# The Spark Gap - Episode 12

- Show: [The Spark Gap](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-spark-gap)
- Published: 2014-09-02
- Length: 36m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-spark-gap/2014-09-02-the-spark-gap-episode-12
- Listen: https://thesparkgap.net/the-spark-gap-episode-12

## Summary

Hosts Carl and Corey discuss the hardware and firmware requirements for adding Ethernet connectivity to embedded systems. They cover component selection, including RJ45 connectors with integrated magnetics versus separate PHY chips, and explain the MII and RMII interfaces used to connect the PHY to a microcontroller with an embedded MAC. The conversation also explores firmware stacks like LWIP and uIP, application-layer protocols such as HTTP and BSD sockets, and the benefits of Power over Ethernet (PoE) for distributed networks.

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-spark-gap/2014-09-02-the-spark-gap-episode-12#t=0) Introduction and Connector Selection
- [1:27](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-spark-gap/2014-09-02-the-spark-gap-episode-12#t=87) Magnetics and the Raspberry Pi Manufacturing Issue
- [6:22](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-spark-gap/2014-09-02-the-spark-gap-episode-12#t=382) PHY Selection and MII/RMII Interfaces
- [12:34](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-spark-gap/2014-09-02-the-spark-gap-episode-12#t=754) Ethernet Stacks and Firmware Implementation
- [16:07](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-spark-gap/2014-09-02-the-spark-gap-episode-12#t=967) Application Layer: Sockets vs HTTP Servers
- [27:18](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-spark-gap/2014-09-02-the-spark-gap-episode-12#t=1638) Power over Ethernet (PoE) and Network Topology
- [33:03](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-spark-gap/2014-09-02-the-spark-gap-episode-12#t=1983) TCP Reliability and Conclusion

## Topics

- [PCB design & layout](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/pcb-design)
- [Embedded firmware](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/embedded-firmware)
- [Microcontrollers & dev platforms](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/microcontrollers-and-platforms)
- [Connected products & IoT](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/connected-products-and-iot)

## Most relevant to

makers and hobbyists

## Mentioned

- RJ45 (other)
- Raspberry Pi (product)
- MII (other)
- RMII (other)
- LWIP (other)
- uIP (other)
- Contiki (other)
- BSD sockets (other)
- HTTP (other)
- Curl (other)
- PoE (other)
- DHCP (other)
- TCP (other)
- UDP (other)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [177: Boba Fett Fell Down](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2016-11-22-177-boba-fett-fell-down) (Embedded.fm)
- [167: All Aliens Are Shiny](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2016-09-07-167-all-aliens-are-shiny) (Embedded.fm)
- [362: Permutations of Underscores](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2021-02-18-362-permutations-of-underscores) (Embedded.fm)
- [464: Please Make This Monster Look Scary](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2023-11-16-464-please-make-this-monster-look-scary) (Embedded.fm)
- [The Endless Y2K](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2017-10-23-the-endless-y2k) (The Amp Hour)

## Citing this page

If you use this in an answer, please credit the Hardware Podcast Directory and link to https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-spark-gap/2014-09-02-the-spark-gap-episode-12. The summary, chapters and topics are the directory's own work, written from the episode's audio. The episode itself, its title and its audio belong to The Spark Gap.