Access Point Mode

After you flash the firmware for the first time, Xedge32 starts in Access Point Mode. In this mode, the ESP32 creates its own Wi-Fi network so you can connect to the device even before it has been configured for your local network.

The default access point name is xedge32. This startup mode is especially useful during first-time setup, lab work, and field service, since it gives you an immediate path to the device without requiring a pre-existing network.

Connecting to Xedge32

Use the following sequence the first time you connect:

  1. Connect your phone or computer to the xedge32 Wi-Fi network. The default password is 12345678.

  2. Open a browser and navigate to http://xedge32.local.

  3. If your computer does not support mDNS, use http://192.168.190.0 instead.

  4. The first page you see is a default 404 page. Click the Xedge IDE link to open the Xedge IDE Web Editor.

Note

The default SSID and password are intended for initial onboarding. If you plan to keep a device in Access Point Mode for extended development or field use, update the configuration to match your deployment requirements.

Access Point Mode Considerations

Access Point Mode is primarily a setup and recovery mode. It is fully usable, but there are a few details worth knowing:

  • The built-in editor always works, but on computers without Internet access it falls back to a basic HTML text area instead of the richer Monaco-based editor.

  • If you want the more advanced browser editor while still keeping the ESP32 in Access Point Mode, use a computer that is connected to the ESP32 over Wi-Fi and to the Internet over another interface such as Ethernet.

  • This mode is also convenient when you are bringing up a device on a workbench and do not yet want it to join a production network.

Xedge32 IDE Access Point Mode

Figure 1: Loading the advanced editor while the ESP32 remains in Access Point Mode.

Switching to Station Mode

Station Mode is the recommended operating mode for most projects because it lets Xedge32 join your normal network and use the full set of IoT-oriented features.

To switch from Access Point Mode to Station Mode:

  1. Open the web interface and click the three dots (...) in the upper-right corner.

  2. Select Lua Shell to open LuaShell32.

  3. Run the following command:

    esp32.netconnect("wifi", {ssid="your-Wi-Fi-SSID", pwd="password"})

  4. Replace your-Wi-Fi-SSID and password with your own credentials.

  5. Wait while the ESP32 attempts to join the network.

If the connection succeeds, the device stays in Station Mode. If the connection attempt fails during initial configuration, Xedge32 falls back to Access Point Mode so you can correct the settings and try again.

Reconnecting After the Mode Change

Once the ESP32 has joined your network:

  • If your computer supports mDNS, reconnect by browsing to http://xedge32.local/.

  • If your computer does not support mDNS, find the new IP address in your router’s DHCP client list. The device typically appears as xedge.

Note

If you were already connected to the IDE through http://xedge32.local/ and both your computer and the ESP32 can still reach each other after the mode change, the IDE may reconnect automatically. It is normal to briefly see disconnect and reconnect messages in the IDE console before the final connected message appears.

Station Mode Considerations

Once your device runs in Station Mode, one of the following connection methods is usually the most convenient:

  • http://xedge32.local/ if you are using the precompiled firmware or a custom build with mDNS enabled.

  • The DHCP-assigned IP address if you prefer direct IP access.

  • A DHCP reservation on your router if you want the same IP address every time.

  • A permanent public URL by enabling the SharkTrust Let’s Encrypt plugin from Xedge’s configuration menu.

Additional notes:

  • You can change the mDNS name by using esp32.execute(command).

  • mDNS is convenient, but it may resolve more slowly than normal DNS on some networks.

  • Bookmarking a stable IP address or using a DHCP reservation is often the most practical choice for long-term development.

Switching Back to Access Point Mode

After the ESP32 has successfully connected in Station Mode at least once, it does not automatically revert to Access Point Mode if later network attempts fail. This behavior is intentional and helps prevent accidental exposure of the device as an access point.

To switch back manually, run the following command in LuaShell32:

esp32.netconnect"wifi"

This disconnects the device from Wi-Fi Station Mode and restores the original Access Point Mode behavior.