As the title suggests, I have some kit which is 200m from our current infrastructure (outdoors).
What is the cheapest way to establish a reliable connection across a 200m stretch (Cat 5e ethernet only works up to about 100m from our tests)?
Answer
I've had to pull a run like you describe several times. All three ways previously mentioned will work fine, but the critical issue you mentioned is cheap.
If you're extending a network where security is a real concern, this actually rules out wireless. Adequate quality Wifi transceivers with matching outdoor rated directional antennae will run you upwards of $600 each. If you don't care about security more than running WPA2-PSK you can hack it together with two cheap $50 WAPs and a DIY Cantenna on each end.
Copper will cost you $300 to $600. Just to be safe, look for a box of Cat-5e with 24AWG solid conductors rated for moisture resistance. Run your cables straight through plug to plug rather than punch and patch at the ends. If you place a POE parent switch or power injector at one end you can place a 1port POE supported repeater in the middle. I have used this repeater several times. It's available from both Newegg and CDW for under $150 and will do fine outdoors if in a sheltered enclosure. If you don't have a sheltered location in-between an outdoor rated equivalent will cost you $250-300. Remember, only on end switch needs to transmit POE.
Fiber will cost $500 to $1000. Outdoor rated 62.5/125 cable will cost you about $300 for 200m. If you have an available WIC slot in the switches/routers at each end you can get the cards for under $150. If not, your looking at $250-350 for a switch with a fibre port on each end putting the cost around $1000 mark.
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