How to connect ESP8266 to a router (theoretically)?

Question

Microcontrollers

I am making a device, the connection to the network is carried out using the ESP8266 microcontroller.
I understand networks poorly, so the essence of the question is:
You need to transfer the ESP8266 SSID and password so that the ESP8266 can connect to the network.
Do I understand correctly that if you do not connect, it will not be able to connect via TCP / UPD? If yes, how then to transfer the data?

Answer 1

You understand correctly, until you cling to the AP, there will be no network and TCP / UDP too. There are quite a few ways to transfer:
1) sew into the firmware. Much easier
2) to have a keyboard and display on board
3) to have a button, when pressed, the device starts in access point mode (read the manual). You connect to the device, enter the necessary settings (for this, you will have to set up a web server on the device, or some other thing, reboot in operating mode.
4) transfer the settings via the infrared port, or by whistling into the microphone - this is already exotic, but so they do too.