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

The ESP8266 microcontroller is still popular with IoT device developers. The 2Smart Cloud platform does not provide specialized firmware development tools for these MCUs. However, you can create an ESP8266-based device using the documentation and ready-made firmware examples.

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

The 2Smart Cloud platform supports any microcontrollers for creating IoT devices. 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 is our top recommendation for vendors who want to develop IoT products based on ESP8266. This is a more modern and productive microcontroller, the cost of which is slightly higher compared to the outdated model.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 ESP8266 microcontroller firmware. 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:

• 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 is impossible due to the lack of built-in memory.

To create an ESP8266-based 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 to the platform.