ESP32 Essential Guide – Network Section – WiFi Chapter

0 – What Can ESP32 Do Online?

The ESP32 is more than just a microcontroller—it’s a gateway to the online world. Once connected to the internet, this tiny powerhouse unlocks a multitude of possibilities for your projects. Before we delve further, let’s discuss what the ESP32 can do online and explore some exciting things you can achieve with it.

The ESP32 has three primary network operating modes to suit your project’s needs. Now, let’s break down these three major modes. Please click on the following link and it will take you to the article that discuss each mode in detail.

• 0-0 What Can ESP32 Do Online?

1 – Station Mode: Joining the Crowd

In Station Mode, your ESP32 becomes a WiFi client, just like your laptop or smartphone. It connects to an existing WiFi network, allowing it to access the internet and communicate with other devices on that network. This mode is perfect when you want your ESP32 to chat with the outside world, send sensor data, or fetch updates.

The following articles contain more details about the ESP32 working in WiFi Station Mode:

• 0-1 How to Connect ESP32 to WiFi
• 0-2 Fetching Essential Online Data with the ESP32

2 – AP Mode: Hosting Your Own Party

AP Mode flips the script. Now, your ESP32 creates its own WiFi network. Other devices can connect to it, allowing them to communicate with the ESP32 directly. Imagine your ESP32 setting up its own hotspot, allowing nearby devices to join its network.

• ESP32 WiFi AP Basics
• ESP32 WiFi AP Setup

3 – AP+Station Mode: The Ultimate Multitasker

Why choose when you can have both? AP+Station Mode lets your ESP32 simultaneously connect to an existing network and create its own. This mode is perfect for scenarios where you need the ESP32 to act as a bridge, connecting devices on its own network to the internet. We’ll cover the following in our ‘ESP32 Essentials Guide’:

• ESP32 WiFi AP+Station Mode Explained
• ESP32 WiFi AP+Station Mode Setup

Understanding these three WiFi modes is crucial for unlocking the full potential of your ESP32. Whether you need to connect to an existing network, create your own, or do both, the ESP32 has you covered. Now, you might be wondering, “How do I actually use this to build something cool?”

Well, the next step is connecting your ESP32 as a WiFi client to communicate with web servers. This is where the magic truly happens, turning your ESP32 into a real IoT device! Imagine building a personal weather station that updates you in real-time or creating an AI agent you can chat with. All of these cool projects need the ESP32 to connect to servers! Stay tuned for our next chapter in the ‘ESP32 Essentials Guide’ to learn how to make your ESP32 a web-connected wonder.