Installing Firmware on SP2301 Linux EVB — Enabling Dual-Port Ethernet for Industrial IoT
Empowering Industrial Networks with Dual Ethernet
WIZnet - W5500
x 1
WIZnet - W5100S
x 1
In the world of Industrial IoT, reliability and network segmentation are critical.
The WIZnet SP2301 Linux EVB is a next-generation embedded board designed to bring secure dual-port Ethernet connectivity to industrial applications — powered by WIZnet’s hardware TCP/IP Ethernet technology.
This tutorial demonstrates how to install firmware on the SP2301 Linux EVB to enable its dual Ethernet ports:
one dedicated to control or management traffic, and
another for data or field-level communication.
With this simple firmware setup, engineers can achieve secure, isolated, and real-time network communication without complex configuration.
⚙️ Dual Ethernet + Linux + WIZnet = Industrial-grade connectivity made simple.
Why Dual-Port Ethernet Matters in Industry 4.0
In industrial automation, a single shared network often leads to bottlenecks, interference, and security risks.
Dual-port Ethernet architecture solves these issues by physically separating control and data paths — ensuring that system control remains secure even under heavy network load.
SP2301 supports:
✅ Native Ethernet interface for system control (eth0)
✅ WIZnet W5100S/W5500 expansion module for data communication (eth1)
✅ Fully Linux-compatible operation
✅ Wide voltage input (9V–36V) for industrial environments
This enables seamless field-to-cloud data transfer, real-time control, and robust connectivity in manufacturing, energy, and automation systems.
Hardware Setup
| Component | Description |
|---|---|
| SP2301 Linux EVB | Industrial Linux-based embedded board with one built-in Ethernet port |
| W5500 or W5100S Module | SPI-based Ethernet expansion to enable the second port |
| MicroSD Card (8GB+) | For firmware image installation |
| DC Power Supply (9–36V) | Industrial-grade power input |
| BOOT Mode Switch | Used to select firmware installation mode |
Firmware Installation Process
One of the main advantages of the SP2301 is how easy it is to install or update firmware — no complicated terminal commands are required.
Step 1: Download the Firmware Image
Obtain the latest Linux firmware image from SecurePi or WIZnet’s resource center.
Verify its SHA256 checksum to ensure file integrity.
Step 2: Write the Image to the SD Card
Use a flashing tool such as Balena Etcher or Rufus to write the image to the SD card.
Make sure the card is formatted in FAT32 before flashing.
Step 3: Boot from the SD Card
Insert the SD card into the SP2301 board.
Set the BOOT switch to SD boot mode.
Power up the board.
Once powered, the board will automatically boot from the SD card and load the firmware.
Both Ethernet ports (eth0 and eth1) will initialize without additional drivers.
Step 4: Verify Ethernet Interfaces
After booting, check that both interfaces are active using:
You should see:
eth0 → native Ethernet interface
eth1 → WIZnet W5500/W5100S expansion interface
Now your SP2301 is ready for dual-network applications.
Advantages of WIZnet SP2301 Dual-Port Architecture
| Feature | Benefit |
|---|---|
| Dual Ethernet Ports | Isolate control and data networks for secure communication |
| W5500 Hardware TCP/IP Stack | Stable, deterministic Ethernet performance |
| Linux Compatibility | Easy to integrate with open-source tools and scripts |
| Industrial Voltage Range (9–36V) | Reliable in factory and outdoor environments |
| Plug-and-Play Firmware Installation | No terminal commands, instant setup |
| Supports Modbus, MQTT, HTTP | Perfect for field-to-cloud IoT gateways |
Applications
🏭 Smart Factory: Connect PLCs and sensors to the cloud with secure dual-network architecture
⚡ Energy Systems: Separate monitoring data from control commands
🧠 IoT Prototyping: Quickly deploy industrial Linux systems with preconfigured firmware
🏢 Building Automation: Manage building control and monitoring on isolated networks
🧰 System Integrators: Use SP2301 as a base for Modbus-to-MQTT or Field-to-Cloud gateway products
Why WIZnet Ethernet Is the Industrial Standard
WIZnet’s hardware TCP/IP Ethernet controllers (such as W5500 and W5100S) deliver the deterministic latency and network reliability required in industrial and mission-critical systems.
By offloading TCP/IP tasks from the MCU, WIZnet hardware ensures stable throughput and low jitter — essential for real-time control and IoT applications.
The SP2301 Dual-Port EVB leverages this proven technology to bring wired reliability, secure isolation, and easy integration to industrial developers.
🔗 When reliability meets simplicity — that’s WIZnet.
The SP2301 Linux EVB brings industrial reliability and simplicity together — enabling dual-port Ethernet through easy firmware installation.
With WIZnet’s hardware-based Ethernet controllers, developers can design secure, fast, and scalable IoT systems without worrying about software stack complexity.
🚀 Transform your industrial network with WIZnet SP2301 —
Dual-Port Ethernet made simple.