diff --git a/backend/src/config.js b/backend/src/config.js
deleted file mode 100644
index 338d09b18..000000000
--- a/backend/src/config.js
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,38 +0,0 @@
-import { publish, procedure } from "../../lib/mqtt.js"
-
-import {
-  connectToWifi,
-  DeviceWireless,
-  getWifis,
-  scan,
-} from "../../lib/network.js"
-
-async function publishAccessPoints() {
-  try {
-    const wifis = await getWifis()
-    publish("config/wifis", wifis, null, { retain: true })
-  } catch (err) {
-    console.error(err)
-  }
-}
-
-await DeviceWireless.subscribe("AccessPointAdded", (/*access_point*/) => {
-  publishAccessPoints()
-})
-
-await DeviceWireless.subscribe("AccessPointRemoved", (/*access_point*/) => {
-  publishAccessPoints()
-})
-
-await procedure("config/wifis/scan", async () => {
-  await scan()
-})
-
-await procedure("config/wifis/connect", async (data) => {
-  await connectToWifi(data.path)
-})
-;(async () => {
-  await publishAccessPoints()
-  await scan()
-  await publishAccessPoints()
-})()
diff --git a/backend/src/network/README.md b/backend/src/network/README.md
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..a777491bb
--- /dev/null
+++ b/backend/src/network/README.md
@@ -0,0 +1,56 @@
+# network service
+
+This is an MQTT service that is started as part of `bakcend`.
+
+### API
+
+### list
+
+**topic** `network/wifi/list`
+
+**payload:**
+```json
+[
+  {
+    "ssid": "FOO",
+    "frequency": 2412,
+    "strength": 55,
+    "path": "/org/freedesktop/NetworkManager/AccessPoint/23"
+  },
+  {
+    "ssid": "BAR",
+    "frequency": 5500,
+    "strength": 75,
+    "path": "/org/freedesktop/NetworkManager/AccessPoint/24"
+  }
+  ...
+]
+```
+
+Subscribe to this topic to get the list of available access points.
+The list will be automatically published to new subscribers and can be updated at any point.
+
+See `scan` below to request an explicit update.
+
+### scan
+
+**topic** `network/wifi/scan`
+
+Publish a request to this topic to have the wireless device scan for networks.
+The response is emitted once the scan is done and contains no payload.
+
+This is likely to cause an update on `network/wifi/list`.
+
+### connect
+
+**topic** `network/wifi/connect`
+
+**payload:**
+```json
+{
+  "path": "/org/freedesktop/NetworkManager/AccessPoint/24" // a path from the list of wifis
+}
+```
+
+Publish a request to this topic to have the wireless device connect to the specified access point.
+The response is emitted once the connection is established and contains no payload.
diff --git a/backend/src/network/network.js b/backend/src/network/network.js
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..43f82867e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/backend/src/network/network.js
@@ -0,0 +1,44 @@
+import { publish, procedure } from "../../../lib/mqtt.js"
+
+import { NetworkManager } from "../../../lib/network.js"
+
+const networkmanager = new NetworkManager()
+await networkmanager.init()
+
+async function publishAccessPoints() {
+  try {
+    const wifis = await networkmanager.getWifis()
+    publish("network/wifi/list", wifis, null, { retain: true })
+  } catch (err) {
+    console.error(err)
+  }
+}
+
+await networkmanager.DeviceWireless.subscribe(
+  "AccessPointAdded",
+  (/*access_point*/) => {
+    publishAccessPoints()
+  },
+)
+
+await networkmanager.DeviceWireless.subscribe(
+  "AccessPointRemoved",
+  (/*access_point*/) => {
+    publishAccessPoints()
+  },
+)
+
+await procedure("network/wifi/scan", async () => {
+  await networkmanager.scan()
+})
+
+await procedure("network/wifi/connect", async (data) => {
+  await networkmanager.connectToWifi(data.path)
+})
+
+//
+;(async () => {
+  await publishAccessPoints()
+  await networkmanager.scan()
+  await publishAccessPoints()
+})()
diff --git a/backend/src/service.js b/backend/src/service.js
index a7b5cf4a0..9c4285e1b 100755
--- a/backend/src/service.js
+++ b/backend/src/service.js
@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@ import express from "express"
 import cors from "cors"
 
 import "./factory.js"
-import "./config.js"
+import "./network/network.js"
 import "./led-operating-time.js"
 import { readSoftwareConfig, removeConfig } from "../../lib/file-config.js"
 import { capture } from "../../lib/scope.js"
diff --git a/lib/helpers.js b/lib/helpers.js
index acf0ee15a..f76569de5 100644
--- a/lib/helpers.js
+++ b/lib/helpers.js
@@ -1,3 +1,6 @@
+import { opendir } from "fs/promises"
+import { join } from "path"
+
 export function createNodeFromAsync(type, fn, input, output) {
   return function (RED) {
     function Node(config) {
@@ -22,9 +25,6 @@ export function createNodeFromAsync(type, fn, input, output) {
   }
 }
 
-import { opendir } from "fs/promises"
-import { join } from "path"
-
 export async function* walk(dir) {
   let fsdir
   try {
diff --git a/lib/helpers.test.js b/lib/helpers.test.js
index aaeff038f..fddfeac14 100644
--- a/lib/helpers.test.js
+++ b/lib/helpers.test.js
@@ -1,7 +1,8 @@
 import { test } from "node:test"
-import { cache } from "./helpers.js"
 import { setTimeout } from "node:timers/promises"
 
+import { cache } from "./helpers.js"
+
 test("cached sync", async (t) => {
   const fn = t.mock.fn(() => "foo")
 
diff --git a/lib/network.js b/lib/network.js
index 00f1eddeb..9c93908e8 100644
--- a/lib/network.js
+++ b/lib/network.js
@@ -2,51 +2,108 @@
 
 import { systemBus } from "dbus.js"
 
-const service = systemBus().getService("org.freedesktop.NetworkManager")
+export class NetworkManager {
+  system_bus = null
+  network_manager = null
+  service = null
 
-const NetworkManager = await service.getInterface(
-  "/org/freedesktop/NetworkManager",
-  "org.freedesktop.NetworkManager",
-)
+  async init() {
+    if (this.network_manager) return
 
-const [device_path] = await NetworkManager.GetDeviceByIpIface("wlan0")
+    const system_bus = systemBus()
+    const service = system_bus.getService("org.freedesktop.NetworkManager")
 
-const [DeviceWireless, DeviceWireless_Properties] = await Promise.all([
-  service.getInterface(
-    device_path,
-    "org.freedesktop.NetworkManager.Device.Wireless",
-  ),
-  service.getInterface(device_path, "org.freedesktop.DBus.Properties"),
-])
+    const network_manager = await service.getInterface(
+      "/org/freedesktop/NetworkManager",
+      "org.freedesktop.NetworkManager",
+    )
+
+    const [device_path] = await network_manager.GetDeviceByIpIface("wlan0")
+    const [DeviceWireless, DeviceWireless_Properties] = await Promise.all([
+      service.getInterface(
+        device_path,
+        "org.freedesktop.NetworkManager.Device.Wireless",
+      ),
+      service.getInterface(device_path, "org.freedesktop.DBus.Properties"),
+    ])
+
+    Object.assign(this, {
+      system_bus,
+      service,
+      network_manager,
+      device_path,
+      DeviceWireless,
+      DeviceWireless_Properties,
+    })
+  }
+
+  // TODO: real async
+  async deinit() {
+    this.system_bus?.connection.end()
+    this.system_bus = null
+    this.network_manager = null
+    this.service.bus.connection.end()
+    this.service = null
+  }
 
-export { DeviceWireless }
+  async scan() {
+    const { DeviceWireless_Properties, DeviceWireless } = this
 
-export async function scan() {
-  const deferred = Promise.withResolvers()
+    const deferred = Promise.withResolvers()
 
-  // > To know when the scan is finished, use the "PropertiesChanged" signal from "org.freedesktop.DBus.Properties" to listen to changes to the "LastScan" property.
-  // https://networkmanager.dev/docs/api/latest/gdbus-org.freedesktop.NetworkManager.Device.Wireless.html#gdbus-method-org-freedesktop-NetworkManager-Device-Wireless.RequestScan
-  function handler(interface_name, changed_properties) {
-    if (interface_name !== "org.freedesktop.NetworkManager.Device.Wireless") {
-      return
+    // > To know when the scan is finished, use the "PropertiesChanged" signal from "org.freedesktop.DBus.Properties" to listen to changes to the "LastScan" property.
+    // https://networkmanager.dev/docs/api/latest/gdbus-org.freedesktop.NetworkManager.Device.Wireless.html#gdbus-method-org-freedesktop-NetworkManager-Device-Wireless.RequestScan
+    function handler(interface_name, changed_properties) {
+      if (interface_name !== "org.freedesktop.NetworkManager.Device.Wireless") {
+        return
+      }
+
+      const LastScan = changed_properties.find((changed_property) => {
+        const [property_name] = changed_property
+        return property_name === "LastScan"
+      })
+      if (!LastScan) return
+
+      deferred.resolve()
+      DeviceWireless_Properties.unsubscribe("PropertiesChanged", handler).catch(
+        () => {},
+      )
     }
+    await DeviceWireless_Properties.subscribe("PropertiesChanged", handler)
 
-    const LastScan = changed_properties.find((changed_property) => {
-      const [property_name] = changed_property
-      return property_name === "LastScan"
-    })
-    if (!LastScan) return
+    await DeviceWireless.RequestScan({})
+    await deferred.promise
+  }
 
-    DeviceWireless_Properties.unsubscribe("PropertiesChanged", handler).then(
-      deferred.resolve,
-      deferred.reject,
+  async getWifis() {
+    const [access_point_paths] = await this.DeviceWireless.GetAllAccessPoints()
+
+    const access_points = await Promise.all(
+      access_point_paths.map((access_point_path) => {
+        return this.service.getInterface(
+          access_point_path,
+          "org.freedesktop.NetworkManager.AccessPoint",
+        )
+      }),
     )
-  }
-  await DeviceWireless_Properties.subscribe("PropertiesChanged", handler)
 
-  await DeviceWireless.RequestScan({})
+    return Promise.all(
+      access_points.map(async (access_point) => {
+        const [Ssid, frequency, strength] = await Promise.all(
+          ["Ssid", "Frequency", "Strength"].map((propName) =>
+            readProp(access_point, propName),
+          ),
+        )
+        const ssid = new TextDecoder().decode(Ssid)
+        const path = access_point.$parent.name
+        return { ssid, frequency, strength, path }
+      }),
+    )
+  }
 
-  return deferred.promise
+  async connectToWifi(path) {
+    await NetworkManager.AddAndActivateConnection([], this.device_path, path)
+  }
 }
 
 async function readProp(iface, propName) {
@@ -62,32 +119,11 @@ async function readProp(iface, propName) {
   return val[0][1][0]
 }
 
-export async function getWifis() {
-  const [access_point_paths] = await DeviceWireless.GetAllAccessPoints()
-
-  const access_points = await Promise.all(
-    access_point_paths.map((access_point_path) => {
-      return service.getInterface(
-        access_point_path,
-        "org.freedesktop.NetworkManager.AccessPoint",
-      )
-    }),
-  )
-
-  return Promise.all(
-    access_points.map(async (access_point) => {
-      const [Ssid, frequency, strength] = await Promise.all(
-        ["Ssid", "Frequency", "Strength"].map((propName) =>
-          readProp(access_point, propName),
-        ),
-      )
-      const ssid = new TextDecoder().decode(Ssid)
-      const path = access_point.$parent.name
-      return { ssid, frequency, strength, path }
-    }),
-  )
-}
-
-export async function connectToWifi(path) {
-  await NetworkManager.AddAndActivateConnection([], device_path, path)
+if (import.meta.main) {
+  const networkmanager = new NetworkManager()
+  await networkmanager.init()
+  await networkmanager.scan()
+  const wifis = await networkmanager.getWifis()
+  console.log(wifis)
+  await networkmanager.deinit()
 }
diff --git a/lib/network.test.js b/lib/network.test.js
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..f193cbd79
--- /dev/null
+++ b/lib/network.test.js
@@ -0,0 +1,32 @@
+import { describe, test, before, after } from "node:test"
+import { readFile } from "node:fs/promises"
+
+import { NetworkManager } from "./network.js"
+
+let networkmanager = null
+
+before(async () => {
+  networkmanager = new NetworkManager()
+  await networkmanager.init()
+})
+
+test("scan", async () => {
+  await networkmanager.scan()
+})
+
+describe("getWifis", async () => {
+  test("returns PlanktoScope own wifi", async (t) => {
+    const machine_name = await readFile("/var/run/machine-name", "utf8")
+
+    const wifis = await networkmanager.getWifis()
+    const wifi = wifis.find(
+      (wifi) => wifi.ssid == `PlanktoScope ${machine_name}`,
+    )
+    t.assert.ok(wifi)
+  })
+})
+
+after(async () => {
+  await networkmanager.deinit()
+  networkmanager = null
+})
diff --git a/lib/nodered.js b/lib/nodered.js
index 8f0bb156c..94956f773 100644
--- a/lib/nodered.js
+++ b/lib/nodered.js
@@ -1,4 +1,5 @@
-import waitPort from "wait-port"
+import { promisePortOpen } from "promise-port"
+
 import { createRequire } from "node:module"
 
 const require = createRequire(import.meta.url)
@@ -7,7 +8,5 @@ const node_red_settings_path = "/home/pi/PlanktoScope/node-red/settings.cjs"
 
 export async function promiseDashboardOnline() {
   const { uiPort: port } = require(node_red_settings_path)
-  await waitPort({
-    port,
-  })
+  await promisePortOpen(port)
 }
diff --git a/lib/package-lock.json b/lib/package-lock.json
index f47fc511a..07dc077c0 100644
--- a/lib/package-lock.json
+++ b/lib/package-lock.json
@@ -1,11 +1,9 @@
 {
   "name": "lib",
-  "version": "1.0.0",
   "lockfileVersion": 3,
   "requires": true,
   "packages": {
     "": {
-      "name": "lib",
       "dependencies": {
         "@js-temporal/polyfill": "^0.5.1",
         "csv-parse": "^6.1.0",