Using Plaster Networks Powerline Networking with an Xbox 360 Console

Introduction

The Plaster Networks Powerline Networking Solution provides a quick, convenient way to connect an Xbox 360 or other game console to your home network for playing online games and watching videos through Xbox Live and Netflix.

The Powerline Network offers a reliable, high performance connection between the Xbox 360 and the Internet (your Cable or DSL modem) or to your Windows Media Server. Plaster Networks provides an alternative to using a WiFi connection that may be subject to jitter or other interference.

What You Will Need?

1 Xbox 360
2 PLN3 or 1 PLN3 and 1 AV200 Powerline Adapters (2 minimum)
Ethernet cable
To connect to Internet, you should also have a Cable/DSL Modem and a router (if you have internet in your house, then you probably already have this setup).

Instructions

This is an overview of how to set up your powerline network for connecting to the Internet from an Xbox 360 game console.

Figure 1: Typical Powerline Network configuration for connecting Xbox 360 to the Internet.

NOTE: Before proceeding, please follow the instructions that came with your Xbox 360 to connect the game console to your TV.

1. Connect a PLN3 Adapter to Router

Plug PLN3 adapter into an electrical wall socket (not a power strip) near your router, and then use the Ethernet cable that ships with the PLN3 (or any standard Ethernet cable) to connect the adapter to your router. NOTE: Plugging the PLN3 adapter into a power strip may degrade the performance of the powerline network. The router should already be connected to your cable or DSL modem and have Internet connectivity.

2. Connect Xbox 360 to Second PLN3 Adapter

Looking at the back of your Xbox 360 Console, in the bottom right corner you will see a couple plug slots for connecting devices. The smaller top one is a USB port and the bigger one on the bottom is for an Ethernet cable (included in the box with your PLN3 adapter).

Figure 2: Rear panel of Xbox 360 game console.

Plug one end of the ethernet cable into the network port of the Xbox 360.

Figure 3: Ethernet cable connected to port on back of Xbox 360 game console.

Now connect the other end of the ethernet cable to your PLN3 Adapter and plug the PLN3 Adapter into an electrical wall socket (not a power strip). Now your Xbox 360 should be able to communicate with the router.

3. Test Your Connection to Xbox Live

Now startup your Xbox 360, go to your Xbox 360 dashboard and open System Settings. Then select Network Settings then Test Xbox LIVE Connection. It should say you are connected to Xbox Live! For troubleshooting other issues with your Xbox 360, see the Xbox 360 Support Site.

4. Check your Powerline Network Performance

To check the speed of the powerline network link between the router and the Xbox, Plaster Networks offers two options. You may access Plaster Networks Service at service.plasternetworks.com, or you can use the built-in PLN Administration Console that ships with each PLN3 unit.

a) Plaster Networks Service (service.plasternetworks.com)
Using your browser, go to service.plasternetworks.com and log in (creating an account if you haven’t already done so). Select your network from the main page to view the throughput across the powerline (measured as a PHY rate). In the example below, we have named the adapters for convenience using the Network Configuration link in the Network Tools menu. Typically, online gaming and streaming Netflix movies through your Xbox require a PHY throughput rate of at least 8Mbps (corresponding to an Ethernet rate of approximately 2Mbps), and preferably a PHY throughput rate of 16Mbps or higher (depending on the speed of your cable or DSL Internet connection).

Figure 4: Plaster Networks Service "Network Status" graph
showing throughput capacity of powerline network

b) PLN3 Administration Console
Using your browser, go to “plnXXXXXX.local” where XXXXXX is the Plaster Networks ID printed on the sides and top of the PLN3 adapter plugged into your router. From the main menu of the Administration Console, select the “View Network Performance” option to view the network throughput to the Xbox 360. (In this case, the PLN3 unit attached to the game console has been assigned the name “Xbox 360”). Typically, online gaming and streaming Netflix movies through your Xbox require a PHY throughput rate of at least 8Mbps (corresponding to an Ethernet rate of approximately 2Mbps), and preferably a PHY throughput rate of 16Mbps or higher (depending on the speed of your cable or DSL Internet connection).

Figure 5: PLN Administration Console table displaying throughput capacity
of powerline link between modem/router and Xbox 360

Plaster Networks, LLC
935 Hamilton Ave.
Menlo Park, CA 94025 USA
Phone: +1.650.329.9203
www.plasternetworks.com

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