I want to run ethercat and a mesa

Hey guys, I'm building a new mill, and would like to run on ethercat servos. I'm wondering if there's any issue running a 5I25 or similar as an input for MPG/buttons/switches and other basic IO things, while using ethercat for the motors. 

I'm new to ethercat,  but did build a linuxcnc+5i25+steppers mill and lathe about 10y ago. They are still going strong. I'm currently going through trying to relearn all the linuxcnc stuff.

Don't know about this specific combo, but I have run 7i96 and ethercat on two separate network interfaces without issues.
My guess is it will work just fine.

Cool. Thinking about it more, I'm wondering if I should just get a basic generic parallel port card, since I probably don't need fancy FPGA stuff for an MPG and some override switches. I guess I'm just remembering how much better my little cnc conversion runs on the mesa vs the parport. It seems with ethercat, most of that becomes irrelevant.

It happens that ethercat drives have inputs and outputs one can use for general purposes.
At least my Ect60s have a few. Meant for internal homing I think, but can be used for anything.
Check the drive specs.