Need some background around networking terms and how they relate to Xbox 360 and Xbox LIVE? Check the info below.
Broadband
Broadband refers to a high-speed Internet service, that is, a data connection of greater than 56 kbps. The most common broadband services are cable and DSL.
Cable
A cable is a length of wires connecting network devices. Two main types of cables are used for networking:
For information about cable services, see ISP.
DHCP
DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) enables a router to assign temporary IP addresses to devices on the network. If your console's IP settings areset to automatic, and DHCP is enabled, your console will automatically get an IP address.
Dial-up
Dial-up refers to connecting a device to a network or the Internet through a modem and a public telephone network. Dial-up access is a phone connection.
Note
Dial-up is a slower speed connection and can't be used for multiplayer gameplay or video on Xbox LIVE.
DNS
DNS, or Domain Name System, is how computers find other computers on the Internet. Your Xbox 360 console consults a DNS server to find out where the Xbox LIVE servers are. A problem with DNS means that your Xbox 360 console doesn't know how to find the Xbox LIVE servers.
DNS addresses are usually provided by an Internet service provider (ISP). There should be two: a primary address and a secondary address. Each should be in the format nnn.nnn.nnn.nnn, where n are numbers specific to your Internet service.
Ethernet
Ethernet is a network technology that transmits information between computers at speeds of 10–100 million bits per second (mbps). Most computers and game consoles on a wired network use Ethernet cables to connect.
Firewall
A firewall is a security system that acts as a protective boundary between a network and the Internet by blocking network traffic on certain ports. Firewalls can be installed as software on a computer, or they can be built into routers using NAT.
Some router firewalls may prevent your console from communicating properly with Xbox LIVE, so make sure your router is Xbox LIVE compatible.
Gateway
A gateway is a device that integrates a high-speed Internet modem with a routerinto a single device.
Hub
A hub is a common connection point that provides multiple Ethernet ports for devices in a network. For example, an Ethernet hub that has four ports allows you to connect four consoles together using four Ethernet cables. It does not manage traffic or assign IP addresses; for that, you need a router.
If you use a hub to connect consoles together, they need to be set up with manual IP addresses.
Host Name
A host name is a human-readable name assigned to a computer or device. In some cases, networking software displays these names to users so that they can access resources on remote computers. A host name is not required for your console, but can be added if your network requires it.
ICMP
Your router or gateway must be able to handle a type of Internet traffic known as ICMP (Internet Control Message Protocol), which is the most basic way computers communicate with each other on the Internet. If it doesn't, you won't be able to play on Xbox LIVE.
Internet Connection Sharing (ICS)
Windows ICS is a feature included with Windows XP and Windows Vista that allows multiple computers and other devices to share an Internet connection without a router. You can connect your console to your computer and use ICS to connect to Xbox LIVE.
IP (TCP/IP)
Most computers and game consoles on a network and on the Internet use TCP/IP (Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol) to communicate.
IP Address
The identity of a PC or other device on a network. The format of an IP address is a numeric address written as four numbers separated by periods. Each number can be between 0–255. (For example, 192.168.1.9 could be an IP address.)
You can set up an IP address on your console in one of two ways:
- Static: Manually enter the IP address. This can be a number provided by an ISP, or one you choose for your console.
- Dynamic: Allows your console to automatically obtain its IP address from a router.
Subnet Mask
A subnet mask is number used to separate the network and host sections of an IP address. The subnet mask tells your computer or console what other IP addresses are "close" to it, compared with the IP addresses that are on a network farther away.
Gateway Address
The gateway address is the IP address of the router or device that manages traffic on the network.
ISP (Internet Service Provider)
A company that provides access to the Internet. Xbox LIVE works with a lot of partnered high-speed ISPs.
Cable
Internet service typically provided by a cable company. Cable service usually uses a coaxial cable (similar to the cable for cable TV service) to connect to the modem, and a USB or Ethernet cable to connect the modem to a computer or router.
DSL (Digital Subscriber Line)
Internet service typically provided by a phone company. DSL service usually uses a phone line (similar to a home phone line) to connect to the modem, and a USB or Ethernet cable to connect the modem to a computer or router.
Most DSL used by consumers is ADSL (Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line).
MAC Address
A hardware address that uniquely identifies each device of on network, such as a game console, PC, or printer. While this sounds similar to an IP address, it's not the same thing. A MAC address is set when a device is manufactured. IP addresses are dependent on the network and can change.
The hardware MAC address for your console is fine to use in most cases, but it can be overridden with an alternate MAC address. This comes in handy for services that are tied to a specific MAC address (for example, if your ISP ties your Internet service to your PC's MAC address, you can assign your PC's MAC address to your console to temporarily mimic your PC while gaming online).
Media Sharing
You can share music, videos, or pictures to your console from your PC using Windows Media Player 11, Zune, or Windows Home Server. After you you share media, your console can connect to the PC and play it directly in the Xbox Dashboard.
Music can also be played in the background while playing games.
For more information about sharing media from a PC, see Share Media from a PC.
Modem
A modem is a device that enables a computer to transmit data over telephone or cable lines. Modems for cable and DSL service are often referred to as digital modems, and those used for traditional dial-up networking as analog modems.
MTU (Maximum Transmission Unit)
MTU determines the maximum size of a packet of data that your network can transmit. Larger packets are better for gaming. Xbox LIVE requires a minimum MTU setting of 1364 bytes, so your router, modem, or gateway's MTU setting must be greater than or equal to 1364. If it's less than 1364 you won't be able to connect to Xbox LIVE.
NAT
When multiple devices share a single Internet connection (a PC and an Xbox 360 console, for instance), the networked devices typically rely on Network Address Translation (NAT) to prevent information traffic jams.
NAT types
Xbox LIVE defines three categories of NAT: open, moderate, and strict. Devices that perform strict or moderate NAT can limit the ability of gamers to find each other, participate in multiplayer sessions, or hear each other on Xbox LIVE. The classification system boils down to something called a port-assignment policy:
- Open NAT means that either the port-assignment policy is minimal or the device has a fully compliant version of UPnP (Universal Plug and Play) enabled by default.
- Moderate NAT means that the port-assignment policy is minimal, but the device is filtering addresses or ports.
- Strict NAT means that the port-assignment policy is aggressive.
NAT interactions
Suppose you want to host an Xbox LIVE game and you're using a router that's classified as open. As the following table shows, you can be confident that your router's NAT type will not keep your friends (who may also be using routers) from finding your session, hearing your voice, and enjoying a great game.
| To Open | To Moderate | To Strict |
|---|
| From Open | YES | YES | YES |
| From Moderate | YES | YES | NO |
| From Strict | YES | NO | NO |
But let's say you're using a router that's a strict NAT. When you want to host a game, you now have something to consider. Anyone else who's behind a router that uses a moderate or strict NAT may not be able to connect to your session.
What if you want to join someone else's game?If you have a moderate NAT on your home network, you can get an idea of what may happen by consulting the table.
If the players you want to play with are using strict NATs, you will likely experience problems. You may not be able to hear them and they may not be able to hear you. Your Xbox 360 console may not be able to "see" those players at all.
Note
NAT doesn't affect game lag—it's about connecting with other players.
PPPoE
PPPoE (Point-to-Point Protocol over Ethernet) is a protocol used by many DSL providers to accept a username and password from a computer that allow it to access the DSL network.
Router
A router is the device used to connect multiple devices (computers, gaming consoles, printers, etc.) on a network. A router with a firewall allows Internet communications (such as Web surfing, file downloading and uploading, sending and receiving e-mail) while helping to keep your network activity private from the outside world.
For many people, using a router is an ideal solution for sharing a high-speed Internet connection with an Xbox console and one or more PCs.
Windows Media Center
Windows Media Center offers the ultimate integration of gaming and room-to-room entertainment—including watching or recording TV shows, viewing your digital photos, and listening to your digital music library—from a Windows Media Center–based PC to any TV in your home.
When you connect your Xbox 360 console to the same network as your Windows Media Center–based PC, the experience is delivered to your Xbox 360 console.To learn more about Windows Media Center for Xbox 360, see www.microsoft.com/extender.
Wireless Networking
Wireless networks enable you to move data without having to run wires from device to device. Wireless networks have good range, so even with relatively large spaces between devices you can get good performance from them.
802.11
There are three varieties of 802.11 wireless networks: 802.11a, 802.11b, and 802.11g. This is the type of wireless network that is used to connect to devices on your network and Xbox LIVE.
Access point
Most 802.11 networks, called infrastructure networks, use a central piece of hardware called an access point. Routers, gateways, switches, hubs, and base stations are all access points.
All devices on the network, like your Xbox 360 console and your PC, communicate through this piece of hardware. An access point acts as a sort of grand central station that manages every piece of data sent between devices.
Ad-hoc network
An ad-hoc network is a peer-to-peer wireless network. You can set up an ad-hoc network so that multiple consoles can connect to each other without a router or access point. (A network that uses a router or other central device to manage the network is called an infrastructure network.)
Infrastructure Network
In an infrastructure network, a wireless access point, gateway, or router distributes your Internet connection to your wireless devices. This is the standard type of home network, and the kind that's used with a connection to Xbox LIVE.
SSID
An SSID is the name of a wireless local area network (WLAN). All wireless devices on a WLAN must use the same SSID in order to communicate with each other.
Wireless Security
You should always secure your wireless network to prevent people outside your home from accessing your network and your Internet connection. There are two types of security you can use with Xbox 360:
- WEP (Wired Equivalent Privacy) is the old standard for security and data protection on a wireless network. The current standard is WPA, which is much stronger but may not be supported on all network devices.
- WPA (Wi-Fi® Protected Access) is the current standard for security and data protection on a wireless network. It helps prevent unauthorized users from connecting to your network.