> Check this example only if you wish to use console based provisioning. For any real applications, it is recommended to use the new `wifi_prov_mgr` example which is based on the simpler `wifi_provisioning` APIs.
(See the README.md file in the upper level 'examples' directory for more information about examples.)
`console_prov` example demonstrates the implementation and integration of various IDF components for building a console based provisioning application.
For this example UART console is chosen as the mode of transport, over which the provisioning related communication is to take place, between the device (to be provisioned) and the client (owner of the device).
In the provisioning process the device is configured as a Wi-Fi station with specified credentials. Once configured, the device will retain the Wi-Fi configuration, until a flash erase is performed.
Right after provisioning is complete, the UART console is deactivated.
`console_prov` uses the following components :
*`wifi_provisioning` : provides data structures and protocomm endpoint handlers for Wi-Fi configuration
*`protocomm` : for protocol based communication and secure session establishment
*`protobuf` : Google's protocol buffer library for serialization of protocomm data structures
This example can be used, as it is, for adding a provisioning service to any application intended for IoT. But it is more suitable for debugging protocomm and provisioning related components and feature additions.
## How to use example
### Hardware Required
Example should be able to run on any commonly available ESP32 development board.
To provision the device running this example, the `esp_prov.py` script needs to be run (found under `$IDF_PATH/tools/esp_prov`). This feature of `esp_prov` should work on all platforms, given the dependencies are satisfied.
See the Getting Started Guide for full steps to configure and use ESP-IDF to build projects.
## Example Output
```
I (388) app: Starting console provisioning
I (398) app_prov: Console provisioning started
.
.
.
>>
```
In a separate terminal run the `esp_prov.py` script under `$IDP_PATH/tools/esp_prov` directory (please replace `myssid` and `mypassword` with the credentials of the AP to which the device is supposed to connect to after provisioning). Assuming default example configuration, the script should be run as follows :
After sometime the provisioning app will exit and UART console will be stopped
```
I (1119728) app_prov: Stopping provisioning
I (1119728) protocomm_console: Stopping console...
I (1119728) app_prov: Provisioning stopped
I (1119748) protocomm_console: Console stopped
```
## Troubleshooting
### Provisioning failed
It is possible that the Wi-Fi credentials provided were incorrect, or the device was not able to establish connection to the network, in which the the `esp_prov` script will notify failure (with reason) and the provisioning app will continue running, allowing the user to retry the process. Serial monitor log will display the failure along with disconnect reason :
```
E (39291) app_prov: STA Disconnected
E (39291) app_prov: Disconnect reason : 201
I (39291) app_prov: STA AP Not found
I (42021) app_prov_handler: Disconnected state
```
### Provisioning does not start
If the serial monitor log is different, as shown below :
```
I (539) app_prov: Found ssid myssid
I (539) app_prov: Found password mypassword
I (549) app: Starting WiFi station
```
It means the Wi-Fi credentials were already set by some other application flashed previously to your device. To erase these credentials either do full erase and then flash the example
Or, enable `Reset Provisioning` option under `Example Configuration` under menuconfig. But this will erase the saved Wi-Fi credentials every time the device boots, so this is not the preferred solution.