Most game consoles can be used on ResNet. However due to the lack of a web browser on these devices any game console using a wired Ethernet connection must be manually registered by a network administrator before the devices can access any Internet based game or service. A wired Ethernet adapter or equivalent is required to connect a game console or portable device to the Internet through ResNet.

Supported Consoles

The Student Help Desk can only provide very basic support for game consoles and devices. For support beyond basic troubleshooting you will need to contact the manufacturer of either the game console or the specific game you are having issues with.

The following game consoles and portable devices are known to work on ResNet:

• Microsoft XBOX
• Microsoft XBOX 360
• Sony Playstation 2
• Sony Playstation 3
• Nintendo Gamecube
• Nintendo Wii (No wireless – See the Wii section below!)

The following game consoles and portable devices are known NOT to work on ResNet:

• Sony Playstation Portable (PSP)
• Nintendo DS (See the DS section below!)

Registration of Game Consoles

Game console devices must be manually registered before they allowed to access any Internet based service. In order to register your game console you will need to provide the Student Help Desk with all of the following information:

• Console Type (XBox, PS2, etc)
• Ethernet MAC address of the console’s Ethernet network adapter
• Your name and NPCUID (the owner and operator of the device)
• Dorm building and room number
• Contact Phone Number

You can contact the Student Help Desk via phone at 845-257-3597 (x3597) or via email at helpdesk@newpaltz.edu. If you choose to email the Student Help Desk please use your campus email account when sending the email.

General Configuration

Once your console is registered by a network administrator you will need to configure your game console with the appropriate network settings. Please consult the documentation that came with your console or the manufacturers website for information on how to install any needed hardware components and configure the network settings of the network adapter.

Generally speaking all you should have to do is clear out any existing network settings and make sure you select the “Automatic” or “DHCP” options on the configuration screens dealing with IP address assignments.

If your console is complaining of MTU issues or other network related issues make sure you supplied the Student Help Desk with the correct MAC address and that you have cleared any existing network settings.

Game Console MAC Addresses

Every device that supports the Ethernet network standard has a unique identifier called a “MAC address”. In order for a network administrator to allow your game console to connect to Internet services they need to be supplied with this unique identifier.

MAC addresses consist of 12 characters which can be numbers or the letters A through F. MAC addresses are often broken up into pairs using colons. “01:23:45:67:89:AB” is an example of a MAC address. Every character is important when copying down a MAC address so double check it!

XBOX 360: Turn on your XBOX 360 without a disc in the system. In the “System” area of the XBOX 360 dashboard select “Network Settings”. Select “Edit Settings”. From “Advanced Settings” select “Advanced Settings”. On this screen you should see “Wired MAC Address” followed by the MAC address of the system.

XBOX: Turn on your XBOX without a disc in the system. Select “Settings” in the XBOX dashboard and then select “Network Settings”. The MAC address of the system is located on the bottom right-hand corner of the Network Settings screen. (It usually has “MAC=” in front of it.)

Playstation 2: Start your Playstation 2 with the “Network Adaptor Startup Disc”. Once the disc is loaded select “ISP Setup” and then agree to the license agreement that is presented. When prompted for a network type select “Local Area Network (LAN)”. Next select “Automatic Configuration”. At the “Connection Test” screen select “Advanced”. On the next screen you should see the MAC address of the system after “MAC address:”.

Gamecube: The MAC address should be printed on the outside of the network adapter. You may need to remove the network adapter from the Gamecube to see the label.

Nintendo Wii (with LAN adapter): From the Wii Channel screen select the “Wii” button then go into “Wii Settings”. On the second page find the option “Internet” then go under “Console Information”. This screen should have a line with “USB Ethernet Adapter MAC Address” or “LAN Adapter MAC Address” or similar. (Note: The wireless MAC address will not work. You must have a Wii LAN adapter. See the Nintendo Wii section below for more information.)

Nintendo DS

The Nintendo DS systems only supports wireless connections in a way that will not work on ResNet. In order to connect a Nintendo DS system to the Internet through ResNet you must have a PC running Windows XP or newer and use an accessory called the “Nintendo Wi-Fi USB Connector”. Unfortunately this accessory has been discontinued by Nintendo and may be difficult to find.

The Wi-FI USB Connector will plug into your computer and allow your Nintendo DS to connect to the Internet wirelessly through your computer. When you use this method you do not need to have your game device registered as it will use your computer instead of directly connecting. Once you have the connector software installed on the computer and your computer is signed into ResNet you should be able to play online games using the DS.

There are currently no plans for a wired network adapter for the Nintendo DS handheld system. Also due to the way Nintendo chose to implement wireless support on the DS it will most likely never be supported by SUNY New Paltz’s wireless network. You must purchase and use the “Nintendo Wi-Fi USB Connector” with a Windows computer to connect the DS system to the Internet.

Nintendo Wii

The Nintendo Wii only supports wireless connections out of the box which will not work on ResNet. Nintendo and many third party companies sell an accessory for Wii systems that allows them to use wired LAN connections. These accessories are usually referred to as “LAN Adapters” or “Wired Adapters” and have a USB connector on one end and a RJ45 connector on the other. This will allow you to connect your Wii system directly to ResNet without needing a computer to connect through.

Once you have purchased a LAN adapter for your Wii you will need to provide the Student Help Desk with the “Wired MAC Address” of the wired LAN adapter. The MAC address of the wireless interface will not work for this purpose.