How to create an ESP8266-based IoT device on the 2Smart Cloud platform

Table of contents:

The ESP8266 IoT microcontroller presented by Espressif Systems in 2014 is still popular with the Internet of Things device developers. The 2Smart Cloud platform does not provide specialized firmware development tools for these MCUs. However, using our documentation and ready-made firmware examples, you can utilize 2Smart Cloud as the IoT platform for ESP8266 and create a device based on this MCU.

Which microcontrollers can be used to create a new 2Smart Cloud device

The 2Smart Cloud platform is a cloud software for your ideas that supports any microcontrollers for creating IoT devices. This feature is available to every platform vendor, not just those who apply for 2Smart Cloud custom IoT development services. At the same time, we recommend using an ESP32 or Raspberry Pi, for which there are specialized firmware writing tools within the platform. To develop devices based on other microcontrollers, use the platform documentation.

ESP32 microcontroller chip is our top recommendation for vendors who want to use ESP8266 by Espressif Systems for smart device development. This is a more modern and productive MCU from the same manufacturer, the cost of which is slightly higher compared to the outdated model.

The following firmware creation tools are available for ESP32 microcontrollers:

• ESPHome,
• SDK.

Read more about the pros and cons of each tool in this platform blog post.

How to create a device based on ESP8266

Within the 2Smart Cloud platform, you cannot use ESPHome or SDK to write firmware for the ESP8266 by Espressif for smart device development. However, take your time looking elsewhere for the best IoT platform for ESP8266 because all the benefits of 2Smart Cloud are available to you anyway. To create a new device based on this microcontroller, use the documentation or ready-made firmware examples.

Utilize our firmware for the following devices as ready-made examples of products based on the ESP8266 platform:

• Sonoff Basic Wi-Fi relay,
• Sonoff 4CH Wi-Fi relay,
• Sonoff S20 Wi-Fi socket.

Although these devices are based on the ESP8285 chip, their firmware is fully compatible with the ESP8266. Our firmware for Sonoff implements the benefits of the platform’s SDK, except for the built-in device web interface. Using the web admin panel on the ESP8266 IoT MCU is impossible due to the lack of built-in memory.

Briefly about what you get when creating a device based on ESP8266 with the IoT remote device management platform from 2Smart:

• free connection to the cloud MQTT broker (up to 20 devices);
• modern mobile application for device management;
• additional ways to manage the IoT product: voice commands, phone calls, Telegram bot;
• sharing a device with other users, including the option for those who do not have the 2Smart Cloud mobile application installed on their smartphone;
• other benefits described in the “Platform Features” and “Mobile App Features” sections of the blog.

To create an ESP8266 device, do the following:

1. Create a new product on the platform.
   
2. Select microcontroller – Other.
   
3. Create a firmware using the Custom base.
   
4. Use the “Connection info” parameters to write the firmware and connect the prototype of the ESP8266 IoT cloud device to the platform.