Nintendo Wi-Fi USB Connector

Last updated
The Nintendo Wi-Fi USB Connector Nintendo-Wii-DS-Buffalo-Wifi-USB-Connector.jpg
The Nintendo Wi-Fi USB Connector

The Nintendo Wi-Fi USB Connector is a wireless game adapter, developed by Nintendo and Buffalo Technology, which allows the Nintendo DS, Wii and 3DS users without a Wi-Fi connection or compatible Wi-Fi network to establish an Internet connection via a broadband-connected PC. When inserted into the host PC's USB port, the connector functions with the Nintendo DS, Wii, DSi and 3DS, permitting the user to connect to the Internet and play Nintendo games that require a Wi-Fi connection and access various other online services. According to the official Nintendo website, this product was the best-selling Nintendo accessory to date on 15 November 2007, but was discontinued in the same month. On September 9, 2005, Nintendo announced the Nintendo Wi-Fi Network Adapter, an 802.11g wireless router/bridge which serves a similar purpose. [1] [ obsolete source ]

Contents

Functionality

The Nintendo Wi-Fi USB Connector is essentially a re-branded version of the Buffalo WLI-U2-KG54-YB. The Buffalo WLI-U2-KG54-YB is often confused for the Buffalo WLI-U2-KG54-AI because the two adapters are almost identical, and only differ in that the Buffalo WLI-U2-KG54-AI features flash memory to allow for auto installation. [2] Both are based on the Ralink RT2570 chipset. This differentiated the Nintendo Wi-Fi USB Connector from most other Wi-Fi adapters as it could operate as a software access point (also known as a soft AP). At the time of the Nintendo Wi-Fi USB Connector's release, few Wi-Fi adapters could do this on the Windows operating system as Windows lacked both the software necessary to configure a soft AP and capable drivers that were natively supported by hardware. By bundling a soft AP compatible device with their own proprietary software, Nintendo was able to overcome the limitations of Windows and simplified the otherwise complicated process of putting a supported device into soft AP mode, configuring it, and routing Internet traffic over it.

Additionally, a number of community development tools and drivers exist which expand the functionality of the Nintendo Wi-Fi USB Connector beyond its initial design. While not officially supported by Nintendo, the USB Connector can function as a standard wireless adapter by using modified Ralink or Buffalo Technology drivers and can be used to send official game demos and homebrew software to the Nintendo DS through the Wireless Multi Boot (WMB) protocol. [3]

Criticism

Proprietary authentication

The product uses a proprietary authentication mechanism. Thus, the Wi-Fi USB Connector works only with approved devices, which is limited to the Nintendo DS and Wii consoles. [4] This behavior is an intentional design decision on the part of Nintendo, as it prevents outside parties from connecting to the Nintendo Wi-Fi USB Connector with their computers and accessing the user's Internet connection or computer. While the Wi-Fi USB Connector can be modified to bypass this, [3] it is unsupported by Nintendo.

Operating system support

Initially, the Nintendo Wi-Fi USB Connector only supported Microsoft Windows XP. A main concern at the time was the lack of support for older versions of Windows, principally Windows 2000. However, after the introduction of the Windows Vista operating system, criticism shifted to a lack of support for the new platform. Though Vista drivers were eventually released by Nintendo of Europe and Nintendo of America, [5] [6] it was two years after the first Windows XP drivers were available and several months after Vista's launch. There is no official support for Windows 7/8/10 (although it is possible to install working drivers when under compatibility mode).

It is possible to use the Nintendo Wi-Fi USB Connector as a USB Wi-Fi NIC to connect to other access points under Linux and BSD when using the appropriate drivers. [7] [8]

Internet connection sharing

The core functionality of the Nintendo Wi-Fi USB Connector is provided by Windows' Internet Connection Sharing (ICS) feature, which allows a Windows computer to act as a router and automatically configure client devices for Internet access. Due to limitations in ICS, there are a number of caveats with this method.

Like the Wi-Fi USB Connector software itself, ICS offers the user no configurable options. This means that ICS may not function as expected, or at all, in complex network environments. In addition, Windows cannot handle multiple ICS configurations simultaneously, or in other words, only a single application or network device can use and configure ICS at one time. If a network is currently relying on ICS or is using software that utilizes it (such as Windows Media Center Extender for the Xbox 360), [9] the Wi-Fi USB Connector may not be usable.

Software firewall compatibility

Though not an innate fault with the Wi-Fi USB Connector itself, due to the nature of the device, a software firewall like those commonly installed on Microsoft Windows computers hosting the Wi-Fi USB Connector will interfere with its operation. To alleviate this issue, the user must allow the software full access to the Internet, or manually specify acceptable port ranges to allow through the firewall; depending on how that particular firewall is configured. [10]

Unfortunately, some firewall products, such as ZoneAlarm and Windows Live OneCare, are incompatible with the Wi-Fi USB Connector software. Therefore, these programs must be either uninstalled or disabled, leaving the computer open to possible attack from external sources. The user's only option in this scenario is to risk connecting to the Internet unprotected or install a different firewall product.

Network topology

A common complaint from more advanced users is the complete lack of user-configurable options in the Wi-Fi USB Connector software and installer. Novice users see this as a much-welcomed advantage of the Nintendo Wi-Fi USB Connector over a traditional wireless router, but for those users who wish to use the device in a more complicated network environment, it can be an insurmountable obstacle.

For example, the Nintendo Wi-Fi USB Connector will cause an IP conflict if an existing network is using the 192.168.0.x or 192.168.1.x IP schemes, both common IP ranges used in consumer routers. [11]

Packaging

The Nintendo Wi-Fi USB Connector includes a USB extension cable, a manual, and a software CD. It is recommended that the latest version of the Wi-Fi USB Connector software should be downloaded and installed rather than using the CD versions, as important updates have been made in the newer versions. Devices shipped with software driver versions below 1.05 are incompatible with Windows Vista until updated.

Discontinuation

While Nintendo has not stated a reason for the discontinuation of the device, manufacturers Buffalo Technology are reportedly no longer licensed to distribute it due to a successful recent lawsuit [12] by the Australian Government's technology research agency CSIRO (Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization). As a result, the company has been prevented from trading in any products adhering to the 802.11a/g standards in the US, [13] [14] including the Nintendo Wi-Fi USB connector.

Nintendo, however, only states on their website that the device is discontinued, and offers a standard wireless router as replacement on the Wii:

"Please note: The Nintendo Wi-Fi USB Connector has been discontinued until further notice. As an alternative for online access, Wii owners can use a standard wireless router, or the Wii LAN Adapter." [15]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">AirPort</span> Discontinued line of products by Apple Inc.

AirPort is a discontinued line of wireless routers and network cards developed by Apple Inc. using Wi-Fi protocols. In Japan, the line of products was marketed under the brand AirMac due to previous registration by I-O Data.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wi-Fi hotspot</span> Wi-Fi access point

A hotspot is a physical location where people can obtain Internet access, typically using Wi-Fi technology, via a wireless local-area network (WLAN) using a router connected to an Internet service provider.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wireless router</span> Computer networking device

A wireless router is a device that performs the functions of a router and also includes the functions of a wireless access point. It is used to provide access to the Internet or a private computer network. Depending on the manufacturer and model, it can function in a wired local area network, in a wireless-only LAN, or in a mixed wired and wireless network.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ralink</span> Wi-Fi chipset manufacturer

Ralink Technology, Corp. is a Wi-Fi chipset manufacturer mainly known for their IEEE 802.11 chipsets. Ralink was founded in 2001 in Cupertino, California, then moved its headquarters to Hsinchu, Taiwan. On 5 May 2011, Ralink was acquired by MediaTek.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">VoIP phone</span> Phone using one or more VoIP technologies

A VoIP phone or IP phone uses voice over IP technologies for placing and transmitting telephone calls over an IP network, such as the Internet. This is in contrast to a standard phone which uses the traditional public switched telephone network (PSTN).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection</span> Former online multiplayer gaming service

Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection (WFC) is an online multiplayer gaming service run by Nintendo to provide free online play in compatible Nintendo DS and Wii games. The service included the company's Wii Shop Channel and DSi Shop game download services. It also ran features for the Wii and Nintendo DS systems.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">NDISwrapper</span> Driver wrapper for Windows devices used on Linux

NDISwrapper is a free software driver wrapper that enables the use of Windows XP network device drivers on Linux operating systems. NDISwrapper works by implementing the Windows kernel and NDIS APIs and dynamically linking Windows network drivers to this implementation. As a result, it only works on systems based on the instruction set architectures supported by Windows, namely IA-32 and x86-64.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wireless security</span> Aspect of wireless networks

Wireless security is the prevention of unauthorized access or damage to computers or data using wireless networks, which include Wi-Fi networks. The term may also refer to the protection of the wireless network itself from adversaries seeking to damage the confidentiality, integrity, or availability of the network. The most common type is Wi-Fi security, which includes Wired Equivalent Privacy (WEP) and Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA). WEP is an old IEEE 802.11 standard from 1997. It is a notoriously weak security standard: the password it uses can often be cracked in a few minutes with a basic laptop computer and widely available software tools. WEP was superseded in 2003 by WPA, a quick alternative at the time to improve security over WEP. The current standard is WPA2; some hardware cannot support WPA2 without firmware upgrade or replacement. WPA2 uses an encryption device that encrypts the network with a 256-bit key; the longer key length improves security over WEP. Enterprises often enforce security using a certificate-based system to authenticate the connecting device, following the standard 802.11X.

Sony's LocationFree is the marketing name for a group of products and technologies for timeshifting and placeshifting streaming video. The LocationFree Player is an Internet-based multifunctional device used to stream live television broadcasts, DVDs and DVR content over a home network or the Internet. It is in essence a remote video streaming server product. It was first announced by Sony in Q1 2004 and launched early in Q4 2004 alongside a co-branded wireless tablet TV. The last LocationFree product was the LF-V30 released in 2007.

Monitor mode, or RFMON mode, allows a computer with a wireless network interface controller (WNIC) to monitor all traffic received on a wireless channel. Unlike promiscuous mode, which is also used for packet sniffing, monitor mode allows packets to be captured without having to associate with an access point or ad hoc network first. Monitor mode only applies to wireless networks, while promiscuous mode can be used on both wired and wireless networks. Monitor mode is one of the eight modes that 802.11 wireless adapter can operate in: Master, Managed, Ad hoc, Repeater, Mesh, Wi-Fi Direct, TDLS and Monitor mode.

AOSS is a system by Buffalo Technology which allows a secure wireless connection to be set up with the push of a button. AirStation residential gateways incorporated a button on the unit to let the user initiate this procedure. AOSS was designed to use the maximum level of security available to both connecting devices including both Wired Equivalent Privacy (WEP) and Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Vodafone Mobile Connect USB Modem</span> Wi-Fi modem

Vodafone Mobile Connect USB Modem branded as Vodem is a product of Vodafone that connects to the broadband internet. It is connected to the computer via USB which makes the product usable to virtually any computer, desktop or laptop.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wi-Fi Protected Setup</span> Network security standard to create a secure wireless home network

Wi-Fi Protected Setup (WPS) originally, Wi-Fi Simple Config, is a network security standard to create a secure wireless home network.

Windows Rally is a set of technologies from Microsoft intended to simplify the setup and maintenance of wired and wireless network-connected devices. They aim to increase reliability and security of connectivity for users who connect the devices to the Internet or to computers running Microsoft Windows. These technologies provide control of network quality of service (QoS) and diagnostics for data sharing, communications, and entertainment. Windows Rally technologies provide provisioning for the following devices:

Operating system Wi-Fi support is the support in the operating system for Wi-Fi and usually consists of two pieces: driver level support, and configuration and management support.

Monsoon Multimedia was a company that manufactured, developed and sold video streaming and place-shifting devices that allowed consumers to view and control live television on PCs connected to a local (home) network or remotely from a broadband-connected PC or mobile phone. It was one of 5 major transformations initiated by Prabhat Jain, a Silicon Valley entrepreneur with 5 undergraduate and post graduate engineering degrees from Cal Berkeley and Univ of Vienna, Austria. On the even of Cisco acquiring Monsoon in 2017, EchoStar, the new parent of Sling sued Monsoon for patent infringement, having obtained confidential information about the date of the acquisition by Cisco from a Monsoon employee under murky circumstances. Monsoon settled the lawsuit by agreeing not to sell its products in the USA simply because it did not have the legal funds to fight mighty Echostar's legal maneuvers. EchoStar thus successfully removed its only competitor from the market place. This meant Monsoon's death knell.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Huawei E220</span> Modem developed by Huawei

The Huawei E220 is a Huawei HSDPA access device (modem) manufactured by Huawei and notable for using the USB interface.

A Wireless game adapter is a device that, once connected to a video game console or handheld, enables internet and\or multiplayer access.

SoftAP is an abbreviated term for "software enabled access point". Such access points utilize software to enable a computer which hasn't been specifically made to be a router into a wireless access point. It is often used interchangeably with the term "virtual router".

Online console gaming involves connecting a console to a network over the Internet for services. Through this connection, it provides users the ability to play games with other users online, in addition to other online services.

References

  1. Lowe, Scott (September 8, 2008). "Nintendo Announces WiFi Network Adapter". ign.com. Retrieved September 16, 2022.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  2. "Wireless-G Keychain USB 2.0 Adapter with Auto Installation". Buffalo Technology. Retrieved 2007-07-09.
  3. 1 2 Nardi, Tom. "Hacking the Nintendo Wi-Fi USB Connector". DigiFAIL.com. Retrieved 2010-02-01.
  4. "Nintendo: Online Store - Product Detail - Nintendo Wi-Fi USB Connector". Nintendo. Retrieved 2007-07-23.
  5. "Most recent drivers". Nintendo of Europe. Retrieved 2007-10-08.
  6. "Download the Latest Software for the Nintendo Wi-Fi USB Connector". Nintendo. Retrieved 2007-10-23.
  7. "rt2x00Wiki". Archived from the original on 2014-11-20. Retrieved 2007-07-09.
  8. "*BSD driver for Ralink RT2500/RT2600 chipsets" . Retrieved 2007-07-09.
  9. "Knowledge Base Article 912503". Microsoft Help and Support. 2007-05-25. Retrieved 2007-07-09.
  10. "Firewall/Antivirus/Antispyware/Adware Compatibility Info". Nintendo. Retrieved 2007-07-09.
  11. "Installation Troubleshooting for the Nintendo Wi-Fi USB Connector". Nintendo. Retrieved 2007-07-09.
  12. "CSIRO wins landmark lawsuit against Buffalo, more to come?" . Retrieved 2008-03-26.
  13. "CSIRO injunction halts Buffalo sales" . Retrieved 2008-03-26.
  14. "Buffalo Technology halts 802.11a/g sales". Fierce Wireless. November 2007. Retrieved 2020-10-27.
  15. "Nintendo Wi-Fi USB Connector". www.nintendo.com. September 2008. Archived from the original on 27 September 2008. Retrieved 15 October 2022.