Skip to content

Update ethernet-lan.md#212

Open
SturdyPete wants to merge 2 commits intowled:mainfrom
SturdyPete:patch-1
Open

Update ethernet-lan.md#212
SturdyPete wants to merge 2 commits intowled:mainfrom
SturdyPete:patch-1

Conversation

@SturdyPete
Copy link
Copy Markdown

I recently had some trouble getting a custom PCBA with LAN8720A working with WLED. Having got it working, I wanted to update the documentation to make it easier for those who come after me to not make the same mistakes.

  • add note regarding GPIO0 clock output and LAN87xx requiring an inverter, prefer GPIO17 for clock output in this case
  • add documentation for adding custom PCB with ethernet to the WLED build
  • minor grammar corrections to existing text

add note regarding GPIO0 clock output and LAN87xx
add documentation for adding custom PCB with ethernet to the WLED build
Copy link
Copy Markdown
Contributor

@blazoncek blazoncek left a comment

Choose a reason for hiding this comment

The reason will be displayed to describe this comment to others. Learn more.

I'd like a few things to be modified.

- Ethernet standard requires that the ethernet lines including shield are isolated form the electronics and for EMC reason ceramic capacitor (rated for 2 kV) is connected between Ethernet shield and electronics ground. Unfortunately, many simple/cheap ethernet adapters do not fulfill these requirements. Be careful using them.
- Ethernet standard requires that the ethernet lines including shield are isolated form the electronics and for EMC reasons a ceramic capacitor (rated for 2 kV) should be connected between Ethernet shield and electronics ground. Unfortunately, many simple/cheap ethernet adapters do not fulfill these requirements. Be careful using them.
- Most of Ethernet based controllers/ adapters are based on LAN87xx IC. It requires proper reset line. Unfortunately, some simple/cheap adapters do not implement this line correctly that might lead to instabilities especially during boot up.
- ESP32 can be configured to provide the 50MHz clock for the PHY on GPIO0, GPIO16 or GPIO17. For operation with LAN87xx IC, use GPIO17. If you want to use GPIO0 with LAN87xx, you will need to add an inverter between GPIO0 and the LAN87xx CLKIN pin.
Copy link
Copy Markdown
Contributor

Choose a reason for hiding this comment

The reason will be displayed to describe this comment to others. Learn more.

This information is clearly stated in Espressif documentation and a reference to it should be added here if you want this text to be included.
https://docs.espressif.com/projects/esp-idf/en/v5.1/esp32/hw-reference/esp32/get-started-ethernet-kit.html#rmii-clock-sourced-internally-from-esp32-s-apll

[WESP32](https://wesp32.com/) | | 0, 16, 17
[WT32-ETH01](https://www.seeedstudio.com/Ethernet-module-based-on-ESP32-series-WT32-ETH01-p-4736.html) | | 0, 16, 18, 23

## Defining GPIO for a custom PCBA
Copy link
Copy Markdown
Contributor

Choose a reason for hiding this comment

The reason will be displayed to describe this comment to others. Learn more.

Misleading or incorrectly worded heading.
IMO it should read: Creating custom/new Ethernet board option in WLED


## Defining GPIO for a custom PCBA

The following PHY are supported by WLED according to the header ETH.h:
Copy link
Copy Markdown
Contributor

Choose a reason for hiding this comment

The reason will be displayed to describe this comment to others. Learn more.

ETH.h is not part of WLED and WLED does not support anything but LAN8720A and IP101.

settings_wifi.htm | 221 | add your board name and enum index


note that you will need to recompile the html, see [Changing web UI for instruction](https://github.com/Aircoookie/WLED/wiki/Add-own-functionality/a30b2f3004c9aafc0639138afbff73b4efe4a766)
Copy link
Copy Markdown
Contributor

Choose a reason for hiding this comment

The reason will be displayed to describe this comment to others. Learn more.

This is no longer necessary in 0.15 as it is done automatically if the environment is set up correctly.

Copy link
Copy Markdown
Member

Choose a reason for hiding this comment

The reason will be displayed to describe this comment to others. Learn more.

Agreed, the "recompile html" note can be deleted entirely. This step is done automatically now when compiling wled.

@softhack007 softhack007 added the needs_rework PR needs improvements before merging label Apr 30, 2026
@coderabbitai
Copy link
Copy Markdown

coderabbitai Bot commented May 1, 2026

Warning

Rate limit exceeded

@softhack007 has exceeded the limit for the number of commits that can be reviewed per hour. Please wait 56 minutes and 21 seconds before requesting another review.

To keep reviews running without waiting, you can enable usage-based add-on for your organization. This allows additional reviews beyond the hourly cap. Account admins can enable it under billing.

⌛ How to resolve this issue?

After the wait time has elapsed, a review can be triggered using the @coderabbitai review command as a PR comment. Alternatively, push new commits to this PR.

We recommend that you space out your commits to avoid hitting the rate limit.

🚦 How do rate limits work?

CodeRabbit enforces hourly rate limits for each developer per organization.

Our paid plans have higher rate limits than the trial, open-source and free plans. In all cases, we re-allow further reviews after a brief timeout.

Please see our FAQ for further information.

ℹ️ Review info
⚙️ Run configuration

Configuration used: Organization UI

Review profile: CHILL

Plan: Pro

Run ID: a4a57c2a-5ec3-4a67-8ccb-30deca774192

📥 Commits

Reviewing files that changed from the base of the PR and between 16b2d5e and 55c001a.

📒 Files selected for processing (1)
  • docs/features/ethernet-lan.md
✨ Finishing Touches
🧪 Generate unit tests (beta)
  • Create PR with unit tests

Thanks for using CodeRabbit! It's free for OSS, and your support helps us grow. If you like it, consider giving us a shout-out.

❤️ Share
Review rate limit: 0/1 reviews remaining, refill in 56 minutes and 21 seconds.

Comment @coderabbitai help to get the list of available commands and usage tips.

- Ethernet standard requires that the ethernet lines including shield are isolated form the electronics and for EMC reason ceramic capacitor (rated for 2 kV) is connected between Ethernet shield and electronics ground. Unfortunately, many simple/cheap ethernet adapters do not fulfill these requirements. Be careful using them.
- Ethernet standard requires that the ethernet lines including shield are isolated form the electronics and for EMC reasons a ceramic capacitor (rated for 2 kV) should be connected between Ethernet shield and electronics ground. Unfortunately, many simple/cheap ethernet adapters do not fulfill these requirements. Be careful using them.
- Most of Ethernet based controllers/ adapters are based on LAN87xx IC. It requires proper reset line. Unfortunately, some simple/cheap adapters do not implement this line correctly that might lead to instabilities especially during boot up.
- ESP32 can be configured to provide the 50MHz clock for the PHY on GPIO0, GPIO16 or GPIO17. For operation with LAN87xx IC, use GPIO17. If you want to use GPIO0 with LAN87xx, you will need to add an inverter between GPIO0 and the LAN87xx CLKIN pin.
Copy link
Copy Markdown
Member

@softhack007 softhack007 May 1, 2026

Choose a reason for hiding this comment

The reason will be displayed to describe this comment to others. Learn more.

It might be worth to add a warning note here because the clock output from esp32 can be unstable, and may interfere badly with esp-now and wifi operations including AP mode (see wled/WLED#4703). Also audioreactive may not work well with aux-in ( MCLK output unstable) when ethernet clock is generate by the esp32.

Sign up for free to join this conversation on GitHub. Already have an account? Sign in to comment

Labels

needs_rework PR needs improvements before merging

Projects

None yet

Development

Successfully merging this pull request may close these issues.

3 participants