the numbers:

Sales and Product Information
Phone: 888-662-8828
Phone: 949-790-0800
Fax: 949-790-0880
Email: sales@hawkingtech.com


I suggest calling, not emailing. Tell them a close friend of yours that works for a living in networking asked you to call. You need to find out if they have any wireless products that would work well at XX distance with XX obstacles in the way. They should be able to give you range specs on all of their hardware and give you a better idea of what you would need. If not, they should pass you over to their tech staff.

This is where I would start before I started sinking money into it.