Embedded Ethernet platforms -- your view

Dear Embedded folks,

I am looking for guidance with selection of a hardware development
platform and tools for a new project. The task is essentially to embed an
Ethernet router in an existing system, which will consume some network
traffic (TCP/IP) and forward the rest. As a first phase, we would like to
get a working hardware platform for code development; later we roll our own
hardware based on the selected controller. I have been surveying platforms
that provide Ethernet connectivity and sufficient horsepower to process
level-2 packets; the toughest part has been finding appropriate
development tools.

From what Iâ??ve learned here and elsewhere, the Freescale ColdFire (e.g.
MCF5282) or an ARM-based device (e.g. AT91RM9200, Samsung S3C4510B) are
suitable controller choices. At this point I am leaning towards ColdFire
based on praise of the architecture.

I have been evaluating the NetBurner MOD5282
(http://www.netburner.com/products/core_modules/mod5282.html) . While it
is a nice, compact package, it appears ill-suited for this project: the
debug interface is via the network connection, making it difficult to test
custom network drivers â?? a straight-ahead BDM debug interface seems more
appropriate.

The Axiom Manufacturing CML-5282 development board
(http://www.axman.com/?q=node/52) seems like a nice basic ColdFire
platform with BDM support. Anyone have experience with this?

I see P&E Micro has a BDM-based development suite. It appears the tools
donâ??t support C++, but that is not a deal-breaker. Any comments on
these products?

On the ARM side, Iâ??ve heard there are many good tool vendors. Is there
a development/debug package that is head and shoulders above others?

Other items on the wish list include:
o TCP/IP stack
o Full Source code for any provided drivers, RTOS, etc
o Full hardware schematics
o Small development platform/module preferable

Time-to-demo is more critical than cost at this point.

With thanks for any and all feedback,
~Scott



.

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