CCS TCP/IP stack

[abq_guy]

Hello All,

I will be starting a new development process which needs TCP/IP and maybe UDP interface.
I won't need the other bell and whistles. I was planning to use the PIC18F97J60 chip for this. I will have to interface a DAC and an ADC on the SPI ports of the microcontroller and then send the readings over Ethernet.

My questions are as follows:

1) Which development board is better ? the CCS or the Microchip.
2) Is the TCP/IP stack provided by CCS bug free ?
3) I have the PCWH compiler, V4.064. Can I use this compiler for TCP/IP ?
4) Does CCS provide any example programs for PIC18F97J60 or any simple TCP/IP read and write API's ?

Any help with be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

abq_guy

[jgschmidt]

I've been using the TCP/IP stack from CCS successfully with CCS' Embedded Ethernet kit, compiler version PCWH 4.082. In response to your questions:

1) Since the CCS samples have been written for the CCS boards, use the CCS boards, at least until you know what you are doing. I have ported to other hardware (Olimex) but not Microchip's.

2) Bug-free is a relative term. It did what I needed to do. I did not try the webserver examples. TCP/IP client/server and UDP work fine. Embedded TCP/IP is not for the beginner. That's why I started with a known-to-work kit. As I built my own system I made small steps away from the examples, many of which had to be retraced. Be sure to spend some time with the TCP/IP source code. Be very comfortable with the state machines.

3) All the TCP/IP libraries and samples are on the disk.

4) CCS' kit http://www.ccsinfo.com/product_info.php?products_id=proethkit is based on the 18F67J60. Use that and do all the exercises in the book. That should get you ready to head out on your own project.

BTW There are lots of economical PIC internet development boards out there. Between hardware and software challenges its hard to get a new board working. I was planning on building my own boards but found it much easier to work with existing ones, some for as little as $35.

CCS also has http://www.ezweblynx.com/ which is supported by their stack. The 3.3v version uses the 18F67J60 chip

Another thing that helped a lot was Steven's TCP/IP Illustrated, Vol. 1.

Stock up on midnight oil and merry coding.

[abq_guy]

Thanks a lot Jgschmidt