

The Ethernet Pro by SparkFun Electronics is a high-performance network interface card designed to provide fast and reliable Ethernet connectivity. It is ideal for professional and enterprise environments where efficient data transmission is critical. This component is particularly suited for applications requiring robust networking capabilities, such as IoT devices, industrial automation, and data logging systems.








The Ethernet Pro is built to deliver reliable performance in demanding environments. Below are its key technical specifications:
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | SparkFun Electronics |
| Ethernet Standard | IEEE 802.3 (10/100 Mbps Ethernet) |
| Operating Voltage | 3.3V |
| Input Voltage (VIN) | 5V |
| Current Consumption | ~180mA (typical) |
| Communication Protocol | SPI (Serial Peripheral Interface) |
| Controller Chip | WIZnet W5100 |
| Operating Temperature | -40°C to 85°C |
| Dimensions | 2.7" x 2.1" (68.6mm x 53.3mm) |
The Ethernet Pro features a standard pinout for easy integration with microcontrollers like the Arduino UNO. Below is the pin configuration:
| Pin | Name | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | GND | Ground connection |
| 2 | 3.3V | 3.3V power supply |
| 3 | VIN | 5V input voltage |
| 4 | SCK | SPI Clock signal |
| 5 | MISO | SPI Master-In-Slave-Out signal |
| 6 | MOSI | SPI Master-Out-Slave-In signal |
| 7 | CS | Chip Select for SPI communication |
| 8 | RESET | Resets the Ethernet Pro |
| 9 | INT | Interrupt pin for signaling events |
| 10 | RJ45 Connector | Ethernet port for connecting to a network |
The Ethernet Pro is straightforward to use and integrates seamlessly with microcontrollers like the Arduino UNO. Below are the steps to get started:
Below is an example of how to use the Ethernet Pro with an Arduino UNO to create a simple web server:
#include <SPI.h>
#include <Ethernet.h>
// MAC address and IP address for the Ethernet Pro
byte mac[] = { 0xDE, 0xAD, 0xBE, 0xEF, 0xFE, 0xED };
IPAddress ip(192, 168, 1, 177); // Set a static IP address
// Initialize the Ethernet server on port 80
EthernetServer server(80);
void setup() {
// Start the Ethernet connection
Ethernet.begin(mac, ip);
// Start the server
server.begin();
Serial.begin(9600);
Serial.println("Server is ready at IP: ");
Serial.println(Ethernet.localIP());
}
void loop() {
// Listen for incoming clients
EthernetClient client = server.available();
if (client) {
Serial.println("New client connected");
boolean currentLineIsBlank = true;
while (client.connected()) {
if (client.available()) {
char c = client.read();
Serial.write(c); // Print received data to Serial Monitor
// Respond to HTTP GET request
if (c == '\n' && currentLineIsBlank) {
client.println("HTTP/1.1 200 OK");
client.println("Content-Type: text/html");
client.println("Connection: close");
client.println();
client.println("<!DOCTYPE HTML>");
client.println("<html>");
client.println("<h1>Welcome to Ethernet Pro Web Server!</h1>");
client.println("</html>");
break;
}
if (c == '\n') {
currentLineIsBlank = true;
} else if (c != '\r') {
currentLineIsBlank = false;
}
}
}
// Give the client time to receive the data
delay(1);
client.stop();
Serial.println("Client disconnected");
}
}
No Ethernet Connection
Unable to Obtain IP Address
High Power Consumption
Intermittent Connectivity
Q: Can the Ethernet Pro be used with 3.3V microcontrollers?
A: Yes, the Ethernet Pro supports 3.3V operation. Ensure the SPI voltage levels are compatible.
Q: Does the Ethernet Pro support PoE (Power over Ethernet)?
A: No, the Ethernet Pro does not support PoE. Use an external power source.
Q: How many simultaneous connections can the Ethernet Pro handle?
A: The WIZnet W5100 chip supports up to 4 simultaneous socket connections.
Q: Can I use the Ethernet Pro with other microcontrollers besides Arduino?
A: Yes, as long as the microcontroller supports SPI communication, the Ethernet Pro can be used.