Arduino - Ethernet
About Arduino with Ethernet
Ethernet is the easiest way to connect Arduino to Internet. There are many ways to connect Arduino to the Internet via Ethernet. Among them, we introduce two ways for Arduino Uno:
Arduino Ethernet Shield vs PHPoC WiFi/Ethernet Shield
PHPoC WiFi/Ethernet Shield is also called PHPoC Shield.
Both Arduino Ethernet Shield and PHPoC WiFi/Ethernet Shield communicates with Arduino via the SPI interface. The followings are deferences between them:
| Arduino Ethernet Shield | PHPoC WiFi/Ethernet Shield | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | normal | expensive |
| Usage | easy | easy |
| Library | built-in | need to Install |
| MAC Address | need to declare in code | built-in on Shield, no need to declare in code |
| IPv4 Address | set in Arduino code | set via web |
| IPv6 | no | yes |
| SSL/TLS | no | yes |
| Dedicated web server | no | yes |
| Websocket | no | yes |
| Sending Gmail | no | yes |
| Built-in web app | no | yes |
| WiFi | no | yes |
Arduino - Webserver
We can make Arduino become a webserver with both shield. Howerver:
- Arduino Ethernet Shield: we have to mix Arduino code and web code (HTML, css, javascript) in to Arduino sketch. It is dificult to use image.
- PHPoC WiFi/Ethernet Shield:
- It has a dedicated web server on Shield, Arduino code will be in Arduino sketch. Web code (HTML, css, javascript) and image is stored on the shield. We can upload HTLML, css, javascript and image file to this shield (max is 512 KB of sie in total). The uploading process is very simple. Just drag and drop.
- Moreover, This shield supports websocket, which allows to exchange data between web browser ann Arudino in real time and two direction.
- It has some built-in webapp, which let beginners program and control Arduino via web browser WITHOUT writing web code (HTML, css, javascript).
- If you have a tight budget, buy Arduino Ethernet Shield
- If you have a big budget, buy PHPoC WiFi/Ethernet Shield. you can do more with this shield.
One more great feature of PHPoC WiFi/Ethernet Shield is ability to switch from Ethernet to WiFi without changing Arduino code. The same Arduino code can works for both Enthernet and WiFi interface.
With more advanced features, Those are reason why PHPoC WiFi/Ethernet Shield is more expensive than Arduino Ethernet Shield.