Help with this setup (dummy guide?)

Here is the setup I have. A wireless 802.11g router, a desktop computer, an xbox 360, and a laptop. I have adsl internet and here is how i want the connection setup.

Desktop: (windows XP home [sp1 i think]): Home computer for everyone, connected by wire to router.
Laptop: (Vista Home Preminium) Personal use for my self upstairs (wireless connection to internet)
Xbox 360: Wired to router, and the ability to game simutainiously (sp?) while users access internet on desktop and laptop.

The idea behind the network is I wish to be able to share files (photos pictures movies) between all 3 of them. So if I rip a cd to my desktop I want to be able to access it on all 3 platforms. I'm pretty sure I cant share media on my 360 with the computer (correct me if im wrong) but as long as I can stream things off the desktop and laptop toward the 360 that's fine (and between eachother).

I am also unfamilar with security mesures, so I'd like details in settng up some basic protection along with making it cooperate with my 360. Thank you in advance, and don't hesitate to ask me a question about the setup if something is unclear or my details are vague)

 

Here's some info to get you started...this is a relatively simple process, but Windows tends to make things more difficult sometimes. So I'll give you a few pointers to help you out:

Sharing a drive or folder on a network
Connecting to a shared drive or folder from another computer
As for the XBOX 360, you can connect it to one PC via Windows Media Connect which you can get for free with a validated copy of XP. It basically allows the 360 to connect to the 'My Music', 'My Pictures', and 'My Videos' folders on the PC.

I would also suggest that you protect your WiFi network with a AES encryption and a password...it isn't too difficult to do and the instructions to do it should be included with your router's documentation. Usually, it goes like so: (1) type '192.168.1.1' into your internet explorer and (2) navigate through to any security sections and look for AES, WPA, or encryption choices. Those instructions vary by router brand and setups, so you may need to read a little bit.

The largest concern is that someone 'somewhere else' could get into your files, but I don't think that can happen (not 100% sure so don't sue me )...but a few other members might know a little more about it.

This is definitely something you should spend some time on learning how to do, so that if there were ever any issues with the network you would hopefully be equipped to solve them from experience.

 

Okay, i've streammed music to the 360 before. But is theyre a way i can put a song in the My music on say my laptop, have the 360 and laptop be able to play it, but will the desktop have access?

 

If you set up the laptop's 'My Documents' as one of those shared folders you should be able to. Take a little time and read the MS documentation, that should help you out...it was a good read for me at least ...though I don't have another computer to test it with.

 

I just use a mapped drive "M" works great. All of my music resides on my NAS's. As you described, on what you want to do, will work. When you get to the wireless security you will have several options. Pick WPA (TKIP or PAS) or WPA2 In any case you do not have a Radius server.

 

Being a computer newbie, can you explain how one would map a drive? And how I would allow the 360 to share the drive, as the functionality used in Windows Media Connect is now integrated into Windows Media Player 11.

edit: right now by useing the networking wizard, I've managed to set up a folder called Shared docs, accessable under my network places. Is this what you meant?

 

Similar. Under window finder-> tools, you have a option for mapping a network drive. This will assign a drive letter to the share folder. So file location will be the Letter:

 

So the drive has no set limit in space? it is simple a directory tool?

 

That's it, just a map or pointer.