Extending Wi-Fi into all-metal shop 100' from house

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Extending Wi-Fi into all-metal shop 100' from house

This thread has been locked for further replies. You can start a new thread to share your ideas or ask questions.
Extending Wi-Fi into all-metal shop 100' from house
Extending Wi-Fi into all-metal shop 100' from house
2020-12-01 19:49:45
Model: Deco M5  
Hardware Version: V2
Firmware Version: 1.4.7

Hello, everyone! I have had a Deco M5 system with 3 units set up in our house since August 2020. It vastly improved our in-house Wi-Fi coverage. However, I have an all-metal shop (sheeting on inside wals/ceiling AND outside siding/roof) that I am trying to get better Wi-Fi in that has a clear line of sight.  By placing a Deco unit in the back of the house near a window, I do have pretty good signal throughout the backyard now (sorry - no true numbers at the moment, just based on no issues with streaming music/videos), but the signal only goes into the shop through the small house-facing window a very small distance before speeds are unbearably slow. I have tried adding the 3rd Deco inside the shop in the window, but signal strength is only marginally better. It's manageable for my light-use of internet currently, but I am hoping to add some security cameras soon, and seems like Wi-Fi ones fit the bill in the shop. Of course, my home coverage suffers with the 2nd and 3rd deco placed in locations for the shop needs, so if this is the only good solution, another set of M5's may be in my future to improve the house again.

 

I would clearly like to avoid burying lines just from the work aspect, and have heard horror stories about buried Ethernet lines being hit by lightning and frying nearly everything downstream both ways. I know fiber optic line + converters is an option, but again, would rather do this another way.

 

So - is there any sort of outdoor antenna to mount on the outside of the shop facing the house, connected via wire through the wall to any-old-router on the inside of the faraday-cage-like shop?  Ideally, this would be a seamless system that would all be the same network much like the current Deco system is. Would love any advice or opinions before starting to throw money around like I'm in Congress. 

 

I appreciate your help and time, thank you!

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Re:Extending Wi-Fi into all-metal shop 100' from house
2020-12-02 02:43:22

@GenericName 

Good day,

Thanks for your patience.

Before we offer some suggestions and could you please help me check the following details

How far away from the main house to the shop, or the shop is an attached building of the main house?

As for the outdoor antennas, are you planning to receive a signal from the main house and extend it to the metal shop, and connected another router behind the antennas?

At the same time, you could have a look at CPE devices, such as:

https://www.tp-link.com/support/faq/2575/  

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Re:Extending Wi-Fi into all-metal shop 100' from house
2020-12-02 15:22:35

@TP-Link Thank you for your reply!

 

Your link does look like a good option. Would that allow for a seamless network across the property? 

 

Below is a top-view diagram of my current situation. The house and shop are separate, and about 100 feet apart - but completely clear line of sight. The idea was to have an external antenna on the shop going to the internal router.. and yes, recieve that signal from the house network. The shop construction seems to stop nearly all wireless signals from passing through, so some sort of receiver on the outside broadcasting via router on the inside is necessary. Anywhere in the house could be extended with Ethernet cords as the basement ceiling is removable ceiling tile -- so hardwiring the house-side receiver is doable.  Both the house and shop sides do have roof eves, so the potential outdoor hardware would have some protection from the elements. 

 

Again, the goal is to have a completely seamless network inside the house, in the backyard, and in the shop... with devices picking whatever hardware is putting out the strongest signal. 

 

 

Thanks for your time! 

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