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Core partners, Part 4: Managing the PlayStation 3 Wi-Fi network

Terra Soft shows you how to configure, encrypt, and maintain the built-in PS3 Wi-Fi network

Aaron Johnson (ajohnson@terrasoftsolutions.com), IT Manager, Terra Soft Solutions
Aaron Johnson is the IT Manager of Terra Soft Solutions where he manages internal systems for the engineers, performs quality assurance testing, end-user support, and does the occasional programming. Aaron lives in Fort Collins, Colorado with his wife, Nicole, and their pets. He enjoys hiking, rock climbing, and camping in the mountains of Colorado.

Summary:  Terra Soft Solutions IT Manager Aaron Johnson shows you, step-by-step, how to configure and encrypt the built-in Wi-Fi network that comes with the Cell Broadband Engine™-based Sony PlayStation 3. And, as a little bonus, get 16 quick steps that explain how to switch from a wireless network back to a wired network on the PS3.

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Date:  17 Jun 2008
Level:  Introductory
PDF:  A4 and Letter (46KB)Get Adobe® Reader®
Activity:  7182 views
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Introduction

In this article, you will learn:

  • The four major steps to configuring the built-in PS3 Wi-Fi network, including the Wi-Fi encryption options that are available to you, the two quick steps to enable encryption, and how to upgrade your Linux kernel.
  • The 16 steps needed to make the complex task of switching between wired and wireless networks less arduous.

Configuring the PS3 Wi-Fi

There are four major steps to configuring the Wi-Fi that is built into the PlayStation 3:

Update the GameOS firmware

Before the Wi-Fi can work under Linux, you need to run GameOS firmware version 1.6 or later. Complete these steps in GameOS to ensure you are running the latest firmware.

  1. Reboot into GameOS by doing the following:
    1. Log out of Linux (Yellow Dog symbol on the task bar).
    2. Select Applications > Boot Game OS.
    3. Click Shutdown from the login menu.
    4. Once the PS3 is off, push and hold the power button until you hear the second beep (about five seconds).
  2. Go to System > System update.
  3. Select Update Via Internet.
  4. Follow the prompts to complete the update.
  5. Reset the default OS by going to Settings > System Settings > Default System.
  6. Select OtherOS.
  7. Click X.
  8. When prompted with Start the other system now?, select Yes.

If your kernel is upgraded, skip to Activate the Wi-Fi on the PS3 under Linux. Otherwise, upgrade your kernel by continuing to the next section.

Upgrade the Linux kernel

This kernel upgrade information applies only if you are using YDL 5.0.x; YDL 6 doesn't need a kernel upgrade. If you don't need a kernel upgrade, skip to Activate the Wi-Fi on the PS3 under Linux.

This article describes three methods to upgrade your Linux kernel:

  • A semi-automated kernel upgrade that assumes your PS3 has a LAN (Ethernet) connection to the Internet under YDL
  • The use of an additional personal computer and USB key or CD-R because your PS3 under Linux does not have an Internet connection
  • A manual upgrade option for the Linux savvy with adequate Linux command-line experience.

Semi-automated method with LAN connection


Two cautions before you attempt this:

  • This kernel upgrade is beta software and is not recommended in a production environment.
  • This script rewrites your kboot.conf, which could render your system useless.

Do the following to upgrade the kernel using the semi-automated method:

  1. Open a terminal window by clicking on the Yellow Dog icon on the task bar.
  2. Select Applications > Accessories > Gnome Terminal.
  3. To gain root access, type su - [ENTER].
  4. When prompted, enter the root password.
  5. Download the auto updater script by entering: 
    wget http://www.terrasoftsolutions.com/support/solutions/ydl_5.0/ConfigWifiKernel.sh

    You see a progress bar and confirmation of download with 'ConfigWifiKernel.sh' saved [1089/1089]
  6. Enter chmod 700 ConfigWifiKernel.sh
  7. Run the script by entering ./ConfigWifiKernel.sh
  8. Reboot the computer by entering reboot

Additional computer method without LAN connection


Now go through the manual process of upgrading the YDL kernel and kboot bootloader without an Internet connection to your PS3. You'll need some Linux command-line experience to complete this.

  • An Internet connection is required on an assisting computer.
  • This kernel upgrade is beta software, and it is not recommended in a production environment.

This method is broken into three subtasks: download, transfer, and activate.

Download
Download the new kernel, and transfer it to a USB key. The kernel that supports Wi-Fi on the PS3 under YDL is currently beta code, so it must be downloaded outside of regular yum updates. Because your PS3 does not have an Internet connection, you are going to use a USB key or CD to transfer the new kernel from your personal computer to the PS3. Do the following:

  1. Download the following items (right-click Save Target As or Save Link As):
  2. Move these items onto a USB key or burn them to CD.
  3. Insert the USB key or CD into the PS3.

Transfer
Now transfer the new kernel from the USB key to the PS3. Do the following:

  1. Select YDL Menu > Applications > Accessories > Gnome Terminal.
  2. At the command prompt, enter the following commands: 
    su - [ENTER]
cd /path/to/CDorUSBkey/ [ENTER]
rpm -ivh kernel-2.6.23-9.ydl5.1.ppc64.rpm [ENTER]

    The path to the CD is usually /media/cdrom, and the USB key /media/{Name of your usb key}.
  3. Remain in the terminal as root for the Activate instructions.

Activate
To activate the new kernel, you must modify a file called kboot, which is located at /etc/kboot.conf. The following script automates this process for you. Warning: Use this script with caution, because it does completely rewrite your kboot.conf.

  1. Make a backup copy of your current kboot.conf by entering cp /etc/kboot.conf /etc/kboot.conf.org
  2. Run the script to build a new kboot.conf by entering 
    chmod 700 buildkboot.sh [ENTER]
 ./buildkboot.sh [ENTER]

  3. Exit the terminal.
  4. Reboot the PS3, and you should be good to go.

Manual upgrade method


Now go through the manual process of upgrading the YDL kernel and kboot bootloader. Again, this instruction is intended for intermediate-to-advanced users with solid Linux command-line experience. This kernel upgrade is beta software, and it is not recommended in a production environment.

This method is broken into three subtasks: update, install, and activate.

Update
Update the YDL system. The following process should be done regularly in order to maintain the YDL system:

  1. Select YDL Menu > Applications > System Tools > Software Management > Software Updater.
  2. All updates should already be selected. If not, select all updates.
  3. Click Apply Updates.
  4. After all updates are installed, select Reboot Later from Software Updater.

Install
Install the new kernel. The kernel that supports Wi-Fi on the PS3 under YDL is currently in beta status, so it must be downloaded separately from regular updates.

  1. Select YDL Menu > Applications > Accessories > Gnome Terminal.
  2. At the command prompt run the following commands: 
    su - [ENTER]
wget ftp://ftp.yellowdoglinux.com/pub/yellowdog/betas/kernel/kernel-
2.6.23-9.ydl5.1.ppc64.rpm [ENTER]
rpm -ivh kernel-2.6.23-9.ydl5.1.ppc64.rpm [ENTER]

  3. Remain in the terminal as root for the Activate instructions.

Activate
To activate the new kernel, you must modify a file called kboot, which is located at /etc/kboot.conf. You can activate manually using a command-line editor (such as vi or nano), or you can use this script to build a new kboot.conf. This script is built based on existing installed kernels. Warning: Use this script with caution, because it does completely rewrite your kboot.conf.

  1. Make a backup copy of your current kboot.conf by entering cp /etc/kboot.conf /etc/kboot.conf.org
  2. Edit kboot.conf using your favorite editor. For example, you can use nano /etc/kboot.conf [ENTER]
  3. Exit the terminal.
  4. Reboot the PS3, and you're ready to go.

Activate the Wi-Fi on the PS3 under Linux

For the Wi-Fi on the PS3 in Linux, it takes a little bit of work to activate wireless networking to use eth0 (the Linux ID for the networking device). Unfortunately, the PS3 allows for either a wired or a wireless connection, but not both. This is because of Hypervisor limitations that all other operating systems (in this case Yellow Dog Linux) have to go through to get to the hardware.

To activate the Wi-Fi, do the following:

  1. Log into YDL as a user.
  2. Unplug the wired network cable.
  3. Open the Network configuration menu by clicking on the Yellow Dog logo (Menu Button) from the main shelf, and then select Applications > Applications > System Tools > System Config > Network.
  4. Enter the root password when prompted (for security purposes).
  5. Click on the Hardware tab.
  6. Select Sony PS3 Ethernet Dev.
  7. Click Delete.
  8. Confirm deletion by clicking Yes.
  9. Confirm again by clicking Yes.

Set up or change your wireless connection

To change your wireless settings, you should have already configured wireless using the following steps or have installed a version of YDL 5 that already supports wireless. To set up or change your wireless connection, do the following:

  1. Click on the Devices tab.
  2. Click Deactivate.
  3. Click New.
  4. Select Wireless Connection and click Forward.
  5. Select Sony PS3 Ethernet Device (eth0) and click Forward.
  6. Set the mode to Auto.
  7. Select Specified: for Network name: (SSID).
  8. In the box provided, enter the SSID of your access point. You can find this SSID in the management settings for your access point.
  9. Select the channel that your access point is using. You can find this in the management settings for your access point. Note: Only channels 1-11 are legal for use in the United States. Check local laws for other restrictions.
  10. Set the Transmit Rate to Auto.
  11. If your access point does not use encryption, make sure the box labeled Key is empty and skip to Step 15. If your access point does use encryption, continue with the next steps to see the available encryption options and the simple steps to enable encryption.
  12. To allow access to an access point that has encryption enabled (such as WEP or WPA), get the encryption key from the management settings of your access point.
    • A WEP 64-bit key looks like this: 4a 9f 1f 98 f3.
    • A WEP 128-bit key looks like this: 4b bc 8e 20 e7 1d 24 e4 7f 5d 88 d0 2e.
    • The user selects a WPA-PSK and WPA2, and they vary depending on model.
    At the time this article was published, WPA-PSK and WPA2 were not supported on the PS3, but it should have been in the works.
  13. For Key, enter 0x and your hex key.
    • For 64-bit, it looks like 0x4a9f1f98f3.
    • For 128-bit, it looks like 0x4bbc8e20e71d24e47f5d88d02e.
    • For 256-bit, it's as yet unknown.
  14. Click OK.
  15. Click Forward.
  16. If your network is using DHCP to hand out IP addresses or if you are unsure, select Automatically obtain IP address settings with DHCP.
  17. Click Forward > Forward > Apply > Activate > Yes > OK.
  18. Test that your connection is active.

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Switching between wired and wireless

Considering the Hypervisor limitations and the challenge of controlling which network connection is active, it is not easy to switch between wireless and wired connections. And it's impossible to have both online at the same time. This procedure is more technical than configuring wireless settings. It requires some technical knowledge of how Linux works and how to use the command line. If you are unsure of any steps, get help from an experienced Linux user. (Editor: Or you can explore the developerWorks Linux zone's articles and expert forums.)

To switch from the wireless to the wired connection, do the following:

  1. Open the Network configuration menu by clicking on the Yellow Dog logo (Menu Button) from the main shelf, and then select Applications > Applications > System Tools > System Config > Network.
  2. Delete Sony PS3 Ethernet Dev under the Hardware tab.
  3. Close the network configuration manager. Confirm with Yes and OK.
  4. Open a terminal window.
  5. Type su - [ENTER].
  6. Enter the root password when prompted.
  7. Enter rm /etc/sysconfig/network-scripts/ifcfg-eth0
  8. Enter rm /etc/sysconfig/networking/devices/ifcfg-eth0
  9. Restart networking by entering service network restart
  10. Enter killall dhclient
  11. Rebuild /etc/sysconfig/network-scripts/ifcfg-eth0 from scratch. If in doubt, enter nano /etc/sysconfig/network-scripts/ifcfg-eth0 to edit the file, and use these defaults: 
    DEVICE=eth0
BOOTPROTO=dhcp
ONBOOT=yes

  12. Press and hold the Ctrl key, then press the X key.
  13. Press the Y key to save changes to the file.
  14. Press the Enter key to confirm to save to that filename.
  15. Enter cp /etc/sysconfig/network-scripts/ifcfg-eth0 /etc/sysconfig/networking/devices/ifcfg-eth0
  16. Enter service network restart

Yellow Dog Linux should now be running on the wired network once again.

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Conclusion

This article described how to configure and encrypt the built-in Wi-Fi network that comes with the Cell Broadband Engine(TM)-based Sony PlayStation 3. It also described 16 quick steps for how to switch between wired and wireless networks on the PS3.


Resources

Learn

Get products and technologies

Discuss

  • Check out the Cell Broadband Engine Architecture forum to get your technical questions about the processor answered. Juicy problems and answers from the forums are rounded up periodically and highlighted in the "Forum watch" blog series.

  • Go to the Cell Broadband Engine/Power Architecture blog for news, downloads, instructional resources, and event notifications for Cell/B.E. and other Power Architecture-related technologies. You can find the popular "Forum watch" blog series (Q&A roundup), the "FixIt" technology updates, and the Infobomb quick-read technology introductions.

  • Check the Linux tech support forum, for help with IBM trial products for Linux on x86 systems. Your host, Ian Shields, a Senior Programmer on the developerWorks staff, will also help you find other resources.

About the author

Aaron Johnson is the IT Manager of Terra Soft Solutions where he manages internal systems for the engineers, performs quality assurance testing, end-user support, and does the occasional programming. Aaron lives in Fort Collins, Colorado with his wife, Nicole, and their pets. He enjoys hiking, rock climbing, and camping in the mountains of Colorado.

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Zone=Multicore acceleration, Linux
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ArticleTitle=Core partners, Part 4: Managing the PlayStation 3 Wi-Fi network
publish-date=06172008
author1-email=ajohnson@terrasoftsolutions.com
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