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connecting-to-the-web.md

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In this lesson, we will learn how to connect our ESP module with the Internet and configure it in such a way which makes it connect to the Web automatically whenever it boots up.

Connecting with the World

Connecting with a WiFi network

Connecting to a nearby WiFi access point is pretty straight-forward.

Creating a Station Interface

In order to create a station interface on our ESP module, we first need to import the WLAN and STA_IF classes from the network module.

{% code-tabs %} {% code-tabs-item title="importingNetwork.py" %}

fron network import WLAN, STA_IF

{% endcode-tabs-item %} {% endcode-tabs %}

A station interface actually makes our NodeMCU to act as a client so that it can connect with a nearby WiFi network or access-point.

{% code-tabs %} {% code-tabs-item title="stationInterface.py" %}

from network import WLAN,STA_IF

myFi = WLAN(STA_IF)        # creates a station object
myFi.active(True)          # activates the myFi station we just created

{% endcode-tabs-item %} {% endcode-tabs %}

The above 3- line Python code actually makes our ESP module, a WiFi client just as our other Gadgets like Smartphones/Tablets, Smart TVs, Laptops, etc.

Connecting to a network

To connect with a WiFi network, we simply call the connect method from our myFi object and pass the network-name and it's password as an input to the connect method.

Take a look at line 5 in the code below to have a clear understanding:

from network import WLAN,STA_IF

myFi = WLAN(STA_IF)        # creates a station object
myFi.active(True)          # activates the myFi station we just created
myFi.connect('<network-name>','<network-password>')        # connect with <network-name>
myFi.isconnected()         # checks whether myFi is connected to <network-name> or not
myFi.ifconfig()            # prints myFi configuration like IP addr and other network details

We see how easy it is to connect with a WiFi network in Python. This gives us the freedom to monitor and control our Gadgets from the Web anywhere around the globe.

If we see the potential of such gadgets, it's HUGE! Since such ESP-like modules are very inexpensive, compact and reliable at the same time, they can be embedded in almost anything which will eventually create a Web of Objects and Things which are inter-connected, conveying information between people, objects and processes.

letsConnect()

Here is a handy function that you may use in order to connect with a WiFi network right away -

{% code-tabs %} {% code-tabs-item title="letsConnect.py" %}

def letsConnect():
    from network import WLAN, STA_IF    
    myFi = WLAN(STA_IF)                                     
    if myFi.isconnected() == False:        	# if wifi is not connected, execute the statements below:
        myFi.active(True)
        print('Connecting to the network...')
        myFi.connect('AndroidAPpp','')  
        while myFi.isconnected() == False:    	# do nothing until we are connected to the network 
            pass
    print("Network configuration:", myFi.ifconfig())		# print the network configuration once we are connected	

letsConnect()		# execute the letsConnect function

{% endcode-tabs-item %} {% endcode-tabs %}