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Wireless PS/2?

Posted by Cliff on from the 802.11b+USB-adaptor+LCD-display=fun-in-the-sun dept.

eclipsemgp asks: "I am breathlessly awaiting the end of August when I can have my PS2 go online and play SOCOM, Madden, etc. I have a wireless DSL router (Linksys BEFW11S4) that I use with my iMac and XP Laptop. Is there anyway way to hook up the PS2 WITHOUT the network adapter? Maybe using the USB port I could use wireless network adapter. I know the network adater is cheap, but I will pay for less clutter and the coolness factor. Plus my wife will kill me if I have to run yet another cable across the room to the router. Any thoughts?" Would it even be this simple. Will out-of-the-box USB 802.11 adaptors even work on the PS/2, or will the Sony network adaptor be the only way to get the hardware online?

27 comments

  1. bleh by JRAC · · Score: 5, Insightful

    stop saying 'PS/2'. makes it look like you're talking about the PS/2 protocol. say PS2 :P

    1. Re:bleh by erpbridge · · Score: 1, Troll

      It also looks like you're talking about the IBM PS/2, which does not have a built-in USB port.

  2. Blah by Chexsum · · Score: 0

    RTFM

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  3. Not First Post by muon1183 · · Score: 0, Offtopic

    Need I say more. Howabout TP (third post)?

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  4. When I first saw this story... by Niahak · · Score: 1

    I thought "Cool. A Wireless PS2." Then, "Oh, they're talking about the protocol." Then, "Oh, they're really talking about the PS2. Cool."

  5. Never going to happen! by GoRK · · Score: 3, Insightful

    I wouldn't expect any old USB ethernet adaptor to work with the Playstation2, particularly a wireless one. Since they are selling/distributing their own network adapter, I'm guessing that unless Sony releases a compatible wireless adaptor (doubtful), you'll have to use their ethernet adaptor no matter what.

    Remember, since each game CD/DVD contains the operating software, that same CD will have to include the software (drivers) to operate the network device. Having only a single piece of hardware means that you'll be insured compatibility for every ethernet-using game.

    So, that means you'll have to use a wireless ethernet tranciever of some sort.

    For instance: http://www.linksys.com/products/product.asp?grid=2 2&prid=432

    PS 2 Linux or something is a different story. You likely could get a usb wireless adaptor working with that -- but it wouldn't work on any games.

    ~GoRK

    1. Re:Never going to happen! by RaboKrabekian · · Score: 3, Interesting

      While I agree with your comment, it's itneresting to note that Tony Hawk 3 *currently* works with just about any USB Ethernet NIC. You don't need the Sony NIC to get online with a PS2 right now.

      --
      "Moderate drinking can help prevent amputated limbs" -- Abigail Zuger, NYTimes, 12/31/02
    2. Re:Never going to happen! by GoRK · · Score: 2

      I was not aware of that. That's cool.

      In any case, since a wireless device generally requires extensive configuration to be able to attach to the network above and beyond the usual simplicity of plugging in the cable required of a normal nic, it may be likely that no games ever support such a device directly.

      However, a very keen third party product would be to create a clone of the sony ethernet adaptor (it's probably mostly standard parts anyway) that has a built in wireless bridge. A little eeprom on the adaptor would let you boot a configuration cd to set up your WLAN settings and save them to the card. Then the regular TCP/IP stuff in the game would work just fine.

      ~GoRK

  6. It's going to be more complicated than that by MBCook · · Score: 2

    I'm sorry to say that, but it's true. Now that the PS2s broadband adapter is comming out, that's what all games will support. You will not be able to use USB network gear. This leaves you with 3 options. The first is to use the modem, but what self respecting geek would use a modem? The second is to run an ethernet cable from your router. The third (and most geeky) would be to have a computer (like a Linux box) next to your PS2. You'd have the PS2 get it's internet from the Linux box, and the Linux box would have a wireless card to get it's internet from the router. Your last option is to find out if anyone makes small ethernet->wireless converters.

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    1. Re:It's going to be more complicated than that by Alrescha · · Score: 4, Informative

      If/When your PS2 has a broadband adapter, you might want this device:

      http://www.linksys.com/Products/product.asp?grid =2 2&prid=432

      The WET11 is a wireless bridge that allows any (?) Ethernet capable device to participate in a wireless network.

      You can tease a Linksys access point into doing this as well (you need appropriate firmware.

      A.

      --
      ...bringing you cynical quips since 1998
    2. Re:It's going to be more complicated than that by DarkZero · · Score: 2

      I know that something like this had to exist. Thanks for finding it first.

    3. Re:It's going to be more complicated than that by vranash · · Score: 1

      Have you listened to music on the radio recently? And what about all the people on anti-depression pills and whatnot.. sorry to say it, but america did fall on the whole 'pacman craze' :)

    4. Re:It's going to be more complicated than that by Kredal · · Score: 2

      psst- sarcasm is your friend.

      --
      Whoever stated that signature sizes should be limited to one hundred and twenty characters can just go ahead and kiss my
  7. Linksys sells an product you might want to use by LWolenczak · · Score: 1, Redundant

    Linksys carries a Wireless AP/Client/Bridge unit that takes wireless to 802.3. It supports 128 bit wep (as if that is any protection), and has a decent feature set considering linksys sucks.

  8. The old ways... by EarwigTC · · Score: 1

    To avoid the clutter, I ran all relevant cables under the floor to a small project box mounted within the floor, under my coffeetable. The game machines on the lower shelf of the coffeetable have power, AV and network without a messy trunk of cable connecting the entertainment center and coffee table island.

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    1. Re:The old ways... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I hope you use conduit; otherwise your fire insurance is void.

      not kidding, sorry...

  9. pro skater 3 by die_rollerblader · · Score: 1

    The only game that had support for non-Sony ethernet adapters was Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3 and this was because the game came out almost a year before Sony's adapter. It had support for 4 or so USB Ethernet Adapters but none of them were wireless. I also wouldn't expect any of the new online games to support these adapters.

  10. PS2 - Ethernet - Wireless by legend · · Score: 1

    Stick one of these on the ethernet port. http://www.smartbridges.com/products/wireless/airb ridge.php http://www.hyperlinktech.com/web/avaya_converter.h tml

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    1. Re:PS2 - Ethernet - Wireless by eclipsemgp · · Score: 1

      Very cool product. Exactly what I was looking for. I will look into this and the LinkSys WET11. Thank's for the info.

  11. Why? by Exiler · · Score: 1

    Why would you want a PS2 net? Just make a WiFi and have everyone in your neighborhood set up thier PS2s with it =P

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  12. Painfully obvious, really. by cybermace5 · · Score: 3, Insightful

    Look. If USB 802.11 adapters, which have been out for ages, would work with the PS2, then why are you waiting breathlessly for Sony's broadband adapter? If they worked, THEN PEOPLE WOULD ALREADY BE DOING IT.

    Seriously. I guess it's to be expected of an iMac and Windows XP user. :-)

    Cliff, you need to quit choosing random topics without looking at them, just so you can get back to your WC3 game quickly.

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    ...
    1. Re:Painfully obvious, really. by joshsisk · · Score: 1

      It's not _that_ outlandish of a question. USB NICs work with the PS2 (with THPS3, at least - because they wrote the support into the game).

    2. Re:Painfully obvious, really. by eclipsemgp · · Score: 1

      I should been more clear in my question. I was looking for ANY means to hook up the PS2 to the wireless router. In Alrescha's post below, he mentions the LinkSys WET11 Bridge. Using the Sony Network adapter and the bridge together may work. This was my original intent with the question. If a USB WiFi Adapter worked, I wanted to know as well. And no, people would not already be doing it. There is a grand total of 1 game (2 now with madden) with online capability. It's not like there are thousands of games out there that people can try. Why don't you try finding a answer then jumping all over the question.

  13. Hell, I just want to know... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    if plain jane usb keyboards and mice will work with (any/mosy) ps2 games. Medal of Honor : Frontline (or any shooter) really does not work for me using the ps2 game pad. Must be all the counter-strike or something.

  14. Re:Hell, I just want to know... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    MOH: Frontline does not work with the keyboard & mouse. :( Blech!

    I've heard that Unreal does... I hope future FPS developers realize this is a geek "necessity"

  15. Wet11 will work by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    I just got the Linksys wet11 and it works wonders. I know that the PS2 adapter isnt out but yet ive managed to put put my computer and my Dreramcast with the BBA online on my wireless network. Just though all of you should know.

  16. Not a PS/2 you're talking about! by shinguz · · Score: 1

    I'm currently on the net with a real PS/2 as I've been doing for years before Sony even dreamt about the PS2. My PS/2 has this true blue badge saying IBM PS/2 on the front panel.

    PS/2 is IBMese for Personal System 2, it is always written with the slash, and it has nothing to do with Sony. What Sony is trying to convey with the PS2 remains unclear to me...

    The PS2 has a long way to go before it tops the PS/2. In my mind, the PS2 will always be an expensive, useless toy totally unlike the PS/2 family.

    Note: the Sony is labeled PS2 without the slash.