MAC address source

TCP/IP Chip W5100
1

We are designing a new product (low volume <500 total production over 10 years) which will feature an Ethernet interface using a w5100 device.

I have a query regarding the source of the MAC address.

IEEE search shows that manufacturers code 00-08-DC is assigned to the following company (I assume this to be the same wiznet):

Wiznet
Wiznet
5F Simmtech bldg., 228-3,
Nonyhun, Kangnam
Seoul 135-830
KOREA, REPUBLIC OF

  1. Can I use this as the first 3 bytes of my MAC, and assign a unique value for the last 3 bytes (generated randomly)?

or

  1. Should I use a Microchip 25AA02E48 for the MAC address instead?
2

Hi, HughF.

  1. You cannot use MAC address 00-08-DC-XX-XX-XX, because WIZnet has ownership of the address.

  2. Microchip 25AA02E48 has MAC address??? I think the chip is EEPROM. So how do you use it instead of MAC address??
    Please tell me more detailed.

Best regards.

3

Hi everybody

[quote]2. Microchip 25AA02E48 has MAC address??? I think the chip is EEPROM. So how do you use it instead of MAC address??
[/quote]

Yes, Microchip 25AA02E48 has a MAC address wrote by Microchip in the location from FAh to FFh
The first 128 bytes is available to the user to be used as EEprom memory.

The uC can read the MAC from the Microchip and then program it to the W5100
For small production is the best choice in my opinion.

Regards
Beppe

4

Hi,
You can use the mac address of microchips 25AA02E48.
25AA02E48 have already unique EUI-48bit MAC address. You can use it.
Notice that the MAC address should be unique.

Thank you.