[darknemus]

Hey all.

Earlier today, I was sitting here killing some time and I figured there is no way in hell I am paying MS for a hundred dollar USB Wireless adapter, so, thanks to the power of open source software, I got a little creative.

Basically, I took an old Linksys Wireless router I had lying around (WRT54G) and configured it (using the links I'll share below) as a Wireless 'bridge'. Essentially, its set up now as nothing more than a passthrough for the Ethernet connection from my main router (In the computer room) to my bedroom (where the 360 resides)

FYI, you can typically pick up a linksys router for about 50-60 dollars, often times even less.

Here's the main Wiki page for the firmware I downloaded / flashed to: http://wrt-wiki.bsr-clan.de/index.ph..._Doku_%28EN%29

and here are the specific directions to set it up as a bridge once you've flashed its firmware:

http://wrt-wiki.bsr-clan.de/index.ph...ireless_Bridge

Yes, this does require a bit of technical know-how, but the Wiki is pretty detailed and should be able to help you out. Took me all of about 10 minutes from grabbing the old router off the shelf to having this thing up and running.

Here are the IPs I used, if anyone wants to mimic my settings:

Primary Router: (Wireless for the house) 192.168.1.10

Secondary Router: (Now serving as the XBox 360's "bridge") 192.168.1.20

XBox360 - 192.168.1.25 (I didn't have to static this, I just did it because I don't currently have DHCP enabled on my home network.

On the wireless security side, I have MAC filtering enabled. I could use WEP with this solution, but there's no need to currently. I know MAC filtering is pretty much a joke, but I check my logs daily - so I'm pretty aware of who, if anyone, is poking around my network.

Another nice thing about these 'alternative' firmware revisions. They let you do alot of neat things, including increasing the transmit power of your Wireless router. Great for large environments where you don't feel like throwing a range expander into the mix.

If anyone else decides to do this, let me know how it worked for you. Like I said, I had mine running in 10 minutes, but then again, I build networks for a living.

Good luck!

[DaCocoBrova]

This is great.

[mCACGj]

This is very impressive actually, and if I had gotten a 360, I would probably be using this, but until I do get one, I think I'll save this because one of the reasons I didnt is because of the $100 wireless adaptor (which is bullshit if you ask me).

[maximum360]

Will the old Xbox wireless adapter work?

$100 for that new adapter is crazy.

[PG2G]

the old xbox wireless adapter is a bridge, so yep

[darknemus]

Just thought i'd bump this up for anyone who missed it / could use the info.

Peace out.

[jedimike]

Great way to save money. Did you try plugging in any wireless USB adapters? Just wondering what happens. I know I have a few of those around. If that doesn't work, I'll just use my wireless bridge off my Xbox.

[darknemus]

Great way to save money. Did you try plugging in any wireless USB adapters? Just wondering what happens. I know I have a few of those around. If that doesn't work, I'll just use my wireless bridge off my Xbox.

I didn't try any other USB Wireless adapters, but I think others have without success. The problem is, without the appropriate drivers, the 360 is just going to look at it and laugh.

[dolph]

DD-WRT is great, probably the best firmware for the WRT54G.

[darknemus]

DD-WRT is great, probably the best firmware for the WRT54G.

Yep, definitely good stuff. Well documented, too. It makes ALOT of things alot easier for me. I've used it on a couple of client's routers, as well - mostly for the QoS stuff built in.

[jedimike]

I didn't try any other USB Wireless adapters, but I think others have without success. The problem is, without the appropriate drivers, the 360 is just going to look at it and laugh.

I was hoping that MS's driver were generic enough that something would work. I know with TiVo, they didn't have specific drivers but the drivers they did have covered a range of adapters.

[PhatSaqs]

I just moved my existing linksys Wireless-G game Adapter connection to my 360 and it recognized it immediately. Slapped in my WEP key and presto. You can get these for about 50 bucks on ebay.

[darknemus]

Although it would be nice if MS included generic drivers, my guess is they viewed it as eating into their profit margin, so pretty much said "Uhh, no"

[Grug]

I always assumed the Xbox360 had Wireless capability built in.

Shows how much attention I've been paying to it.

[fartblast]

the original wireless-G adapter for Xbox was 100 bucks too :|

[darknemus]

the original wireless-G adapter for Xbox was 100 bucks too :|

Yep, stupid thing STILL costs a hundred bucks. Its ridiculous. (And in that case, all it really is is a Wireless Bridge, anyway)

[JoshuaJSlone]

Another nice thing about these 'alternative' firmware revisions. They let you do alot of neat things, including increasing the transmit power of your Wireless router. Great for large environments where you don't feel like throwing a range expander into the mix.

Has anyone tried this? I'm curious as to what sort of difference it made.

[robochimp]

Just a word of warning, this morning I was shopping around for wireless bridges to use with the 360. I saw this topic, went out and bought the router in question. Got home and saw that this doesnt work with the version 5 of this router which is what you'll most likely come across at the store.

This will not work for version 5 of this router

[cvxfreak]

Just for a double check, an ethernet bridge from LinkSys won't work right?

[robochimp]

Looking into this a little bit furthur

If you need to buy a router that will work for this you need to get

WRT54G version 1.0 to 4.0 do not get 5.0

or

WRT54GS any version will work

[Dr. Zoidberg]

Or you could do what I did, which is to buy 2 Belkin Wireless-G routers when they are on sale or have a rebate (Only paid $20 each for mine at CompUSA last year) and then set one up as a router at the Internet and the other up as a bridge at your gaming TV. $40 investment gives you flawless Internet connectivity for your XB360, Xbox, PS2, and yes, even Gamecube. Not to mention works fine with DS and PSP. Since the other router functions as a repeater, you will also get 2X wireless coverage.

There are a whole host of ways to get the Internet from point A to point B, and $100 MS adapters are NOT REQUIRED. Anything that takes RJ-45 (everything) will work.

[FreakyFink]

A number of individuals at CAG are reporting Kmart has the Xbox 360 wireless adapter for $49.99 despite being tagged $99.99.

[Mejilan]

Quick question. This talks about using TWO Linksys routers, one as a main router by the computer, and one as a receiver by the consoles and TV, right? Which router needs to have this hacked firmware? Computer router? Receiving/TV router? Both routers?

Thanks in advance!

Any particular reason why this won't work with v5.0?

Edit - Am I trying to do Client Mode Wireless or Wireless Bridge? I'm confused. :(

[robochimp]

The recieving router at your console needs the hacked firmware to make it act as a bridge

[Mejilan]

Good, cuz I just bought a 2nd Linksys today, and it's a v5. I can use that as my primary router, and then hack my old v2.2 as the receiver?

How exactly is this done? If I hook up the new v5, then I will only be able to access ITS settings, right? I have to kill my 'net connection, flash the old router (which is currently my primary) with the hacked firmware, then uninstall it, then install the NEW router, and get it hooked up to my current net settings? Oy, sounds like this will be a pain.

How exactly would I then go about tweaking the hacked router, exactly? I don't expect to get this working all at once, and I don't have a 2nd computer handy.

[OuterWorldVoice]

Will the old Xbox wireless adapter work? $100 for that new adapter is crazy.

Yes. It and any other Wireless bridge or terminal (WET 11 for example) will work fine.


It's a cool trick, but you may as well buy a wirelesss ethernet terminal.

[OuterWorldVoice]

I was hoping that MS's driver were generic enough that something would work. I know with TiVo, they didn't have specific drivers but the drivers they did have covered a range of adapters.

Tivo drivers are a joke. Half the USB "Tivo" approved adapters at best Buy are open box returned units. because hardly any of them ever work with hardly any Tivos.

[SnowWolf]

Good job, but I completely suck with networking and I would much rather pay $100 for an official product guaranteed to work with the least hassle. It's that whole money vs. time/frustration thing again. I'll probably be buying it shortly before I go home for Christmas.

[darknemus]

Anyone running into the Version 5 of the WRT54G's..

Look for the WRT54GL - this is the "linux" (as in, the version that will take the hacked firmware) version of the router. The version 5 is definitely a crippled device.

[darknemus]

Good job, but I completely suck with networking and I would much rather pay $100 for an official product guaranteed to work with the least hassle. It's that whole money vs. time/frustration thing again.

I know it sounds complicated, but it really isn't. Its also a great way to learn some very basic networking stuff if you don't know it. As far as "guaranteed to work" - I can say this much. Since I've done this, my connection in the bedroom hasn't dropped, even once. Once I set it up, its solid as a rock.

[Mejilan]

I'll work on setting up my new V5 as my primary router, and my old 2.2 as the hacked, receiving router, this weekend. Then I'll test it with the GCN and PS2... until I manage to snag an X360.

[Oracle Dragon]

I have one of these:



For my Xbox.. I am assuming that it will work just peachy with the 360. This little thing, BTW, while it is a "bridge", is waaaay cheaper than a "real" Linksys bridge.

[robochimp]

I'm trying to set this up using the WRT54GS and I can not get it to work. I updated the firmware using the steps on the website, that worked fine. I then followed the steps listed in that other link to set it up as a bridge. From there I have no clue what to do.

I'm pretty much confused by this

"On next wired connect to your wrt54g you should get an IP Adress from your network."

[HokieJoe]

Or you could just go to Kmart and pick up a 360 Wireless adapter for $50!

According to some over at the AVS Forum, there was a pricing mistake in their computers. Some people have confirmed that they've already bought them at that price.