Long distance networking

[Kim Hawtin]

n0dalus wrote:
> There are two separate networks on the property, with one a few
> hundred metres away from the other one at the bottom of a hill. We
> would like to get the two networks connected, but cat5 only goes about
> 90m according to Wikipedia. We looked into wireless but it was pretty
> expensive for the antenna and stuff - I thought a wired network might
> be cheaper. One problem is that there is no power between the two
> buildings, so we wouldn't be able to put any powered signal repeaters
> or anything there without a lot of effort. They wouldn't need the full
> 100mbits, and anything is better than nothing really. I'm sure this
> kind of thing must have been done before, so if anyone has any
> experience that would be appreciated.
> 
> Thanks for your time,
> n0dalus.

Get yourself a pair of Linksys WRT54GL access points (AP).
Download yourself a copy of OpernWRT (linux for WRTs).
Install, AP in a position closest to remot building, allowing clear line
of sight.
Configure networking.
Install Quagga or OLSR.
Configure to have three subnets

 LAN1 - AP1-(- WLAN -)-AP2 - LAN2

when configuring OLSR set up three HNA routes for the three networks;
 AP1 had the HNA for WLAN and LAN1
 AP2 had the HNA for WLAN and LAN2

install graphviz and imagemagick and olsr on a peecee.
get the topology display script, view networking map =)

Enjoy!

You could alternatively use Quagga and OSPF by theres more trick stuff
involved... but just as much fun working it all out =)

So, a perfectly Linux related question ;)

cheers,

Kim
-- 
Operating Systems, Services and Operations
Information Technology Services, The University of Adelaide
kim.hawtin at adelaide.edu.au