# 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