Connecting Your Xbox to Wireless Network

If you ever wanted to connect your Xbox game console wirelessly to the Internet and Xbox Live, you should know that it can be done via WiFi using network router. This article will explain how to do that in few easy steps.
It will also explain how to turn your router into wireless receiver.

First, connect the appropriate wireless network adapter to the console. On the Xbox you will find a Wi-Fi adapter that connects to the Ethernet port (wireless network bridge). Xbox 360 is designed to work with certain Wi-Fi game adapters that connect to a USB port.

After you have connected adapter to Xbox, turn on the console and navigate to the wireless settings screen. On the Xbox, the menu path is "Settings -> Network Settings -> Advanced -> Wireless -> Settings"
On the Xbox 360, the path is "System -> Network Settings -> Edit Settings."

When you’ve found settings, you should set the SSID (network name) on the Xbox first to match that of the wireless router. If your wireless router has enabled SSID broadcast, the SSID name will appear selected on the Xbox display. If not, you have to select the "Specify Unlisted Network" option and enter the SSID there.

This article of course assumes the wireless router is already installed with a working Internet connection.

When you had finished with SSID settings, you should specify "Infrastructure" (mode used by wireless routers) as the Network Mode.

Security Type has to be set as well in order to match that of the wireless router. If your router uses WPA encryption and the type of adapter connected to the Xbox does not support WPA, you will need to change your router settings to use WEP encryption instead.
Standard Microsoft Xbox 360 Wireless Network Adapter supports WPA while the standard Microsoft Xbox Wireless Adapter (MN-740) only supports WEP encryption.
Save your settings and check if the network is functional.

On the older Xbox, the Wireless Status screen displays whether a connection has been successfully achieved with the wireless router, and the Connect Status screen displays whether a connection has been successfully established through the Internet to Xbox Live.

On the Xbox 360, you should use the "Test Xbox Live Connection" option instead.


Making Cheap Wireless For Your Xbox 360 (For DIY Freaks)

Additionally, you may change existing wireless router into a wireless receiver for your Xbox 360. But, why bother? Microsoft already offers a dongle (adapter) that costs about 100$. But you can build receiver yourself at a smaller costs. Considering that Nintendo Wii and the PlayStation 3 have built-in wireless access, it is a pity that the Xbox 360 doesn’t have the same feature. If the inexpensive Nintendo Wii can have it built in wireless, why can’t the Xbox 360?
Also if you love DIY adventures, you may do it with the following:

- Xbox and router that you already have
- At least 3 ft of Ethernet cable
- DD-WRT firmware

You have already connected your Xbox to router. Next step is to install DD-WRT firmware for your router.
Warning: If you’re not experienced in tech fixes and repairs, then buy an adapter. You risk malfunction of router if firmware is not properly installed.
If your decision is to proceed further, then you have to check if your router is compatible with DD-WRT firmware. You can check it here: http://www.dd-wrt.com/wiki/index.php/Supported_Devices

If your piece of equipment, i.e. router is compatible and ready, you may download the firmware from here: http://www.dd-wrt.com/dd-wrtv3/dd-wrt/downloads.html

Installation can be complicated and confusing, but you can find a lot of useful info on DD-WRT Wiki: http://www.dd-wrt.com/wiki/index.php/Installation

Again, warning – if you don’t have experience in tech issues, you shouldn’t mess with your router.

Once you’ve installed firmware on your router, use your Ethernet cable, and connect your PC to the router that is using the DD-WRT software. Browse to 192.168.1.1 using a web browser. It will ask for a user name and password. The user name is root and the password is admin. Older version of the DD-WRT software don’t require user name.
DD-WRT Admin panel looks like this:











Here you can change settings in order to allow the router to receive Internet signal from whatever wireless router you are using and share it out through the Ethernet ports on the back. This setup depends on the type of router you have, so it would be best to consult DD-WRT Wiki again for detailed procedure.

Now when you have access to the Internet on your computer, it is time to plug the connection into your Xbox 360. Connect the DD-WRT router with Ethernet cable to your Xbox 360’s Ethernet port. When you turn on your Xbox 360, it should receive a connection to the Internet and Xbox Live service.
Additionally, other devices like other PCs can be connected this way too.