Getting network into the shed Options

[PointZeroOne]

So we've just moved house and the new place has an awesome shed that I want to setup some old PCs in.

My wifi reaches about halfway down the shed. So I put a wireless repeater in the front of the shed. The problem is devices in the shed can see the wifi network now but cannot obtain an IP address. If I have everything outside of the shed it connects fine. So I'm assuming that the shed is playing havoc with the wifi.

So what can I do? Get another device that allows wifi to ethernet and then to a switch?

But what device would I buy to do this?


I've thought about running a network cable out to the shed, but since we are renting I can't go drilling holes in the floor/wall for wiring. (unless maybe I get permission to, but even then the shed isn't attached to the house and so would have to string the cable from the roof)

[aliali]

Sounds like you have the repeater set up wrong.

What make and models of wifi router and repeater do you have?
Also note that sometimes different brands of wifi devices don't really like talking to each other.

[PointZeroOne]

Everything works fine outside of the shed, it's just in the shed, the devices can see the wifi but can't obtain an IP.

The router is a Billion 7800n and the repeater is a TP-Link

[Genders]

Everything works fine outside of the shed, it's just in the shed, the devices can see the wifi but can't obtain an IP.

The router is a Billion 7800n and the repeater is a TP-Link

Is the shed made out of Lead?

[PointZeroOne]

Everything works fine outside of the shed, it's just in the shed, the devices can see the wifi but can't obtain an IP.

The router is a Billion 7800n and the repeater is a TP-Link

Is the shed made out of Lead?

haha no, just standard shed metal material. I guess it plays havoc with the wifi signal.

[Genders]

Can you plug ethernet into the TP-Link? Route a cable through the shed wall or roof into the internal space and then connect to the laptop?

[PointZeroOne]

Can you plug ethernet into the TP-Link? Route a cable through the shed wall or roof into the internal space and then connect to the laptop?

the tp-link can hook up to the main wifi fine and pumps it into the shed. Just nothing can obtain an IP.

What I will try tomorrow is if the tp-link can go wifi to ethernet for the laptop and if it can I guess as I said in the OP use a switch.

It's just strange that I can't obtain an IP address in the shed really.

[aliali]

Everything works fine outside of the shed, it's just in the shed, the devices can see the wifi but can't obtain an IP.

The router is a Billion 7800n and the repeater is a TP-Link

Probably because you are connecting straight to the Billion outside of the shed but connecting to the TP-Link in the shed.
Which TP-Link?
More info sunshine.

[PointZeroOne]

More info sunshine.

really? more info? Of course you need more info, but it's hard to provide that when I was at work yesterday and the equipment is at home!

[p0is0n]

Just to clarify something..
You basically have a TP link access point, which is extending the range of your wireless. probably one of these?
http://www.tp-link.com.au/products/?categoryid=1247

When this is plugged in in the shed, your PC can see the network, join the network, but not obtain an IP Address?
How about if the same device is plugged in just outside the shed, or an equal distance away, but not inside the shed, if you've tested?

It may not just be a dumb extender, and you may need to check its not conflicting with the DHCP on your router or maybe you can try reserving an IP for that particular MAC address and setting it manually?

Another option may be power over ethernet but I'm not sure how expensive that is.

[NukeJockey]

Just to clarify something..
You basically have a TP link access point, which is extending the range of your wireless. probably one of these?
http://www.tp-link.com.au/products/?categoryid=1247

When this is plugged in in the shed, your PC can see the network, join the network, but not obtain an IP Address?
How about if the same device is plugged in just outside the shed, or an equal distance away, but not inside the shed, if you've tested?

It may not just be a dumb extender, and you may need to check its not conflicting with the DHCP on your router or maybe you can try reserving an IP for that particular MAC address and setting it manually?

Another option may be power over ethernet but I'm not sure how expensive that is.

EOP devices you can get for about $90 I think.

[PointZeroOne]

yes I can connect/obtain an IP out side of the shed when everything is outside of the shed. I should try with the tp link inside the shed and the laptop out side.


I've thought about ethernet over power. But don't they have to be on the same fuse to work? Shed is on a separate fuse.

[aliali]

yes I can connect/obtain an IP out side of the shed when everything is outside of the shed. I should try with the tp link inside the shed and the laptop out side.


I've thought about ethernet over power. But don't they have to be on the same fuse to work? Shed is on a separate fuse.

Not necessarily on the same fuse, but this does tend to give better results.
Must be behind the same power meters though. So if the shed has a separate power meter to the house then they will not work.
As far as the wireless AP goes, don't suppose there is a window in the shed that faces the house? If so that is the best spot for the AP as glass is less opaque to radio than tin.
Another option is to fit a short antenna fly lead to the AP and mount the antenna outside. Then connect the PC in the shed to the ethernet port on the AP.
Means only one device can be used at a fixed location unless you also connect a switch.
If it is one of the Range extender models that nukey linked to I take it you have logged in to the interface and double checked it is in range extender mode, not AP mode, and that the wireless region is set to Australia etc?

[sm1ddy]

We have a large metal shed....

Wifi never seemed able to get a signal inside (no matter what we did). We ran an ethernet lead down into the shed after all the stuffing around.

[ArcaneMagik]

Get a pair of these.

[Devilsmurf]

Don't hang Ethernet from your roof to your shed. You are asking for trouble.

Run it out the back door, through some conduit, and out to the shed. Run it along skirting boards, no need to worry about drilling holes.