hooking up the xbox

[frequency]

i have a router that acts like a dhcp server, but the thing is, is that it has a connection for one rj45 cable. and that connection is for my pc. so my question is, do i need another ethernet card or a hub so that i can plug my xbox to my pc?

[AXmichigan]

wait, your router only has one slot in it?

[frequency]

yeah....when the dsl guy came by, he told me if i had one pc or two and i told him that i had one so i guess he installed the dsl router that was made for one pc. in the back it clearly has one slot for one rj 45 cable and that cable runs to my pc. so now im thinking how im gonna back up my xbox games. any thoughts?

[JiveTurkey]

Yeah, a simple answer is buy a cheap ass NIC (ethernet card) to make the comp have 2. One connects to modem (straight cable), one to Xbox (crossover cable). This would give you internet connection AND Xbox ftp'ing ability at the same time.
Or even easier is to just unplug the modem and plug in the Xbox (remember to use cross instead of straight). This is only Xbox FTP.

[frequency]

i think im gonna buy another cheap ethernet card and put it in one of the slots available in my pc. do i still need to install the ftp program even though my router acts like a DHCP server. or when i plug in my xbox i will automatically have an ip address? and i also where can i buy a 4j 45 cable......circuit city...or compusa?

[AXmichigan]

try radioshack

[frequency]

but do i still need the ftp program sense my router acts like a server and will give my xbox a ip address.

[JiveTurkey]

I don't really understand what DHCP has to do with filesharing or networked hard drive browsing which is usually what people want to do. Say you plugged it into your router with no support software - no FTP client or Windows filesharing stuff BUT your Xbox WOULD have an IP and you couldn't access it from your comp. FTP'ing to the Xbox has gotta happen to connect to it whether you use a router or not. The only thing the router is doing is saving you the trouble of setting an IP.

[frequency]

ok...now it makes more sense...so i gotta have a ftp program like cuteftp or the like. which will help my pc recognize the xbox as a pc so that i can transfer files. by any chance, do u know how much the rj 45 cable costs.....10-15$?

[JiveTurkey]

Yes, for filesharing or browsing you need an IP address AND some kind of protocol to access it with. CuteFTP will work, I like FlashFXP but doesn't matter.
I don't know what a pre-made cable costs since I buy in bulk and build my own and cost is based on per foot so I don't know how long you can get for $10. The last time I compared making and buying cables I figured I saved something like 70% making them so its very worth learning especially if you want to use XBLive from a different room (would need a long one)or plan on having buddies LAN with you (need multiple cables).

[frequency]

i dont plan on buying a 10ft cable ...maybe just a 3 or 4 ft cable just so that i can hook it up from my pc to the xbox. i'll just check out radio shack and see what they got..thanx for the help guys.