Connect an Xbox or Xbox 360 to your networkPublished: August 15, 2006 Both the Xbox 360 and the original Xbox are a lot of fun, and they get even better when you connect them to the Internet. The Internet is the gateway to Xbox Live, where you can compete in your favorite games against your friends and all the other gamers on Xbox Live. With an Xbox Live game pad headset, you can even talk with other players. If you have an Xbox 360, you can download new games, free demos, and trailers from Xbox Live. The process for connecting your Xbox varies, depending on the version. You can: You can also use the Xbox to connect to computers on your home network. If you have a Media Center PC and you connect your Xbox to your network, you can bring your recorded TV, videos, and music to your Xbox. That means you can watch TV on your Xbox, even if you don't have a cable connection in the room. If you have an original Xbox, you'll need the Media Center Extender for Xbox. Xbox 360 includes everything you need to connect to Media Center or to any Windows XP computer. Before you connect your Xbox to your network, contact an Internet service provider (ISP) and have them configure an Internet connection to your home. For more information, read Connect to the Internet. If possible, have your ISP place the modem in the room with your computer. To connect both a computer and an Xbox to the Internet, you need an Xbox Live-compatible router. A router shares your Internet connection so that your computer and your Xbox can use the Internet at the same time. You connect the router to your existing modem (provided by your ISP), and then connect all your computers to the router. 
Note: If you already have a router and it's not compatible with Xbox Live, you may be able to configure it to work properly by opening the ports. However, configuring a router can be complicated, so you may want ask a technically savvy friend to help you with the process. If you want to put the Xbox in a different room from your computer, you can use a long network cable, a wall-plugged network extender, or a wireless network. Wall-plugged network extenders are perfect for connecting an Xbox in a different room because the performance is great and they're easy to set up. If you already have a wireless network, however, it's easier to simply add the Xbox to your wireless network. 
How to connect an Xbox 360 to your networkTo connect your Xbox 360 to your network, set up your Xbox 360 and connect it to your TV. It wouldn't hurt to play a game for a few minutes (just to verify that it's hooked up correctly, of course). Then you can: How to connect an Xbox 360 to your wired network in the same room as your computerTo connect your Xbox 360 to a wired network in the same room as your computer 1. | If you already have a router connected to your modem, skip to step 4. Otherwise, connect your router to your modem: | • | If you currently have a computer connected directly to your modem: Unplug the network cable from the back of your computer, and plug it into the port labeled Internet, WAN, or WLAN on the back of your router. | | • | If you don't currently have a computer connected to the Internet: Plug one end of a network cable (included with your router) into your modem and the other end of the network cable into the Internet, WAN, or WLAN port on your wireless router.  
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| 2. | Plug in your router. After a minute or two, the Internet, WAN, or WLAN light on your router should light up, indicating that it has successfully connected to your modem. 
| 3. | Reconnect your computer to the Internet by plugging your computer’s network cable into the router.  
| 4. | Turn off your Xbox 360. Then connect it to the Internet by plugging one end of the network cable included with the Xbox 360 into your router and the other end of the network cable into the I/O port on the back of your Xbox 360.  
| 5. | Start your Xbox 360 and create your gamer profile to get started with both the Xbox 360 system and Xbox Live play. |
How to connect an Xbox 360 to your wired network in a different room from your computerIf you have a computer in a different room from your Internet connection and want to connect it to the Internet, you can extend your wired network across your home's power lines using a wall-plugged network extender kit. Wall-plugged network extender kits offer an alternative to wireless networks. For more information about choosing a network type, read Choosing the type of network to install. To connect an Xbox 360 that's in a different room from your modem, purchase a wall-plugged network extender kit, and then 1. | If you already have a router connected to your modem, skip to step 4. Otherwise, connect your router to your modem: | • | If you currently have a computer connected directly to your modem: Unplug the network cable from the back of your computer, and plug it into the port labeled Internet, WAN, or WLAN on the back of your router. | | • | If you don't currently have a computer connected to the Internet: Plug one end of a network cable (included with your router) into your modem and the other end of the network cable into the Internet, WAN, or WLAN port on your wireless router.
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| 2. | Plug in your router. After a minute or two, the Internet, WAN, or WLAN light on your router should light up, indicating that it has successfully connected to your modem.
| 3. | Reconnect your computer to the Internet by plugging your computer's network cable into the router.
| 4. | In the room with your router, plug one wall-plugged network extender kit into a wall power outlet (not a power strip or extension cord). 
| 5. | Connect one end of a network cable to the wall-plugged network extender kit, and connect the other end of the cable to your router.  
| 6. | In the room with your Xbox 360, plug one wall-plugged network extender kit into a wall power outlet (not a power strip or extension cord). 
| 7. | Turn off your Xbox 360. Then connect it to the Internet by plugging one end of the network cable included with the Xbox 360 into your network extender and the other end of the network cable into the I/O port on the back of the Xbox 360. 
| 8. | Start your Xbox 360 and create your gamer profile to get started with both the Xbox 360 system and Xbox Live play. |
How to connect an Xbox 360 to your wireless networkWired networks are more secure and easier to set up than wireless networks. However, if you already have a wireless network and your Xbox 360 is going to be in a different room from your network equipment and computer, it's probably easier to connect your Xbox 360 to the wireless network. To connect an Xbox 360 to a wireless network, first set up a wireless network and write down your network key. Purchase an Xbox 360 wireless networking adapter, and then 1. | Turn off your Xbox 360 and disconnect anything connected to the I/O port on the back of your Xbox 360. | 2. | Connect the wireless Xbox 360 adapter to the I/O port on the back of your Xbox 360 by pressing the tabs on the adapter into the two slots on the back of the console. 
| 3. | Connect the wireless adapter cable to your Xbox 360 I/O port. 
| 4. | Flip up the network adapter's antenna. 
| 5. | Turn on your Xbox 360. If you are using an unencrypted wireless network, your Xbox connects to it automatically, and you can skip the rest of the steps. If you are using an encrypted wireless network (which you should be!), click the System tab, and then click Network Settings. 
| 6. | On the Network Settings page, select Edit Settings. 
| 7. | On the Edit Settings page, select your wireless settings on the Basic Settings tab. 
| 8. | On the Select Wireless Network page, select your wireless network. 
| 9. | On the WEP Network page, type your wireless network key, and then click Done. 
| 10. | On the Apply Settings page, click Test Xbox Live. 
| 11. | If this is the first time you have connected your Xbox 360 to Xbox Live, you'll probably be prompted to apply an update. Congratulations—this means you have successfully connected to Xbox Live! Click Yes, update now. Your Xbox will restart and will then be ready for use. If there are no updates, the Xbox Live Connection page shows that you're connected to Xbox Live. Press the Y button on your controller to continue. 
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If you have any problems connecting to the Internet, read Troubleshoot Your Wireless Network Adapter for help. How to connect an original Xbox to your networkTo connect your Xbox to your network, first set up your Xbox and connect it your TV. Once it's connected, you can: How to connect an original Xbox to your wired network in the same room as your computerTo connect your Xbox to a wired network in the same room as your computer 1. | If you already have a router connected to your modem, skip to step 4. Otherwise, connect your router to your modem: | • | If you currently have a computer connected directly to your modem: Unplug the network cable from the back of your computer, and plug it into the port labeled Internet, WAN, or WLAN on the back of your router. | | • | If you don't currently have a computer connected to the Internet: Plug one end of a network cable (included with your router) into your modem and the other end of the network cable into the Internet, WAN, or WLAN port on your wireless router.
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| 2. | Plug in your router. After a minute or two, the Internet, WAN, or WLAN light on your router should light up, indicating that it has successfully connected to your modem.
| 3. | Reconnect your computer to the Internet by plugging your computer's network cable into your router.
| 4. | Turn off your Xbox. Then connect it to the Internet by plugging one end of a network cable into your router and the other end of the network cable into the network port on the back of your Xbox. 
| 5. | Start your Xbox and create your Xbox Live account to get started with online gaming. |
How to connect an original Xbox to your wired network in a different room from your computerIf you have a computer in a different room from your Internet connection and want to connect it to the Internet, you can extend your wired network across your home's power lines using a wall-plugged network extender kit. Wall-plugged network extender kits offer an alternative to wireless networks. For more information about choosing a network type, read Choosing the type of network to install. To connect an Xbox that is in a different room of your house from your modem, first purchase a wall-plugged network extender kit. Then 1. | If you already have a router connected to your modem, skip to step 4. Otherwise, connect your router to your modem: | • | If you currently have a computer connected directly to your modem: Unplug the network cable from the back of your computer, and plug it into the port labeled Internet, WAN, or WLAN on the back of your router. | | • | If you don't currently have a computer connected to the Internet: Plug one end of a network cable (included with your router) into your modem and the other end of the network cable into the Internet, WAN, or WLAN port on your wireless router.
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| 2. | Plug in your router. After a minute or two, the Internet, WAN, or WLAN light on your router should light up, indicating that it has successfully connected to your modem.
| 3. | Reconnect your computer to the Internet by plugging your computer's network cable into your router.
| 4. | In the room with your router, plug one wall-plugged network extender kit into a wall power outlet (not a power strip or extension cord).
| 5. | Connect one end of a network cable to the wall-plugged network extender kit, and connect the other end of the cable to your router.
| 6. | In the room with your computer, plug one wall-plugged network extender kit into a wall power outlet (not a power strip or extension cord).
| 7. | Turn off your Xbox. Then, connect it to the Internet by plugging one end of a network cable into your network extender and the other end of the network cable into the network port on the back of the Xbox.
| 8. | Start your Xbox and create your Xbox Live account to get started with both the Xbox 360 system and Xbox Live play. |
How to connect an original Xbox to your wireless networkWired networks are more secure and easier to set up than wireless networks. However, if you already have a wireless network and your Xbox is going to be in a different room from your computer, it's probably easier to connect your Xbox to the wireless network. To connect an Xbox to a wireless network, first set up a wireless network. Then purchase a wireless game adapter. If you need to connect more than one wired network device in a single room (for example, both an Xbox and a PlayStation 2), use a wireless bridge with multiple network ports. To connect your Xbox to your wireless network 1. | Follow the instructions included with your wireless game adapter to configure it and connect it to your wireless network. | 2. | Place the wireless game adapter near your Xbox and plug it in. Then plug one end of a network cable (included with your game adapter) into the network port of your game adapter and the other end of the network cable into the back of the Xbox. 
| 3. | Start your Xbox and create your Xbox Live account to get started with online gaming. |
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