How to get decent WiFi despite a virtual Faraday cage

Solution 1:

I only can think of 2 dirty fixes. One might be even impossible depending on your printer.

• Use a 3G modem and VPN into the LAN (dirty)
• Use ethernet over power using AES encryption to prevent sniffers (very dirty)

I wouldn't use this unless your client really really really wants to have a fix and they have no chance in just getting an ethernet cable through the wall.

These fixes are extremely dirty (as I mentioned a few times). Just wanted to share it if no one comes up with anything else. Only use this as a last resort.

Solution 2:

This paneling acts as a seriously effective barrier to WiFi!

So, there's no direct solution. Let's look what indirect solutions are available:

1. Network cable all the way to the ticket printer.

   Unless you can cleanly hide the cable, this has multiple disadvantages:

   1. The cable can be disconnected by an individual, making printing the next ticket a problem.

   2. The cable is visible to anyone, doesn't look good and could be tampered with.

   3. The cable could lie in the way for certain things, especially at an airport I would expect a lot of things to roll over it, unless you were to guide the network cable past the walls / roof.

2. Relocating and/or extending the WiFi zone.

   You might not be able to move the ticket printer, or reach it all the way with a cable. But you might perhaps be able to either extend the WiFi signal or getting the WiFi zone closer (or rather more reachable) by the ticket printer. Moving the router so it can reach through a door opening is one way of doing it, but it's still tricky and you'll have to monitor to see if it's an option.

3. Other ways for the signal to travel could be considered.

   As mentioned by the others, you might be able to get something done through the power outlets or by having the signal communicate with a device located at a place such that there are no steel panels in the way of the signal.

   It sounds crazy, but placing the router at another floor than the one you are on would have the signal travel through the ceiling or floor instead of through the panels. Or perhaps you can put it somewhere such that it travels through walls where there are no panels, if there are any such walls.

4. Is it perhaps easier to relocate the panels?

   Who knows it might be much more worth it to fix the actual problem instead of working around it.

   As mentioned by others, most solutions are somewhat dirty and/or could be insecure / overkill.

   You don't have to break the whole wall, you could perhaps get it done by removing a single panel and placing the WiFi route at the other side at the exact same spot, of course in such way that the ticket printer in the visible range...