Does it make sense to give homebrew SBC features like Ethernet, or USB OTG?

[technix]

I have a few WCH CH395 Ethernet controller and CH375 USB OTG controller, both capable of operating on the FSB of a homebrew SBC. Does it make sense to put those features onto a homebrew SBC though? Something based on 68HC000 or 80C88 or Z84C00.

[Nusa]

I guess it depends on what you plan to DO with the SBC. If you want to support a modern keyboard, the USB controller may be useful. If you want it to talk to the world, then the Ethernet controller makes sense. Back in the day it would have been a serial port to dial-up modems (my first one was a 300 baud acoustic...you stuck the phone handset in its cradle).

[singapol]

I assume you are chinese and a practical one.Why reinvent the wheel when there are ready solutions which are cheaper and efficient. To be creative is to make use of things created by geniuses. Apple did not invent the technologies but simply put them to good use to make products that people want. See the difference? If you research all the great inventions did the original creator became super rich? I know it's superficial and materialistic but without money can people like boss of virgin airlines venture into space? Same for Mr.Ma of Alibaba. At most for their contributions to mankind the geniuses got a Nobel prize of US$2 million..enough just to get an apartment in Hong Kong? Oh and please don't tell me me you want to learn and don't mind blowing things up.

[Ian.M]

In general, I'd say no, not for the 8 bit systems, and I'm including the 8/16 bit 80C88 in that category.  I've had DOS PCs on Ethernet and it wasn't much fun.  I don't think I've ever had an 8088 networked, (I tell a lie - I once had the joys of installing Novell Netware on an IBM XT for an assignment) but I had a 286 hooked to my LAN for a while. There might be an exception to support Telnet, so you can run the SBC headless from a remote terminal  and TFTP for loading/saving from memory.  I don't see the benefits of host USB at all - its just more clutter on your bench to have a separate keyboard for the SBC, and there are better solutions for mass storage e.g. CF cards.   Most anything else is going to run into driver issues to do anything useful.

The 68HC000 is a different matter. With a 32/16 bit processor and a 16MB address map, ucLinux is possible, and once you have a fully featured OS on there, USB and Ethernet make a lot more sense.

Your old 68HC000 topic for reference:
https://www.eevblog.com/forum/chat/i-pulled-the-plug-and-bought-a-mc68hc000-help/

This 68008 project is worth a look for inspiration - though you have to contend with a 16 bit bus so a lot more wiring.  http://www.bigmessowires.com/68-katy/