Networking with CircuitPython is constrained to hardware that supports CircuitPython. While the hardware platforms compatible with CircuitPython contiues to grow, generally there is hardware only from several manufacturers.
This page lists Wifi-capable based on current products with CircuitPython support.
Espressif Microcontrollers
Espressif makes several WiFi-capable microcontrollers. The processors include the original ESP32, the ESP32-S2, ESP32-S3, ESP32-C2 (aka ESP8584), ESP32-C3, and ESP32-C6.
CircuitPython does not support the earlier Espressif ESP8266 chip because of its memory and hardware limitations (although it is supported by MicroPython).
The CircuitPython wifi module is the primary interface with Espressif microcontrollers.
Products
The products listed throughout are representative. Much of the time there are many more. See CircuitPython.org for all the compatible boards.
ESP32
ESP32-S2
ESP32-S3
ESP32-C3
ESP32-C6
Raspberry Pi Pico W brings WiFi to the Pi Pico platform, adding on-board a single-band 2.4GHz wireless interface (802.11n) using the Infineon CYW43439 radio module, while retaining complete pin compatibility with its older sibling, the original Pi Pico.
The CircuitPython wifi module is the primary interface for WiFi on the Pico W.
Note that while the Pico W has more memory than many microcontroller boards, the WiFi software takes up a great deal of flash space and uses a lot of RAM at runtime, limiting the size of programs that can be created (which use WiFi) on the Pico W.
Guide
Products
Airlift
Airlift is the term Adafruit uses for using an ESP32 microcontroller module as a WiFi coprocessor, connected to another microcontroller running CircuitPython. The ESP32 runs a modified version of the NINA-FW firmware developed by Arduino.
Your program controls the AirLift coprocessor using the adafruit_esp32spi library (aka ESP32SPI), which is written in Python.
Note that ESP32SPI requires the CircuitPython microcontroller to have at least 128kb of memory, which rules out smaller CircuitPython-compatible microcontrollers like SAMD21.
The AirLift coprocessor is integrated onto boards such as the Adafruit PyPortal and the Adafruit Metro M4 AirLift Lite, and is also available as a separate breakout board.
Guide
Products
WizNet 5k Library
WizNet makes a number of chips for doing hardwired Ethernet through an SPI bus to a microcontroller. Their W5000 series chips are supported in CircuitPython through the Adafruit Wiznet5k Library module adafruit_wiznet5k.
Guide
Products
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