M5223x Ethernet MAC address, where do you get it?

[Petter]

Where can I get a unique series of MAC addresses to use for products based upon M5223x? Do I get a series from Freescale or do I have to get it directely from the IEEE?

[LightElf]

As another option, specially if you need more then few MAC addresses, but can't tolerate $500 payment, you can buy DS2502-E48 from Maxim. This is a small one-time programmable serial ROM with factory preprogrammed MAC address.
 http://www.maxim-ic.com/quick_view2.cfm/qv_pk/3748/t/al

[mjbcswitzerland]

Hi Petter

IEEE:
Some notes about MAC addresses.
If you are using your own device behind a router and it is not visible to the 'outside world' you can in fact program any MAC address that you like because it is in a private area. It just has to be unique in this private area. (This is also valid for a device sitting in a Demiliterized Zone- DMZ).
If however you are selling a product or the device is sitting directly on the Internet then it must have a world wide unique MAC address which has to be purchased from IEEE. It is purchased either as a block (IAB) of 4k MAC addresses at a cost of about $500, or if you are going to produce a large number of pieces of equipment you can purchase a unique company ID (OUI) of 16Million for about $1'600 (plus $2'000 if you don't want the OUI to be registered on the public listing).

It is then your responsibility to manage the assignment of these addresses in your own products.

The registration page is at: http://standards.ieee.org/regauth/index.html
For any one just wanting to make one or two pieces of equipment for hobby use it is a bit much to pay $500 for a bunch of MAC addresses and use just one or two of them. Unfortunately it is no allowed to sell the rest on to people in similar situation because a block must always remain with the individual or organisation purchasing it.

One trick which is often used is to find out what the MAC address is in an old NIC from an old PC which is being scrapped. This MAC address is then used in your own piece of equipment and the old NIC destroyed. You can then be sure that the MAC address is unique and can not disturb when used for any imaginable application.


Regards

Mark Butcher

www.uTasker.com

[Petter]

Thank you for the reply. I knew about the IEEE stuff. I was just thinking if Freescale had a MAC range so one could use a part of a 5223x serial number or something for this type of functionality. The idea of using the MAC address of disposed NICs is a good one, at least for the first small series, beta testers etc.