I have a CNC lathe running with EMC2 under Linux. My home network is on the
East side of my house and my shop is on the West side... the Lathe PC
doesn't get a wireless signal, or at least my laptop doesn't get a reliable
signal when positioned by the lathe. I like having the lathe PC networked
to get updates, look up info, etc. Also it would be nice if in the future I
could get file sharing to work on my network so I can send the CNC files to
the lathe PC. ...And in the future I hope to convert my Anilam Crusader II
CNC Bridgeport to EMC2 control...

Anyway, I've been searching and reading and here's what I have come up with
so far. I can get a wireless bridge that I plug into my lathe PC's Ethernet
port and position it to where it picks up a good signal (by a window). I
like this solution because I know my ethernet card works on my Linux PC, I'm
not sure what would be involved in getting a USB network adapter working
with the Linux I'm running. So if I can configure a wireless bridge and run
a network cable to it, I should be in business.

I have an old wireless router from the 11mbps days that I have been able to
plug into my current wireless router and can connect to either router. The
2nd router is plugged from its WAN port with a Crossover cable to a port on
the current router. I configured the 2nd router on a different channel.
Now I have 2 routers I can connect to, the purpose of this is to position
one as close to the shop as I can needing only an ethernet crossover cable
and a power source (or PoE(power over ethernet)).

Another idea is a long distance wireless link. Get a weatherproof enclosure
to mount the wireless bridge and an outdoor directional antenna (cantenna)
on one end and an wireless access point with a directional antenna at the
other end and you have a long distance connection( I read about a 20mile
wireless link). If you keep the wireless device close to the antenna you
cut down on antenna cable losses you would have if you just lengthened the
antenna cable. This is supposed to be line of sight, so if there are
obstacles, you might have to mount the thing on a roof or tower.

I've been reading up on this lately to try to share my internet connection
with my Linux CNC lathe PC and also to have internet connection sharing out
at a cabin being put up at my pond about 800' away, across a road, and
thought a tree line. Perhaps this info could be useful to others and others
might have info/experience they would want to share.

Thanks!

Roger Neal