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Dynamic Network Authorization (DNA)

The Dynamic Network Authentication System, or DNAS, is a proprietary system of Sony that was created for its Playstation games platform. The protocol has two purposes. One is to enable users to log in to online games; the second is to prevent software piracy. Sony launched DNAS in December 2001 for the Playstation 2 console. It also operates on later versions of the console.

Online Gaming
- The Sony Playstation 2 is able to connect to websites over the Internet, enabling the gamer to access online games. The games appear as though they are running on the local console when in fact they run on the remote server. This enables gamers from around the world to play head to head in multi-player games. The games console has to have a network adapter. Some models have these as standards, while others need to have them added. Another hardware requirement for online gaming with a Playstation is a memory card. The online systems require a memory card because this is where authentication data is stored.
Online Access
- The Dynamic Network Authorization System links its access permits to the MAC Address of the Playstation. The MAC address is hard coded onto the network adapter. This means that a player can only sign in to online game sites from one console. The network settings written onto the memory card also play a role in user validation. This is why access to the games is not possible without a memory card. DNAS is not a personal authentication protocol. It only identifies the Playstation by retrieving network settings from the memory card over the Internet, although sites may add optional personal user account authentication on top of the DNAS system.
Purpose
- DNAS helps Sony protect the copyright of its games. It prevents copying and also logs activity on a console. Its principal aim is not to grant access, but to prevent it via account blocking techniques. These blocks are applied if DNAS detects that the console has been altered in some way from the official factory settings. The DNAS scans the console to check whether any cheat devices are connected to the console.
Copyright Protection
- DNAS is not only used for remote access to online systems. It is also used to protect games bought on a DVD. The system logs the details of the console on which a game is first installed to prevent illegal copying of DVDs. The protocol is designed to protect intellectual property rather than to protect any user accounts.

PlayStation