Overview
Secure Pi SP2302 single-board computer now supports dual Ethernet functionality using the WIZ850io module, which is based on the W5500 chip from WIZnet. This enables robust SPI-based Ethernet communication — ideal for industrial IoT, secure networking, and embedded applications.
SPI interface and provides a second Ethernet port, allowing the system to handle dual-network environments. The primary Ethernet interface (eth0) remains native, while the secondary (eth1) is handled by the W5500.
Hardware Connection & Pin Assignment
To connect the WIZ850io module to the SP2302 via SPI, please wire the following pins:
Function | SP2302 Extended 40 Pins | WIZ850io Pin |
---|---|---|
MISO | SPI2_MISO | MISO |
MOSI | SPI2_MOSI | MOSI |
SCLK | SPI_CLK | SCLK |
CS (Chip Select) | SPI_CS0 | SCNn |
RESET | GPIO35 | RSTn |
Interrupt | GPIO34 | INTn |
GND | GND | GND |
VCC (3.3V) | 3V3 | 3.3V |


Note: Please fill in the actual SP2302 pin assignments in the table above based on your board’s layout or pinout documentation.
Firmware Installation for Dual Ethernet
To enable the W5500, you must use the dual-port firmware designed for the SP2302 platform. This firmware includes:
- SPI driver support for W5500
- netplan compatibility
- Udev rules for automatic recognition of W5500 as
eth1
Steps:
- Flash the dual Ethernet firmware to the SP2302 using standard flashing tools (e.g.,
dd
oretcher
) - Reboot the device after flashing
Post-Installation Testing & Setup
Once the firmware is flashed, follow these steps to verify and activate the second Ethernet port:
1 Check W5500 Device Status Using dmesg
Run the following command to check if the W5500 is detected:
bash dmesg | grep -e 5500 -e 5100
You should see log entries indicating the SPI initialization and W5500 network driver being loaded.

2 Verify Second Ethernet Interface (eth1
)
Check for the presence of eth1
:
bash ifconfig -a
You should see both eth0
(native) and eth1
(W5500 via SPI).
If eth1
is not listed, ensure SPI is enabled, the wiring is correct, and the chip is receiving power.

3 Configure netplan
to Use DHCP on W5500 (eth1
)
Edit or create a netplan configuration:
bash vi 01-network-manager-all.yaml
Paste the following:
network: version: 2 renderer: NetworkManager ethernets: eth1: dhcp4: true

Apply the configuration:
bash sudo netplan apply
Wait a few seconds, then check for an IP address:
bash ip addr show eth1

4 Test Internet Connectivity Over W5500
Try pinging Google using eth1
:
bash ping -I eth1 google.com
You should receive replies indicating successful communication through the W5500 Ethernet interface.
Summary
Step | Task | Status Indicator |
---|---|---|
1 | W5500 detected via SPI (dmesg ) | W5500 logs appear |
2 | Second interface created | eth1 appears in ip link show |
3 | Netplan configured | eth1 gets IP from DHCP |
4 | Internet connectivity | Successful pings through eth1 |
📎 Notes
- Ensure SPI is enabled in the device tree or bootloader settings if needed.
- Use a stable 3.3V power source for the WIZ850io to avoid instability.
- Static IP configuration can also be set via
netplan
if required.
Discussions
Become a Hackaday.io Member
Create an account to leave a comment. Already have an account? Log In.