Hi all. So I've been thinking about all sorts of little embedded
Ethernet projects I want to do (someday when I am a better
programmer), and one thing keeps jumping out at me: adressing. Sure,
it's easy to configure a computer to access a network becuase it has a
screen and a keyboard. The devices I want to build are to be tiny and
won't have the space for all sorts of switches and an LCD (or the cost
come to think of it). So how to recognize these devices across the
network?

Here are a few ideas I've had:

1. Hardcode everything. Not such a great option IMO, especially if the
units are travelling between networks.

2. Have some sort of discovery program that runs as a PC application
and allows you to configure the devices. Not a bad idea, but I can't
program for PCs. Guess I'd have to find a partner. Also how to
identify the individual units if they are geographically spread out? I
guess manually writing down the MAC addresses would work but seems
cumbersome. Can't "flash the LEDs" if you can't see the remote
device...

3. Some sort of intelligent controller (ie PDA or custom built
solution) that connected up to each individual device and allowed
configuration. I like this idea, but I can't program for PDA.

This isn't pressing, I don't think I will be working on these projects
any time soon, but man those Xports are tempting. So what would you
do?

Josh
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