>100m distance problem for a planned (hoped?) network

I'm planning to put together a small (3 computers + DSL modem) home
network, but I have a small problem I'm not sure how to deal with.
The DSL modem and computer #1 are in the front room, the other
computer and the PS2 (came with a network card, yay. ) are in the
back room. There is more than 100 meters between the front and the
back room, and to make matters worse, the pathway is a highly
trafficked hallway in between the front and back.

I can see a few alternatives...

1) convert 10baset to 10base2 for the longer distance, using highly
rare and expensive converters from that fat phone line connector to
the cable TV connector type, and run the thick shielded wire along
the wall.

2) Buy a repeater for every computer in the back room (2 so far) and
use that to extend the 100 meter limit of the wire that comes with
10baset (cat5?) so I can get my network to reach that far.

3) Go wireless. :p I don't have any brick in the way, mostly stucco,
so I'd set up a wireless bridge in place of where I would have put
the shielded wire in alternative 1. Only problem with this
solution? (Aside from wildly unimpressive data loss when
transmitting through the air.) Each half of a wireless bridge
costs (so I've read) $200 at minimum, and $500 for a decent one
half. I really don't want to spend $1000 just to be hip with the
rad new wave.

I'm thinking option 1 is the best idea, but I can't find any
information on how to convert an ethernet network (all my computers
already have ethernet NICs, so don't want to divert from that) to that
shielded cable TV type wire that can go the distance. Frankly even
that kind of wire is darned expensive. What would be the most cost
effective solution that would give me at least maybe sort of a
reliable bandwidth?

Oh... and if possible... can it be configurable with something besides
Microsoft Windows? Eh... shopping for routers I always check if it's
a web configuration, or a sellout, proprietary, M$ 0Wnz j00
configurator. I can deal with Telnet, but I can't afford (nor want to
afford) the cost and immense undisclosed side-costs (Want a reliable
firewall? On a Windows machine? For free??) of Microsoft Windows.


Starling

Starling wrote:

 > I'm planning to put together a small (3 computers + DSL modem) home
 > network, but I have a small problem I'm not sure how to deal with.
 > The DSL modem and computer #1 are in the front room, the other
 > computer and the PS2 (came with a network card, yay. ) are in the
 > back room. There is more than 100 meters between the front and the
 > back room, and to make matters worse, the pathway is a highly
 > trafficked hallway in between the front and back.

That is one long hallway. Are you sure it's more than 300 feet?!
Longer than an American football field?

If it really is (I want _your_ house) then break the run in two
and put a cheap switch in the middle.

 >
 > I can see a few alternatives...
 >
 > 1) convert 10baset to 10base2 for the longer distance, using highly
 > rare and expensive converters from that fat phone line connector to
 > the cable TV connector type, and run the thick shielded wire along
 > the wall.
 >
 > 2) Buy a repeater for every computer in the back room (2 so far) and
 > use that to extend the 100 meter limit of the wire that comes with
 > 10baset (cat5?) so I can get my network to reach that far.
 >
 > 3) Go wireless. :p I don't have any brick in the way, mostly stucco,
 > so I'd set up a wireless bridge in place of where I would have put
 > the shielded wire in alternative 1. Only problem with this
 > solution? (Aside from wildly unimpressive data loss when
 > transmitting through the air.) Each half of a wireless bridge
 > costs (so I've read) $200 at minimum, and $500 for a decent one
 > half. I really don't want to spend $1000 just to be hip with the
 > rad new wave.
 >
 > I'm thinking option 1 is the best idea, but I can't find any
 > information on how to convert an ethernet network (all my computers
 > already have ethernet NICs, so don't want to divert from that) to that
 > shielded cable TV type wire that can go the distance. Frankly even
 > that kind of wire is darned expensive.

Not for a guy who can afford your 100 meter house.

What would be the most cost
 > effective solution that would give me at least maybe sort of a
 > reliable bandwidth?
 >
 > Oh... and if possible... can it be configurable with something besides
 > Microsoft Windows? Eh... shopping for routers I always check if it's
 > a web configuration, or a sellout, proprietary, M$ 0Wnz j00
 > configurator. I can deal with Telnet, but I can't afford (nor want to
 > afford) the cost and immense undisclosed side-costs (Want a reliable
 > firewall? On a Windows machine? For free??) of Microsoft Windows.
 >
 >
 > Starling


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