Wireless hookup for 2nd computer & Xbox game console. How?

sedona420,

If you don't already have a wireless router, you'll need one. If the second computer has an Ethernet adapter, you may be able to connect it to one of the available Ethernet ports on the wireless router. It looks like Linksys has a special wireless adapter for game devices. It's described here.

Linksys's " Educate Me" section will help you see how it all fits together, as will this article on Internet connection sharing from HomeNetHelp.com.

Jim

 Hi jimw,

Thanks for responding...

So I only need 1 wireless router, and does that connect to main computer or 2nd?

2nd does have ethernet connection available, and I assume instructions come with the router, I'm just trying to have a basic idea, so I have all components prior to hooking up (don't want to find out that I'm missing something).

I'll check out the Linksys link you provided.

Thanks again,

Sedona420 ;)

Sedona420,

Most wireless routers include at least one, and generally four, Ethernet connections for wired devices. The wireless router will actually serve both computers and the Xbox - two wirelessly, one via Ethernet. The second system needs to be close enough to the location selected for the wireless router to make running an Ethernet cable between the second system and the router practical. That's also true for the distance between the router and the cable modem. The Xbox can be connected wirelessly by a device such as the one described at the Linksys site.

Jim

Hi jimw,

I really appreciate your info you've provided.  I checked out those sites you recommended, and it did help somewhat.

Sedona420,

In that post, I thought the "second system" was to be the wired one, for some unknown reason! It's now clear that the "second computer" will be wireless, and the "main computer" will be connected via Ethernet.

The wireless router will have an Ethernet cable running from it to the cable modem, and another cable from the wireless router to the "main computer". Since the "second computer" will be connected wirelessly, there will be no Ethernet cables at all running to it. If you purchase a device like the one I found at Linksys for the Xbox, it will also be connected wirelessly.

Here's a diagram from HomeNetHelp.com that illustrates a home network consisting of both wired and wireless devices.

Jim

Sedona420,

You're welcome! I have no idea how I got confused about the "second machine", but I was certainly consistent about it! Your first post was very clear as to which was which, so it was something I did all by myself! :)

Jim

Hi Jim,

Thank you so much!  It is now completely clear!  You help have been so valuable, and I appreciate your effort.  I think I can take it from here.

Very Sincerely,

Sedona420

Hi Jim,

Do you mind if I ask one further question?

After all components are installed, how difficult/easy is the security encryption?  Would there also be instructions for something like that included with the components?  I realize that security over the airwaves is something I need to contend with...

You've been very, very helpful, and I feel I have a pretty good handle on what I need to do.

Sincerely,

Sedona420

Sedona420,

For Windows XP Service Pack 2, or Service Pack 1 with the right updates, it's very easy to set up good wireless security. This PC Magazine article describes the procedure for setting up WPA (WiFi Protected Access) security, using the Linksys WRT54G router as an example.

Almost all wireless devices support "WEP", which stands for "wired equivalent privacy", but that's a complete misnomer. WEP doesn't improve the security of a wireless network. It will keep the casual observer, like other XP systems searching for wireless networks, out, but can be circumvented by a determined intruder. Unfortunately, the Linksys WGA54G game adapter is an example of a device that doesn't support WPA, according to its data sheet, a PDF file.

Since wireless routers only support one kind of wireless security settings at a time, what would need to be chosen is one that's compatible with both the PC operating system (XP) and the wireless adapter chosen for the Xbox.

WEP is very straightforward to set up. Most routers possess the ability to generate what are called "WEP keys" using a user-chosen "passphrase". These keys can then be transferred to the wireless client running on the PC, most often by copying and pasting the HEX (hexadecimal) values of the keys generated by the router to the PC's wireless client.

Jim

Wish me luck!

Sedona,

You've got your wish! Best of luck! But, better yet, you've got a good idea of what all the pieces are, and how they can work together. That's better than luck!

Jim