How Can I Share Internet Between Two Houses

How Can I Share Internet Between Two Houses

How Can I Share Internet Between Two Houses
“To effectively share internet between two houses, consider investing in a robust outdoor Wi-Fi extender or long-range routers to ensure strong and reliable connectivity across both properties.”

Sharing the internet between two houses involves different techniques which largely depend on the distance between the households, building materials, and local regulations. Here we can find two primary ways to achieve this. The easier approach is through a WiFi extender or repeater, while a more robust solution might involve setting up a point-to-point network.

Method Description
WiFi Extender/Repeater This device captures the existing WiFi signal from your router and rebroadcasts it to extend its reach and promote better connectivity in another location (house). Its effectiveness depends on the quality of the connection the extender can establish with the host network and the distances involved.
Point-to-Point Network Involves creating a dedicated link from one house to the other using a pair of directional antennas. This method is ideal for longer distances and difficult terrains since these use their own separate frequency to create a direct connection between your houses, free of numerous obstacles that may affect normal WiFi signals.

To set up a WiFi repeater, you place the appliance between the router and the second household, as demonstrated in the following code:

Step 1: Connect the WiFi Extender to a power source midway between your router and the other house.
Step 2: Press the WPS button on both your router and the extender to sync them.
Step 3: Check the indicator light on the extender; a solid light indicates a good connection.

For a point-to-point network, you’ll require more substantial equipment and a clear line of sight between antennas. Here’s an example of the set-up process:

Step 1: Mount your first antenna at House A where it has the line of sight to House B and connect its cable to the internet router.
Step 2: At House B, mount the other antenna facing House A’s antenna and plug its cable into the local router/switch.
Step 3: Do a signal test and adjust the position of antennas accordingly.

Remember to consider the potential latency and bandwidth limitations when sharing an internet connection in such ways, especially if multiple users will be utilizing it simultaneously. Moreover, always know your local and regional communication regulations before proceeding with any extreme configurations like a point-to-point network. You can read more about home networking from the MakeUseOf home networking guide.First, we need to understand that there are several ways to share the internet between two houses. The Internet is a vast network of interconnected devices, and thanks to technological advancements, there are several options available for sharing a broadband connection between different households depending on distance and budget constraints.

Physical Cables

The most direct method would be using physical cables – Ethernet, to be specific. If the two houses are close enough, running an Ethernet cable could be technically feasbile – but it may not be practical or legal unless you own both properties and have permissions..

To share Internet via Ethernet, connect one end of the Ethernet cable to a router in one house and the other end to a computer or another router in the second house.

Here is how you can configure this setup:

bash
#in case you’re connecting to a router, follow these steps
1. Plug one end of the Ethernet cable into the “Internet out” port on your existing router.
2. Connect the other end to the “Internet in” port on the new router in the second house.
3. Configure the new router to use the first router’s Wi-Fi network.

However, Ethernet cables are limited by length – with optimal signal transmission restricted to about 100 meters or roughly 328 feet.

Powerline Adapters

For greater distances, powerline adapters can come into play. Powerline networking uses your home’s existing electrical wires to connect devices by plugging adapters into wall outlets. This method proves advantageous as it bypasses the need for dedicated cables between houses while still providing a reliable connection.

Here’s how you set up a powerline adapter:

bash
1. Connect one adapter to your router with an Ethernet cable and then plug it into a nearby power outlet.
2. Plug the second adapter into an outlet in the other house.
3. Then connect your device to the second adapter via Ethernet. It will be just like being connected directly to your router.

Keep in mind that the houses need to share the same electrical system for Powerline adapters to work.

Wireless Methods

If wired methods are impractical or impossible due to varying reasons, wireless solutions might be the answer.

Wi-Fi Extenders: A Wi-Fi extender amplifies the signal from your router allowing devices further away to connect. The extender would need to be within range of both houses, and the houses would ideally need to be within reach of the router’s original signal strength.

Wireless Bridging: Wireless bridging essentially links two routers. The devices would treat this like a single network but can span larger areas. The challenge though is that you need a direct line of sight between the houses for the bridge to work effectively.

# Steps to configure Wi-Fi Bridge
1. Connect both routers via Ethernet.
2. Set the second router's IP address to match the first, except for the last digit.
3. Enable "Bridge Mode" on the second router.

Remember always to secure these wireless signals with strong passwords and where possible, VPNs, to avoid cyber threats.

Satellite Internet:

If all of the above methods fail due to some insurmountable obstacles such as long distances or impracticable terrain, satellite internet could be a viable solution although at a higher cost. Satellite providers such as HughesNet, Viasat offer packages for shared connections though they might be more expensive than other options.

Cellular Data Hotspot:

Lastly, a solution could be using a Mobile Data Hotspot if your data plan and signal strength permit. While this wouldn’t be ideal for multiple high-bandwidth users, it could be a good backup plan.

bash
# How to setup hotspot
1. On your mobile device, go to “Settings”.
2. Find “Network & internet”.
3. Tap “Hotspot & tethering”, then “Wi-Fi hotspot”.
4. Turn on the switch next to “Wi-Fi hotspot”.