OK, first, this is more of a 'Is it possible?' than a 'How would I do this?' question.

I currently have a PC in my study running Linux and WinDoze. I also have a Playstation 2 in my Living Room. I've been thinking lately that it might be pretty cool to get the PS2 online. While considering this I found out that the PS2 hard drive runs a Linux distro. What I'm thinking is, that it would be great to share the internet connection, but also share the contents of my study PC which is mostly MP3s, so i could listen to them in the living room.

I don't know anything about the PS2 Linux or much about networks in general. What i need to know is this;

1. Is the connection for the PS2 (games) to go on line, the same as the Linux on the PS2 to go online?

2. Is it possible to share files with the PS2 in this way? I don't want to think of it as just another PC running Linux then find it work completely differently.

3. Is setting up a network like this something a four month old newbie could do relatively painlessly?

4. The study is two flights of stairs up from the living room, is there a maximum length an Ethernet (i'm assuming) cable has to be?

Thanks in advance for any help.

p.s I'm currently using a Speedtouch 330 which I don't mind loosing , so any recomendations on Routers/Modem-Routers and any other hardware that has been proven in this kind of configuration would be greatly appreciated.

Hmm, I've never even thought about networking my PS2. My XBOX was extremely easy to up and running with Linux, and on my network. It looks like you can do it, with some work.

http://www.linuxdevcenter.com/pub/a/...ps2_linux.html

do you have a link on how to do this with a XBOX?

You *can* run linux on playstation. Very easily. I'm not sure about networking though. I know under rhino linux that you do get networking.

10MB and 100MB Ethernet is limited to 100m, or about 320 feet, it's a little less for gigabit ethernet. This is the theoretical distance though, a good rule of thumb is 90 meters max and slightly less for each additional connection you add, such as wiring in jacks and patch cables to them, or one of those dreaded F-F ethernet extenders. Basically, your safe if you buy a single pre-made cable long enough to reach, making your own cable or using extender plugs will shorten the max distance and not a good idea for a networking novice.

To get the PS2 on your network it should be as easy as setting up your network so it has a DHCP server somewhere, mose of those internet sharing 'routers' have that, or if you use Linux as an Internet gateway then DHCP can be set up there as well. Sorry, I don't have a Playstation, so I'm not even sure whether it comes network ready or you have to buy some add on, but most of these devices will use a 10MB or 100MB ethernet connection using DHCP so the hardest part, especially for you, is getting a wire to it.