First off, excellent work metalnwood! Working with the micro controllers and creating the interfere is a lot of fun. Feel free to reach out if you have any questions about how I got to the internals of DCS for Helios. One thing to keep in mind for using ethernet is the packet overhead for the kind of data we through around. The ethernet tcp/ip headers are probably 10 times the size of the data needed by the panels. While bandwidth is not a problem, when you have 21 panels + 24 gauges updating 10-30 times a second there is a lot of data the micro controllers have to sift through to get to what they really want. May not be a problem, but do some early tests.
I don't want to derail metal's thread but I feel I must reply to this statement. You should go back and re-read metal's post and re-read it carefully. I specifically only offered a few CMSP panels, priced at a hobby friendly point, for many of the reasons he's listing. I really only cleared enough to buy my own switches and pay for PCB manufacturing and that's assuming you value my time at $0. If I where to price it at a point to "run a business" and make it a very high priority the CMSP would have been closer to $400-$500. Even at that price I would need to sell several per day year round to cover taxes, health care and feed my family. This also doesn't factor in time and money to develop additional products. When I get sick I still have to do my day job, take care of my family and other things. Also when the job that let's me live, have fun and buy the tools I need to do my pit requires me to travel or evening activities there is no option to say no. I was trying to be very transparent to those who had decided to commit money so parts could be ordered. I have not made progress on my pit (the whole reason I'm here) since the holidays mainly because I do focus productive time at home on completing these panels for others. I'm sorry you see those as excuses and feel the need to post statements like that. You ordered a controller board, and if you don't like the scenario I'll gladly refund you the money.
It's amazing how disheartening statements like this can be.