How do I get a wireless internet connection 200 feet away to another computer? (more inside)

October 20, 2006 4:26 PM

How do I get a wireless internet connection 200 feet away to another computer?

I work in an office that provides a computer and an internet connection. The company has a filter on the computer that restricts internet use. I have an outside window that overlooks another office about 200 feet away which has a T-1 connection. They are broadcasting in the clear. I made a wireless antenna which picks up their signal very well and allows me to connect to the net with my personal laptop. I know the people who pay for this line and have permission to go on line using their connection. What I want to do is pass that connection to another worker in my office who is an office away who cannot receive the signal wirelessly because they have no access point overlooking the other building. How do I go about getting the internet connection to his computer as cheaply as possible? I've looked thru the previous posts but can't seem to find anything simple enough for me to understand.

posted by malhaley to computers & internet (4 comments total)

If you are connecting wirelessly, turn on internet sharing on your machine and run an network cable to your co-worker's machine.

Or, buy a wireless bridge (if your co-worker can get wireless from your location).
posted by mphuie at 5:02 PM on October 20, 2006

If you connect your laptop to your office's network, you should reconsider. You could be caught, and get both of you in trouble. Your employer probably restricts access for security and possibly productivity reasons, and in either case, they won't be happy if they discover your actions.
posted by owhydididoit at 6:17 PM on October 20, 2006

Use an access point in repeater mode to receive and repeat the single for yourself and your friend.
posted by doomtop at 7:51 PM on October 20, 2006

You could get a wireless repeater that can hopefully reach the external network and be reached from your location.

If the computers you're planning to connect to this external network are personal machines and isolated from the office network, good luck.

If the computers you're planning to connect to this external network are your office computers that are simultaneously connected to the office network, you can expect a pretty adverse employment action if caught.
posted by pzarquon at 10:49 PM on October 20, 2006