I'm getting ready to buy my first gaming console (XBox, Wii, or PS3). Right now the XBox is in the lead because it has the most titles and the PS3's backwards compatibility is a question mark (if I could even find one). Anyway, I'm trying to figure out a way to connect the future gaming console to the Internet.
The console will be in our living room, while our Mac and cable modem are a few rooms away. I can't run Ethernet cables to the living room, nor is it likely I can set up a second cable modem in my living room. Wireless seems to be the best solution, at first glance.
Our steel-frame house is horrible for wireless networking. I tried setting up my Airport Express base station in the living room and couldn't get a reliable signal (tried streaming music using AirTunes). I can only get a good signal when I set up the Airport Express in the adjacent kitchen because there's a clear line-of-sight between the Mac and the kitchen. There also happens to be a clear line-of-sight between the kitchen and where the console will be.
I'm wondering if it would work to have the console wirelessly connect to the Airport Express base station, then have the base station connect to my Mac, which has the Internet connection. In other words, the order goes:
Game console <---> Airport Express <----> Mac (connected to cable modem using Ethernet).
Will the console be able to connect to the Internet this way? If so, does the Mac have to be on or will it still work with the Mac sleeping/off?
If this idea wouldn't work (like if the base station itself has to be the component connected to the cable modem), what's the best alternative?
I'm guessing another option that might work would use a second base station and the wireless distribution system (WDS) feature. First I'd buy a second Airport Express. The first would be connected to my cable modem, near my Mac. The second would be in the kitchen. Using the WDS feature, I could make the following connections:
Game console <---> Remote base station <----> Main base station <----> Cable Modem.
This might work, but I've read online that sometimes consoles can have problems when they're connected to a WDS. For example, playing a game with other people using the Internet (multiplayer), a WDS may cause lag time. It may not be the best solution when speed of the network is important.
I look forward to any help you can offer.
Top
