Microsoft Corporation WKS168 User Manual

standards specify usable payload data rates that are less than half of the connection speed. Your 

usable connection speed will be significantly lower than the IEEE standards quote.  

When selecting your wireless network, keep a few guidelines in mind: 

1. The 802.11a standard offers the same speed as 802.11g. A 5-GHz band (802.11a) is also 

less susceptible to interference from common devices, such as 2.4-GHz cordless 

telephones, cell phones, and microwave ovens. Further, in areas where neighboring 

wireless networks can be detected, interference can be a problem. Because of the limited 

number of channels and the popularity of 2.4-GHz networks, a 5-GHz network is likely to 
experience less interference from a neighboring wireless network than a 2.4-GHz network 
and provide a better overall wireless connection.  

2. An 802.11g wireless network is compatible with both 802.11g and 802.11b devices. 

However, any 802.11b devices operating on your 802.11g network will slow it down. If 

you have a dual-band router (with both 802.11a and 802.11g bands), try using your Xbox 
360 console and wireless network adapter on the 802.11a band and your other devices on 

the 802.11g and 802.11b bands. The Xbox 360 console in this configuration will have the 
maximum bandwidth while remaining networked with other devices on 802.11g or 

802.11b.  

3. If you use wireless controllers, you may get better performance using 802.11a (5-GHz band) 

for your network connection, since the wireless controllers operate on the 2.4-GHz band. 

Consider the following guidelines when purchasing network hardware: 

• 

Use an Xbox 360 compatible access point or router (802.11 A+G recommended). For more 

information about approved Xbox compatible access points or routers, go to 

www.xbox.com/connect

.  

• 

Some Xbox compatible routers are dual-band A+G (dual-band 2.4-GHz/5-GHz, 802.11a + 
802.11g/b). Using a dual-band router lets you configure your console to achieve maximum 

bandwidth and the best possible connection. This is particularly important if you are using 

Microsoft® Windows® XP Media Center or Windows Media Connect with your console for 
activities like watching TV. For more information, go to 

www.xbox.com/pcsetup

. 

• 

When using a dual A+G access point or router, make sure the 802.11a and 802.11g 
networks have unique network names (SSIDs).  

Because wireless networks use radio signals, it is possible for other wireless network devices outside 

your immediate area to pick up the signals and either connect to your network or capture the 

network traffic. To help prevent unauthorized connections and reduce the possibility of 
eavesdroppers listening in on your network traffic: 

• 

Locate your router or access point toward the center of your home. This decreases the 

strength of the signal outside your home. 

• 

Enable wireless security on your router or access point. Your wireless networking adapter 
supports WPA-2, WPA, and WEP security. When you enable wireless security, you establish 
a key that “encrypts” the data being wirelessly transmitted so that it is decipherable only by 

computers with the same key. Further, WPA and WPA-2 automatically change keys on a 
frequent basis, making your system more secure. 

Connecting your Xbox 360 console to a new or existing wireless network is easy as long as you 

know what your wireless network settings are. Use the spaces provided under "Your Network 

Settings" to write down these settings before you begin.