QUERY · ISSUE

RP2040: mDNS support in AP mode

openby ThinkTransitopened 2023-03-07updated 2023-03-07

enhancement

Implement mdns in AP mode on RP2 port to allow users to access micropython device by hostname.

CANDIDATE · ISSUE

Cannot change default exposed IP (for DHCP etc) on Pico W running in AP mode (remains exposing default 192.168.4.x)

openby magnus-0opened 2025-08-22updated 2025-09-23

bugport-rp2

Port, board and/or hardware

Pico W

MicroPython version

MicroPython v1.26.0 on 2025-08-09; Raspberry Pi Pico W with RP2040

Reproduction

Create a WLAN in IF_AP mode and set IP (and subnet, GW, DNS, etc) via WLAN.ifconfig
Confirm that ifconfig() returns the expected parameters
Conclude that the exposed IP address (incl DHCP range etc) when connecting clients to the AP remains the default 192.168.4.1

Expected behaviour

Expected the exposed DHCP gateway address and range to follow the set parameters, instead of the default 192.168.4.1

Observed behaviour

DHCP gateway address and range remain 192.168.4.1

Additional Information

(!) Do ensure ifconfig() is called áfter activating the WLAN, as otherwise it will definitely reset to the default settings, confirmed by printing them. So WLAN.active(true), then WLAN.ifconfig(...)

Code of Conduct

Yes, I agree

Assessment

Q Qwen · high

Issue #10957 is a feature request to add mDNS support in AP mode on RP2040 to enable hostname-based device access. Issue #17977 is a bug report about the DHCP server in AP mode not respecting configured IP parameters (gateway remains 192.168.4.1 despite ifconfig() settings). While both issues concern RP2040 AP mode networking and would benefit from each other's resolution (mDNS requires a working DHCP server), they address fundamentally different problems: one is about adding a new feature (mDNS), the other is about fixing an existing bug (DHCP configuration not applying). The bug in #17977 must be fixed before mDNS would work reliably, but fixing the DHCP bug does not implement mDNS support.

Suggested action

Keep both issues open. #17977 should be prioritized as it blocks proper AP mode functionality. #10957 can be implemented once the DHCP configuration bug is resolved, or they can be addressed in parallel if the mDNS implementation doesn't depend on the DHCP fix.