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Wireless Dilemma at Newton's House?

Posted by Cliff on from the tricky-networking-techniques dept.

netean asks: "Woolsthorpe Manor, Lincolnshire, Uk (Birth place and Family Home of Sir Isaac Newton) has an interesting problem that may also be facing many historic buildings around the world. 4 Buildings less than 100 metres/yards apart. All are built from stone or brick and they need to be networked together, somehow. Ideally wireless looks the least disruptive and best option, but it is a Grade 1 listed building and that means no external antennae or high gain aerials are allowed anywhere visible. So will any wireless solution ever work in such situations?"

"The alternative approach just seems silly:

Proposed: Add another 128k ISDN line and 2 ordinary phone lines in one building (for office use) install 2 phone lines in another building (for other use) and continue using the existing 128k line in another building (used for free public internet access) - the network option would come from using the Internet and a VPN (the 4th building wouldn't be connected in this scenario). Hard line (cabled) ethernet cannot be used as it will be both be too expensive and involve digging underground which is not allowed.

Being a charity, The National Trust (the owners) aren't going to invest in some experimental wireless kit that might not work. But surely someone out there in the Slashdot community can help to ensure that it will. It must be possible, surely?"

8 of 287 comments (clear)

  1. Carrier Pigeons by sapped · · Score: 4, Funny

    When will people get it into their heads! This is a historical site.

    Use the correct solution for the problem, people!

    Strap packets to the legs of carrier pigeons and get them to transmit the information between the buildings.

    --

    Employing incompetence: $35/h
    Fixing the resulting mistakes: $1000's
    Employing me: Priceless

    1. Re:Carrier Pigeons by maroberts · · Score: 3, Funny

      Be a good test for RFC1149 and RFC2549!!

      --

      Donte Alistair Anderson Roberts - hi son!
      Karma: Chameleon

  2. Perfect Solution by athakur999 · · Score: 5, Funny

    This sounds like a job for RF1149.

    No need for antennas, just an open window.

    --
    "People that quote themselves in their signatures bother me" - athakur999
    1. Re:Perfect Solution by garcia · · Score: 3, Funny

      better have bird diapers otherwise you are going to have a "shitty" network connection ;-)

  3. a Newtonian Answer by Astrorunner · · Score: 4, Funny

    IP Over Apples Falling From Trees. I'd have to look up the RFC -- I don't have it handy.

  4. Oh those clever cell phone towers! by BlueJay465 · · Score: 4, Funny
    I know! I know! You know how in some major cities they use cell phone towers that are disguised as (yuk yuk) evergreen trees? why not do the same technique with bricks!

    Go get the local high school drama club to make up some mock bricks out of styrofoam that carrier waves can easily pass through. All they really require is a weekly paint job to keep them looking authentic since they would need to stand up to the elements...


    ...ok, ok I give up! stop hitting me!...

  5. Re:DSL? by Verizon+Guy · · Score: 3, Funny

    Yeah, this guy needs internet access. Uh-huh. For what, lawn tractor upgrades?

    --

    Aw, fuck it. Let's go bowling. - The Big Lebowski

  6. Re:Lasers... by drycht · · Score: 3, Funny

    I don't think it is that necissary to respond to this ridiculous response, but the idea is that if there is fog you can see the laser beams. That is why robot attack dogs are less effective in fog.

    (you know: rock beats scissors, scissors beats paper, fog beats robotic attack dog)