How to Connect an Xbox to a Desktop Via a Switch

The Xbox is a video game console created by Microsoft in 2001. It provides an entertainment media center with a primary focus on video games, both local and online. As the Xbox was designed to be used in an online environment, it includes a network interface card (NIC) as part of its internal hardware. This piece of equipment makes it possible to connect the Xbox to a computer through a local network. One possible way to make this connection is through the use of a switch.

Things You'll Need

• Switch
• 3 Ethernet cables
• Router

Instructions

1. Connect one end of an Ethernet cable to the ethernet port on the back of your computer.

2. Insert the other end of this Ethernet cable into one of the available ports on the switch.

3. Connect one end of the other Ethernet cable to the Ethernet port on the back of your Xbox.

4. Take the other end of this Ethernet cable and insert it into one of the open Ethernet ports on the back of the switch.

5. Insert the cable for your switch's power cord into its slot on the side or back of the switch. The exact location will vary by model.

6. Connect one end of the third Ethernet cable to an available port on the switch.

7. Insert the other end of this Ethernet cable into an available port on the back of your router. Do not insert it into the "Uplink" or "WLAN" port, as that port can be used only by a modem.

8. Connect the power cable to the router, then plug the power cord into the wall.

9. Turn on all four of the devices. The desktop and the Xbox should now be able to recognize each other on the network.

Tips & Warnings

• The Xbox 360 can also be connected to a desktop computer using this same method.

• Each Ethernet cable must be long enough to extend from the computer, Xbox or router to the switch location.

References

• How to Computer: How to Connect an Xbox to a Computer