small correction on install instructions: the line which need to be added to armbianEnv.txt is:
user_overlays=m2-zero-eth0
My first version was user-overlays=m2-zero-eth0 with a dash, need to be an underscore
The confusion comes from the fact that, for whatever reason, the directoryname is ‘overlay-user’
Hello @bontango
I’ve forgot to notice you that variable must be user_overlays . Your guidance was very fine. Thanks for your help
This could be used with many things of hardware that work in some images and others dont?
I would think so, but I guess my second method using an user overlay is the better option. By mixing dtb files made from different kernel versions there IMHO is a risk to breaking other things at the same time. No feedback on my question ‘how to do best’ at armbian forum so far …
It could be used with many hardware. However, maybe address must be change from hardware specifications. To discover the address:
ls -l /sys/firmware/devicetree/base/soc/eth*
ethernet@xxxxxxx
Change the dts file
ethernet0 = "/soc/ethernet@xxxxxxxx";
Adapter is ready More information, including Gerber data for making your own adapter and an armbian image which has the connector enabled by default on my website: https://lisy.dev/banana-pi-m2-zero.html
and the M2 zero still fits on an PCB by using an ‘extra tall header’
Hello @bontango
My RJ45 is populated with led. Here a script to manage ethernet link. https://stackoverflow.com/questions/73719681/how-to-check-physical-ethernet-status-on-banana-pi-zero-m2
thx, interisting information
btw: if someone is interested in my adapter, I have a few spare which I would give away for free! Just send me a PM
having the soldered pins in the mouth of the conector doesn’t bother you to connect?
No, fits good (with a ‘klick’), you just need to cut the pins at the surface; also the release pin is still accessible …
Hello Bontango, for an important project (PLC communication) I urgently need to activate a high speed active ethernet port on the banana pi zero board.
I have the minimal Armbian Buster 21.05.1 image running:
Can you tell me if how can I make it work, I would like to quickly buy your Ethernet adapter with fast shipping. I would like to solder it straight on the board, I would be happy if you would show me the software procedure and a simple schematic for connecting the pins.
Thanks in the meantime
I took a look at the diagram posted above, the link is not clear to me:
How do I connect a negative (-) wire between these pins ???
It is clear to me the direct connection of the 2 cables from pin 4 (bpi) to pin 3 (Rj45) and from pin 2 (bpi) to pin 6 (Rj45)
See below the schematics. 1(bpi) -> 1(RJ45) & 3(bpi) ->2(RJ45) The PCB is a two layer. Blue lines are on top & red lines are at the bottom.
You do not need additional software, the drivers are included in the armbian server image. ( Not sure if it is the case for the minimal image, but the ‘bigger’ one do work) I’m using a ‘self built’ image based on latest kernel which you can find here https://lisy.dev/swrep/BananaPI/images/ )
You can list the interfaces with ‘ip a’. Even without a connection it should show you eth0 interface.
Wish you success, and pls. let us know if it worked for you.
OK thank you very much.
From what I see in the new schematic just connect simply:
I didn’t quite understand those red lines (PCB schematic posted above) if they indicate GND (-) connections or what (???*). They created the doubt to make the simple flying connection on the bpi card to the rj45 connector.
Today the rj45 connector arrives and I make the connection. I will directly upload the “m2-zero-eth0.dtbo” file already compiled in /boot/overlay-user. I’ll update you if it works.
an additional question. Could you tell me a supplier (Europe online store) where you can stock up and buy the rj45 connectors for the bpi-m2-zero board already pre-soldered on the pcb, all ready (rj45 + pcb ready to use). We would need large quantities of rj45 already pre-soldered ready.
The red connections are similar to the blue ones, with the only difference that they are on the bottom layer of the PCB. I did not connect GND
I do order usually at JLCPCB, see notes on my side https://lisy.dev/banana-pi-m2-zero.html https://lisy.dev/pcbs.html
They do also preassembling, HOWEVER my PCB would need small corrections as I found out that the adapter I choosed do not fit 100%. By soldering yourself you can correct that, but external assembly would reject it …
JLCPCB do offer a wide range of connectors https://jlcpcb.com/parts/componentSearch?isSearch=true&searchTxt=rj45 most with internal oscillators, which need to be tested before doing a bulk order!
I have already pre-ordered 5 test PCBs. So they also do full assembly? What do you advise me to do, I have to ask him if it is possible to make a revision price of the order with complete pre-assembly?
you could upload the updated greber.zip file to repo. Since they have not yet started creating the PCBs I can tell them to add the pre-assembly of the rj45 connector
That would be a new order as for pre assembly a ‘BOM’ and a ‘CPL’ file is needed in addition. I can have a look which of their RJ45 connectors do fit and create a new revision of my board with BOM & CPL included. Can do it probably already today, so if you want to have assembly I would advise to cancel your current order and wait a bit … let you know.