WiFi Signal and Metal Building

The place that I work at we have two buildings next to each other and one across and in-between the two that is made out of metal. We want to extend our WiFi coverage to the inside of the metal building so we purchased a Hawking multi-function access point (HOWABN1). We've got it mounted and facing in the direction of the metal building, but I can't seem to get the signal to stabalize inside of the building.

I'm attaching an image to better illustrate how we're setup:

enter image description here

As you can see the WiFi AP is attached to the corner of one of the buildings and aimed at the metal building. The X in the image is where the computers will be residing that need the WiFi.

Right now I have the AP configured as a Universal Repeater, and I've also had it as an Access Point, but neither seem to be providing good enough signal. As of right now if I sit in the room with the X with my laptop I'll get 1 bar of signal strength and PINGs are 50/50.

Is there something I should do to make the signal better? If I could, I'd run a cable to the metal building, but the connecting conduit has collapsed and we'll end up spending more money than it's worth to repair it.

I'd appreciate any suggestions.

Gup3rSuR4c

Posted 2012-02-21T22:02:19.253

Reputation: 233

4Metal building => Faraday Cage. – Henk – 2012-02-21T22:05:42.697

Answers

You do realize the metal will block Radio signals, right?

So without pulling a cable you can try:

a repeater inside the m. building, preferably in front of a window or wooden door facing the AP
a repeater inside the m. building, with an antenna fed to the outside
a homeplug system (Ethernet-over-mains), aka powerplug.
a directive antenna (panel or parabolic) to push a stronger signal in the right direction

Henk

Posted 2012-02-21T22:02:19.253

Reputation: 477

I would use a wireless range extender with two antenna connectors. To one connector, connect an external directional antenna aimed at the other building's AP. To the other connector, connect an internal omni-directional antenna or a directional antenna aimed towards the area where the computers are.

The classic WRT54G/GS can do this.

David Schwartz

Posted 2012-02-21T22:02:19.253

Reputation: 58 310

Why not set the AP to bridge mode and mount it to the outside of the metal building then hardwire the PCs?

resmon6

Posted 2012-02-21T22:02:19.253

Reputation: 491

This is not a terrible idea, if it's feasible. I suspect they actually WANT the wireless aspect, though. (In which case, maybe another repeater inside the building) – Shinrai – 2012-02-21T22:33:39.057

1Pick up another AP and a cheap unmanaged POE switch and connect both APs to the switch. Then place 1 AP near the computers and mount the other AP to the outside of the metal building and put it in bridge mode. – resmon6 – 2012-02-22T15:48:53.833

@resmon6, I was thinking about doing that as well, but wanted to see if I can do something with the current setup since it's already mounted. – Gup3rSuR4c – 2012-02-22T19:01:30.383