Simple is better, if it works
Ivrea Observatory does not start with a complex platform. The first architecture is deliberately direct: sensors, ESP32, ingest endpoint, MySQL database and PHP pages.
This choice reduces technical noise. First, reliable data must be collected and shown well. Only then does it make sense to complicate the stack.
The role of ESP32 nodes
ESP32 devices are lightweight nodes dedicated to sensors. They read values, maintain local status, expose a small diagnostic page and send data to the backend.
Every node must be checkable: uptime, RSSI, last send, sensor status. Home-built sensing becomes fragile when it is unclear whether the problem is the sensor, Wi-Fi, power or backend.
PHP as a pragmatic choice
PHP is not chosen for fashion, but for pragmatism: it is already available on the hosting, integrates easily with MySQL and allows dynamic pages without introducing too much infrastructure.
The dashboard is server-rendered, lightweight, automatically updated and easy to publish.
Highlights
On the workbench
- Keep the project moving without losing the reasoning behind each step