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Microchip makes embedded Ethernet easier

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CIOL Bureau
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CHANDLER, USA: Microchip Technology Inc., a leading provider of microcontroller and analog semiconductors, announced from the Embedded Systems Conference in Boston the expansion of its Ethernet software and support for embedded systems designers, including the addition of Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) encryption to its free TCP/IP Stack and a new TCP/IP Configuration Wizard to simplify the configuration of Ethernet projects.

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To make implementing embedded Ethernet even easier, Microchip is also offering a hands-on class that is available from its worldwide network of more than 35 Regional Training Centers. Embedded engineers are increasingly taking advantage of Ethernet connectivity, and these additions to Microchip’s support offering are designed to make it easy for them—whether they’re using 8-, 16- or 32-bit PIC microcontrollers (MCUs) or dsPIC Digital Signal Controllers (DSCs).

“Microchip continues to simplify the process of adding remote Ethernet access to embedded applications utilizing our broad portfolio of microcontrollers, DSCs and Ethernet controllers,” said Mitch Obolsky, vice president of Microchip’s Advanced Microcontroller Architecture Division. “By adding encryption and a configuration wizard to our free TCP/IP Stack, Microchip further enables any embedded application to be securely and cost-effectively monitored and controlled from anywhere.”

The latest Microchip TCP/IP Stack, downloadable from http://www.microchip.com/tcpip, includes an SSL module, which enables secure, encrypted communications between two nodes on an unsecured network. It supports both client and server functionality, while providing fast 128-bit ARCFOUR encryption for bulk data transfers.

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Additionally, the Stack utilizes the industry-standard SSLv3 protocol to secure any TCP connection, while building in support for the HTTP Web server and SMTP e-mail client modules. For best performance, the handshake process is optimized in assembly.

Microchip’s TCP/IP Configuration Wizard is a new tool that allows developers to get started quickly by selecting the desired Stack features (e.g., Web server or e-mail client), as well as associated configuration parameters. The appropriate number of TCP and UDP sockets can be automatically set, while the Wizard verifies that no design rules are being violated before modifying the Stack’s configuration file.

Training

To help embedded engineers take full advantage of its TCP/IP Stack, Microchip has developed a training course that is now available from its worldwide network of more than 35 regional training centers. The class provides a complete design example of a TCP/IP control-and-status monitoring application.

It also includes an overview of fundamental communication concepts, such as ARP, IP, DHCP and DNS, application layers, and the PHY. API commands for TCP are discussed, along with HTTP and file systems for a targeted application. Finally, the class highlights the cross-platform compatibility among Microchip’s 8-bit PIC18, 16-bit PIC24 and 32-bit PIC32 microcontroller families.

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