Giving your Xbox 360 cheap wireless [Networking] : Divide By Zero

Over Christmas break, one of my presents was to wirelessly-enable my girlfriend's sister's Xbox 360 on the cheap. Once I was done, I had saved her $65 (plus tax).

Instead of walking you through everything, I will just give you the walkthroughs I used.

Note: This is not meant for non-technical people. It would be easier for you to buy the $100 wireless adapter. However, for techies, this will save you tons of money.

Requirements

First, let me describe what you need:

A primary router/modem-router with wireless capability (any router will do).
A DD-WRT-compatible router. A Linksys WRT54G works excellently and we bought one for $35 at a local computer shop.
An ethernet cable

The end result of this is as follows:

The primary router, in my case located downstairs, has a wireless access point configured. I enabled WPA2-Personal security on it. If your DSL modem has wireless capability, you're all set. In my case, I had to configure the primary router to get an IP from the DSL router.
The secondary router can be configured two ways: a Client or a Repeater Bridge. I chose the latter because it is easier to manage the network when all devices are on the same subnet. In addition, you get an added bonus of a second wireless access point!
The Xbox 360 connects via ethernet to the second router.

To setup your second router, you will need to install DD-WRT. Do not just download it and flash it, you'll probably break your router.

How to Do It

This guide is meant for using DD-WRT, since it had the most documentation and supported Repeater Bridge mode. There also seems to be a way to do this via the Tomato firmware (seems only to support Client mode right now).

What I did was follow the excellent installation guides on the wiki. Here is the list of things I used:

Read up on how to identify your router and version. I used this WRT54G guide on the wiki. Just Google "dd-wrt [your router model]" and you'll get the Wiki page for it.
A walkthrough for Version 8 of my router. Note: Versions matter! The guide for version 6 (my second router) was much different than version 8 (the first router).
Be sure to read the notes in the Peacock thread on the forums. Note: The only real tidbit of information that I used was to know how to do a 30-30-30 hard reset. LEARN IT.
The files needed for your router and version. Search it in the router database. Note: Some installation guides use custom firmware so read the installation guide for your router just in case. This was the case for me with my secondary router which used version 6 software.
Read the guide on Client mode or Repeater Bridge, depending on your needs. I chose the latter because it was simpler and easier to manage.
Be patient. When steps tell you to wait five minutes, wait five minutes. I used Online Stopwatch to time everything appropriately. The whole process of setting up two routers with DD-WRT and configuring everything took about 4 hours (since the second router wasn't working right at first using client mode). The end result was awesome, though!

Notes

In my case, there were some things the wiki and thread said would be a problem but turned out not to be.

The guides say that when you flash the firmware with TFTP on Vista/7 you have to time it right. This wasn't a problem for me. I simply restarted the router, ran the command to flash the firmware, then hard reset the router again. I didn't run into any problems using Windows 7.

Some guides say it's not possible to manage both routers under a Repeater Bridge configuration. That's not true, if you set up and remember the local router IP, you can still manage it. I made it easy. My primary router was http://192.168.1.1/ and the secondary one was http://192.168.1.2/ since the primary router gave out IPs after 100.

Additionally, it's a good idea to enable/disable your LAN card on the computer you're using to flash the firmware once you change wireless modes on the router. It is also a good idea to clear the cache in Firefox/IE each time you flash a new firmware, to make sure you're getting the right pages.

Initially, I had tried to configure the second router as a wireless Client but it wasn't working. It was much easier to configure the router as a wireless bridge or repeater bridge. That's what I'd recommend. For the client mode, you might need to configure advanced routing and such… for a repeater, the guide was insanely straightforward. Additionally, client mode separates your network into two subnets: 192.168.1.* and 192.168.2.* which can make it harder for devices to talk to each other. Apparently, version 6 and version 8 WRT54G routers don't work well in that situation. A repeater bridge is almost like a bypass of your second router, it doesn't assign IPs, it passes all traffic to the primary router.

Results

The results were excellent. The Xbox 360 worked great on Xbox Live and I saved them $65 compared to buying a wireless adapter. In addition, they get a second access point upstairs!

Another solution, and simpler but less flexible, is to use a laptop with a wireless card and ethernet card. Bridge the connections, hook up the Xbox to it via ethernet, and then connect to wireless. This also worked for me using Windows 7 in about 5 minutes. However, you always need the laptop to connect to Xbox Live.

Comments

WOW, another awesome xbox post, you rox.
192.168.1.1 is the defualt gateway for many routers, I usually change it for security reasons.

Posted by: Xbox 360 Repair
On January 12, 2010 9:01 AM

For the client mode, you might need to configure advanced routing...

Posted by: anabolics
On January 14, 2010 12:36 PM

Hey anabolics, I did actually configure advanced routing for Client Mode but that didn't seem to fix it.

Hopefully other people have better luck.

Posted by: Kamran
On January 14, 2010 1:24 PM

Has anyone tried this, has it worked for you?

Posted by: Xbox 360 Repair Guide
On January 15, 2010 8:52 AM

@Xbox 360 Repair Guide - I am yet to give a try! Hopefully results will be positive :)

Posted by: Fix Xbox 360
On January 19, 2010 12:27 AM

thanks for sharing this information about xbox ,hopefully its working out.

Posted by: Xbox 360 Repair
On January 20, 2010 7:00 AM

excellent write up with great advice on how to do this on the cheap. so many of the OEM accessories are over priced garbage and this configuration is so much betterr

Posted by: xbox 360 game reviews
On January 22, 2010 8:45 PM

This was a great idea. It sure beats paying $100 for a network adapter if you know what you’re doing.

Posted by: fix rrod
On January 29, 2010 11:17 AM

Interesting..Thanks for shearing.

Posted by: Broken Xbox360
On February 9, 2010 7:17 AM

Awesome! Saved me a few bucks! You've got a really helpful blog here.

Posted by: Joe
On February 22, 2010 10:04 PM

super interesting post. this should save me some $$$. lol

Posted by: ifuncity
On March 19, 2010 10:59 AM

Sounds great. I tried once to configure a second wireless access point at home but had no success. I shall try this. Thank you.

Posted by: techie7
On April 16, 2010 8:47 AM

Tried it and working on my home network, thanks a bunch

Posted by: Jonathan Cardoza
On April 18, 2010 7:43 PM

Thanks dude, that was great. I've got two actaul MS wireless adapters one bought on the cheap and another because MS sent me it as the other one didn't work......now neither do, your method however works a treat. Its very similar to my existing method of running an ethernet cable from either the desktop near the xbox or a laptop as they pick up the wireless connection. Keep up the good work

Posted by: SanDisk XBox 360 USB
On April 30, 2010 2:46 AM

I have testet it, works but not really good i got only laggy connection i found on http://konsolero.info a cheap wireless original xbox set, works really good, but access point tactic is still ok :)

Posted by: Thomas
On May 10, 2010 7:54 PM

Yo uso google 8.8.8.8.1 DNS. Búsqueda muy útil si tengo que arreglar mi xbox

Posted by: Reparación Xbox
On June 27, 2010 12:06 AM

That is really cool...I'm actually tempted to drive to walmart right now at 9:45pm and get the parts needed lol. Hey, girls need wireless on their xbox's too :P

Posted by: Becky
On July 2, 2010 9:43 PM

This was a great idea. It sure beats paying for a network adapter if you know what you’re doing.

Posted by: Paul
On July 21, 2010 11:10 AM

Awesome, Kamran. We usually build full city networks, but I used your tips at home for my 3 kids. Worked perfectly, first time. Great Blog!

Bobby Vassallo
Valley Wireless

Posted by: Bobby Vassallo
On July 29, 2010 12:47 AM

Yep, this sure does help with things. And it's better than having to pay for an adapter. Thanks

Posted by: Michael Sherriff
On August 6, 2010 8:32 AM

That was a really funny experience you have the moral is really http://www.gameforsale.us

Posted by: Gamesforsale
On August 6, 2010 2:49 PM

Excellent tip, take notes to enter this info on my website http://www.VideoGamesXbox.org, greetings

Posted by: Jeff
On August 22, 2010 9:49 PM

Posted by: naruto shippuden vostfr
On September 30, 2010 10:53 AM

Posted by: Entrepreneur Opportunity
On September 30, 2010 10:55 AM

This is an interesting topic. You are actually correct on the note that you actually don't need guides (sometimes) just to resolve the issue on your XBOX360...

Posted by: Fresh Christmas Trees
On November 3, 2010 2:18 AM

I copied your suggestions to a text file... I will have my son set this up later. Left to me it would require $100 wireless adapter and might still not get done. Thanks.

Posted by: Bob- Xbox 360 Problems
On November 4, 2010 9:16 PM

Yup, absolutely 100% right, much to learn in your story about the wordpress plugin for xbox 360.

Posted by: Wordpress Guy
On November 5, 2010 6:56 PM

I want my own Xbox to be wireless! But I think I need to read this again and again to make sure that everything's perfect! Thanks for the tips!

Posted by: make your own beats
On December 6, 2010 11:50 PM

I think what he said is the easiest way to setup the wireless connection. I know how to set it up, sometime i help people to set the wireless connection, so i can guarantee that this method is work. Thank you for your share.

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Posted by: Uwee
On December 18, 2010 2:09 AM

I have no clue what u just said haha. But thank u so much. My brother is good with these things. I will show this to him.

Posted by: Greg
On January 9, 2011 10:21 AM

I wish my brothers girlfriend was more like you.. well intelligence wise of course. :D

Posted by: Nellie
On January 13, 2011 3:23 AM

Thank you very much for the clear concise instructions. This is way better than buying the $100 wifi adapter from microsoft! Thanks!

Posted by: Evil Controllers
On February 11, 2011 1:50 PM

It absolutely astounding to me the speed at which these new learning techniques are being developed. Very inspiring indeed.

Posted by: Laptop Repair
On March 3, 2011 12:07 AM

Cheers for this, i do need wireless wifi on this ruddy thing

Posted by: Josh
On March 5, 2011 4:56 AM

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Posted by: old gamer
On March 10, 2011 8:47 PM

I agree with everything you say but maybe you need some decent headsets to give that gaming experience a finishing touch

Posted by: Xbox Live Headset
On March 18, 2011 10:17 AM

I understand that this is meant to save to cash, but i was wondering how long did the whole operation last?

Posted by: Genital Wart Treatment
On April 22, 2011 4:07 PM

My son loves me for setting him up with wireless - needless to say he plays it continuously!!

Posted by: Slim Drops
On May 24, 2011 2:37 AM

Ahh, there we go, all fixed now, thanks :)

Posted by: James Paterson
On June 2, 2011 1:29 PM

Awesome! I tried this with some fellows but we keep having issues with the IP's and couldn't get to work. I'm gonna try your way to do so. Wish me luck!

Posted by: Chris Game Consoles
On August 1, 2011 5:09 PM

Thanks for the info although I think this is beyond my technical abilities. Like you said,it would probably be a lot better id I just purchased an adapter from the local store.
Well done though!

Posted by: Web Design Dublin
On September 16, 2011 3:51 AM

Posted by: Web Design Dublin
On September 16, 2011 3:53 AM

This is a great tutorial. I don't know if I can do it though I might just spend the extra money.

Posted by: Gears of War 3
On September 17, 2011 8:37 PM

great stuff works well, i waited until mine was out of warranty before i did this though as it will invalidate any warranty.

Posted by: computer adviser
On November 10, 2011 1:46 AM

Great tutorial. Thanks Kamran.

Posted by: qwertym
On December 18, 2011 10:47 PM

You sir are a genius, many thanks for this, may try it on my Xbox

Posted by: Xbox Deals
On March 13, 2012 2:46 PM

that stupid wifi adapter is so expensive. thanks for the easy and cheap alternative!

Posted by: Matt
On April 12, 2012 2:05 PM

I use this method to provide wireless to all of my systems. It originally sparked out of an error from the XBox 360 on windows media center saying something about bandwidth. I did some research and found out this was the best alternative for running wifi to my systems.

Posted by: Adam
On April 21, 2012 7:32 AM

The main draw of the Xbox 360 Minecraft is probably its multiplayer component and how its easy-access, drop-in, drop-out fare is so inviting. Xbox 360 has always been more fun in multiplayer, and finding a suitable server for your play style and friend group on PC...Awesomewroti

Posted by: Motorola Sb6121 Surfboard Extreme
On May 28, 2012 6:40 PM

Thanks for the tip. I use two routers, Netgear DG834GT and Linksys WRT54G in my home. My friend takes the second solution by making use of his wireless enabled laptop and it works very well.

Posted by: andre
On June 6, 2012 2:03 AM

Growing of world greatly demands for the best technology with the lowest price. So for networking Xbox 360 is the best and the cheapest for network connection.

Posted by: Network Cable
On June 13, 2012 1:08 AM