[jwhite53]

I have spent many hours trying to configure my 60Gb PS3's network settings to enable it to connect to the Internet. This time has involved many visits to forums like this, looking for answers, and also trying different "NAT" types.

I am trying to get online play with CoD 5.

I live in quite a remote place which is very far from the nearest telephone exchange, thus until recently I have had to cope with a substandard dial up connection. I have been waiting since November last year for the government to implement a scheme that allows places like mine to receive a broadband connection by satellite.

A company called "Avanti Communications Group plc" won the contract, and last Saturday (16th May) it was installed.The installed modem is a Satlink 1000, in my first attempt I managed to get a connection to the PS3 (which is upstairs) by means of a pair of "HomePlugs", the Ethernet cable from the second Homeplug upstairs was connected to the back of the PS3 (attempt at a NAT 1 connection).

I obtained the IP address and relevant subnet masks etc. By connecting a laptop to the modem and using the "run>cmd>ipconfig/all" command. This was then input manually into the PS3. I was able to get online with this setup and download the required updates (both the firmware and the CoD 5 update) and also bought and downloaded the Map Pack for the incredible sum of £7.99.

I then loaded the game and attempted to get online, but was prevented due to the repeated "downloading game settings" error. I then checked the NAT type and discovered that it was type 3.

I have read that this is due to ports not being opened or a firewall problem, but I am unsure how to go about opening them.

My second attempt was with a BT wireless router "BT Voyager 2091" connected to the Ethernet cable upstairs rather than to the PS3, and placed next to it to get an optimum signal. (Attempt at a Wireless NAT 2) I tried to connect using the original IP settings obtained previously but to no avail. I then tried to connect using the automatic method but again it could not even find the IP.

My questions are:

What should I do next to try and fix this problem?
Do I have to find a new IP address of the router?
How do you go about opening the ports needed (if any) on the modem and/or router?

[sykotik]

hi jwhite53
you could try this DNS error setting... not sure if it will work
but it's worth a try
AVF K-Zone: Part VIII - Derailed

as for portforwarding
have a read of this PortForward.com - Free Help Setting up Your Router or Firewall
it will tell and show you how to open your ports

you need a static IP adress aswell

andrew

[Stonker]

I'm not sure if this helps, but I too use a wired connection via mains LAN adaptors, and it displays as a NAT3, however it works fine for COD and other games. I was using a manual IP address, but now just use DHCP. The other mains adaptor is plugged into the router.

[jwhite53]

I did try to play CoD WaW with the NAT 3 connection but was unable to find a match as at the bottom of the screen, it read "Downloading Game Settings" which persisted for a very long time. I eventually grew impatient and cancelled it, went back to the "multiplayer" part of the menu and tried to set up a private match, just so i could check out the new maps that i had bought, tried one (played about 30s), realised that i had set the time limit to 10 minutes, went back to change it. Then found that the now familiar message was showing again, this time however i was unable to do anything about it. I tried to exit, but bizzarely the "find match" and "private match" buttons on the menu dissappeared after many clicking sounds (guessing that they are the sounds usually heard while navigating) leaving the barracks button along on the menu. Eventually gave up and reset the console. Hopefully the wireless router will help, will try tonight when home from school.

Thanks for the help.

[jwhite53]

btw what is DHCP and how do you think that it will help my situation?

[Stonker]

DHCP or Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol, just means that your console will pick up an IP address automatically from your router. It enters this mode when you select the option, sorry but I can't remember what the automatic option is called on the PS3, I'm at work so I can't check

[jwhite53]

The current setup that i am trying at the moment is the original attempted (NAT 1) connection, with this i am able to type what you see before you now (fixed IP address). However the console still suggests that it is in fact NAT 3. I tried CoD again prior to updating this thread, still no luck in getting online... The game goes through ots normal checks, eg "Downloading game data" - this one doesn't last long, Afterwards my username shows up in the top right, then "reading HDD" appears, no problem here. Then comes the horrendously long "Downloading game data" which goes on for ages... and on occasions a sporadic burst of machine-gun-like sound erupts from the TV's speakers. (God knows what that is all about...). In the menu it also shows that apparently "0 players are online".

I tried to install the router again tonight, however i discovered that it was infact a so called "ADSL" wireless router. I tried it anyway, downloading its driver and installed it on my ancient laptop. I connected up the USB cable to the laptop and both the ethernet input and the other end of the USB into the back of the router, turned it on and lo and behold it worked (the laptop had previiously been able to work with the ethernet cable directly connected to the back of it, again with a fixed IP address). The wireless functionality however did not (for an unknown reason).

I am unsure if when i change the filtering of the internet (found in an obscure tab in connection settings) off on the laptop does it turn it off on the actual modem and/or router, or is it just the laptop settings themselves?

I also cannot manage to access the BT Port Forwarding page in IE (192.168.1.1) as it goes staight to the Avanti Satellite connection page (which does not appear to show any information on Forwarding) even when the BT router is between it and the laptop itself. Any way around this?

I have been advised by the person that installed the Satlink modem that i should connect a "4-way Network Hub" would this solve the problem? If so can you suggest any that would be suitable for the PlayStation?

I am begginning to wonder that it is the actual connection speed and/or the latency associated with the satellite broadband. I did a speed test and discovered that it was only an 8th of a meg approximately, and the ping being very large at approx 1700ms. Both of these values are expected though because at the moment i am using it "un-officially" i.e. it is not to be at full speed (1/2Mbs-1) until the first week of June, i believe that they have forgotten to turn it off after installation. Still, free's free right. ;-)

I am open to any ideas / suggestions, any help would be greatly appreciated...