my idea for a ps3 - pc network setup

[caprica13]

hello. a noob here.

i am getting my (first) ps3 in a few days and would like to know from you, "the guys in the know" what you think about my idea.

atm. i am not planning on playing online, nor using any "online" features or capabilities. therefor in order to maximize ftp transfer speeds i'd direct connect the ethernet port to my spare gigabit network card on my motherboard and setup it up in such a way that the ps3 would only be able to communicate with my pc (a private ip mini LAN I guess)

so my questions really are ?

- can I setup a brand new ps3 without ever connecting it to the internet ?
- can I install a CFW, homebrew packages without ever connecting to the internet ?
- can I generaly operate/use a ps3 without ever connecting it to the internet ?
- is it possible to manually configure PS3's IP address to a private IP ? (ie. without a DHCP service)
- is the PS3 ethernet really a gigabit interface ?
- what would I be missing out on (except for online gaming) if not connecting to the internet ?

thanks guys ! I'd really appreciate some quality answers here :-)

[DicksOak]

To the first 4: Yes, but you'll need to download certain things on your PC.

You'll miss out on DLC and multiplayer. That's about it. Although in some games (Demon's Souls in particular), the gameplay is A LOT better if you're online.

[caprica13]

thanks!

is the interface a gigabit ? (slim 160)
do people generaly get MUCH better transfer speeds over a 100mbps connection ?

[ps3haze]

you never need to connect the PS3 to the internet mine wasn't for weeks. I'm fairly certain that the slim is gigabit. I haven't tried but another user reported going from 1 MB/s to 20+ MB/s using gigabit vs. 100Mb/s.

Basically by not connecting you loose online play, chatting and messaging with friends, download content, game updates, and netflix.

But if I may suggest the easier way is to connect you PS3 to your home network via gigabit and then block the routers IP from accessing the internet using the router.

I have my PS3 setup this way so I can still do streaming media from my computer, FTP from laptop or desktop, and maybe remote play someday. Alternatively you can block only Sony's sites on the router and then your PS3 can still surf the net.

I used the exact setup you described to setup wireshark on the PC and sniff all the network traffic between the PS3 and internet for my own knowledge. So what you want to do can be done and very easily. Just use a crossover cable between your PC and PS3 or use a gigabit switch.

[caprica13]

cool. thanks for the tips. I am planning on streaming media too, but I'd be connecting directly to THE pc that has all the media. so in theory it should work with the direct ethernet connection. if not, then I'd go with what you suggested (---> router and then blocking off the IP from Internet access).

oh, I totally forgot about crossover cables. thanks for reminding me.

- do you know whether it's possible to have two private LANs (ie. 192.168.1.x and 192.168.2.x) to coexist on the same gigabit switch ? I am thinking the switch should not care, right ?

[DicksOak]

Using kmeaws cfw, you can not only update but play a lot of games online! Been enjoying the hell out of AC:Brotherhood myself. Nothin like stalking your prey for 3 minutes straight, killing him, then watching your pursuer kill the decoy you set up by mistake.

By the way, I'm a networking retard. Any chance you know of a good beginners guide on how to create a wired connection and ftp stuff from my laptop to my ps3? I just have this fancy cord and have no idea how to actually make my laptop send things over it and ftping over wireless is painfully slow and makes it impossible to play League of Legends or other online stuff.

I'm basically a caveman just jamming it into slots and hoping it works...and it has not...

[caprica13]

I don't have the PS3 yet, so can't help you with any instructions, guides (yet). Maybe you could create a new thread with your question(s) and I am pretty sure someone would help you out.

(thanks for the online gaming tips btw.)

[RatAndDragon]

cool. thanks for the tips. I am planning on streaming media too, but I'd be connecting directly to THE pc that has all the media. so in theory it should work with the direct ethernet connection. if not, then I'd go with what you suggested (---> router and then blocking off the IP from Internet access).

oh, I totally forgot about crossover cables. thanks for reminding me.

- do you know whether it's possible to have two private LANs (ie. 192.168.1.x and 192.168.2.x) to coexist on the same gigabit switch ? I am thinking the switch should not care, right ?

- can I get/do game updates for "backups" ? do you know ? that might be one thing that I'd probably miss (if at all possible with "backups")

Most network hardware these days does an 'autodetect' on the cable in use and what it's connected to. Crossovers are not really needed any more. I have my (fat) PS3 connected directly to my laptop's ethernet port with a normal cable, works fine.

Not sure about the networks.

And we don't talk about "backups" because on it's only backups that are of interest. "backups" are illegal....

[caprica13]

thanks for the crossover clarification ... and understood re: the other point.