You must configure the esp as an ap, if you want it to have it's own IP. You then set up a tcp-server on the esp (i think there are example functions in the ide). Keep in mind, that the communication (server/client you mentioned) has nothing to do with the way pc and esp are connected with (whether the esp is providing an accesspoint or logged into your wifi). Those are different protocol layers, which means you will not need to make any changes if you want pc and esp communicate over your router at all. Actually the esp (or at least for the esp8266-12f I know for sure) is capable of running both ap and wificlient at the same time It's not a big difference to serial communication, you will need to poll for incomming messages in your loop if you want to run a server. Sending messages to your pc is like printing to the serial interface.

You must configure the ESP as an AP, if you want it to have its own IP. You then set up a tcp-server on the ESP (i think there are example functions in the IDE). 

Keep in mind, that the communication (server/client you mentioned) has nothing to do with the way PC and ESP are connected with (whether the ESP is providing an Access Point or logged into your WiFi). Those are different protocol layers, which means you will not need to make any changes if you want PC and ESP communicate over your router at all. 

Actually the ESP (or at least for the ESP8266-12F I know for sure) is capable of running both ap and wificlient at the same time.

It's not a big difference to serial communication, you will need to poll for incomming messages in your loop if you want to run a server. Sending messages to your PC is like printing to the serial interface.

You must configure the esp as an ap, if you want it to have it's own IP. You then set up a tcp-server on the esp (i think there are example functions in the ide). Keep in mind, that the communication (server/client you mentioned) has nothing to do with the way pc and esp are connected with (whether the esp is providing an accesspoint or logged into your wifi).

You must configure the esp as an ap, if you want it to have it's own IP. You then set up a tcp-server on the esp (i think there are example functions in the ide). Keep in mind, that the communication (server/client you mentioned) has nothing to do with the way pc and esp are connected with (whether the esp is providing an accesspoint or logged into your wifi). Those are different protocol layers, which means you will not need to make any changes if you want pc and esp communicate over your router at all. Actually the esp (or at least for the esp8266-12f I know for sure) is capable of running both ap and wificlient at the same time It's not a big difference to serial communication, you will need to poll for incomming messages in your loop if you want to run a server. Sending messages to your pc is like printing to the serial interface.