Overview of Wireless Networking for Xbox 360

• Wireless Network Types
• Wireless Network Uses
• Wireless Network Terminology

Wireless Network Types

Wireless networks come in two types: infrastructure (the most common kind of home network) and ad-hoc (for special circumstances, usually temporary).

1. Infrastructure networks: In an infrastructure network all devices connect wirelessly to a single router or gateway, referred to as a base station or access point. Users who receive a stand-alone high-speed modem (rather than a USB or internal PCI modem) from their ISPs (Internet service providers) often purchase a wireless router to extend an Internet connection to other devices. Users who receive a wireless gateway from their ISPs can use this to set up their wireless networks.
2. Ad-hoc wireless networks: Ad-hoc wireless networks aren't built around a central base station or access point. Instead, you create an ad-hoc wireless network by connecting devices directly to each other. You would use this method to connect two Xbox 360™ consoles in different parts of a house.
   
   To learn more about console-to-console linking, see Link Your Console to Another Console.

Wireless Network Uses

Your home network might be wireless for some connections and wired for others. For instance, you might use the Xbox 360 Wireless Networking Adapter to link your Xbox 360 console and your router, but an Ethernet cable to connect your router to your modem.

Alternately, you might have a wired connection between your Xbox 360 console and your wireless router, but a wireless connection between your router and your PC and/or your modem. Networking offers almost limitless flexibility to accommodate your situation and preferences.

Wireless Network Terminology

• SSID or Network Name: With respect to a wireless network, these terms refer to the same thing: the name of your wireless network as defined by your wireless router or gateway. When you set up your Xbox 360 system on a wireless network, the Xbox 360 console will search for and display the wireless network names it finds.
• Channel: This is the channel (like your TV channel) on which your wireless network operates. All devices on the same wireless network must be on the same channel. This is true for both infrastructure and ad-hoc wireless networks.
• Wireless Mode: Wireless networks have different characteristics (speed, range, frequency) depending on the mode in which they're operating. Common wireless modes include 802.11b, 802.11a, and 802.11g. All the equipment on your wireless network must be set to operate in the same wireless mode. Make sure the wireless access point (router or gateway) you use operates in the same mode as the console's wireless networking adapter.
• Wireless Security: Wireless networks can and should be secured. Security keeps other people from getting onto your wireless network without your permission. There are two primary ways to secure a wireless network:
  1. WEP (Wired Equivalent Privacy) is configured on a key or passphrase you assign to your network. WEP keys are either 64-bit or 128-bit, longer keys being more secure. Establish your WEP key on your access point (router or gateway), then assign the same key to any wireless device joining the network—like your Xbox 360 system.
  2. WPA (Wi-Fi Protected Access) security is similarly key/passphrase configured, but it's much stronger than WEP.

For More Info

Want to see how the wizard helps you connect? Learn more about wireless networking—watch our Wireless Connectivity Video.