Over at the house we have quite a network going on. We have four xBox systems, two three Replay PVRs, two notebook computers, and three desktop computers, and one Playstation 2 with network adapter. So all these items are not in the same room. They are in bedrooms, living room, upstairs, downstairs, and they all want to talk to each other. So we network as much as we can. Cable here, cable there, wireless router here, modem over there and wires everywhere. Well, this is 2004 and we shouldn�t have wires lying around my house. The solution, multiple wireless access points around the house connecting all the devices. That dream came true last night.

We started with a Netgear MR314 wireless router. We had that about a year. I tried buying other Netgear products and using them as a wireless bridge but that didn�t work. So I read about the Buffalo series of routers having the ability to bridge and host. But does it work with xBox Live? I asked the genius at Fry�s (known around the world for their customer service) if the Buffalo routers were xBox Live compatible. His response (Brian was with me to witness this), �Um, sure. I don�t see why it shouldn�t.� Wow! He must be manger with that kind of tech knowledge. So I bought two and went home to test the network.

Last night after work, I took the time to finally put all the pieces together. Here are my results. The Buffalo WBR2-G54 Wireless router IS xBox Live compatible. Even though it is not listed on the xBox Live web site. You can watch Replay from upstairs to downstairs, without wires, and with no loss of video quality. It is also able to work as a wireless bridge and repeater. So if you buy a Buffalo WBR2-G54 you get a router, wireless access point, wireless bridge, and wireless repeater all in one. It�s only $56.99 at Fry�s with a $20 mail-in rebate ($36.99 total). I think I�ll pick up two more, or ask the guys buy their own so they have one when we all move apart. So we would have four access points. There would be one in Toby�s room, Brian�s room, in The Lounge (where the modem is), and the living room. Thus eliminating all the cables in the house. Isn�t technology great?

UPDATE: I found the WBR2-G54 online at Outpost.com for $54 ($34 after rebate).