Introduction
Tired of command-line tools for network monitoring? This stunning DIY project transforms invisible Wi-Fi data into a dynamic light display. Using an ESP32, you can build a device that not only visualizes network congestion but also alerts you to new devices, making it a perfect functional art piece for any self-hosting enthusiast. Discover how to bring your network to life with this creative blend of tech and design, and gain instant insight into your home lab’s activity.
Transform Your Network Monitoring with a DIY Wi-Fi Light
Most of us are familiar with the tiny blinking LEDs on Ethernet ports, which quietly indicate network activity. They are functional, but not particularly eye-catching. A creative maker, Corebb, decided Wi-Fi deserved the same kind of real-time visual indicator, only more artistic and immersive. The result is a custom-built mood light using an ESP32 microcontroller to translate Wi-Fi activity into colorful, dynamic light patterns.
This project blends technical ingenuity with design craftsmanship. Using an ESP32 board, a custom PCB, and carefully shaped light guides, Corebb built a display that reacts instantly to wireless network traffic. It not only shows how busy each Wi-Fi channel is but can also visualize local network usage, signal strength, and even alert you to new device connections.
From Data Packets to Dynamic Light Patterns
At the heart of the project is the ESP32 development board, chosen for its built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth capabilities. Corebb configured it to run in promiscuous mode, which allows the board to detect packets from any nearby network without needing access credentials. This transforms the device into a passive “sniffer” that can identify channel usage, device presence, and relative signal strengths. Instead of logging raw data, the system converts it into patterns of colored light.
Engineering Meets Aesthetic Design
The physical design is as carefully considered as the electronics. Corebb used side-emitting light tubes formed into arched groupings, with each of the 13 sets representing a different Wi-Fi channel. The outer casing was made through a combination of 3D printing and cut acrylic, with optional resin casting to enhance the finish and visual depth. This artistic approach is paired with precise engineering: a custom PCB houses the ESP32, voltage regulation circuitry, and addressable RGB LEDs, ensuring the colors blend smoothly for a polished final look.
Advanced Network Monitoring with Multiple Modes
The mood light has several display modes accessible via Bluetooth or USB, turning it from a simple decoration into a versatile tool for anyone managing their own network, especially in a busy self-hosting environment.
Wi-Fi Channel and LAN Traffic Analysis
Channel scanning mode cycles through all 13 Wi-Fi channels, lighting them according to activity. Intense red indicates high traffic, while cooler blue shades show quieter channels, making it easy to identify the least congested options for better router performance. Meanwhile, LAN traffic mode assigns a light to each connected device, flashing for downstream and upstream data. This lets you see exactly which devices—like a Plex server or a NAS—are active on your network in real time.
Intrusion Alerts and Signal Strength Visualization
Intrusion alert mode adds a valuable security angle. When a new, unrecognized device joins the network, the light flashes red, providing an immediate visual warning of a potential breach. There is also a Wi-Fi strength visualization mode, which lets you move the light around your home or office to map out signal coverage and find dead zones affecting your smart devices.
What You Need to Build It
Corebb has open-sourced the code and design files so that anyone can recreate this project. Building one requires a combination of electronics work and some light fabrication skills. This is one of those rewarding ESP32 projects that combines practicality with a great aesthetic.
Tools, Materials, and Construction Steps
The materials list includes the ESP32-WROOM-32E module, RGB addressable LEDs, a custom PCB, side-emitting light guides, foam adhesive, and acrylic panels. As our own Adam Conway has stressed, ESP32 is a catch-all for multiple modules and development boards. This project uses the ESP32-WROOM-32E module, which you can order with the custom PCB.
If you want to build your own, the process involves several key stages:
- Design the enclosure and light layout – Use 3D modeling software to create the shell and guides, keeping space for wiring and electronics.
- Prepare the lighting components – Shape side-emitting light guides and fit them into the guide channels for even illumination.
- Optionally cast and finish the shell – Sand, varnish, and, if desired, resin-cast the casing with pigments or glitter.
- Assemble the electronics – Solder the ESP32, voltage regulator, and LEDs onto the PCB, then connect them to the light strips.
- Program the ESP32 – Load the custom firmware to enable packet sniffing and visualization modes.
- Final assembly and testing – Secure all components, test each mode, and adjust the light mapping for accurate output.
Corebb’s Wi-Fi mood light is more than a visual novelty. It’s a functional network tool wrapped in artistic design that makes invisible data visible in a way that is both useful and visually striking. With the open-source files freely available, it’s a project that invites experimentation and personalization.
FAQ
Question 1: Why use a visual tool instead of software for network monitoring?
Answer 1: While software dashboards offer deep analytics, a visual tool like this provides at-a-glance, ambient information without needing to log in. The immediate red flash of the intrusion alert, for instance, is more instantly noticeable than an email notification. It beautifully merges utility with home or office decor.
Question 2: How difficult is this project for a beginner?
Answer 2: This is an intermediate-level project. It requires basic soldering, experience with 3D printing or fabrication, and flashing firmware to an ESP32. While the open-source files make it very accessible, it’s a great second or third step for those who have already completed simpler ESP32 projects.
Question 3: Can this device be integrated with other self-hosting platforms like Home Assistant?
Answer 3: Yes, this is a great way to extend its functionality. While the project is standalone, an advanced user could modify the ESP32 code to publish status updates (like a new device alert) to an MQTT broker. Your self-hosting platform, like Home Assistant, could then subscribe to these messages and trigger other automations, such as sending a push notification to your phone or even temporarily blocking the new device’s MAC address on your router.