A Wireless Network for a 4-Story Apt. Building?

zzzreyes asks: "I live in a 4 storey building, and pretty much everyone in this building is into gaming and computers. I have just received, through the death of a great aunt, about $7,000. I want to know how and what I should buy, to provide wireless access through out the whole building, so we can all share one connection. There are 6 double-room apartments on each side, and we only have four floors. I'll hopefully have access to the elevator shaft, in case I need it. Will $7,000 be enough?" How cheaply could you do something like this, assuming you had access to much of the building? What would be the best way to set up the access points to guarantee the best coverage for the whole building?

Comments

Re:Test signals.. encrypt.. mac restrict

[mrpuffypants]

3 - expect some boob to start dling kiddy porn and get you in trouble with your isp and have your connection cut off... ( remember most AUP's prohibit this with out a business account )

So you're saying that all I need to do is get a biz account and I can download kiddie pr0n? Finally! The answer to my problems presents itself.

Thanks /.!

Re:Pay off debt or buy a house

[mrwonton]

Agreed.

While I wouldn't necessarily recommend any plan costing $7,000 to wirelessly connect a 4 story apartment, I don't see how telling the person that his idea is dumb is even close to on topic, as well as in bad taste. If he wants to spend his money on a wireless network, let him. If he wanted advice as to what to do with it, he probably wouldn't have asked slashdot.

Re:Mod Parent Up!!!

[Endive4Ever]

Yes, but I bought a townhome for $70K and sold it for $120 less than three years later.

I guess you can get hosed if you buy real estate too close to the ocean. My townhouse was in Minnesota.

wireless

[chunkwhite86]

$7k would be plenty for a medium-sized wireless LAN.

But somehow I doubt your Aunt would be pleased if she knew that her "investment" in you was funding your desire to be a l33t g4m3r.

I'm as much an uber-geek as the next slashdotter around here, but do yourself a favor and put the cash into a CD (that's certificate of deposit - not the 12 centimeter shiny disc), or a money market account. Assuming you are young, put it on a house in a few years, or let it grow and pay for your children's college education 25 years from now.

Take this bit of advice from an elder geek who has BTDT.