Many business owners are interested in learning how to extend their WiFi to different structures, such as a barn or storage space, from their main office. Sadly, this has never been a simple task.
The good news is that technology has advanced significantly enough to let you extend the internet. So, let’s find the best ways how to extend WiFi to another building!
How to Extend WiFi to Another Building
When wondering how to extend WiFi, if we sum up the answer in a few words, it will look like this:
- Wireless point-to-point bridging
- WiFi extenders and repeaters.
Wireless point-to-point bridging
To increase network coverage, one way is to consider using extended antennas. The router and antennas will communicate wirelessly, and in that way, the antennas will reproduce the signal in other directions.
It can be accomplished using either of two types of antennas. Some are Omni directional, and the other type Directional. However, Directional antennas are rarely utilized for business purposes.
Setting up the technology and creating a point-to-point link is not too difficult if you have a general concept of what you’re doing.
How to set it up
Both buildings need to have antennas installed on them. In general, higher is always better. It doesn’t matter if these antennas have an unbroken line of sight. Your network will need to be Ethernet-connected to the antenna on your main building. The Ethernet cable will bring the link inside the second building.
The cable is the most excellent choice for sharing an internet connection between two distinct buildings. It has considerably better speed and latency dependability.
Naturally, cable has its restrictions as well. Most significantly, you can only stretch the cable to a certain distance. The cable won’t be a realistic choice if the two buildings are too far apart.
If you choose this method, we advise you to use Ethernet cables. Signals sent through an Ethernet wire can travel 100 meters or 328 feet. After this distance, Ethernet cables will not function.
Types of Ethernet cables
You can connect two buildings and share an internet connection using various cables: Cat5e, Cat6, Cat6a, and Cat7. Your specific needs will determine which kind of Ethernet cable is ideal for you.
For example, a Cat5e cable will work most of the time. It provides 100 Mbps internet over longer distances and 1 Gbps internet over small distances.
Cat6a or Cat7 cabling is preferable for more extensive business operations where ultrafast and ultra-reliable internet is required as they offer more excellent reliability and substantially faster data transmission rates.
You can outsource the installation if it sounds challenging. Although it will cost a little more, you’ll at least know it’s been done the right way.
Read more: How to Use a Router as an Extender
WiFi extenders and repeaters
These items are usually used interchangeably; they take in an existing wireless signal and repeat it or “boost” it outside, which is why they also go by the name “boosters.”
A WiFi repeater contains two wireless routers, similar to the wireless router you already have in your home or office. One of these routers picks up the WiFi signal and transfers the signal to the other wireless router.
On the other side, the WiFi extender also includes two routers; however, your WiFi router is connected by cable. Ethernet or coaxial cables are both acceptable.
Routers typically have a coverage area of up to 3,000 square feet. While some can only transmit a signal 2,500 square feet away, most can carry a signal farther.
Why choose a repeater?
A high-quality Ethernet cable is not exactly inexpensive, and connecting two routers with one can be a laborious process. By configuring the new router as a wireless repeater, you can increase the WiFi range without a cable by using a different router, but at the expense of some speed.
Rebroadcasting the signal from your primary router is the straightforward task of a wireless repeater.
If you want to learn how to expand WiFi to another building using a WiFi repeater, you should know that it is advisable to have one router in one building and the repeater in another. It makes it possible to effectively and cheaply transfer the signal from one building to the next.
WiFi boosters are secure, despite what many people fear. The repeating network is just as secure and safe as standard WiFi routers.
Beginners Guide to Extending WiFi
Strategically position the equipment
The most crucial advice is to carefully arrange all of your equipment. Your router, access point, and WiFi booster are all included in this.
The WiFi is more likely to spread throughout the building and beyond if you place them to maximize the signal.
The ideal location for your equipment is in the middle of everything; therefore, if you wish to extend your router to another building, attempt to locate it precisely in the center of both buildings.
If you cannot accomplish this, attempt to position it as close to the center as possible while keeping all the equipment secure inside a structure.
Use the right equipment
Utilizing the proper tools is of great importance. Probably you don’t want poor WiFi. Nonetheless, expect the connection to be poor if you choose inferior equipment.
Make sure the equipment is properly configured
Ensure the equipment is configured correctly after carefully positioning it and selecting the appropriate components. The equipment will not function as it should if it is not correctly configured.
For instance, using only 5 GHz is a wise choice. You will avoid the 2.4 GHz range’s congestion in this way. SSIDs should also be disabled. If you do this, you can anticipate a faster connection and improved performance with competing signals.
How Far Can WiFi Be Extended
A router can only cover roughly 150 feet on its own; however, this varies depending on the router brand. Nonetheless, your WiFi signal can travel up to 2,500 feet with the help of an extension, booster, or repeater.
Also read: How to Use a WiFi Repeater
Conclusion
If you want the best internet use cables and the simplest solution, the best choice for anyone looking to learn how to extend WiFi to another building is to go with a WiFi repeater.
This way, you may increase the WiFi without spending much more money. It is among the most incredible ways to spread WiFi through facilities.
The middle way will be to go with a WiFi extender. Not as expensive as wireless point-to-point bridging and has as much weak internet as with repeater.
We hope this article has shown you how to extend your WiFi to another building. Best of luck!