Hardware support for the Ethernet controller includes an Ethernet PICtail Daughter Board (shown in the bottom center) which provides a cost-effective method of evaluating and developing Ethernet control applications. The board is designed for flexibility and can be plugged into any a selection of Microchip’s standard PICDEMTM demonstration boards. The development board is populated with the 28-Pin ENC28J60 Ethernet controller which interfaces to the RJ-45 female connector. With a standard 28-pin PICtail pin out, the board is easily interfaced to a selection of Microchip demonstration boards as shown. Through this modular strategy, functions like USB, Zigbee and others can be combined with that of Ethernet.