How to share your Mac's internet connection with your Xbox

If, like me, you have your Xbox 360 placed near your wifi-enabled computer, but away from your wireless router or modem, then you'll want to take advantage of the Xbox's ability to "borrow" your computer's internet connection. For Windows users, this process is simple; it's just a matter of "bridging" your computer's wifi connection to your PC's ethernet port which is plugged into your Xbox. For Mac users, the process ain't so easy. What follows is a guide for getting your Xbox 360 to accept Mac OS X's internet sharing option.

This method worked for me, although there are several methods dotted around Mac forums on the net that seem to work for other people:

• Mac OS X hints thread: Xbox Live - Internet Sharing
• Jaharmi's guide to Xbox and Mac OS X Internet Sharing
• Nintelligent's guide to connecting to Xbox Live through your Mac
• Apple Support forums: iBook's internet to Xbox Live?

Before you start configuring, open up Terminal (in Applications -> Utilities) and type "ifconfig en0" (zero, not a capital-o). You're looking for the bit that says "inet xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx". In my case, the number I get here is 192.168.2.1 Second, note down the IP address of your wireless router, which in my case is 192.168.0.1

On your Mac

1. Connect your Mac to your wireless internet connection
   
2. Connect your Xbox 360 to your Mac via Ethernet
3. In System Preferences -> Sharing, enable Internet Sharing between your Airport and Ethernet connection

On your Xbox 360

1. Start up your Xbox and navigate to the Network settings menu
2. Under IP address, enter the number you got from the "ifconfig en0" command earlier on, but with the final number one place higher. In my case, I take the 192.168.2.1, and input 192.168.2.2 in the IP address box on my Xbox 360.
3. Under subnet, input 255.255.255.0
4. Under router/gateway, enter the number you got earlier from the "ifconfig en0" command. In my case, that's "192.168.2.1"
5. Move onto DNS. Enter the IP address of your wireless router (in my case, "192.168.0.1") in both the primary and secondary IP address fields
6. Leave PPPoE and Advanced settings blank (i.e. OFF and Automatic)
7. You should now be able to connect to Xbox Live via your internet sharing Mac

If you manage to get this method, or a similar method working, don't forget to drop by the comments thread to record your experience!