Ethernet connection is not out-of-date. Most of the stationary system connects through Ethernet. One sample is the network of computers in an office. Although the internet is not needed, the network connects through Ethernet.

This Ethernet shield utilizes the Wiznet W5100 ethernet chip. This chip provides a network (IP) stack capable of doing both TCP and UDP. This shield does not only allows you to connect to the internet but to communicate with one of its own as well. It has a standard RJ-45 port, with power over Ethernet (POE) enabled and an integrated line transformer.

This shield has an onboard MicroSD card slot that helps in data logging and storing files to serve the network. It is compatible with Arduino Uno and Mega. You may access the use of the microSD card reader with the use of the SD library built-in within the Arduino IDE.

This ethernet shield operates at a 5V power supply. It comes with an internal buffer of 16k. The connection speed is from 10mbps to 100mbps. It has a lot of LED indicators with unique functions: PWR indicates that both the board and shield are powered up adequately; LINK indicated established connection, also when sending or

receiving data; FULLD indicates a full-duplex network; 100M indicates the presence of a 100mbps network connection; RX indicates that the shield is receiving data; TX indicates that the shield is sending data, and COLL indicates a network collision.

The connection of this shield to your Arduino is through the SPI pins (MISO/MOSI).