xbox 360 on line

[dagriff]

My boys got an xbox 360 for Christmas. They have just hooked it up to play on line.
Our Internet provider only lets you have two computers hooked up (2x I.P. addresses).
We already have 2 (mine & the boys).
So they have to change I.P. address on the system every time they change between their PC and Xbox.
Therefore my question is... is there a way to hook up the xbox so they don't have to change address every time.
They would still only be two hook ups at same time, I.E. The xbox or their PC plus my PC.= 2 connections.

Thanks.
Griff.

[stomachmonkey]

Get a router. You can hook up 4 computers and your ISP will only see 1. Linksys are good. Get one w/wireless. Get teh wireless adaptor for the xBox. $100.

[slakjaw]

Are you useing a cable or dsl router?

[dagriff]

Originally posted by stomachmonkey
Get a router. You can hook up 4 computers and your ISP will only see 1. Linksys are good. Get one w/wireless. Get teh wireless adaptor for the xBox. $100.

Okay, so real stupid question...what's the difference between a router & a hub. We have a Linksys hub.
Griff.

[dad911]

Router is smart. It assigns IP addresses to the local computers, and basically 'routes' the traffic from the internet to the proper computer on your local network.

[stomachmonkey]

Originally posted by dagriff
Okay, so real stupid question...what's the difference between a router & a hub. We have a Linksys hub.
Griff.

Think of it this way.

A hub let's you attach computers to an existing network. Your computers communicate directly with the network.

A router let's you create a network that connects to another network. So your computers speak to the router which speaks to the other network.

Scott

[Moses]

Definitely need a wireless router.

[on2wheels52]

My kid's dad doesn't play on-line so is not a problem.
Jim

[carnutzzz]

I'm running a linksys wireless router in my house- really the best money spent on a home upgrade.

My girlfriend can come over with her laptop and work from the family room, I'm typing this on my laptop in the kitchen, I have a spare laptop in the guestroom so guests can check email, and my xbox which is not near a phone jack works great online with the wireless network adaptor ($80 at costco.com)- all without wires! I even sometimes bring my laptop into the garage so I can access Pelican while wrenching.

I would think that with kids, a laptop would be a better way to monitor what it is they are doing online. You can keep them in the kitchen or wherever you are while they surf.

[dagriff]

Originally posted by carnutzzz
I'm running a linksys wireless router in my house- really the best money spent on a home upgrade.

My girlfriend can come over with her laptop and work from the family room, I'm typing this on my laptop in the kitchen, I have a spare laptop in the guestroom so guests can check email, and my xbox which is not near a phone jack works great online with the wireless network adaptor ($80 at costco.com)- all without wires! I even sometimes bring my laptop into the garage so I can access Pelican while wrenching.

I would think that with kids, a laptop would be a better way to monitor what it is they are doing online. You can keep them in the kitchen or wherever you are while they surf.

From what you guys are telling me, wireless seems the best.
I had thought about it, but was not sure of the area coverage (through walls etc). However, from what you say this does not seem to be a problem.
As they were paying for it themselves, we will have to do some negotiating on who pays for what, as they will need the xbox part as well!
A trip to Best Buy or Future shop this week end I think.

[stomachmonkey]

xBox can be hooked up to the router via ethernet cable so the wireless adaptor is not a must have. Just makes it easier to relocate.

You don't need to spend a ton of cash on the router. I like linksys but have had fine results with d-link as well. My preference is in the user interface, the linksys stuff is just thought out better. Reality is after you set it up you may only need to access the interface once every year or two so may not be worth additional coin.

Scott

[widebody911]

Originally posted by dagriff
Okay, so real stupid question...what's the difference between a router & a hub. We have a Linksys hub.
Griff.

A router connects two different networks together; a hub connects computers on the same network.

That being said, most (if not all) DSL routers serve as both a router and a hub, effectively allowing you connect your machines both to each other, and to the outside world.

The router will provide the IP address to your local network, so you don't have to muck with it every time you on turn your PC or game system.

[sketchers356]

Originally posted by dagriff
From what you guys are telling me, wireless seems the best.
I had thought about it, but was not sure of the area coverage (through walls etc). However, from what you say this does not seem to be a problem.
As they were paying for it themselves, we will have to do some negotiating on who pays for what, as they will need the xbox part as well!
A trip to Best Buy or Future shop this week end I think.

You have problems with cordless phones through walls? Then you wont with WiFi.

[stomachmonkey]

Originally posted by sketchers356
You have problems with cordless phones through walls? Then you wont with WiFi.

He''s saying he was concerned about it but does not really know/have practical experience.

Basics on wifi placement are avoid the signal passing thru walls and floors at an angle, most wifi routers have moveable antennae to help with this.

If it's on a floor above the computers/xbox avoid placing on heavy/bulky furniture.

Avoid having to pass thru glass, mirrors. I have a full wall of mirror in one bathroom and it totally degrades the signal.

[jeffgrant]

Just be aware that depending on the frequencies of your wireless router and your wireless phone, they can be pretty close, and can sometimes step on each other.

A friend of mine's place has both around 2.5 GHz, and when the phone rings, the wireless connection drops. When the phone call is done, the wireless comes back.

Only time I've experienced that, but it can happen.

$0.02

[widebody911]

Originally posted by jeffgrant
A friend of mine's place has both around 2.5 GHz, and when the phone rings, the wireless connection drops. When the phone call is done, the wireless comes back.

I have the exact same problem. I've mitigated it slightly by tying the USB wireless card high up on the wall.

[Moses]

Originally posted by widebody911
I have the exact same problem. I've mitigated it slightly by tying the USB wireless card high up on the wall.

Get a 5.8 GHz phone. No interference.

This one is $52 at BestBuy.

[jeffgrant]

Unless your wireless router happens to use 802.11G instead of 802.11B protocols.

[mikester]

802.11a is on the 5Ghz band

802.11b & G are both on the 2.8Ghz band.

If your friends phone is causing him problems with his wireless have him change the channel his wireless is operating on. There are 11 to choose from.

Most folks leave their wireless operating on the channel it came out of box on. This is the cause of most wireless problems as everyone in the neighborhood will be on the same channel (6 or 11 typically). Channels 1, 6 and 11 are the only ones that do not overlap in the b&g spectrum. All of A's channels are independant but A cannot cover as large an area.

[Moses]

Originally posted by jeffgrant
Unless your wireless router happens to use 802.11G instead of 802.11B protocols.

From About.com;

802.11g
In 2002 and 2003, WLAN products supporting a newer standard called 802.11g began to appear on the scene. 802.11g attempts to combine the best of both 802.11a and 802.11b. 802.11g supports bandwidth up to 54 Mbps, and it uses the 2.4 Ghz frequency for greater range. 802.11g is backwards compatible with 802.11b, meaning that 802.11g access points will work with 802.11b wireless network adapters and vice versa.