Question

You need to connect two buildings across a public road, and it is not feasible to use a direct cable connection. Under what circumstances would you use a microwave link? A radio link? an infrared laser link? What about the other wireless alternatives?

Answer 1

Networking is the pinnacle of modern technology. It is the communication of interconnected devices such as computers, printers, vehicles and smart devices. Achieving the ability to transmit and receive information was an amazing beginning to networking, but it found limits in the use of physical media (e.g. cables and wires.) However, with today's technology, networking can greatly surpass its former limitations by leaving the wires behind and going wireless. Connecting an office or two buildings in an office wirelessly is a simple but highly effective step toward getting the most from a network.

Step 1

Make sure there is a clear path for the network. Eyeball the path between the buildings. Are there obstructions such as trees, telephone poles, streetlights or other buildings? Are there large sources of electricity such as generators or are there other sources of networking such as a coffee shop or bookstore with hotspots? Objects in the path of the wireless network can cause distortion and interference. Make note of items nearby in the initial planning. Also make sure the other building is within visual sight.

Step 2

Select the hardware. Wireless networking can be achieved using several methods. There is microwave, infrared, satellite and radio wave. Microwave is expensive and requires the installation of microwave transmission and receiving devices, normally towers or antennae. While wirelessly effective, microwave is normally not the networking route due to cost. Infrared can achieve wireless transmission of data but requires infrared equipment and line-of-sight between the sending and receiving devices. Satellite is a solid method to connect two buildings or more within a wireless network. It allows for a very large geographic area but the cost is high and usually reserved for corporations and educational entities.

Step 3

Set up the wireless network. The wireless router is the device which connects to one building's Internet connection or server and broadcasts a signal which wireless networking devices between the two buildings will receive. The router should be a 802.11-rated device and should be a B-class or N-class transmission device. These settings are standards for wireless networking. When the router is programmed via a directly attached computer or laptop, the network will be set up with a password and the levels of security encryption to protect the broadcast data. On each of the receiving wireless devices, they will need to be set to search for a wireless bridge and signal. When the signal is detected, they will be prompted for the password and encryption level..

Test the network connectivity. Some of the obstacles noted earlier could cause interference. Hotspots can send similar signals that block the buildings' communication and physical obstacles could prove too thick to allow radio waves through. Make sure that each device in each building can send and receive to one another and the network as a whole.