PCA Forums

I have a DFI LanParty KT400A (Compliments of Qui Gon ^^) that has two 10/100 ethernet ports. One of them is a VIA Rhine II integrated into the southbridge (hooked up to my router, responsible for internet), and the other is a Realtek RTL8139/810x (as per the Device Manager, currently unused). I have my Playstation 2 Slimline with ethernet support sitting on my desk, and plugged into my TV-tuner. Is it possible to run a short, normal Cat5 cable from my PS2 to the second ethernet plug, and use my computer as a sort of router? Or will I need to use a crossover cable, or is this even possible?

I'm not familiar with PS2s but I assume all it needs is a standard LAN connection? If so then yes. You can enable ICS (Internet Connection Sharing) on the NIC on your PC that's currently connected to the Internet and specify that ICS share the connection over the 2nd NIC. Your PC will act as a NAT router for the PS2.

You WILL need a crossover cable to connect the PS2 to the PC unless the PS2 or the 2nd NIC on the PC supports automatic MDI/MDIX detection. You see this all the time now on routers and switches but rarely on NICs so I expect you will need a crossover cable.

I assume you don't have a spare network switch? If you did the simpler thing to do would be to connect the PS2 and the PC to the one LAN connection using a switch.

I already have a 4 port router spliiting off my DSL connection, all of the ports already full (My comp, my laptop, my uncle's comp, and my linux box). Plus, the way I have my network set up, the router is on the other side of the room, and I have enough cables as it is. I'll more than likely just end up using a crossover cable. I have a friend locally that can make one up in a flash. Thanks for the info, FP!

I don't think you can do the ICS because you have the router already.

Best would be get a switch, put it where your PC is ( so from router to switch ) then the switch can go to the PS2 and your PC


*edit

I see FP already said that

Yes he can. You can put a NAT router after a NAT router as long as the Gateway address of both routers is different (and ICS uses a very odd ball IP address so there should be no conflict).

I stack NAT routers all the time. Useful for isolating networks (for instance make the first router connected to a DSL modem a WiFi router with open access as a free hotspot, and then connect a 2nd router after it to create a secure network behind it. Or have two routers connected to one router to provide two offices with broadband but isolate their networks from each other).

But I agree a switch would be easier and they're cheap.