Topic: Wifi question

[stealthboy]

So there has not been a lot of technical detail about this WiFi network.  Seriously, does anyone know if it will just use existing 802.11g or b and NOT need some software routing software?   I ask because I do not own any Windows machines at home, but run a wireless network.  I just want to know if it'll work with *standards* like DHCP to get an IP, and then just use normal TCP/IP to get out to a central Nintendo server...  

I heard things like "anyone with a PC (as in windows) and an internet connection" can use it, but why the restriction to a PC?  I sure hope this isn't some proprietary thing, or else I'll be quite upset.  I imagine software in the game cart (Mario Kart, Metroid Hunters) will have the networking stack to be able to use standard WiFi.

I guess they would have to if they want anyone with a DS to play at coffee shops, etc, where they have no control over the actual networking hardware.

Thoughts?  Anyone know anything more?  
 

[Rhoq]

Everything I have read on various sites over the last few months has indicated that the Nintendo Wi-Fi will be compatible with Windows and MacOS. Which is good, since I don't own a "WinTel" machine.

[stealthboy]

But again, why the constraint?  What if I only run Linux machines?  It's still a perfectly acceptable WiFi network.  The operating system of the host machine should have nothing to do with it.   Now, I actually have both Linux and Apple machines, but my main network routing machine is a Linux box.

I could understand perhaps an optional wireless router than you can buy, but I'm saying if you already have a wireless network at home, there shouldn't be anything else you need to do.  Just turn on your DS and its WiFi should grab an IP address from your DHCP server, like any normal machine would do on a new network.

[TMW]

I was under the impression that any wifi hotspot will do.

As far as I know, you should be fine.  I think they just used the "PC and a net connection" to show the layman how easy it would be to connect.  

Really, I think all you need is a broadband connection. No proprietary software required.  

[stealthboy]

Makes sense, and that's what I figured.  Perhaps they would sell some simple wireless router for people that don't have an existing wireless, and that may be what requires the PC, blaa, blaa....

[KnowsNothing]

Nintendo's selling a USB adapter that will connect to Nintendo Wi-Fi connnection for those who do not have a wireless router.  It'll basically be like a router that only works with your DS (and Revolution).

So if you have probalems with your setup now, which you won't, there's always that.

[jasonditz]

There's no way the standard setup is going to require a Windows PC. That's just not Nintendo's style.

[KDR_11k]

Yes but does it run on Linux?

[Flames_of_chaos]

In one part,I don't think it will run on Linux since Nintendo will probably assume every or most gamers use a PC or a Mac. Maybe with that test survey Nintendo detected acouple of Linux users so they should be included as well. But on the other hand, I think it should run on all 3 OS platforms since its just a internet connection.  NOA or which ever branch of nintendo better provide more solid details soon.

[Myxtika1 Azn]

I do not think that the test application checks to see if therev are any Linux users out there simply for the fact that it was not compiled to run on Linux.  Maybe it'll work with wine or CrossOver or something like that.

I think the USB thingamajig work on Linux.  It might be hard as hell, and you might have to recompile your kernel, but it might work.

[stealthboy]

Ok, you obviously don't use Linux.  The USB driver would have to be released as source, then compiled to run in a completely different OS.  It's not easy.  Certianly not just "recompiling the kernel".

Anyways, I asked originally because the PC or whatever computer it is connecting to the 'net should not even be an issue.  I just don't see why it matters what OS is running, as long as you have a WiFi connection to the internet.  There's no reason to limit it to PC-only, because all you need is a standard WiFi connection.  If that happens to be through a PC, Mac, Linux box, whatever.. it shouldn't matter.  You may not even have a computer!  It might just be a wireless router plugged right into a DSL modem or cable modem, but that is a perfectly servicable internet connection.

Please don't respond on this thread unless you understand networking.  Let's try to keep the chaff to a minimum.  Thanks!

[mantidor]

question, kind of offtopic but maybe not, how the psp wifi works? supposedly some of the US launch games were online, am I wrong?

[Myxtika1 Azn]

stealthboy: I've used Linux before.  I don't claim to be a Linux guru, or a geek, but I was able to use it to do what I needed to do.

I mentioned the part about recompiling to kernel because it might have to be done to be able to use the USB ports.  Perhaps it does not have to be done with the new distros nowadays, but back then, that's what I had to do.  I never said that it was going to be easy, thank you very much.  Besides, if the source code is released, then I can only see it getting easier, not harder.

[KDR_11k]

mantidor: It can do that already, the USB thingy is just for people who don't have any WiFi equipment otherwise.

[norebonomis]

wasn't it revealed that the only thing you need a pc for is for editing your friends list and such on the nintendo website?

this fact seems to me to indicate you don't NEED a pc, but you do need a wireless connection to the net.