austere orchid
I'm having huge difficulty with matter, however, I also have zigbee devices, none of which have been set up yet.
Should I try setting those up on the ZBT-1?
I assumed I would be able to, however I noticed while setting up Thread that it seems the ZBT-1 can be flashed with firmware for either Thread or Zigbee, so I'm guessing that it does not infact support both? (At least, not at the same time)
Do I therefore need to purchase a second ZBT-1?
hazy folio
No, you can't use one stick for Zigbee and Thread at the same time
You can buy Thread Border Routers instead of another stick
dire fieldBOT
hazy folio
See there
Keep in mind that Thread != Matter
Matter can use Thread, but isn't Thread
austere orchid
My understanding is that Matter can use either Wifi, or Thread?
hazy folio
hazy folio
And there's many moe options than Thread
austere orchid
The documentation on these Matter devices is awful, then. 😦
hazy folio
What do you mean?
austere orchid
They give me no clues to troubleshoot. So now, I think I should check and confirm that IPv6 even works on my network.
dire fieldBOT
austere orchid
Looks like homeassistant.local does not have an IPv6 address: ```ping6: homeassistant.local: Address family for hostname not supported
Worth reading the Matter docs
Don't confuse HA's IPv6 support with the Matter add-on
Matter != HA
austere orchid
I'm aware.
hazy folio
So, that the ping failed means nothing
austere orchid
Well, what I'm saying is that it seems HA has IPv4 setup, but not IPv6.
austere orchid
So what's the other IPv6 endpoint that it's communicating with?
austere orchid
Ah, just found that HA does have an IPv6 address, it's just not registered in the adhoc DNS thing.
austere orchid
To use Thread devices you will need a Thread network with at least one Thread border router in your network nearby the Thread device(s). Apple users, for example, need the Apple TV 4K or the HomePod Mini, while Google users need a Nest Hub (2nd Gen). Use the Thread integration in Home Assistant to diagnose your Thread network(s).
Does this mean that Apple users and Google users can't use the Open Thread Border Router configured in HA?
austere orchid
Ok, good, that second sentence there is unclear.
So I have the OTBR then, so that's fine.
hazy folio
GHome and Apple devices are often easier than OTBR
austere orchid
Ok, so now I'm on:
Make sure IPv6 (multicast) traffic travels freely from your network to the Home Assistant host. There is no requirement to have an IPv6-enabled internet connection or DHCPv6 server. However, IPv6 support has to be enabled on Home Assistant. Go to Settings > System > Network, and make sure IPv6 is set to Automatic or static, depending on your network setup. If you’re unsure, use Automatic.
yes, that seems to be enabled.
I'm on iOS 18.x, so I think I've met everything on that page, so I guess now I need to check the github readme.md file.
Can I assume that the HA device already has the various configuration stuff required? (Ie, I don't need to go finding an SSH interface and poking into kernel configuration?)
hazy folio
If that means HAOS then yes
austere orchid
Good.
These lights seem to use Thread, I've just re-checked the box.
I'm not sure there's anything I can check from the github python matter server readme.md file.
In the documentation, how does the controller do this:
The controller then sends your network credentials to your device over Bluetooth.
I don't think I've entered the network credentials anywhere.
So, reading: https://www.home-assistant.io/integrations/matter/
It's giving me steps, let me exhaustively go through them:
Make sure you have the latest version of Home Assistant installed. ✅ (Well, it was the latest, I'm on 12.1, 13.1 only came out hours ago).
In Home Assistant, have the Matter integration installed. ✅ (It struggled to start actually, but after a few resets of the service it eventually worked, I opted for the official Matter server add-on).
On the device packaging, check for both the Matter logo and for either the Wi-Fi or the Thread logo. ✅ (It has the matter logo. And elsewhere on the box, it mentions the "fast and reliable thread network technology")
Check if the QR code or the numeric setup code is on the device. ✅ (It is indeed on the device).
For iPhone:
Have the iOS version 16 or higher ✅ I have iOS 18.1 installed.
Have the latest version of the Home Assistant Companion app installed. ✅ (I installed it today from the app store, version 2024.9.2)
If you are using Thread: Make sure there is a Thread border router device (HomePod Mini or V2, Apple TV 4K or Home Assistant with the OpenThread Border Router add-on) present in your home network. ✅ (I have Home Assistant with the add-on)
If you are using OpenThread (for Connect ZBT-1/SkyConnect) as border router, make sure you followed the steps in the Thread documentation. ... ❔ Let me check that again...
--- Yes, I have the thread integration. ✅
--- Then check configure... ✅ (I now have a network, already, because I've been working on this all afternoon, the name is ha-thread-5daf, ah, but existing network means a NON-HA network, so back to Case 1 there... )
And actually that's where things get a little interesting.
I've done that, absolutely done that. But it's interesting to note that iPhone does not get the confirmation, only android does, according to those docs.
And indeed, I don't get that confirmation.
tardy kestrel
what thread border router have you got? some ZBT-1/SkyConnect? or something like a homepod mini?
also what lights are they?
austere orchid
I have the SkyConnect:
tardy kestrel
do you have a thread intergration that is made?
austere orchid
The light is an "Essentials Matter Smart Bulb A660 | B22" by nanoleaf.
austere orchid
do you have a thread intergration that is made?
How do I confirm this? (I'd say yes, but I'm doubting absolutely everything)
That?
tardy kestrel
yeah that one, if you click on the entry, and then configure, what does it show?
austere orchid
tardy kestrel
dope dope, looks good
have you synced your credentials with your phone yet?
oh wait you said you did
austere orchid
Yes, but as mentioned, I never get a confirmation, because, evidentialy, it's an iPhone.
So I just tap on the sync buttons several times.
tardy kestrel
if you go to add a matter device, can you try to add the device now?
austere orchid
I can try again. A third bulb, or try the same one yet again?
I can try one with a screw connector that lets me do it in the same room as the ZBT-1, that might help, I guess.
So that would be the Essentials Matter Smart Bulb A60 | E27, by nanoleaf.
tardy kestrel
Can you connect them to the Nanoleaf app and try and update them
austere orchid
Hmm, let me try that, that's one thing I never tried.
Downloading that app now...
tardy kestrel
yeah, older nanoleaf firmware tend to not play nice lol
austere orchid
The app is asking "Enable Sync" with Apple Home?
(I've just now created an account with nanoleaf using the apple account)
tardy kestrel
that basically syncs the current devices you might have in apple home in their app, shows it and lets you do stuff with it
up to you if you wanna enable it or not
austere orchid
Not required, then lets not complicated it, will disable sync.
tardy kestrel
coolio
austere orchid
There's a lot of confusing messages, it seems by disabling sync, it'll automatically log me out of the nanoleaf cloud account I presumeably just created.
But perhaps the nanoleaf cloud account is separate to the nanoleaf account...
Ah, I can skip this whole login.
tardy kestrel
yeah, just do that
i doubt you will need it after you add the device to HA
(as HA support OTA updates for matter/thread devices)
tardy kestrel
might need a factory reset?
austere orchid
How on earth do I do that? (Also, this is brand new)
tardy kestrel
austere orchid
Ok, so:
Put the bulb in...
Flipping switch...
Flipping bluetooth....
tardy kestrel
yeah, if you can get it into the NL app, its a million times easier, coz you can update the firmware to a less jank one
austere orchid
Killed and restarted teh app, and now taking the light out so I can scan the QR code again...
tardy kestrel
did you get a list of codes with the packaging?
there should be another copy of the code not on the device
which you would use
austere orchid
Ah! I mgiht try that.
tardy kestrel
(leaving the device powered and in "pairing" mode)
austere orchid
It does!
austere orchid
Damn that's a ton easier.
It's actually connected.
"Critical Firmware available". 😛
tardy kestrel
tardy kestrel
i mean, you want it to already be on when you scan the device
hence why the codes in the packaging somewhere
austere orchid
I figured that given the use case, they surely tested that.
tardy kestrel
its nanoleaf, you never know
tardy kestrel
yeah, too ez
austere orchid
Oh man, I've just realised I'm recognising which light is which just from the commission code. I've spent too long looking at them on the lights.
So once I get this working, what do I do about the Zigbee devices?
tardy kestrel
well
either:
run multi-pan (bad idea)
get another dongle for all zigbee stuff
use a external thread border router (like a homepod mini or whatever) and use the skyconnect as zigbee stick
austere orchid
So the cheapest option is to get another ZBT-1 dongle? The HA Green has multiple usb ports so that should be fine...
tardy kestrel
yeah, thats the best way
then map the openthread to one, and zigbee cordinator thingy to another
just make sure to use the usb extender thats included
austere orchid
Yeah, I did notice that in the instructions.
I tend to read instructions quickly but I also tend to read them very literally.
Too literally in this case.
To be fair there's a LOT of docs to get through.
I notice this firmware update includes "Proactive Matter resume after boot up", plus an update to Matter 1.2
Very promising.
austere orchid
@tardy kestrel Ok, that's much quicker now, I tried pairing it to HA, and it's quicker, but...
Maybe that's subjective. It still says Thread Border Router Required.
tardy kestrel
Hmmm intresting, are you able to try and re-sync the credentials
austere orchid
Yes, as usual I tapped several times on "Send credentials to home assistant", and several times on "Send credentials to phone", and then alternated and tapped several times on both.
They are both, without any doubt, absolutely tapped on.
Photo evidence:
tardy kestrel
did you get a tick?
austere orchid
No.
austere orchid
I only got all this today.
tardy kestrel
ahhhh alright
austere orchid
So hmm, you're showing that you do get a confirmation (despite the docs).
I definitely don't, and I have no idea why.
tardy kestrel
i am on the beta version of the app, maybe thats it?
austere orchid
That could be it.
Just checked I don't have any accessibiliyt settings that might interfere with this such as "reduce motion" (which tends to disable SwiftUI Animations and the like). I don't.
Should I try the beta build?
I think I will, I can always revert.
Ooh, and it contains:
"Improvements related to commissioning Matter over Thread devices"
I GOT THE TICK!
When adding these to HA, these are still a "new device", right?
(It's not connecting, I've just tried the flip-the-light and reconnect, but it's not looking good, still)
Nope, "Unable to add Accessory".
Still no dice. 😭
Oh this is new, just got a permission pop, in the beta, when tapping on "Send credentials to Home Assistant".
Still taking a while to connect, now that I've done that. (Which isn't looking good...)
Let me try a different brand of matter device. 😦
tardy kestrel
Hmm, maybe wait for Marcel or stef to see this, maybe they have some other idea as to why?
austere orchid
Ok, the other brand works perfectly.
Just not these lights.
Just connected... I had to unplug it, wait 10 seconds. (Actually 10 seconds), plug it back in, and then immediately commission it.
Will try the same with the others.
austere orchid
@tardy kestrel Actually now I can scan the QR code on the device itself, so I think the firmware updates and the use of the beta HA iOS app was probably important.
tardy kestrel
Yeah right, I haven’t seen anything in the patch notes that should indicate it would be better, but hey, a win is a win
austere orchid
I saw updates that suggest improvement in both the firmware, and in the beta version.
Specifically for matter.
Hmm, I can't find my other thread to close, so I think it must've already been closed.
tardy kestrel
possibly? got no idea how this new threads system works, liked the old way better where it was just a single channel 🤣
austere orchid
Yeah, when I said I read the docs fast, I didn't read into the channels stuff. 🙂
This HA automation is incredible.
I need to figure out this "scenes" stuff, and maybe I can make the lights flash and stuff.
Hmm, or perhaps a "script" is better.
tardy kestrel
haha yeah, HA is mostly about learning for the first few weeks, it can do so much more than a conventional "smart home" platform
austere orchid
Yeah, that's what attracted me, and also the privacy.
I'll probably get a friend hooked into this as well. 😉
A shame the zigbee buttons are currently useless.
Hmm, and possibly also the Aqara doorbell.
austere orchid
My goodness, that's astonishingly bad. Aqara couldnt' connect at all unless I first paired it to an android phone, update the firmware, and THEN connect it to the iphone.
Despite the box explicitly stating "Works with Apple Home"
flat ingot
You mean the FP2?
austere orchid
The "Aqara Doorbell G4". It's really frustrating on a software level. I could not find any device that fit my needs, at any price, though.
austere orchid
Well, it's all integrated now (except for the video doorbell). It's a wacky one.
I could only add it to android. I can use the iPhone to view it, but it can only be configured and connnected on android.
I seem to have access to everything in the home assistant in terms of events and stuff, so that's Good Enough. (I guess I'll use the app for the video stream itself)
