Purpose of ICSP port on ethernet shield?

Projects Networking, Protocols, and Devices
1

What is the purpose of the ICSP port into the ethernet shield? Does it contain any necessary connections for the ethernet operation?

I notice the mega shield V2.0 has an ICSP port on it, yet it doesn't plug into an existing ICSP port on the bottom. Ok, did a little more research and I see that pins 50-53 deliver the 4 signals needed for ICSP. That must be how the V2.0 shield gets them without accessing the header on the mega.

2

Does it contain any necessary connections for the ethernet operation?

The most important yes.It contains the MISO,MOSI,SCLK,Reset and Power.
The ethernet card also needs the chip select pin (CSN)signal but that is not in ICSP header.

3

So the ICSP contains signals found on the standard pins, but they are collected together to create a standard that doesn't vary?

4

yes