I am out of my element. Completely and utterly lost.

[xboxfrontier]

I will be getting DSL for Live. It is a 256K upload and 96K download.

#1 Is that decent, or good enough for live?

#2 They said I would need a DSL Modem and a network card. I currently have a 56K modem, and XP. What will I need to hook up to my Xbox on the other side of the room, 10 ft.?

I know I am a noob, but someone help please. This is my second thread, the first one got read plenty, but no responses.

[X-Bond 007]

sure, well your specs are quite wierd, as your upload is higher than your download. ( are you sure its right?) anyways, yes you do meet requirements as microsoft has defined broadband as anything higher than 64K down. (as posted by many xbox websites)

Second, yes you will need a nic( network card) installed into your machine. They usually provide one?(dunno, this depends on your ISP)

Third, I am assuming that you wish to share your internet connection between your xbox and dsl. In order to accomplish this, simply purchase a router from your local electronics store. This will share your one dsl connection between the 2 machines.

Forthly, if they do not supplie a network card for your computer, you can pick one up for 19.99 and if your not comfortable installing the internal card, you can always get a USB ethernet adapter which takes the place of the nic card.

And last but not least, yes you do need a dsl modem, this is your communication link from their network to yours and provides you a gateway to access thier service.


Sorry if this is long.
If you have any other questions, please feel free to ask.

[xboxfrontier]

X-bond, I got the ul and dl speeds bass akwards.

I also read that you could advoid using a router if you used ICS through XP. Know anything about that?

They do provide the network card, but I can get it for 5.00 at BestBuy (SysLink or Netgear). I knew I would need the Modem, just not sure about the rest.

K the service plugs into the DSL Modem, then what? Where do I plug it in the PC?

[MerimacHamwich]

I get 1700kbps download and 500 kbps upload.
So compared to my cable stats your dsl stats suck.

[xboxfrontier]

Well, here in the stixx it is as good as it gets. If it is good enough for Xbox Live I could give a **** otherwise. I have lived with 56k all along, and am actually content with it, cept for Live.

[MerimacHamwich]

I feel for you bud. However it is gonna suck on live if a lot of people have internet connections that barely qualify as broadband.

[xboxfrontier]

"barely qualify as broadband" was a bit of an insult. I am willing to get broadband to support Xbox live. If the requiremtents needed to be higher, than I suppose someone a MS, who knows more than you I suppose, would have increased the requirements.

I also would like to thank you for helping me solve the issue at had rather than gloat about yourself and you BB greatness.:rolleyes:

[xboxfrontier]

I think Xbox and Live need all the support it can get being that as of now Xbox is getting its ass handed to it.

[MerimacHamwich]

I was in no way trying to insult you. I answered your question on wether your speeds were good or not. I did not understandthat last post either. How is xbox getting its ass handed to it? Sounds like you are swayed by media prpaghanda.

[xboxfrontier]

K, the impersonality of text I suppose. But seriously, I am willing to shuck out $55 a month of that speed, I want live bad.

As to the second question, what does the DSL modem plug into on the pc, the nic card?

[Craig35_007]

xboxfrontier yeah the dsl modem connects to the network card

go buy a router, hook the modem into the router, and you need two cat 5 patch cables one to go to the PC and one to go to the XBOX.

Being a newbie, you are better off spending the $50 and getting a router, a lot less hassle and very very easy. I recommend a Linksys 4 port router, look around online you can find one for pretty cheap

[X-Bond 007]

ok, This is the way I would hook it up (setup 1)
http://www.banzaistudio.com/setup1.jpg

But you did mention ICS, so this is how that would hook up (setup 2)
http://www.banzaistudio.com/setup2.jpg

Let me explain some stuff to you though, setup 1 would be the preferred way because the router stays on and does not require your pc be on for you xbox to get online. It works independantly by itself.

ICS (internet connection sharing) is a cheaper way to go because essentially your XP machine is acting as your router. I dont like this way because
(A.) your computer must be on for the xbox connection to work
(b.) If you have pc problems and need to reinstall, you have to setup ICS again (not hard though)
(c.) I have seen were ICS has slown down the computer, and not give full bandwith potential.


IMO, a router is a better way to go. Its more reliable, easier to set up, and is more efficient than ICS.


I hope this helps...

Keep asking questions though, I want to make sure ya understand.!

-Bond
TCP/IP god aka Network specialist

[mrmp3]

Hey what DSL provider you going to choose? Personally if your using DSL and not cable, you better go with Earthlink DSL. 1500 download 256k (or 128kl forgot) upload speed. Plus they provide a bunch of stuff if u choose the home networking deal so all your computer are on the internet (if u have more than 1). And also, if you got Time Warner as your cable provider, they provide all the equipment. For me that's perfect cause my Time warner office is right down the block. Just a suggestion. Or, go to www.dslreport.com and there is a chart somewhere that compares Broadband service. Your download rate is just a tad bit slow. If your seriously paying $40+ bucks a month for it, you should defintely check out someone else. Signing off...

[xboxfrontier]

So even when using ICS, I would need a switch? I understood that from the network card you could simply run a Cat 5 or crossover cable directly to the Xbox.

Thanks for the pics, that explains a lot. I really appreciate it.

[xboxfrontier]

mrmp3,
This DSL service is availabe through the local pone company, GTCom. NO, and I mean no other service is available in my area.

Did you guys read about a company starting up that uses a dish like technology that bounces off of towers and does not have the horrible pings like satalite BB?
If so, when do you suppose it will be widely available? I saw a report where several congressman wanted to see how quickly it could be rolled out.

[X-Bond 007]

Originally posted by xboxfrontier
So even when using ICS, I would need a switch? I understood that from the network card you could simply run a Cat 5 or crossover cable directly to the Xbox.



yes, you would... but alas there is always another way to do something,

yes you could hook up a second nic card in your pc and connect it directly to the xbox with a crossover. That would work using ICS

[xboxfrontier]

Xbond,
Could you explain how that would work?

It would certainly be cheaper, but would it casue bandwidth probs?

Again, I really appreciate it, you are the first person to really explain this and work with me.

[canadianboi3]

xboxfrontier...are you from the states? and if so is 50$/month the going rate for broadband there...if so...broadband is very expensive there. In Canada, im paying 24.99/month canadian(and dont say im getting crappy speeds for a low price as my download is 1300 and up is 600)

[canadianboi3]

connection sahring wont work if you have an ethernet modem...if you have USB, get a second NIC and stuff...i suggest buying a USB modem as it will save you like 75 dollars versus buying a router.

[xboxfrontier]

I can see now that my speed is horrible, and overpriced. Especially when looking at you speeds. Maybe I should just forget Live:confused:

[ssxtricky]

with that speed u are gonna be experiencing lots of lag my friend!!!
i now I have 1700-1800 mbps download and 1 mbps upload, now thats some speed, and I still get lag every now and then!!!!

He is right about if lots of people that have a connection like that will hurt the bandwidth of others but I think if thats your only choice at least its better then dialup!!!!!!

I say give it a try but be warned u will get lots of lag!!!!

[xboxfrontier]

Pehaps I was naive, but I assumed that the min requirements set forth by MS would ensure that you would have the same gaming experience. It would put you at a level playing field, even if the opponent had a better BB.

I is really looking grim for me is'nt it?

[xboxfrontier]

In otherwords lag would be as minimal for me as all others playing on Xbox Live.

[xboxfrontier]

I mean really, if I am going to be getting my ass kicked in UC due to lag, why even bother?

Xbond, in case you still feel like helping, there is a post about how I would work it using 2 NIC cards.

[CrazyCougar]

If lag is going to be an issue on Xbox live then I definitely wont be signing on. I can get lag for free on the CPU...LOL! I got apporx. 600 down and 200 up for 38.95 a month and thats good enough for me. Oh well, I can still have my friday night xbox and beer parties...LOL! Let the games begin........

Oh yeah, I'll wait to see if the lag issue goes away before making a decision like that of course. The system has only been live for a week now so lots of tweaks in the works I am sure.

[X-Bond 007]

You people amuse me, 256k down is fine for xbox, heck its fine for everyone. And your upload is fine too.
I have Comcast Cable and average around 256 to 1MB download rate and 125k upload.

do you think MS is not optimizing the code for tcp/ip and that data transmission would be optimized.

Anyhow. Whether debating if your connection is good or bad, I dont think thats what this thread started out as.

so, moving on...


Ok look at this picture to demostrate your third option.
http://www.banzaistudio.com/setup3.jpg

Now, you would need 2 network cards in your computer, one going to the dsl modem(cat5 patch cable) and the other to the xbox (crossover cable). This would work as well as by passing the switch/hub.

Now I remember you saying you had windows XP. ICS is easy with XP, just go to the control panel, networking connections, then right click on the dsl connection, then share. walla your done. Now I am assuming the xbox has some way of using DCHP to get an IP address, so thats all you would have to do.

Hope that helps.

Need more info? Keep on askin.

I think I am going to hit the sack but you can email at
webmaster@banzaistudio.com.

-Bond
Born a peasant, destined to be a god.

[X-Bond 007]

Originally posted by ssxtricky

i now I have 1700-1800 mbps download and 1 mbps upload, now thats some speed, and I still get lag every now and then!!!!



If thats not the stinkiest BS I have heard all night:rolleyes:

if you have that high speed connection, its not you my friend that is lagging, its the people your playing with or the server you have connected too.

You should not try to scare people from playing online. There is always lag whether your on 56k or broadband. End of story. Move on. Seeya all online

[Filthy Superman]

To save everyone, myself included, I'm not going to launch into a lecture. However.. there reaches a certain point where your speed as compared to the server's speed is optimized for each other. Study TCP packet distrubution and high speed dat flow if you want the technical version of what I'm saying here. a 256 K download and a 96k upload stream is fast enough to take full advantage of Xbox Live.
Let me say that again.

a 256 K download and a 96k upload stream is fast enough to take full advantage of Xbox Live.


You will notice almost NO difference whatsoever in your gameplay or someone on a dedicated T-1.
Another thing, ask any of the the beta testers... when 1 person lags WE ALL lag. There's never been a single instance of "Dude did you lag too?" being answered with "no". The bare minimum of broadband takes full advantage of Xbox LIVE. Any lag you see will most likely be server-side not client-side. IE: it's MS not you lagging. Don't worry.. you'll be able to play UC and Halo2 and Brittney Spears Dance beat 7 just fine with the rest of us. Don't listen to these half wit wanna-be systems analysts they get paid (or want to in the future) to tell you that you suck and you'll never be good enough. It keeps the industry flowing and makes everyone rich. ;)

You are fine. If anyone says you ain't.. you tell them Filthy said you were!


Filthy

[xboxfrontier]

That is very reassuring Filthy.

Thanks for taking the time.

[BigGamer X]

Originally posted by MerimacHamwich
I get 1700kbps download and 500 kbps upload.
So compared to my cable stats your dsl stats suck. Thanks for sharing that with us. :rolleyes: Xboxfrontier, you are in the same situation I am in. I have 265 down, 104 up (actual speeds, advertised as 320/120) I pay $40 a month, a better deal than you have, but it still sucks. I can pay more for faster speeds, buy why? I have played with people that had 2500 down, 600 up connections, and it was just us 2 in the game....we both lagged just the same. After the server was tweaked, neither of us had any lag at all. All a higher speed is going to do for you is make downloading and watching videos on your pc faster, it won't affect gaming unless you host a game yourself. That is, on a service like xbox connect or gamespy. However, xbox live and all CONSOLE games, and on many of the better pc games, your speed will be just as good as ANYONE elses. I play mechwarrior on pc just fine.

I personnaly use a linksys router and 100 foot of cable, works great.

[ssxtricky]

Yeah but some games are peer to peer I think you are half right but with games like sega nfl 2k3 that are peer to peer then u are definetly gonna experience lag if your connection is incompetent!!!!

[BigGamer X]

If it's on xbox live you have no worries. MS hosts the game. What do you think they are doing with that $2 billion?