need to make wireless signal go farther

[memory]

I am trying to help somebody I know get internet on his laptop through a network. Where he wants to pick up the signal he can't because the house he is in is made of metal(pole building) walls. Even standing outside the house he doesn't pick up the signal very strong and he is only like 50 feet away give or take some and a straight shot to the router.

Right now he is using a Linksys wireless n router. I know wireless n is not finalized and that is why I am going to have him take it back and pick up a wireless g router. Someone told me that when wireless n is finalized his router might not work anymore. We also tried a wireless g router and it produced the same results. I guess all that metal is causing major interference. I have been looking at antennas and boosters. I just don't know what to get. I noticed alot of them are omni directional, which means it shots the signal in one direction. Do they make them that shot a signal 360 degrees? He would like to get one that is pretty powerful. A couple of antennas I seen they hook up to the usb port instead of the router. Wouldn't hooking up to the router be better? He would like to have one that mounts on the outside and has a long cord, at least 15ft.

I have heard that he would need to get a access point. Would he need to buy a router and a access point or just a access point? What is the purpose of a access point?

Has anybody else been in this same situation? Do you have any suggestions on which products to get? Links would be nice.

 

[nick_unreal]

N draft

i've had the same sort of problem but i've linked up the house with 3 access points and 1 modem.
whats his budget?

 

[lawson_jl]

It would be helpfull to use directional antennas on the router and point the signal in the direction that he wants the wireless to go. Also try and move the router off the floor and closer where he wants to use it. The wireless N standard is finalized and his equipment will be fine unless he has draft N or pre N in which case he has old equipment that isn't the final N standard. N is the strongest and fastest wireless aviable so it's best to stick with that if at all possiable. If you can run a repeater hardwired on ethernet to the other side of the house that would help as the above resonder said.