Adding TCP/IP Ethernet to PIC - how?

[gtvmarty]

Thanx for suggestions everyone.

I can grab the ENC28J60 locally, but i'm also interested in the "Connect One" modules too....awaiting order to be processed....

As much as i've read thru tcp/ip stack docs, and several webpages etc, it's still not clear (to me anyway, and i've sat thru Cisco CCNA 1+2) about HOW i get these ethernet modules to work.

Can somebody give me some BASIC pointers or links to 'HOW TO' sites....
A simple checklist of things that need to be done would be VERY handy.

Even the data sheets from various vendors state things like
"by implementing the use of....."
"by simply adding...."
"with the simple addition of......"
but these statements dont ANSWER anything.....
they tell me WHAT needs to be done, but now HOW it's done......

So far, all i seem to find in many forums and sites are comments like "i used this, i used that, i added this, and implementd that" which is really NO HELP to me at all when i actually wanted to know HOW they achieved a working unit.

For starters:

Is the ethernet device pre-programmed ready to use?

what do i do with the microchip tcp/ip stack?
Does it program into the ethernet device? into my code? called from my code using the include statement or something else?

It seems many ethernet modules claim "a simple way to connect any mcu onto the internet" and yet i'm finding it to be the most complex task to achive, what am i missing?

For the people out there who have bought these modules, and already tinkered with them for testing, PLEASE share HOW & WHAT you did to get things up'n'running......

I hope someday i'll look back on this and laugh, I know a challenge is good, but frustratiion isn't welcome....

Sorry if i'm ranting & raving, but sheesh, it shouldn't be this hard????

Thanx in advance,
Marty.

[dhouston]

With the ConnectOne modules (and the ENC28J60) you do not need the Microchip stack. You connect using either serial (RS232 TTL) or SPI.

Read the ConnectOne AT+i Programmer's Manual. Basically, you communicate with the nano LanReach using AT commands in the same manner as with a modem using the serial interface. It's very simple.

With the ENC28J60, you are working at a lower level and it is far more complicated.

Stick with ConnectOne.

[gtvmarty]

Thanx for that,

That's just another plus to choose the "Connect One" then ;-)

There were some issues with Mouser being restricted to Export Connect One devices to Australia, although now i'm informed by Connect One the restriction will be lifted in a few days, and i should contact Mouser again to place orders.....

In my initial research i thought ALL ethernet modules were simply controlled with serial/spi commands, but after digging deeper i started finding that wasn't always the case, and some modules required lower level information etc.....something i DIDN'T want to embark on......

Thanx again.

With the ConnectOne modules (and the ENC28J60) you do not need the Microchip stack. You connect using either serial (RS232 TTL) or SPI.

Read the ConnectOne AT+i Programmer's Manual. Basically, you communicate with the nano LanReach using AT commands in the same manner as with a modem using the serial interface. It's very simple.

With the ENC28J60, you are working at a lower level and it is far more complicated.

Stick with ConnectOne.

[Normnet]

I am looking to save a few lines of data logging text from a PIC to a text file on a PC network.

Are any of the previously mentioned devices capable of this or is a
Delphi/VB program required to receive the data and then save the text lines?

Norm

[dhouston]

I am looking to save a few lines of data logging text from a PIC to a text file on a PC network.

Are any of the previously mentioned devices capable of this or is a
Delphi/VB program required to receive the data and then save the text lines?

I am not aware of any that can do what you want. You might, however, find a terminal program that can automatically log what it receives. Since I write my own interfaces (using Purebasic) I've never had occasion to search for anything like this. If you pick a module that has a virtual serial port on the PC side (e.g. XPort, NET232) you might be able to use something like http://www.eltima.com/products/rs232-data-logger/ to log the activity.

IIRC, Hyperterminal allows you to manually save what it has received to a text file.

[Dave]

gtvmarty, Why not just use PicBasic Terminal? It will allow you to save data to a file and I beleive it comes with MCS. I personally use TeraTerm Pro. It will allow you to run multiple occurances and also to use TCP connections for interanet communications. They are both FREE...

Dave Purola,
N8NTA

[dhouston]

@Normnet
Hyperterminal will log automatically but with two gotchas. It does not timestamp entries and you have to stop logging in order to view the log file.

Google on ethernet serial software and you'll find a lot of freeware that allows you to communicate over ethernet as if it were RS232. That plus the WIZ110SR ($25) on the PIC end plus a terminal/logger app that timestamps entries would be an inexpensive solution.

[gtvmarty]

gtvmarty, Why not just use PicBasic Terminal? It will allow you to save data to a file and I beleive it comes with MCS. I personally use TeraTerm Pro. It will allow you to run multiple occurances and also to use TCP connections for interanet communications. They are both FREE...
Dave Purola,
N8NTA

Dave, You're referring to NORMNET's question (not mine), as the recent few responses have HIJACKED my initial thread.

NORMNET:
PLEASE go and post your question in a NEW thread, the hijacking of my thread has now strayed away from my original question.....please RESPECT this...

THIS thread is about WHICH ethernet adaptor to use and HOW.....nothing more !

Marty.

[dhouston]

There were some issues with Mouser being restricted to Export Connect One devices to Australia, although now i'm informed by Connect One the restriction will be lifted in a few days, and i should contact Mouser again to place orders.....

ConnectOne has been saying that for a few months now so I would not give it a lot of credence. Check the Where To Buy link on the ConnectOne website - they list a number of distributors around the world so you can probably find another source. Mouser is being overly aggressive in (mis)interpreting post-9/11 rules on technology exports.

[gtvmarty]

I first tried Mouser China, as they're the contact point for Australasia, they said "No go".
Then i moved onto Mouser USA, "No Go",
Then Connect One said it won't be a problem, so now i wait.....

Any of you guys in USA wanna buy+onsell me some Connect One devices? go ahead !!!!

Marty.

[l_gaminde]

Thanx for suggestions everyone.

I can grab the ENC28J60 locally, but i'm also interested in the "Connect One" modules too....awaiting order to be processed....

As much as i've read thru tcp/ip stack docs, and several webpages etc, it's still not clear (to me anyway, and i've sat thru Cisco CCNA 1+2) about HOW i get these ethernet modules to work.

Can somebody give me some BASIC pointers or links to 'HOW TO' sites....
A simple checklist of things that need to be done would be VERY handy.

Even the data sheets from various vendors state things like
"by implementing the use of....."
"by simply adding...."
"with the simple addition of......"
but these statements dont ANSWER anything.....
they tell me WHAT needs to be done, but now HOW it's done......

So far, all i seem to find in many forums and sites are comments like "i used this, i used that, i added this, and implementd that" which is really NO HELP to me at all when i actually wanted to know HOW they achieved a working unit.

For starters:

Is the ethernet device pre-programmed ready to use?

what do i do with the microchip tcp/ip stack?
Does it program into the ethernet device? into my code? called from my code using the include statement or something else?

It seems many ethernet modules claim "a simple way to connect any mcu onto the internet" and yet i'm finding it to be the most complex task to achive, what am i missing?

For the people out there who have bought these modules, and already tinkered with them for testing, PLEASE share HOW & WHAT you did to get things up'n'running......

I hope someday i'll look back on this and laugh, I know a challenge is good, but frustratiion isn't welcome....

Sorry if i'm ranting & raving, but sheesh, it shouldn't be this hard????

Thanx in advance,
Marty.

I have only used one device it was connect1s iChip
it works like a modem giving it ati commands and there are hundreds of commands no stack no nothing!! download there manual and read it, ITs a 3.3 volt device so adapter needed, or run your project on 3.3 volts or you have 10 extra wires.