PS3 Connection - NAT Type

  • Thread starter Thread starter Alan_G
  • 4 comments
  • 10,514 views
Messages
688
Messages
Bugman_27
Last night I was trying to do some online races. Arvore and turnupdaheat both created lobbies at different times. Everyone else could get in, but the lobbies were invisible to me. When I received invitations and clicked to join, it failed, saying "The Selected Lobby Is Full". Some people have talked about connection isses, and in particular, the NAT type. I suspected that this maybe have been my problem. So I went about trying to set up the connection to achieve a NAT2 or NAT1.

Here's a brief background. Most of us have the PS3 connected to our ISP's modem. A NAT type 3 means some of the required ports are being restricted or that the modem's firewall is putting restrictions on network traffic between the PS3 and the internet.

To my knowledge, a NAT type 2 means there are no problems with network traffic between the internet/PS3 through the modem.

A NAT type 1 means the PS3 is "connected to the internet"; not necessarily physically - just architecturally (it may be plugged into the modem, but it won't be treated as so). This means that the PS3 is assigned an IP address just as the modem is assigned one (not one assigned by the modem to the PS3, like 192.168.x.x). This appears to be the ideal way to set up the PS3 connection.

How to try and achieve a NAT 2 type has been well documented:

http://www.pregamelobby.com/forum/sony-reviews-tips/5618-how-get-type-2-open-nat-your-ps3.html
http://www.psu.com/forums/showthread.php?t=74303
http://www.wiffy.ie/forums/gaming-p...rfect-online-guide-netopia-eircom-router.html

For Irish Eircom users (possibly GTP_Theewar, turnupdaheat, Shaggy_Alonso etc.:

There is a quick way to achieve a NAT type 1, for a wired connection. You can do this with the PS3 using PPPoE (Point to Point Protocol over Ethernet). In the same way your modem uses a username/password to connect to Eircom broadband, the PS3 can use the same username/password, and be assigned an IP address.

On the PS3 desktop, go to 'Network Settings' > 'Settings and Connection Status List'. Scroll down to the bottom and check the NAT type. If it's Type 1 or 2, you're okay. If it's NAT type 3, try the following:

- Go to 'Internet Connection Settings'
- Custom > Wired Connection > Auto-Detect > PPPoE
- For the username try Eircom@eircom.net
- For the password try Broadband1
- > DNS Setting: Automatic
- > MTU: Automatic
- > Proxy: Do no use
- > UPnP: Enable

When complete, test the connection. If the connection is successful, you should have a NAT type 1. If the connection is unsuccessful, try it a few more times with the same username/password. There were a couple of times that it didn't connect for me.

I'm not too familiar with ISPs from other countries, but in principle, if you use a username/password for your modem to connect to your ISP, this same method may work for your PS3 to achieve a NAT type 1. (Note: This is the username/password for your modem to connect to the ISP, not your PC connecting to the modem with the network name/encrypted key).
 
Last edited:
A NAT type 3 means some of the required ports are being restricted or that the modem's firewall is putting restrictions on network traffic between the PS3 and the internet.
If that's the problem than that's what you should fix. ;)

The easiest way to fix all connection issues (for every user, not just those of one ISP) is to either enable UPnP (on both PS3 and modem/router) or put the PS3 in the DMZ of your router/modem. Enabling UPnP means the PS3 will open up the ports in your router/modem when it needs them, but this will only work if your modem/router supports UPnP. Putting it in the DMZ means the PS3 is placed in front of the firewall instead of behind it, giving it unrestricted access.

The links you provided will work, but the solutions provided there will open up only some of the ports, which means you must repeat the steps in case a game uses different ports.

Your solution is basically bypassing the modem, which will yield the same result as sticking the PS3 in the DMZ. 👍 However, putting the PS3 in the DMZ will work for everybody. :)

And of course, if the problem is not on your side, but on the side of the people you are connecting with, you'll still get connection errors. ;)

BTW, what bothers me most is that all these connection issues used to be a strictly 'PC-thing', I really hate the fact that this is now also an issue on most consoles, with almost every game using a different set of ports. Whatever happened to 'put the power plug in and it works'?
 
Your solution is basically bypassing the modem, which will yield the same result as sticking the PS3 in the DMZ. 👍 However, putting the PS3 in the DMZ will work for everybody. :)

Yep, I know that. But you see, apart from Ireland, most countries actually have internet service providers with a high enough level of competence! Ireland is dominated by Eircom. They only use Netopia modems for home broadband, and my one along with any other's I know of don't have the capability to use a DMZ.

The reason I posted my ideas was because I know quite a few Irish people playing SCC, and they most likely use Eircom, in which case that username/password would have a good chance of working to bypass all of the port-opening etc.
 
Last edited:
But you see, apart from Ireland, most countries actually have internet service providers with a high enough level of competence!
Don't underestimate the incompetence of some of the Dutch cable or DSL providers. :p Luckily, mine is not one of them. ;)

What worries me most is that stuff that used to be pc-only problems are now brought to the consoles as well (e.g. games needing massive patching, network issues, etc.).
 
Back