Ethernet LAN Data Transmission Tester

embedded processor host interfaces

Hi, good greetings to everyone. I was required to design an Thernet LAN Data Transmission Tester (Ethernet Monitoring System) to test the quality of digital signal transmission and the condition of communication channels of a simple Ethernet LAN using a switch. It should be able to show the result of transmission bit rate, bit error rate and line traffic on an LCD. a PIC is going to control the whole system. Do I need to use any network controller chip like RTL8019AS or CS8900 to interface the PIC with the LAN. If yes, can suggest any specific network controller chip and PIC model is more suitable? I've read about those solutions by getting help from SitePlayer, PICNIC webserver or similar embedded Ethernet system. But I'm seeking for a cheaper and simpler alternative. Any idea of getting this design done will be much appreciated. Thank u.

ethernet tester+datasheet

For testing 10Mbit ethernet you need controller and ethernet NIC chip, hardware is ok like "PICNIC webserver", but in this solution you do not have serious tester only slow and very limited probe .....
One of simplest solution for 10Mbit is using Ubicom IP2022 ( or other IP2K family) chip, it is fast 120MHz (MIPS) (160MHz), simple ( for ethernet need only magnetics and connector) and low cost.
For 100Mbit ethernet, better look any 32 Bit CPU with internal ethernet MAC, like ARM cpus, for example look "Digi Connect ME™":
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I am also looking "Digi Connect ME™" for multichannel (8-16) fast ethernet tester.

ethernet data tester

Firstly, thank u Dainis, for ur opinion. Oh, actually I'm talking bout Fast Ethernet too. I'm still new to networking. The "magnetics" u mentioned, do u mean something like 100Base-T Isolation Transformer module chip that would be placed between the network controller chip and the RJ45 connector (I referred to some online projects)? What's the purpose? Can't the signal be transmitted between them without the transformer module? CAT5 UTP cable has 8 wires but only 4 wires are being used in Fast Ethernet. 2 wires transmit (TX+ & TX-)and 2 receive(RX+ & RX-), right? But what do + & - mean? Are they transmit or receive parallely?

asix ax88796 usd

If I were to unsolder any network controller chip from an unused Network Interface Card, will it work? The network chip will communicate to the Ethernet by being connected to one of the ports of the switch. The PIC will give instruction to the network chip to send & receive data packets, then do some data interpreting, eventually display the results(bit transfer rate, line traffic, error rate, etc) thru an LCD. ok? or am I lack of something?

ethernet lan transmission

Forgot using Fast Ethernet chips from old network cards with PIC cpu, because it all requeres DMA interface, and PCI bus.
I only remember two Fast ethernet chips, that is usable for embedded applications without PCI bus:
1)AX88796 L 10/100BASE 3-in-1 Local CPU Bus Fast Ethernet Controller
with Embedded SRAM
http://www.asix.com.tw/emb-non_ax88796.htm
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2) SMSC91C111
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and new:
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But lower cost and more powerful is using any 32Bit CPU with embedded Fast Ethernet MAC, like
Samsung S3C4510, S3C4510 (10 - 15$ USD chip)
Atmel AT91RM9200 (15 - 20$ USD chip)

Or evolution board like
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ARM - Samsung S3C4510B EVB
10/100M Ethernet, USB, 2x RS232, LCD, PS2, Boot Code, ucLinux ...
Price US $150(including shipping charges)

Thank u, Dainis. But the 32bit CPUs seem a bit too much powerful, advenced and complicated for me. I need only the 10/100M Ethernet function. The AX88796 states that it supports MCS-51 series, 80186 series, MC68K series CPU and ISA bus. Meanwhile, the LAN91C111 supports Multiple Embedded Processor Host Interfaces: ARM, SH, Power PC, Coldfire, 680X0, 683XX, MIPS R3000. Do they support solely PIC interface like 16FXX? Does MC68K include MC68HC11? I feel that the new LAN9118 has fulfilled most of the requirement yet it is not that complicated. I'm keen to look into its full detail datasheet but I can only find its "Data Brief". Anyone can suggest me where to get the full datasheet of it, plz??

With PIC16 and other slow and limited resource (RAM) CPU you can make only "toy" but not real Fast Ethernet data tester.
Small 8 bit CPU do not have (at leat 8 bit) host interface, and only allow to emulate it very slowly, by changing IO pins.
Device on 8 bit CPU, can answer to slow ping, show small web page, but it is not possible to service full Fast Ethernet....
CPU and Network controller choice,is depend what you can get from "Ethernet LAN Data Transmission Tester".

pic up an ethernet switch that have some control like some texas or broadcom it does de control and the statistcs of allmost everything or if you want some more powerfull put an fbga and a line interface ( intel have the bests ) to make the work
by