Networking Your Xbox
This chapter is from the book
This chapter is from the book
This chapter is from the book
)
In this chapter:
- Establishing a Wireless Connection
- Setting Up a Wired Connection
- Joining Xbox LIVE
- Understanding Xbox LIVE Memberships
- Understanding Microsoft Points
To maximize your enjoyment of the Xbox 360, you need to hook it up to the Internet. You can achieve this via a wireless or wired connection. When your Xbox is networked, you can join Xbox LIVE, which enables you to connect with friends, download and play games, and have instant access to a substantial media library.
Connecting to Your Home Network
Unlike its predecessors, the Xbox 360 4GB and 250GB have built-in wireless networking, enabling you to connect your console to your home network without needing to purchase a separate wireless networking adapter. If you prefer to establish a wired connection, which generally provides the fastest and most reliable connection, this is still an option, but you need to purchase an Ethernet cable.
If your home is not yet equipped with broadband Internet access, you should consider setting up a high-speed connection to tap the full potential of your console. After you decide whether to set up a wireless or wired connection, see “Establishing a Wireless Connection” or “Establishing a Wired Connection,” respectively, to determine what you need to start. After you purchase the necessary items, refer to your network hardware’s instruction manual for guidance on setup. Although the process is generally straightforward, each manufacturer and system can have specific configuration and setup requirements, making coverage of such intricacies well beyond the scope of this book.
If you already have high-speed Internet access via DSL or a cable modem, networking your Xbox 360 takes just a few minutes as you’ll see in the following sections.
Establishing a Wireless Connection
Xbox 360 supports 802.11b/g/n wireless networks. To establish a wireless network connection, you need three things: (1) a high-speed Internet connection (that is, cable modem or DSL service; satellite, 3G or 4G mobile connections, and dial-up services are either not recommended or supported); (2) a router, bridge, or wireless access point (WAP) compatible with Xbox LIVE (that is, any router, bridge, or WAP marked as “Compatible with Windows 7,” “Works with Windows Vista,” or “Certified for Windows Vista”); and (3) a minimum of 128MB of storage space on your console (if you plan to join Xbox LIVE).
Follow these steps to connect your Xbox 360 to your wireless network. You will not be able to continue past step 2 if you have an Ethernet cable connected, so if you wish to switch from wired to wireless, disconnect the cable first.
- Go to the Settings channel and select System from the menu.
- Scroll to Network Settings and press A to select it.
- Scroll to the wireless network you want to use and press A to select it. If your wireless network is password protected, proceed to the next step; otherwise, go to step 5.
- At the Network security screen, enter your wireless network password and select Done.
- When successfully connected, the Network settings screen appears and shows Network, Internet, and Xbox LIVE as Connected. Keep in mind that your console is not yet connected to Xbox LIVE, but the capability to access Xbox LIVE is now there should you want to join.
)
Establishing a Wired Connection
To establish a wired connection, you need four things: (1) a high-speed Internet connection (that is, cable modem or DSL service; satellite, 3G or 4G mobile connections, and dial-up services are either not recommended or supported); (2) a router and modem compatible with Xbox LIVE (that is, any routers or modems marked as “Compatible with Windows 7,” “Works with Windows Vista,” or “Certified for Windows Vista”); (3) an Ethernet cable, which must be purchased separately; and (4) a minimum of 128MB of storage space on your console (if you plan to join Xbox LIVE).
Follow these steps to get your Xbox 360 wired to your home network.
Making the Hardware Connections
Before you can connect your Xbox 360 to your wired home network, you have to connect your console to your network port or router (or modem) via the Ethernet cable. Because both ends of the cable are the same, this is a breeze.
- Plug one end of the Ethernet cable into a network port or port on your router. If your Xbox is the sole device on your home network, you can plug it directly into the modem.
- Plug the other end of the Ethernet cable into the back of your Xbox 360.
Testing Your Connection
After the hardware connections are established, you have to test your connection.
- Go to System under the Settings channel and press A to select it.
- Scroll to Network Settings and press A to select it.
- On the Available Networks screen, select Wired Network.
- On the Network Settings screen, select Test Xbox LIVE Connection.
- When successfully connected, the Network settings screen appears and shows Network, Internet, and Xbox LIVE as Connected. Keep in mind that your console is not yet connected to Xbox LIVE, but the capability to access Xbox LIVE is now there should you want to join.
