Any of you guys know how to do networking?

[MisterCMK]

You can't go with just a cable, and wireless is out of the picture. Wireless is too unreliable at large distances. You will need to get an ethernet repeater, since you can only run around 300ft of Cat5 before it looses the 100mbit rating. So, you will need to put in 3 or 4 repeaters. The cable itself is not that expensive, if you PM me, I can get you a good deal on bulk amounts of Cat5. We use quite a bit of it at work.

[Jim]

I highly doubt that the mall is going to let you run any cable at all, it will have to be done by a professional installer, to meet firecodes etc.. etc...

HOWEVER

Tony is right, you can setup a bunch of different options for wireless, depending on where your stores are located, to get that kind of range your going to need a line of sight type setup... especially if walls are involved.

BUT theres more... if there is an existing network that both your stores can connect to, you can setup a VPN (virtual private network) to run everything...

Or if both of your stores have Internet access and a fairly fast connection, you can setup a VPN over the net...

[integra_gsr98]

Haha.

1. Avoid VPN over the Internet if it can be cured with a local area connection.
2. Ethernet repeaters are ghetto and will not work very well.
3. Wireless is easy at that distance. Line of sight or non line of sight.
4. If you want a physical cable, Multimode fiber with some multimode->copper ethernet trancievers is going to be your ticket.

[wa2fastcamaro]

Ok, thanks for the replys. I know VPN's over the internet arn't the best and I am trying to avoid that. Wireless isn't gunna work, because there are about 15 walls between the stores and a few are 1ft thick brick.

I am allowed to run all the cable I want through the mall as long, because We have been here for many years and know all the right people.

I am just trying to find a solution that isn't too difficult and has to be reliable 100% of the time.

[Guest]

Wireless can reach 1200ft easily. Check this guy out he has external wifi antenna's. http://stores.ebay.com/Fleeman-Anderson-and-Bird

He also has 1 watt amps that would be over kill. Running a 1200ft cable isnt going to work. That would be my last solution. Your better off having dsl in both stores and linking them together. The best would be wireless!

[PSiedTSi]

thats why i said you can mod your stuff to make it reach farther...

[MisterCMK]

You should be able to place a switch every 300 feet as well, IIRC. Its been quite some time since I've done things like this.

[MisterCMK]

gunmaster wrote:
Wireless can reach 1200ft easily. Check this guy out he has external wifi antenna's. http://stores.ebay.com/Fleeman-Anderson-and-Bird

He also has 1 watt amps that would be over kill. Running a 1200ft cable isnt going to work. That would be my last solution. Your better off having dsl in both stores and linking them together. The best would be wireless!

NO, wireless will not work in a mall. For one, there are many different devices, such as cordless phones, small wireless networks, etc that will interfere with the signal. The antenna is also for external use, so it will get 1200ft range outdoors in a field without any obstruction. There are thick walls and other shit to get in the way in a mall. The only way to do this would be through cable, or a VPN.

[Jim]

I would tend to agree with Chris here, it's going to be tough as shit to penetrate a 2.4ghz signal reguardless of power...

1200 feet is the length of four football fields, now add in walls, interference and variables like people and shit...

Even a directional high powered antenna on both sides is going to have a hard time with that one....

[integra_gsr98]

Since you can run cable, use Multimode fiber with 100mbit ethernet tranceivers at either end.
This is going to be your fastest, best, and most reliable solution.