Can I detect when the ethernet shield is connected?

Development Boards Arduino
1

Is there a way to determine that the ethernet shield is connected to the arduino ? I’m working on an application that can have different communications options connected (xbee, ethernet, cellular), and detecting ethernet would be helpful.

Any thoughts?

Thanks.

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The shield should carry no current. Shield wires are usually only connected at one side of the point to point devices. I can’t imagine how the arduino board could do something that other products would have a tough time doing. There might be some capacitive way to do that with special circuitry. Those are my thoughts.

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Hardwareguy:
The shield should carry no current. Shield wires are usually only connected at one side of the point to point devices. I can’t imagine how the arduino board could do something that other products would have a tough time doing. There might be some capacitive way to do that with special circuitry. Those are my thoughts.

I believe the OP was refering to one of these …

http://www.arduino.cc/en/Main/ArduinoShields

4

Hardwareguy,

Well, you certainly live up to your name! :wink:

I believe that, by “ethernet shield”, the OP meant [one of these.

Eric](Arduino Ethernet Shield - DEV-09026 - SparkFun Electronics)