PSA: Xbox mandatory update isn't 'The Big One,' adds WPA2 support for wireless adapter
by Ben Gilbert 
{ Oct 28th 2009 at 3:00PM } 
Instead, the update brings with it support for the now five-year-old WPA2 security protocol. With that new and improved 802.11n wireless adapter hitting retailers next month, and with WPA2 certification being mandatory for all new Wi-Fi devices as of March 2006, Microsoft seems to be rolling out that addition in software. That's good news for those of you with a four-year-old Xbox 360 Wireless Adapter!
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Chief Oddball @ Oct 28th 2009 3:02PM
Good news, and overdue.
I could have used this a couple months ago when I switched my entire network over to WPA2, only to find that the Xbox 360 actually did not support it. I was floored.
Matt @ Oct 28th 2009 3:23PM
If you thought this was bad, perhaps you forgot how the DS Lite still only does WEP. No WPA1/2, only WEP.
The DSi fixes this, but I hate the lack of GBA slot and the odd, matte texture of the DSi so refused to get one. D:
Brian B. @ Oct 28th 2009 3:25PM
I did the opposite. Had everything WPA2 for a year or 2, bought the adapter last month and had to convert entire friggin network and every device back to WPA. I don't feel like changing it again. Argh.
Chief Oddball @ Oct 28th 2009 3:35PM
Yeah, I have a DS Lite and I don't even bother getting online with it, because there's no way I'm resetting my whole network to use WEP. Using the DS offline is no big deal to me anyway.
After I converted to WPA2, I had to convert right back to WPA because I was not gonna lose Xbox Live functionality. Now that WPA2 is supported by the 360, do I really feel like switching back to WPA2 again? Nooooot really. Especially since I have another router in bridge mode that has to be updated to match, yada yada...what a pain.
Maybe someday when I'm bored.
why not the LS2LS7? @ Oct 28th 2009 4:01PM
DS Lite does WPA (and I think WPA 2) on some games. DS only does WEP.
Vidikron @ Oct 28th 2009 4:21PM
I think that's the DSi. The DS Lite is just WEP.
Matt @ Oct 28th 2009 4:52PM
Yeah, I recently picked up a new DS Lite and found out it only does WEP - the DSi does WPA. My girlfriend and I wanted to play online together when we weren't together, but her network (not under her control) is WPA and isn't able to be changed to WEP, so that killed it.
Urza @ Oct 28th 2009 5:30PM
Yes because I'm sure one of your neighbors is a malicious hacker that's going to go through the trouble and figure out your password if it's completely random and something a 2 year old couldn't figure out. :P
Chief Oddball @ Oct 28th 2009 6:02PM
Hey, you never know. I work from home and also do online banking on this LAN, so despite the unlikelihood of my AP being hacked by the (you're gonna laugh) wizened old condo commandos who live around here, I don't take a lot of unnecessary chances.
why not the LS2LS7? @ Oct 28th 2009 6:14PM
Heck yeah, you're right. DSi does WPA, DS Lite and DS Phat do just WEP. My mistake.
Hace @ Oct 28th 2009 3:08PM
I have no idea what WPA2 is, but something tells me it isn't the update that validates the cost of the wireless adapter.
Darth Bradwart, Dark Lord of the Sith @ Oct 28th 2009 3:10PM
It's just a more secure wireless authentication protocol. No, it doesn't validate the insane costs.
Captain Planet [Planeteer | Power of Captain Planet] @ Oct 28th 2009 3:11PM
Nothing validates the cost of the Microsoft branded wireless adapter.
Darth Bradwart, Dark Lord of the Sith @ Oct 28th 2009 3:08PM
Woot?
This is why I use a wireless bridge...I don't have to wait for 'Official FW'. I can just flash it if I desperately needed WPA2.
UK31337 @ Oct 28th 2009 3:11PM
I've been running my home Wi-Fi on WEP for ages because of this fault alone. A welcome upgrade and no, I can't use wired because it's not practical given the way my house is designed.
Mazrael @ Oct 28th 2009 3:16PM
I used cat6 ethernet for mine, went around walls or through the floor boards... Wanted to got through walls.. but someone wouldn't have it..
nukee @ Oct 28th 2009 3:39PM
You've heard of WPA, right?
URM0MLIK3SME @ Oct 28th 2009 3:14PM
So why is this good news for the people with the old adaptor?? Is all this technical mumbo jumbo code for saying they're gonna mail us a rebate for paying so much for it? :)
DeepFriedSushi @ Oct 28th 2009 5:21PM
its the idiot tax because a wifi bridge functions the same and it costs far less. the adapter is marketed for the casual market either too lazy or dumb to set up network for wired or use alternate methods.
Beu @ Oct 28th 2009 3:15PM
Does anyone know if this "Update" blocks out "unauthorized memory card" or as I've come to know it...3rd party just trying to make a living offering more option memory cards?
Alton Brown [ XBL: LordToastington] @ Oct 28th 2009 3:25PM
Datel can suck it. I lost a ton of data when I used one of their cards.
jayeffaar @ Oct 28th 2009 4:00PM
Yeah... thanks to Microsoft for protecting you by making sure you're going to lose your data, whether your Datel card still works or not. No more uncertainty now.
Riley @ Oct 29th 2009 4:00AM
also, unauthorized =/ 3rd party
Misfit Toy @ Oct 28th 2009 3:35PM
Late to the game is an understatement...
nukee @ Oct 28th 2009 3:39PM
Wait, the dedicated adapter never supported WPA2? What a fucking joke.
dogmaticatheist @ Oct 28th 2009 3:46PM
It's been working fine with my WPA2 network for a long time:
http://www.wi-fi.org/knowledge_center_overview.php?docid=3376
wizened @ Oct 28th 2009 3:46PM
I wish WPA2 was supported by the PSP, with all the updates Sony has for the damn thing you'd think they could spend a few hours and add that in as well.
Does the 360 support DTS sound yet? Before I bought the PS3 I used to use the 360 as my DVD player but it irked me that it didn't play DTS sound.
Tucker @ Oct 28th 2009 3:52PM
I believe the 360 has always transcoded everything to Dolby Digital.
Kadamon @ Oct 28th 2009 3:47PM
A moot point to me considering the only system that is not wireless is my 360, however this might push me to move my 360 to wireless because we just reorganized the house and everything is now in the basement where as the router is upstairs.
Of course, I can't even play discs so I guess it doesn't matter much anyway.
Added note: My 360 is hooked up to a 13" TV through the VCR because the lack of composite cables. It makes me sad.
why not the LS2LS7? @ Oct 28th 2009 4:16PM
You mean lack of component cables?
Kadamon @ Oct 28th 2009 4:17PM
Er...both really I suppose? Haha. Technically minded, I am not.
Darth Bradwart, Dark Lord of the Sith @ Oct 28th 2009 4:27PM
I think he means that his 360 is hooked to the VCR using composite, and the VCR is hooked to the TV through coax.
RiccochetJ @ Oct 28th 2009 4:46PM
It makes me sad that you have your xbox playing on a 13" TV :(
There outta be a law I say!
evilspoons @ Oct 28th 2009 5:22PM
Ouch, 13"? I couldn't read some of the text in Ghost Recon: Whateverit'scalled on my 32" non-HD TV... using component, not just composite! That must be a blur-fest.
Kadamon @ Oct 28th 2009 5:27PM
Well, I plan on hooking it up to my 33"SDTV in the basement once I get the wireless adapter for it...since that's where every other system I own is...but I need it upstairs for now because that's where the router is.
Since I'm recently married, I guess the wife wanted to move things around in the house (again -_-;) And decided everything must be in the basement. Except I can't actually move my net connection downstairs without having a tech come in to do some relocation work.
And admittedly, I usually have the 360 plugged in as Component right into the TV, every other system is composite...Or do I have those backwards? Bleh.The 'better' version is what the 360 is plugged in as.
I need a splitter box for the rest of the systems pretty much, the only two that go directly into the TV are the PS3 and the 360.
tkAshur @ Oct 28th 2009 6:15PM
sooo....forgive my lack of wifi lingo, but what does this mean for me? the single antenae owner? faster performance?
SpydaKat 17 @ Oct 28th 2009 6:36PM
It means that it'll be able to support another encryption protocol which for me at least means that I can now have my wireless n devices run at full capacity. Good work MS, been waiting on this one.
tkAshur @ Oct 28th 2009 6:51PM
If anyone can point me to a wifi education site, I'd thank you lots. Otherwise, more questions! Does this mean I can use this instead and turn my NAT type off? My xbox tells me I can do close to diddly with that turned on, but the screen that I turn it off on tells me I put myself at huge risk.
R (Planeteers | Power of Penile Pulse) @ Oct 28th 2009 8:21PM
wikipedia really is the best place for things like this. its what we use in my networking classes
wifi has 3 common security levels: WEP, WPA, WPA2. WEP is the easiest to hack, WPA2 is the hardest. before this the 360 adapter only supported WEP and WPA. now it supports WPA2, so if you have your xbox wireless, you can now upgrade your wireless network to WPA2 lvl security and have it work. It matters for those who are security conscience. (sadly this is very few people)
Side note: I believe this is my 777th post on joystiq. yay!
SpydaKat 17 @ Oct 28th 2009 11:52PM
@ tkAshur Or better yet go here, http://portforward.com/, it should help you get what you need done.
CyrusK @ Oct 28th 2009 7:13PM
This update RRoD'ed my 360 :(
FSK405K @ Oct 28th 2009 7:34PM
Can we have more than 100 friends on XBL yet? If not, MS, WTF?
CaramelZappa @ Oct 28th 2009 9:30PM
Long overdue, but still welcomed.
Nano @ Oct 29th 2009 2:08AM
The update hung at the beginning of the progress bar (1%) and now I'm afraid to turn off the console and start again because it may mess up my system or leave me with RRoD like CyrusK.
What should I do?
beans @ Oct 29th 2009 3:02AM
guys, I'm pissed...I've had the gamertag b e a n r since xbox live beta and this stupid fakking update finally made me change it...
Taomyn @ Oct 29th 2009 5:37AM
This doesn't just fix WPA2, which btw was listed before the update and greyed out. It also fixes connections to routers that support WPA+WPA2 modes - I tried before with 3 different routers, Netgear, Linksys and Dlink and none of them could be connected to the 360 (it would see the network but would never connect) - everything else I have in the house could. Now with this update the 360 is also able to connect just like everything else.
I agree, the problem was pretty lame and I was amazed it was not fixed with the NXE update, but I'm glad it's finally here.