--- title: "Let's code a Linux network driver - How to follow along my SSED Linux Network Driver Tutorials" url: "https://maker.wiznet.io/viktor/projects/lets-code-a-linux-network-driver-how-to-follow-along-my-ssed-linux-network-driver-tutorials/" markdown_url: "https://maker.wiznet.io/viktor/projects/lets-code-a-linux-network-driver-how-to-follow-along-my-ssed-linux-network-driver-tutorials/md" type: "UCC: User Created Content" author: "Johannes 4GNU_Linux" author_url: "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=auj_HJdaEKs" editor: "WIZnet" editor_url: "https://maker.wiznet.io/" original_author: "Johannes 4GNU_Linux" original_url: "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=auj_HJdaEKs" published: "2025-12-18" language: "en" tags: ["Linux"] hardware: ["WIZnet W7500"] likes: 0 views: 418 comments: 0 source: "WIZnet Makers (https://maker.wiznet.io/)" --- # Let's code a Linux network driver - How to follow along my SSED Linux Network Driver Tutorials > Let's code a Linux network driver - How to follow along my SSED Linux Network Driver Tutorials Original author: Johannes 4GNU_Linux (source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=auj_HJdaEKs) ## Components - **WIZnet W7500** x 1 ([docs](https://docs.wiznet.io/Product/Chip/MCU/W7500)) ## Article ## Introduction Adding Ethernet over **SPI** is a classic embedded/Linus-hacker problem: you want a clean way to push and pull Ethernet traffic using a simple serial bus, without needing PCIe or USB NICs. **w7500-spi2eth** tackles that by turning a **WIZnet W7500** into a **SPI-based networking card**. Important note up front: this is a **community-made project** (not an official WIZnet project), even though it leverages WIZnet-provided libraries inside the repo. [Embedded media](https://www.youtube.com/embed/auj_HJdaEKs) ## Author introduction The repository is maintained by **Johannes4Linux** on GitHub, who is active in GNU/Linux education content—especially around **Linux kernel modules/drivers and embedded interfaces**. Their GitHub profile highlights multiple tutorial repositories (e.g., Linux driver tutorials, USB tutorials, embedded interfaces) and an established follower base. [![](https://maker.wiznet.io/upload/ckeditor5/410858381%5F1766071125%2Epng)](https://www.youtube.com/@johannes4gnu_linux96) The linked YouTube video also frames the work as part of a hands-on learning track: writing and developing a **Linux networking driver**, using a **WIZnet W7500 evaluation board** as the hardware target. ## Project description ### What it is **w7500-spi2eth** provides firmware for “turning a Wiznet W7500 into a SPI Networking card.” ![W7500 | WIZnet Co., Ltd.](https://wiznethome.cafe24.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/w7500-3-500x500.jpg) ### Key idea (architecture) Instead of treating the W7500 as a standalone MCU that runs an entire application stack, this approach configures the W7500 to act as a **SPI slave that focuses on Ethernet frame transmit/receive**, controlled by SPI commands from the host side. ![Surf 5 Microcontroller Evaluation Board - WIZnet | Mouser](https://www.mouser.in/images/marketingid/2024/img/143548778.png?v=040524.0415) ### Hardware targets The repo explicitly mentions it can be built/used with WIZnet evaluation boards such as **Surf 5**, **WIZWIKI-W7500**, and **WIZWIKI-W7500ECO**, and shows a wiring example for connecting a Surf 5 to a Raspberry Pi. ![WIZwiki-W7500ECO（イーサネットシールド付き） — スイッチサイエンス](https://docid81hrs3j1.cloudfront.net/imagecontent/image-1450418738994.jpg) ### What’s in the repo (licensing note) The README states that files under the `wiznet` folder come from **Wiznet W7500x_StdPeriph_Lib**, while the rest is authored by the project maintainer under the MIT license (and the WIZnet library has its own MIT-like licensing). ### Source Repositories For the custom PCB boards in the video, source can be found below Code and connection with RPi SBC can be found in below repo: [![Surf 5 connected to a Raspberry Pi](https://github.com/Johannes4Linux/w7500-spi2eth/raw/main/images/ssed_surf5.png)](https://github.com/Johannes4Linux/w7500-spi2eth) ## Why WIZnet is used This project makes sense specifically with the **WIZnet W7500** family because it’s positioned as a one-chip MCU + networking solution: W7500-based platforms are commonly described as integrating an **ARM Cortex-M0** and a **hardwired TCP/IP core** (and related networking capabilities), making it a strong base for experiments where networking is the “main feature,” not an afterthought. Also, the author explicitly centers the workflow around **W7500 evaluation boards**, which reduces friction for learners and makers who want reproducible hardware while building Linux networking/driver experiments. ## How it can benefit WIZnet **New “mental model” for W7500**: not only “MCU with Ethernet,” but also a **SPI-to-Ethernet building block** for Linux/SBC projects—great for education and prototyping. **Developer awareness via learning content**: pairing open-source firmware with a “let’s write a Linux networking driver” style video naturally attracts Linux learners, which can translate into more W7500 eval-board adoption. **Community-driven reference momentum**: projects like this often become unofficial reference points (“how do I do SPI Ethernet with W7500?”). That can inspire WIZnet-friendly follow-ups like an application note, a clarified SPI framing spec, or a curated “getting started” guide for Linux. --- Source: https://maker.wiznet.io/viktor/projects/lets-code-a-linux-network-driver-how-to-follow-along-my-ssed-linux-network-driver-tutorials/