--------------------------------------------------------------------------- | PlayStation2: iLink setup FAQ (Hardware) | | Version 0.1 (07.14.01) | --------------------------------------------------------------------------- General FAQ Information Last Update : 07.14.01 Author : Alex Lee (metathran7) e-mail : metathran7@netzero.com This document Copyright 2001 Alexander Lee. The author of this FAQ strictly limits the public display of this document to the website "www.gamefaqs.com". Any other use of this document violates the copyright granted to the author. In particular any other use of this document with commercial intent is stricly prohibited. "iLink" is a trademark of Sony Corporation. "Firewire" is a trademark of Apple Corporation. "PS2" and "PlayStation 2" are trademarks of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. Various game names and/or other brand names mentioned in this document are copyrighted and/or trademarked by their respective developers and/or licensors, even if not explicitly mentioned here. ========================================================================== CONTENTS ========================================================================== 1 - Introduction 2 - What is iLink? What does it have to do with PS2? 3 - Setting up iLink; What do I need? 4 - Where can I get all this? 5 - Final Thoughts ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1 - Introduction ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Recently, a large number of posts on the PlayStation 2 message board at GameFAQs indicated that the section in the PlayStation 2's manual discussing the use and setup of iLink networks contains insufficient information and direction for many PlayStation 2 owners. In response to this recent surge of questions regarding iLink setup, I decided to write this very simple and basic FAQ with some information about iLink and all the peripherals needed to setup PS2 consoles in various configurations. I hope this will clear up any questions PS2 owners may have about iLink setup, and reduce the necessity for frequent posts about iLink on the boards. ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2 - What is iLink? What does it have to do with PS2? ------------------------------------------------------------------------- iLink is a trademark of the Sony Corporation. It refers to the standard defined by The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) as IEEE-1394. You may also know this standard as FireWire, which is a trademark of Apple Corporation. IEEE-1394 is one of the fastest methods of external data transfer today, capable of 400 Mbps. I will refer to the IEEE-1394 standard as "1394" or "iLink" in this document. On the PS2, the iLink port is labeled by the "S400" and the arrow. (It's next to the USB ports on the front of the console.) As you can tell by looking in the port, this is a 4-pin 1394 port. Currently the iLink is solely for the setup of a multiplayer network involving multiple PS2 consoles. In other words, you can connect one console (with TV and everything else one player alone would need to play a certain game) to other PS2 systems (each with everything one player alone would need to play that game) and play with or against other plyers. It can be used for games such as Armored Core 2, Unreal Tournament, Gran Turismo 3, and a few others not listed. Neither SCEA nor Sony makes first-party iLink peripherals for PS2. ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3 - Setting up iLink; What do I need? ------------------------------------------------------------------------- The first thing you need to decide is how you plan to use the iLink. There are two possible setups: ** SETUP 1: No hub, (only works for two PS2s): This is the simplest setup. It requires a 4-pin to 4-pin 1394 cable. ~$8-14 for short lengths. Simply plug one end of the cable into the iLink port on one PS2, and the other end of the cable into the iLink port on the other PS2, and you are ready to go. ------------------------------------------------------------------------- ** SETUP 2: Hub, up to 6 PS2s: (required for networking 3 or more PS2s) This setup is required for THREE OR MORE PS2s - however, it can also be used to connect two PS2s. You will need one 1394 HUB with at least as many ports as the PS2s you are going to network. Generally firewire hubs come with 3, 4, or 6 ports. Prices range from $30 to $100, though a good 6-port hub can usually be found for $60-80. There is one problem: there is no such thing as a 4-pin 1394 hub. There are only 6-pin 1394 hubs in existence. Therefore, to hook up your PlayStation 2 to a 1394 hub, you will need a 4-pin to 6-pin 1394 cable. These are approximately the same price as the 4-pin to 4-pin cables, with a tendency to be higher in price. You will need one 4-pin to 6-pin 1394 cable for each PS2 you plan to hookup. Once you have all this, it's simple. Just plug the 4-pin end of the 1394 cable into each PS2, plug the 6-pin end into the hub, and you will be ready to go. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ This is why I mention that you can use a hub to connect just two PS2s. If you have the HUB and a at least two 4-pin to 6-pin 1394 cables already, you don't have to buy the 4-pin to 4-pin 1394 cable required in SETUP 1 above; you can just use SETUP 2 for two consoles and save yourself a few bucks. I have tested the hub-and-two-PS2s with GT3; it works fine. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ 4 - Where can I get all this? ------------------------------------------------------------------------ I'm not going to endorse any particular shops or websites here, but suffice to say you can walk into any computer store and ask for IEEE-1394 or Firewire cables / hubs and the people there will be able to help you. (However, do make sure to specify the TYPE of cable you need - 4-pin to 6-pin or whatever.) Prices do vary significantly from brand to brand and store to store, and many stores only carry certain cable lengths or brands, so do shop around and make sure you don't get ripped. As I posted above, short length cables should cost you no more than $12-15, hubs no more than $80 (for 6-port hub) and you CAN find them for less. If you're really stuck you can always drop me an e-mail. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ 5 - Final Thoughts ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Well, just throwing out this FAQ in the hopes that it can help some people and reduce the clutter on the PlayStation 2 boards about this topic. I might add a troubleshooting guide, but honestly, what is there to have problems with? :p However, if people have ANY compatability issues with certain brands of cables (highly unlikely) or hubs (possible) please let me know right away so I can create a new section. We have to give mad props to Sony for adhering to an industry standard (cheaper for us), but at the same time, all this 4-pin to 6-pin stuff and potential compatability issues... it makes me wonder, do I really mind paying extra for stuff that is guaranteed to work? Oh well, that discussion is not what this FAQ is for. Any questions/comments please e-mail me at metathran7@netzero.com. I also frequent the PlayStation2 board at GameFAQs, but I ask that you e-mail me questions directed at me as opposed to making an annoying post on the board screaming my name. (E-mail's faster anyway.) ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Version History ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Version 0.1 - 07.14.01 -- FAQ started.