Cheap embedded ethernet/tcp-ip solutions

Hi all,

I want to create a project which is connected to the internet and which can handle simple mesages like 'on,[col],[row]' or 'off,[col],[row]. I don't want to have a computer connected to this project, I just want to connect the project to a hub/switch and it has to be ready to go (somewhat).

I've seen some projects which use embedded linux with ethernet cards... As I'm looking for a very simple and as cheap as possible solution, this is not the best solution.

As I'm a total newbie in this field, can you give me some suggestions?

Thanx in advance, Roxlu

Reply to
roxlu
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I actually think an embedded Linux box might be the cheapest, simplest option. Economies of scale mean things like NAS boxes and wireless routers which you can buy at your local computer shop and a million other places are often cheaper than more specialised products made of cheaper components.

A Linksys NSLU2 for example costs $80-$100 US. Compare that to the $159 for this AVR with Ethernet starter kit from here:

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The NSLU2 has >10x the processing power, 10x the networking speed, 1000x as much RAM, 64x as much storage (even without adding a hard drive), USB ports and comes in a nice case with a power supply. For half the price of the AVR system. That makes it >12.8 million times better value :)

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Tim

Reply to
Tim Auton

The most difficult part is to get an ethernet transformer. If it is a one-off circuit, you can consider taking a transformer from an ISA ethernet card. A Cirrus Logic CS8900 ethernet controller (which basically has an ISA interface) can be interfaced very easely to an 8 bit microcontroller. Software for a small tcp/ip stack (less than 1kb of RAM required) is also available for free from several websites.

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Reply to nico@nctdevpuntnl (punt=.)
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Reply to
Nico Coesel

You do NOT need an embedded Linux solution to make a simple solution. Check out the X-Port products here:

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- mkaras

Reply to
mkaras

Hi Nico,

Thanks for your reply! As I'm very new to this field, I'm wondering what that tcp/ip stack is.. is that an implementation of TCP/IP on which must be programmed on the microcontroller?

If so which ucontrollers are a wise choose for this? (I only need the internet connection, some output pins)

Thanks in advance

Reply to
roxlu

You might be interested in:

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John

Reply to
jrwalliker

you'll need some network hardware there's no way a 40Mhz microcontroller alone can keep up with even 10Mb/s ethernet signals.

google for "microcontroller"+"ip stack"

Bye. Jasen

Reply to
jasen

Yes, the 'tcp/ip stack' is the protocol implementation.

Renesas H8 or Texas Instruments MSP430 may be suitable. Be carefull to select devices with at least 2KB of RAM memory. An MSP149

Look here:

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Reply to nico@nctdevpuntnl (punt=.)
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Reply to
Nico Coesel

Hi All!

Thanks for all your replies! I've been looking at several solutions, though all are quite expensive (> 50$). I'm new to this field, but is a price around or higher than 50$ the cheapest solution?

Gr. Roxlu

Reply to
roxlu

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