# NodeMCU

## Overview

So, I got a cheap NodeMCU board from eBay. Here are some notes to get started with the ESP8266 !

## Basic use

### ESPTool

Grab the python script __esptool__ from github: https://github.com/themadinventor/esptool

    git clone https://github.com/themadinventor/esptool
    cd esptool
    ./esptool --port /dev/ttyUSB0 flash_id

Output should be something like:

    Connecting...
    Manufacturer: e0
    Device: 4016

Which means your board is working ! It's also included in the NodeMCU firmware repository

### NodeMCU release

Download the last NodeMCU release from github: https://github.com/nodemcu/nodemcu-firmware/releases

Check the image
    ./esptool.py --port /dev/ttyUSB0 image_info ./nodemcu_float_0.9.6-dev_20150704.bin
Should output something like
    Entry point: 40100008
    3 segments
    
    Segment 1: 31900 bytes at 40100000
    Segment 2:  3064 bytes at 3ffe8000
    Segment 3:     8 bytes at 3ffe8bf8
    
    Checksum: 12 (valid)

If it looks okay, proceeed to the next step, Flash !
    ./esptool.py --port /dev/ttyUSB0 write_flash 0x00 ./nodemcu_float_0.9.6-dev_20150704.bin

Wait until completion...

    Connecting...
    Erasing flash...
    Writing at 0x00070c00... (100 %)
    
    Leaving...

Reset your board (powercycle). Connect using a serial app, like _picocom_

    picocom /dev/ttyUSB0

And you should be ready to go ! More info on NodeMCU usage, on the github page: https://github.com/nodemcu/nodemcu-firmware

### Connect to your AP

In the serial terminal:

    wifi.setmode(wifi.STATION)
    wifi.sta.config("SSID","password")
    ip = wifi.sta.getip()
    print(ip)

Output is the current IP of your board. Open a new terminal and try to _ping_ it =)

This setting is kept in flash I guess, since it still works after powercycling the board...

## Build from source

Grab the firmware from github: https://github.com/nodemcu/nodemcu-firmware

    git clone https://github.com/nodemcu/nodemcu-firmware
    cd nodemcu-firmware/

FIXME Todo