Setting MAC Address

[SeeCwriter]

I'm going through the examples in the Embedded Internet Dev. Kit, and in all of them the MAC address is set at run time with hardcoded values. How does this work when an Ethernet enabled program is given to manufacturing? How are they supposed to set the MAC address of each device? This is not something we have had to do before. To date, all our Ethernet components/devices come with a MAC address pre-programmed.

I am interested to hear how others here have handled/solved this situation.

[Ttelmah]

It depends how you are implementing the interface.

If using an external interface chip, some of these come with pre-programmed Mac addresses that can be read and used.

You can also have an EEPROM with a Mac address. Look at
<http://www.microchip.com/pagehandler/en-us/products/memory/serialEEPROM/MAC.html>

Alternatively, if you have already got a range of Mac addresses allocated, then either add these to the chip's EEPROM, with a script calling the programmer, or post install them as part of the commissioning of the board (script that calls the device at a fixed address, and then sends it a command to change address).

If you have the chips 'bulk programmed', most companies that do this, can store an address as part of this operation (Microchip will).

Best Wishes