MAC address source

Question

We are designing a new product (low volume <500 total production over 10 years) which will feature an Ethernet interface using a w5100 device. I have a query regarding the source of the MAC address. IEEE search shows that manufacturers code 00-08-DC is assigned to the following company (I assume this to be the same wiznet): Wiznet Wiznet 5F Simmtech bldg., 228-3, Nonyhun, Kangnam Seoul 135-830 KOREA, REPUBLIC OF Can I use this as the first 3 bytes of my MAC, and assign a unique value for the last 3 bytes (generated randomly)? or Should I use a Microchip 25AA02E48 for the MAC address instead?

hjjeon0608 · Answer

Hi, HughF. You cannot use MAC address 00-08-DC-XX-XX-XX, because WIZnet has ownership of the address. Microchip 25AA02E48 has MAC address??? I think the chip is EEPROM. So how do you use it instead of MAC address?? Please tell me more detailed. Best regards.

miaooaim · Answer

Hi everybody [quote]2. Microchip 25AA02E48 has MAC address??? I think the chip is EEPROM. So how do you use it instead of MAC address?? [/quote] Yes, Microchip 25AA02E48 has a MAC address wrote by Microchip in the location from FAh to FFh The first 128 bytes is available to the user to be used as EEprom memory. The uC can read the MAC from the Microchip and then program it to the W5100 For small production is the best choice in my opinion. Regards Beppe