User manual

PICDEM.net™ 2 DEVELOPMENT
BOARD USER’S GUIDE
 2011 Microchip Technology Inc. DS51623D-page 15
Chapter 2. Getting Started with the PICDEM.net 2
Development Board
2.1 HIGHLIGHTS
This chapter will cover the following topics:
• Network Precautions: Before You Start
• Using PICDEM.net 2 Development Board with a Test Network
• Connecting the PICDEM.net 2 Development Board
• Establishing Communications
2.2 NETWORK PRECAUTIONS: BEFORE YOU START
The PICDEM.net 2 Development Board, provided in your kit, is designed to demon-
strate the possibilities of networking with embedded Microchip controllers over
Ethernet and the Internet. As with any experimental system, however, some
precautions are in order before you start.
Whenever new hardware or software is added to a network, it is always advisable to
create a separate test network that is isolated from your LAN. This allows testing the
new system in a controlled environment and minimizes the possibilities of network
interference from the new equipment. The major sources of potential interference
include:
• Addressing – Each device on the network must have a unique address. If
Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) is in use, the PICDEM.net 2
Development Board will automatically acquire a valid IP address. If DHCP is not
used, or a fixed address is required, adding the board to the network without
assigning an address may create network conflicts.
• Traffic Levels – While the on-board Ethernet controller will filter out unwanted
messages, a highly loaded network with many broadcast messages may place a
sizable burden on the Development Board.
• Data Security – Although it is unlikely that the addition of a single device will
compromise the integrity or privacy of sensitive information, it is always a good
idea to perform extensive testing with new equipment before adding it to a
secure network.
• Experimentation – Even as a simple microcontroller-based device, the
Development Board is capable of generating a high volume of network traffic
which may severely disrupt normal network operations.