Use ESP32 hostname for built-in mDNS

README.md

@@ -23,14 +23,14 @@ If that import fails, use an up-to-date native-USB MicroPython build for the boa
 
 ## Install
 
-1. Flash a current ESP32-S3 MicroPython build, then verify that `from machine import USBDevice` and `import mdns` both succeed at the REPL.
+1. Flash a current ESP32-S3 MicroPython build, then verify that `from machine import USBDevice` succeeds at the REPL. A separate `mdns` module is not required on the standard ESP32 port.
 2. Copy `settings.example.json` to the device filesystem as `settings.json` and replace all three credentials. Do this **before first boot**: the firmware cannot join Wi-Fi with the placeholder defaults.
 3. Copy `boot.py`, `main.py`, `hid.py`, `settings.py`, `web.py`, and `display.py` to the device root filesystem.
 4. Reset the board and plug its native USB connector into a dedicated test host. It should enumerate as a keyboard, mouse, and media-control HID device.
 5. Once it joins Wi-Fi, visit `http://polterhid.local/`. If the client/network does not support mDNS, find the device IP address in the training Wi-Fi DHCP leases and visit `http://DEVICE_IP/` instead.
 6. Sign in with username `admin` and the `web_password` from `settings.json`.
 
-`boot.py` configures the native USB interface before USB initialisation, while `main.py` runs the application. The device is intentionally **HID-only**: its built-in USB serial/CDC REPL is replaced by the HID device. Use the BOOT button to enter download mode for recovery, and verify the network configuration before deployment. On a LILYGO T-Dongle-S3, its built-in 160×80 ST7735 screen shows the configured Wi-Fi SSID and either `connecting...` or the DHCP-assigned IPv4 address. It advertises the HTTP page through mDNS as `polterhid.local`; this requires a MicroPython ESP32 build containing the `mdns` module. Configuration saved in the web page is retained in `settings.json` and takes effect immediately.
+`boot.py` configures the native USB interface before USB initialisation, while `main.py` runs the application. The device is intentionally **HID-only**: its built-in USB serial/CDC REPL is replaced by the HID device. Use the BOOT button to enter download mode for recovery, and verify the network configuration before deployment. On a LILYGO T-Dongle-S3, its built-in 160×80 ST7735 screen shows the configured Wi-Fi SSID and either `connecting...` or the DHCP-assigned IPv4 address. The firmware sets the ESP32 network hostname to `polterhid` before joining Wi-Fi; standard ESP32 MicroPython builds use their built-in mDNS responder to announce `polterhid.local`. Configuration saved in the web page is retained in `settings.json` and takes effect immediately.
 
 ## Operational safeguards
 

main.py

@@ -15,11 +15,21 @@ KEY_HOLD_MS = 80
 def connect_wifi(settings):
     wlan = network.WLAN(network.STA_IF)
     wlan.active(True)
+    set_mdns_hostname(wlan)
     if not wlan.isconnected():
         wlan.connect(settings["wifi_ssid"], settings["wifi_password"])
     return wlan
 
 
+def set_mdns_hostname(wlan):
+    """Set the hostname used by ESP32's built-in mDNS responder."""
+    try:
+        network.hostname("polterhid")
+    except AttributeError:
+        # Older ESP32 builds expose the same setting through the WLAN object.
+        wlan.config(dhcp_hostname="polterhid")
+
+
 def seconds_to_ms(seconds):
     return seconds * 1000
 
@@ -41,15 +51,6 @@ def ip_address(wlan):
         return wlan.ifconfig()[0]
 
 
-def start_mdns():
-    """Advertise the configuration page as http://polterhid.local/."""
-    import mdns
-
-    server = mdns.Server()
-    server.init("polterhid", "PolterHID")
-    server.advertise_service("_http", "_tcp", 80, "PolterHID")
-    return server
-
 
 def main():
     settings = load()
@@ -72,8 +73,6 @@ def main():
     release_at = None
     consumer_release_at = None
     next_wifi_retry = now
-    mdns_server = None
-    next_mdns_retry = now
     next_display_refresh = now
 
     while True:
@@ -90,16 +89,6 @@ def main():
             display.update(settings["wifi_ssid"], address)
             next_display_refresh = time.ticks_add(now, 1000)
 
-        if (wlan.isconnected() and mdns_server is None and
-                time.ticks_diff(now, next_mdns_retry) >= 0):
-            try:
-                mdns_server = start_mdns()
-                print("mDNS available at http://polterhid.local/")
-            except (ImportError, OSError, AttributeError) as error:
-                # Keep HID and web handling available by IP if this firmware
-                # build lacks mDNS or Wi-Fi is not ready yet.
-                print("mDNS unavailable:", error)
-                next_mdns_retry = time.ticks_add(now, 10000)
 
         if release_at is not None and time.ticks_diff(now, release_at) >= 0:
             hid.release_keys()