I own an AV2 and used to have it running without any ethernet ability. Now I am thinking of adding that to enable iPads/iPhone/xpanel ability. I searched on eBay, it seems that c2enet costs roughly as much as lightly used cp2e, only cheaper by a slight margin of maybe 50 bucks.

It appears to me that cp2e might be a better choice, since I can get the bunch of ports for only $50 more. Although I do not need them right now, they may come in handy when I expand my system in the future. From what I have read, cp2e and av2 use the same processor so I suppose the performance won't be adversely affected? My project size is not big so the CF slot on AV2 won't be necessary. Is there any other potential problems with running av2 as the slave of cp2e?

Any help/comments would be appreciated!

For what I see, there is no really downside with running the AV2 as slave to the CP2E. My only comment would be that since you are are thinking on adding ipads/iPhones GUIs, you might run out of memory, therefore the need for the MMC memory on the AV2. Other than that, Are you looking at the C2ENE-2 instead of the C2ENET-1? are you separating the Crestron network from your home network? if not, the C2ENET-1 should be fine on the AV2 and should be less money that the C2ENET-2 or CP2E.

Thanks that an excellent point, I didn't consider the size of crestron mobile projects. Just did a compilation, seems the project size balloons easily with more graphics and at least 2-3MB is needed for xpanel IE. So I guess I still need the CF slot on AV2, is there anyway for the CP2E to access it?

Otherwise it also seems possible to upload vtpe projects directly to the ipad/iphone and use as local file. Although a bit troublesome but I think that is still ok since I only have a few devices don't need the ability to roam around on devices I don't own.

Those ENET cards on ebay costs around the same (abt $150) if they are being auctioned, so I guess what I get mostly depends on my luck. I don't need the -2 card though since I use a VLAN aware catalyst switch.

Oh any idea who really needs a C2ENET-2 card? I really don't see why the second port is necessary for both home or enterprise applications. Everything can be configured on routers and switches.

I have a CP2-E at home and I just upload the web mobility projects directly to the Tablet/Phone's.  If you need some help with that just call TrueBlue.

AV2 with C2ENET1 is a better rig if you are looking at expansion in the future and expandable memory for your projects.
more options - provided you can find the bits cheap on ebay.
Can load mobile project direct to mobile device with toolbox but having adequate memory is still better and easier and can cater for multiple devices and free or paid apps on your friends devices if they visit!!
C2ENET2 just gives hardware firewall and easy subnet but no real use where you have described.
Older CP2E had less RAM but now are 64Mb same as AV2.