Hello forge-hubbers. I am in need of some help dealing with xbl connections. Recently i lost the connection at my house (my parents are cheap bastards lol) and i decided that i cant just stop playing online. At my friend's house, he has two tvs in his room, and told me that he would be glad to let me use one so that i can still play online. So, i have several questions dealing with if and how we will be able to set up connections for two xboxs at once. Im slightly new to anything with computers or networks seeing as how i havent had either most of my life, so correct me if i am wrong on any of the details in my following questions: -My understanding is that something called a router can have one ethernet cable plugged into it, and split that connection among any other ethernet cables going out. As of right now, my plan is to buy a router so that me and my friend can play at the same time. But, i have several concerns about this. ---For starters, will this work? Is this really what routers do? ---How much does a very cheap router cost, and will a cheap one work as well as an expensive one? I want to spend like $20, but obviously more if thats impossible. ---Will our connection strength be weakened (will there be more lag) if it is split two ways? -Also, another friend told me that he uses a "switch" to have an internet connection for both his computer and his xbox. The way this sounds to me though is that only one of those can be used at once though, which isnt what im looking for. But i really have no idea. Am i wrong? A little bit more background information, the house is not set up with a wireless connection, and the TV's and the router is like a foot away from the DSL jack, leaving a good length a cord to work with. Thank you for any help in advance. I really have no idea about what im trying to do If i need to explain anything in more detail, feel free to let me know so that i can get the best help possible. Thanks for reading!
First off, what you want is a router. A router is a box similar to a modem, in it's looks and that it passes an internet connection through it. Basically the internet will come from the wall, or the wire outside, or wherever it comes from, and go to the modem. The modem will then have ONE ethernet cord to plug into any internet-enabled device. What you do is connect the modem and router, from the one ethernet port on the modem to the primary input ethernet port on the router, using an ethernet cord. Then the computer and both Xboxes are plugged into the router, using the multiple output ethernet ports on the router, and of course ethernet wires. Having a connection divided usually results in a bit of latency, but it mostly depends on your modem and router capabilities and type of connection. The typical broadband connection would be fine for multiple internet-enabled devices. Many routers are around 40 bucks and up, with wireless enabled routers adding a couple of dollars.
Switches make it so you can use multiple things simultaneously, but if you have a router with multiple ethernet ports, that won't be necessary. You should find out what your friend's setup is, though.
Pretty much covered by the answers but if you tell us the set-up at your friends house we can help you more. How far away is the room which you want to play from the internet connection? Is the house set-up with wireless? How much are you willing to spend? Is a modem connected to the internet? (Don't bother answering if wireless is set-up) Answer those and I will try tailor your set-up -.-
So he has a router? How many ports does it have? If it has a spare one, you should just be able to plug in your xbox and go. If not, you'll need to get an ethernet switch which will allow you to plug in more things at once, I'm not sure about prices, especially not in dollars, but it looks like one should cost you anything from $10 to $70, although I don't think a higher end one would be necessary. Switches are simple enough, you plug on end into an ethernet port on the router, then plug your devices into the switch. Think of it as you would a power extension cord, it plugs into one socket, but you can plug multiple things into it.