(TOKYO) -- Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. plans to release for sale in June a Linux kit, "SCPH-10270 K" (beta version), for the PlayStation2.

This kit will feature an external hard disk drive unit with a 100Base-TX fast Ethernet interface, Linux (beta version) install disc (DVD-ROM), a VGA adapter to generate the PS2 video signal for the computer display screen, a USB keyboard, a USB mouse and other items.

The kit will enable the users to startup Linux OS on the PS2 or enjoy Linux applications with the PS2 being connected to the network. An XGA (1,024 x 768) computer monitor will be required for display as a normal TV set cannot be used for display. The HDD unit is a PC card slot type and, therefore, it will not fit models with an expansion bay, including the latest PS2 (SCPH-3000) released on April 18.

The standard price will be 25,000 yen. The company is planning to sell the kit on the Net and expects to ship 1,000 units initially. Details will be announced on the site of PlayStation.com (Japan) Inc. .

SCEI says that it will sell the kit in response to the Linux community's request, and aims to support its activities. On the Internet, there is a signature-collecting campaign asking to make PS2 Linux OS open to the public. It appears there already are 4,500 collected signatures on a Japanese site and 1,500 on an English site .