This device works just fine with our XBox. There's no lag when playing on-line XBox-Live games. It's less than half the cost of the Microsoft "official" Xbox gaming adapter.
Incidentally, these gaming adapters and generic "wireless adapters" are exactly the same thing. They bridge a wired device into your wireless network.
This device will let you connect an XBox, a computer, or any wired network device. Yes, you can connect a Macintosh, a PC, a Linux box, anything with an Ethernet interface, to your wireless network using this box.
This is only an 802.11b, not g, device, but that is NOT a negative. Don't spend the extra money on "g" ANYTHING. b gives you 11 Mbit/sec, and if you're really lucky these days, your DSL or cable modem internet connection will get you 2 Mbit/sec. So why pay extra money for g? Even if you are far from your wireless access point, and the speed drops to only 2 Mbit/sec, you'll never use that through the internet. Your Xbox will never come anywhere near saturating an 802.11b link. I've sniffed the packet traffic, and it doesn't even break 120Kbps at its worst.
But here are some tips for configuring this device.
1. If you don't use WEP, and have your wireless access point is set to broadcast its SSID, this thing will probably plug right in and work with no setup. I can't vouch for this, because I don't set my network up that way (and I think that anybody who doesn't use WEP encryption is a fool).
2. Assuming you do use WEP encryption, the easiest way to set this device up is to plug it directly into a PC. Yes, connect the box to your PC with an Ethernet cable. Forget the internet for a minute, just hook the two together.
Make sure to set your PC to have a fixed ip in the 192.168.1.x range, set the subnet mask to 255.255.255.0. Then run the setup wizard on the CD that comes with this device.
UPDATE: 3-Aug-2006
I installed another one of these. They have apparently changed the driver in the box, or the installation program. Now, you CANNOT set your PC to a fixed ip in the 192.168.1.x. That will let your PC communicate with the box, but it won't let you get past the "password" input of the setup program. Now, you must set your PC's network settings to DHCP, ("Obtain an IP Address Automatically"). The box will assign an IP in the 192.168.1.x range to your PC. NOW when you run the Setup program, you should see the box in a list that appears on the first page. Click on it once to select it, click "Next" (don't put anything in the "password key" box). It will prompt you for a password. By default, it's always "admin" on these boxes.
This had me going around in circles for hours, using a fixed IP on my PC. Apparently, the box only lets devices connect to it that IT has assigned an IP address to, via DHCP.
On a Mac, you'd open the TCP/IP control panel, and set it to use DHCP (this is in OS 9... I'm a Philistine with my old Macs, and haven't seen what the OS/X panel looks like yet!)
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Enter your WEP key, enter your SSID, and your access point channel, and you're all set. These settings will be saved as "profile 1". Now, hit the button on the side of the gaming adapter until the display reads "P1".
The big knock I have against this device is that you can't just hit it with a web browser and set it up like you can with any wireless router or access point. So if you don't have a Windows PC, you are out of luck. I have all Macintoshes at home, so I had to scare up a PC just to configure this device, which is really REALLY lame.
Most people don't understand WEP, wireless channels, SSIDs, or ip addresses. So Microsoft makes a mint selling their box for $100. But if you take a little time to learn, you CAN set up this box and save a lot of money.
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Product description
From the Manufacturer
Early Adopters Pick: July 2003. The first wireless networking adapter made solely for console gamers.
The Wireless-B Game Adapter gives any wired-Ethernet-equipped game console wireless connection capabilities. The Game Adapter can be used in two different ways. If you have an existing home wireless network with a cable or DSL Internet connection, the Game Adapter lets your PlayStation2, Xbox or GameCube attach to the network so you can get into online games without running wires to the game room. Or, use a pair of Game Adapters to form a "cable-less cable" between two game consoles for head-to-head gaming--in the same room, or all the way across the house.
It's completely driver-free, so there's no software-installation hassle, and it works on any platform. And the innovative Channel Selector Button with LED display makes wireless network configuration into child's play. If you're using two Game Adapters, just press their Channel Selector Buttons until the channel numbers match, and you're connected. To connect to an existing wireless network, press the Button to select Infrastructure mode. If your setup's a little different, there's an easy-to-use PC-based Setup Wizard to guide you through. Then just plug the Adapter into your game box, and go.
The Wireless-B Gaming Adapter provides lag-free gaming with communication speeds up to 11 Mbps. So spend your time gaming, not stringing wires, with the Linksys Wireless-B Gaming Adapter.
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See a comparison diagram of the different wireless technologies. | Wireless networks are rapidly becoming more popular and coming down in price. Since they don't require cables, you can use the devices anywhere in an office or home, even out on the patio. There's no need to roll out an Ethernet network cable to each room of a house; you can network anywhere -- without wires. Outside of the home, wireless networking is available in hotspots at coffee shops, businesses, airports -- great when you're on the road and need to get some work done. For convenience, wireless networking is the answer. Basically, a standard is a set of specifications for a device. All devices that follow a specific standard share operating characteristics, such as the radio frequency used and maximum data transfer speed.
To learn about the differences between the standards and select the right one for your network, click here for an easy-to-understand chart. |
