Use Xbox360 Filter: Belkin Router as a Wireless Adapter?

November 3, 2008 2:48 AM

Use Belkin F5D7230-4 for Xbox 360 Wireless Adapter?

Okay, situation follows: I just got an Xbox360, and it obviously doesn't come with a wireless adapter (DOH!).

I happen to have an extra Belkin F5D7230-4 wireless router hanging around. What I would like to do: connect my Belkin F5D7230-4 to my existing wireless network (as a Bridge? I don't know...), and connect my Xbox360 to the Belkin F5D7230-4 with an Ethernet cable, so I can play online.

So, to sum it up: I want to connect the Xbox360 to the Belkin F5D7230-4 with an Ethernet cable, which would, in turn, connect via wireless to my home network.

1. What is the proper term for what I am trying to do?
2. What do I need to do to accomplish this?

Please make it as simple as humanly possible.

posted by Master Gunner to Computers & Internet (7 answers total)

Your looking to use your router as a wireless ethernet bridge...

However, I can tell you that I just went down this same road with my original Xbox (with XBMC) and most routers don't support bridging. If they do, it's usually only with a hacked firmware like the dd-wrt series.

Assuming your router doesn't support bridging, the only other option is WDS (Wireless Distribution System). Problem with WDS is that it isn't standardised, so it is difficult to get it working between two different brands of router. Also, WDS isn't widely supported in routers either, which makes life even more difficult!

In the end I decided to bite the bullet and buy another Apple Airport Express at $129 ($99 in the states, I think). The Airport Express supports WDS and I already had one providing the main wireless connection on my network, so I was able to connect the two together and use the Ethernet port on the second one to connect to the xbox. I could have also bought something like the Linksys Gaming Bridge, but I figured an Apple Airport Express would be more versatile in the long-run, as it can also act as a router, and also does stuff like printer sharing and iTunes.

Good luck!
posted by ranglin at 5:43 AM on November 3, 2008

There may be some useful information in my similar question here. From what I understand, you could try to put DD-WRT (custom firmware) on your router to allow it to function in bridge mode. Looks the the version of your router is important in determining whether or not you can do this. If you are not a tinkerer, you may just want to go with a "gaming adapter" designed for this purpose.
posted by Otis at 5:46 AM on November 3, 2008

Best answer: Yes, the magic word you're looking for is "bridge mode". Quick searches suggest the router firmware supports bridge mode, and the router manual talks about an "Access Point mode" on page 59 that may be what you're looking for. OTOH that's talking more about bridging wired -> wireless and you're trying to go wireless -> wired. Same principle and it might work, or it might not. A third party firmware like DD-WRT will probably work better as a bridge but will be more complicated to set up.

FWIW, I've had enough trouble with wireless bridging like you're asking about that I gave up on it. It's probably good enough for an Xbox, though.
posted by Nelson at 7:36 AM on November 3, 2008

I would advise against pursuing the DD-WRT option.
posted by Blazecock Pileon at 9:39 AM on November 3, 2008

The bridge mode will work with two Belkin routers. I am currently using a Belkin and two Apple Airport Express routers in that mode.
posted by shr1n1 at 10:40 AM on November 3, 2008

To contrast Blazecock's experience, I'm using a WRT54G with DD-WRT in bridging mode for my two game consoles and it works great (and there's room for two more devices!). As long as you're careful about loading the right version of the firmware for your specific hardware revision and following the flashing instructions to the letter, you shouldn't have any problems (I've done it 20+ times with zero bricks). You can find older hardware versions on craigslist/ebay/etc pretty easily if you desire their increased functionality.
posted by bizwank at 10:58 AM on November 3, 2008

Response by poster: Well, after a couple of hours of dorking around with Bridge Settings and Access Point settings (neither of which could work solidly), I broke down, went to Saturn, and bought the dad-gum Xbox 360 Wireless adapter (79.99 Euro, minus the sales tax, which brought it to about 65 Euro).

I just couldn't get the Belkin to connect to the German Telekom wireless modem/router. I couldn't even figure out HOW.

Doesn't matter. I got so frustrated, I bought the adapter, and I'm not even LOOKING at the 360 until tomorrow.

Thanks all!
posted by Master Gunner at 12:25 PM on November 3, 2008