Like many PS3 users, I’ve been frustrated by horribly slow PS3 downloads since I purchased the console (firmware and game updates included). I’ve tried setting a local IP and using DNS servers other than my ISP’s. I also tried turning off the option to search for media servers. None of that seemed to make a difference. I’ve made two changes recently that appear to have improved download speeds. Unfortunately, I implemented them without properly testing them individually so I don’t know if only one change or both is what made the difference.
The first change I made was to implement one of the standard suggestions found in forums, which is to setup a local proxy server and have the PS3 connect through it. Since I use a Mac I downloaded SquidMan (a Squid GUI), which will also download and install Squid itself (the proxy server software). I did have only the proxy setup at first and it didn’t seem faster but that wasn’t for very long so I can’t state that it didn’t help – perhaps it took a little while for the PS3 connection to really get moving through the proxy. When I configured the proxy server I set it up to only accept connections from a local IP address assigned to the PS3.
The second change I made, when setting up the PS3 again after installing a working hard drive, was to turn off the option to enable UPnP (only in the PS3 network settings, not in my router). Perhaps the PS3 detects UPnP as working in situations where it really isn’t and thus the connection is slower than expected?
Again, I don’t know which option (or if was a combination of the two) made the difference but downloads have been significantly faster. It’s worth noting that this seems to have been the solution to my problem, but each network configuration is different so you may or may not benefit from these changes. Please feel free to leave a comment to let me know if it does work for you.
Updated 06/28/2011: I had a request via comment to include more information about the setup of SquidMan. I’m not planning to add a complete guide or screenshots but I am including a few notes that may be critical in setting this up.
I left out one critical piece of information, most likely because it’s how my gear has been configured for a long time. Your Mac will need to use a static IP address configured for the active interface. For example, if it’s connected via ethernet then the port will need to have an appropriate IP setup. By appropriate I mean one that’s in the local subnet and isn’t in use elsewhere.
For example, if your router is configured with 192.168.1.1 then you could assign 192.168.1.2 to the Mac. For a home network the subnet mask will usually be 255.255.255.0.
It may be a good idea to also assign a static IP to the PS3. Continuing the example, it could be assigned 192.168.1.3. You can usually use higher numbers that might be easier to remember. Most residential routers I’ve had won’t use IP addresses below 100 (and sometimes 200) for DHCP assignments so manually assigning an IP address above 1 and below 100 is often safe (again, this depends on your network and additional gear).
If you don’t assign a static IP to the Mac but enter it’s DHCP address into the PS3 proxy settings, then it will quit working the next time the Mac receives a new DHCP address.
My setup of SquidMan isn’t very customized. I went through the standard installation and allowed it to automatically install Squid. I’ve set SquidMan to automatically start Squid on launch, it uses HTTP Port 8080 (which may have been the default), and under the Clients tab it’s configured to only provide proxy services for the PS3’s IP address.
Sony | PS3 Internet Connection Settings (advanced settings)
Updated 07/12/2011: I had another request via comment. This time I was asked if I could recommend Windows software that would do the same. I couldn’t find a Windows GUI for Squid but I did find a couple of resources that might be useful for someone needing a basic a proxy server in Windows. I haven’t had a need to run a proxy under Windows (at least not since the days when Windows 98 was still new) so I’m not familiar with any of the current options. I’ve listed two resources that may be useful, but I haven’t tried either so I really don’t know how well they’ll work.
Updated 08/18/2011: I rarely even turn the PS3 on so I decided to remove the proxy server software and not setup another one.
Press Any Key 
Can you please give a more detailed explanation of the setup for squidman and the appropriate settings on the ps3?
Thanks!!!
Sorry for the delay, I don’t really have the chance to interact with the blog during the day. I’ll add a few notes to the post that may help but I don’t plan to include a step-by-step guide with screenshots at this time.
I figured out a different issue. I have an AT&T Microcell, which AT&T recommends you put between your modem and your router. This results in super-slow PSN downloads. I just never realized it because I got the Microcell in my new apt the same day as I had internet installed.
By switching this and putting the Microcell “behind” the router (ie setup is cable modem -> router -> devices including PS3 and Microcell) my PSN downloads are wayyyyyy faster. This worked without running the local proxy.
Hope this helps someone!
Thanks for posting your solution and comments here.
Could you please recommend me an equivalent software for Windows?
I added some additional information to the end of the post that you may find useful, depending on what you need. Unfortunately, this is the first time I’ve had to setup a proxy recently and it was only on my Mac so I don’t know much about the available software options.
I just disabled upnp and it fixed it. Thnx.
You were right to disable UPnP. As you are using an Airport router, UPnP is nonexistent and enabling it (as you guessed) likely causes the PS3 to undergo unnecessary port checks. The reason UPnP is useless with an Airport Extreme/Express is because Airport products use a different service called NAT Port Mapping Protocol (available to be ticked and unticked with some navigation in Airport Utility), that does the job better. Essentially, this is a dynamic service that allows ports to be opened and closed upon request from the application. UPnP is a slightly more dated and unrefined version of this. Simply put, if you are using an airport router, do not enable UPnP.