Ethernet Expansion

The Ethernet Expansion adds an Ethernet port to the Omega. With this expansion you can add reliable, wired network access to your Omega, without affecting its wireless capabilities. It also has the added bonus of being able to reflash an Omega whose software is corrupted (“bricked”).

The Hardware

The Ethernet Expansion includes a single standard ethernet port. Simple, but effective.

Connecting to a Dock

The Ethernet Expansion is to be plugged into an Expansion Header. These headers can be found on the Expansion Dock, Power Dock, and the Arduino Dock 2. In addition to that, the Ethernet Expansion can also be plugged into most other Expansions.

NOTE: The Ethernet Expansion does not plug in ALL THE WAY like the Omega does. The pin will be exposed at the top (refer to image above)

This Expansion features an Expansion Header, so other expansions can be safely stacked on top of it.

Connecting an Ethernet Cable

Your Omega will automatically discover when an Ethernet cord is connected to your Ethernet Expansion. If you’re connected to the Omega’s command line through serial, you’ll see the following output when you plug in an Ethernet cord:

root@Omega-2757:/# [  473.834234] rt3050-esw 10110000.esw: link changed 0x01

and when you unlpug the ethernet cord you’ll see this:

[  491.625850] rt3050-esw 10110000.esw: link changed 0x00

If you’re connected to the Omega’s command line through SSH, you can run the dmesg command to print out all of the messages from the kernel.

To connect an Ethernet cord to your Ethernet Expansion, properly align the Ethernet plug with the jack, and insert. It will click in place.

In order to disconnect the Ethernet cable you’ll need to press down on the cord in order to release the lock mechanism (the click sound was this mechanism).

Mechanical Drawings

We’ve made available a detailed diagram of the dimensions and geometry of the Ethernet Expansion.

Using the Ethernet Expansion

The Ethernet Expansion is a great tool to extend the networking capabilities of your Omega by providing another method of connecting to the internet.

To learn more about using the Ethernet Expansion check out our guide to using the Ethernet Expansion