It is possible to set up a VPN on your Xbox 360 console without major issues. The process is fairly simple, but you will need to pay attention to what you are doing. There are two methods that you can try. The first one is to share the VPN running on your computer with your Xbox 360. The second method is to use a router to run the VPN service and connect your gaming console and your computer to the device. While there are many good quality VPNs that work well with Xbox 360, you will need to rely on the previously mentioned methods for the setup, because Xbox 360 doesn’t offer native support for VPN. In this article, we will go through the two ways in which you can enjoy the advantages of a VPN on your Xbox 360.
Option 1 – Sharing your computer’s VPN
For this method, you won’t need a router, but first you will have to run the VPN on your computer so that you can share it with your Xbox 360 console. This means that whenever you want to use the VPN on your gaming console, you will need to switch your computer on and enable the VPN.
Connect your Xbox 360 to your computer using an Ethernet connection. Once you have done this, you will notice that the computer is connected to the internet and your VPN server. This connection may be through an external or an internal modem. The computer can be connected to a wireless internet connection. The main thing is to connect your Xbox 360 to your computer. The network will be your Xbox 360 VPN.
Keep in mind that in order to set up the VPN on your Xbox 360, there is some information that you will need to obtain from your VPN provider. You will need to ask them to give you the below details:
- IP Address of Server (it is advisable to request multiple IP addresses)
- Destination Name
- VPN account user name
- Respective password
- You may also ask for domain, although this is not essential
Once the set up is completed, the Local Area Network would be established with your Xbox 360, while a Wide Area Network is set up with your VPN service provider. The set up of the Xbox 360 via VPN sharing goes like this: Inner Layer is the Xbox connected via Local Area Network. The Middle Layer is the VPN connected via Wide Area Network and the Outer Layer is the Internet Connected via Modem. This is how the data will be routed and the order in which the Xbox 360 should be set up.
1. Connecting your Windows to the VPN server
First you need to go to Network and Sharing Center in Windows through the Start Menu. Then search the “Set up a New Connection or Network” button. Click on it so that its set up wizard is activated.
Click on it to initiate the Set up a Connection or Network setup wizard. You will see a list of connection options. There you can select “Connect to a workplace” and press “Next”. You will be asked to confirm if you want to use your internet connection or dial directly. Select the Connect via Internet connection option and the press Next.
Next, you will be asked to enter the Internet Address & Destination Name that you obtained from your VPN provider. Once you have entered the information, select Next.
In the following screen, you will be asked to enter your login details: username and password, then select “Connect”.
Share your VPN connection with your Xbox 360
Now you need to find your Adapter settings in the Network and Sharing Center. If you can’t locate it, go to the Network Connection. There you should find “Network Connections” going through the “Control Pane” and then access “Network and Internet”.
Go to the Properties menu. In options, enable Display progress while connecting. Then activate Prompt for name and password certificate and others. Also activate Include Windows login domain. Set redial attemps to max and set the time between redial attempts to a minimum. Set idle time before selecting “Never”. If the line is dropped, activate redial.
Now go to Security, there you will need to set “Type of VPN” to Automatic. If your VPN service provider has advised you otherwise, follow their instructions and ask for specific details in this area.
Data encryption should be set to optional since your VPN service provider will take care of the encryption. Then go to Authentication and select the option that says “Allow these protocols”. Then activate “Challenge Handshake Authentication Protocol” or CHAP and Microsoft CHAP v2.
In Sharing, enable “Allow other network users to connect through this computer’s Internet connection. Go to Local Area Connection from the drop-down menu located under Home Network Connection and select OK.
Then last steps in this method is to click twice on VPN connection to get access to a Connection dialog window that will ask you to provide your login details. Once you provide them, hit “Connect” and your VPN connection will be connected, verified, registered on the network and then subjected to configured settings.
Option 2 – Set up a router for your Xbox 360
This method is the best choice for those who prefer not to install VPN on their computers. Using a router, you can still enjoy the protection of a VPN, but won’t need to switch on your computer every time you use the Xbox 360. Even if your computer is off, you will still be able to get VPN coverage. For this method, you will need the belwo information from your VPN provider:
- Host Name
- Domain Name
- Router IP details including Local IP address and subnet mask
- Connection type
- DHCP enabling
- Gateway
- User Name
- Password
Setting Up The Router-Based Infrastructure For Your Xbox 360 VPN
When you establish a router-based VPN setup, your router takes care of handling all the connections. This is what you need to do:
Get two Ethernet cables and connect your computer to your router using one of the wires and the Xbox 360 to your router, using the other cable. In both cases, you will use the LAN port. Then connect the router to your modem using a third networking cable in the WAN port. The network cable shouldn’t be bending and it should not stretch too much.
If the computer was previously connected to the model directly and you are a beginner when it comes to using a router, it is best to unplug the modem end of the computer-modem Ethernet cable and connect it to to the router. This will ensure that the router cable is the only one connecting to your Modem. If everything is done correctly, at the end you will have three networking cables.
The next step is to set up the software configuration. There are routers that have already been configured with the VPN software, which makes things very easy. However, if you need to do the configuration on your own, you will need to use a router that has been previously flashed. One of the best firmware available for this purpose is DD-WRT as it offers a great selection of features and it is also very convenient. In addition, you will find a lot of online support for it. Once you have a router that is flashed with DD-WRT, you can follow the below steps.
Go to Control Panel in your computer. If all the networking cables are correctly connected, you should see a VPN router control panels in your Control Panel. When you access it, you will see System Information.
In the VPN Router Control Panel, go to Setup and then Basic Setup. Enter the setup configurations that your VPN provider gave you. Then you will need to enter the Host and Domain names, and the Local IP address and Subnet Masks.
Under Connection Type, choose the right VPN protocol and then mark/unmark DHCP according to the instructions provided by your VPN provider. Then enter the Gateway and the login credentials, which are your username and password. Select Apply Settings and then Save.
Once you click on the “Status” tab, you will see a new set of sub tans. select the one that says “WAN” and press Connect. Now you should be able to enjoy the benefits of a VON on your Xbox 360.