Anyone running & controlling a ZigBee network?

[Netsurfer24]

Hi all!

I really like Domoticz, because combining all the different hardware and their protocols in one application to control them is by far the best way in my opinion.

One thing I dislike is that one could hardly get any informations ...
neither in this forum, nor in the Wiki or elsewhere!

I am located in Germany and beside the "old" 433 MHz switches I would clearly state that the ZigBee protocol is ahead of Z-Wave (Plus). It is used by many manufactures (Philips, Osram and many others). Therefor I am most interested in extending my "Smart Home" with ZigBee components.

But what I do not want is to buy a manufacturer specific Hub for each component. I mean if there is a "standard" it should work like one!
And I also do not want to use 10 different apps to control my devices !

Unfortunately the Wiki is telling almost nothing about controlling a ZigBee network via Domoticz and also here in the forum the informations about "compatible hardware", "how to setup a ..." and other highly interesting informations are close to none ...!

I would highly appreciate if anyone who is already running a ZigBee network could share his experiences!!!

So what's the way to control such a network via Domoticz?
Which hardware is compatible?
What other requirements must be fulfilled?

The hardware market is rapidly growing ...!
One basic question (at least to me) is: Will a "simple" USB dongle be sufficient? Is there a possibility to control the network by Domoticz? Or do I preferable buy a ZigBee Hub with its own "controling software" which needs to allow external access to be (also) controled by Domoticz (like AFAIS in the case of the Logitech Harmony Hub)?

IMHO all these questions are of high interest for everybody who wants to use/ extend his Smart Home with ZigBee components/ devices!

Here some examples of existing/ available hardware:

• Amazon Echo Plus

• QIVICON Home Base 2.0
  (Cons: Control App is only licensed by a monthly fee!!!)

• ConBee USB Gateway

• RaspBee
  (Cons: not compatible with Philips Hue-Bridge)

and some more!

Anyone who has any experiences with one of the above or other ZigBee controlers?

Many thanks in advance!

Greetings
Gunther

[lonebaggie]

Im running xiaomi gateway devices (about 16 Light switches, 3 movement sensor, temp and various wireless switches) All ZigBee compliant

https://www.domoticz.com/wiki/Xiaomi_Gateway_(Aqara)

Currently running them via the priority gateway, but I'm waiting on the following to become available

http://zigate.fr/

Hope that helps

[Netsurfer24]

Hi lonebaggie!

Thanks for your answer.
It do not really helped me in answering my questions about ZigBee network and controlling it via Domoticz.

AFAIS even though Xiaomi uses the ZigBee protocol you need to use their (specific) gateway, which then can only control (most of) their own devices?

I mean, what is a "Standard" good for, when in reality all of the devices using this so called "standard" in fact need their (vendor specific) gateways/ hubs in conjunction with "propriate" applications to control them!?

Just a short citation from the ZigBee Alliance website:

Zigbee standardizes everything from basic communication to how a product operates. Products with the Zigbee logo work together seamlessly, even if they’re from different companies.

Compared to reality, that's just ridiculous ...!!!

I mean if there is a hardware component (like the Zigate USB dongle e.g.) the rest should all be managable by software. So I still wonder why there is (seems to be) no "universal" application for controlling all kinds of different ZigBee protocols? What's the problem?
ZigBee Alliance claims that all certified products are "compliant". Therefore I really do not understand, why it seems so difficult to write a control software for all kinds of ZigBee devices!?

Unfortunately the Zigate website seems only available in French (which I do not really understand, even with the help of Google translator). But the hardware seems not to be the problem - there are already many different ZigBee hubs/ dongles/ gateways available. So the question is, how will the network being set up, managed and controlled? Any answers to these questions?

Greetings
Gunther

[sincze]

I also can't answer your question, but I have Zigbee and Zwave side by side + 433 + 2.4 Ghz + Wifi sensors.

The fun part is. Domoticz (with appropriate hardware) can control all.
Buy the hardware you like and what is within budget.

For example Zigbee Motion controls my old 433 MHZ light.
It's fast and no 433 mhz motion sensor broadcast packages. No problems whatsoever.

The nice idea is .. 1 protocol fails, because it's gateway is down. The other will pick up. (for the security sensors).
At the moment Zigbee products of XIaomi are nicely priced. I've decorated a complete floor with the sensors and power switches.

Sorry, maybe not the answer you were looking for, but maybe it gives some comfort in your buying decisions.

[Netsurfer24]

Hi sincze!

Many thanks for your reply - every answer is helpful !
Because right now it seems that you have to be some kind of "tech nerd" if you want to combine devices from different vendors/ companies ... .

What really interests me is:

For example Zigbee Motion controls my old 433 MHZ light.

What hardware do you use for this?

Right now I am running Domoticz on Raspi 3 with a RFXCOM - RFXtrx433 USB 433.92MHz Transceiver connected (via USB).
I have some (older) 433 MHz switches/ dimmers and plugs in use (all from Intertechno).

Further more I also use Controlicz (from madgeni here in the forum) for the Amazon Echo connection (which works perfect).

I just bought a Logitech Harmony Hub, as well as a Samsung Smartthings Hub V2 (which offers Z-Wave and ZigBee support).
The Harmony Hub should be delivered today and the Smartthings hub in the first week of next year.

I am really curious to see, if they all work together with Domoticz (somehow)?

So I will report back if all the hardware has arrived ...!

Happy new year to everybody!

Gunther

[welby]

They will all work together after a bit of tinkering. I'm currently running domoticz with the dashticz plugin that controls xiaomi zigbee sensors, with HAbridge that let's me use my harmony remote and google home voice commands to change harmony activities which are just dummy switches in domoticz. I also have yeelights intergrated in domoticz, sonoff devices which switch via MQtt and have ordered the parts to include 433mhz stuff aswell. It takes a little bit of work and stuffing around but it isn't overally complicated i've found.

[quack3d]

They will all work together after a bit of tinkering. I'm currently running domoticz with the dashticz plugin that controls xiaomi zigbee sensors, with HAbridge that let's me use my harmony remote and google home voice commands to change harmony activities which are just dummy switches in domoticz. I also have yeelights intergrated in domoticz, sonoff devices which switch via MQtt and have ordered the parts to include 433mhz stuff aswell. It takes a little bit of work and stuffing around but it isn't overally complicated i've found.

But you're controlling the Xiaomi devices via the Xiaomi hub, don't you? What's missing is a possibility to control the Xiaomi devices directly with a ZigBee USB controller like ConBee.

[sincze]

Indeed don't know if that is possible.

[quack3d]

There are plugins for both HASS and HomeSeer already. I hope someone integrates it with Domoticz soon.

[rich710]

I also would be glad to see support for ConBee USB-stick, it seems to be the perfect companion to my Domoticz setup. I already have an RFXCom and razberry so ConBee would help when I want to buy HUE-bulbs or Ikea Trådfri.

[Netsurfer24]

Hi @all!

Thanks for all your replies - glad to see a discussion arising!
In the meanwhile I have a (Samsung) Smartthings hub and also a cheap LED RGBW bulb (E27) and WLAN Power Plug, both controlled via the "Smart Life" App. Unfortunately there is no way to "control/ integrate" neither of them in Smartthings (and also not in Domoticz).

As much as I like the basic idea of a "Smart Home", that much I dislike the current "concept" of the different vendors & manufacturers!

I mean what is a "Standard" like ZigBee good for, if you need a different hub for the products of each manufacturer and also need to register an account using a sepcial app for each and every item!?

IMHO this is ridiculous and leads the whole system ad absurdum!!!

I mean why do the items, which are conntected to my local WiFi network need to be controlled by a foreign ("unknown") server via the Internet?
I want them to be controlled by a local server like domoticz.
And what is the (main) problem in doing so? Is it because the manufacturer use a "closed" firmware for theit devices, or ...?

AFAIK it would even be possible to run the Amazon Alexa voice service locally (even on Raspberry Pi).

So one of my most urgent questions is:
Is it likely to see an integration/ connection of Samsungs Smartthings hub in Domoticz?
Or any other "most universal" ZigBee controller?

And another one is:
Will there be an option/ a possibility to connect all the different accounts via their respective API to Domoticz? And thus allow to control the respective devices by Domoticz?

I would be glad if someone could enlighten me - many thanks in advance!

Greetings
Gunther

[matzeb74]

Hello, i also search for a way to Control Zigbee E27 RGB Bulbs with Domoticz. I have a Sygonix https://www.conrad.de/de/sygonix-wifi-z ... 03936.html.

Netsurfer wrote:

• RaspBee
  (Cons: not compatible with Philips Hue-Bridge)

That is not right if i look on the Website https://www.dresden-elektronik.de/funkt ... spbee/?L=1
i can read:

Code: Select all

Software for Raspberry Pi
The following software packages run directly on the Raspberry Pi. 
They are provided to simplify the start into the ZigBee world with the RaspBee Shield.

Wireless Light Control WebApp
C++ and REST APIs
deCONZ ZigBee GUI
Bootloader flash tool
Wireless Light Control WebApp

[b]Control lights like Philips Hue[/b] and dresden elektroniks wireless electronic ballasts by browser.

I think it should also be possible to Control my Lights via Raspbee and Domoticz. I Think Zigbee is one of the best way to Control different Lights.

[lumjajo]

I need to get you back to reality.
Open Source does not mean everything works smoothless together. Especially big companies have NO interest in making this possible. I am actually surprised by the fact that Philips and OSRAM and now Ikea works somehow. All try to get their stuff sold, rather than the others.
Its a bit better with z Wave as smaller companies (Fibaro, NeoCoolcam etc) have interest in interoperability. Also don forget their are a lot of different Zigbee protokols out their , e.g Ikea uses Zigbee 3.0,
Anyway, best is to use a Domoticz RaspPI with a Z-wave stick (for Fibaro roller shutter, door sensors, switches), a Philips Hue (for lights) some Sonoffs for 230V switching, some ESP's for the fun and a Xiaomi Gateway, just because I was curious.
Now my z wave PIR switches a Sonoff, another one a HUE lamp and so forth. Fine as Domoticz makes it possible.
The only thing I could resist so far is the 433MHz RF stuff. I never understood why we should use it. (maybe price)
If you accept it, have fun.
You will not find a complete solution, at least not in the foreseeable future.

[quack3d]

Apparently there's now a working plugin working for Zigate: https://www.domoticz.com/wiki/Zigate

Anyone tried it?

[sincze]

Wow this looks like a nice development.

[rrozema]

I am located in Germany and beside the "old" 433 MHz switches I would clearly state that the ZigBee protocol is ahead of Z-Wave (Plus). It is used by many manufactures (Philips, Osram and many others). Therefor I am most interested in extending my "Smart Home" with ZigBee components.

Hi Gunther,

You must have realised by now that zigbee makes a lot of good promises, but in practice it is hard to actually work with it. z-wave however is a lot more mature and actually works: this is because the z-wave protocol has much better defined what a manufacturer can and can not add to her devices and the certification process applied to z-wave devices is strict. And to me z-wave has one other big advantage over zigbee: in z-wave almost all device properties are described either by the device itself via the protocol or by a pre-defined list. This makes that when adding a device to your host, the device is automatically correctly integrated into the controller, without having to define all sorts of device type properties yourself. Now many people will start saying: but this also happens when I add my X lights, switches, etc to my X controller -replace X by your favorite brand-. And this is true, however if you try to add a device of brand Y to this same controller of brand X, it doesn't work as well in most cases. As long as you use devices all from one brand it is all great, try to mix different brands and types and you're likely to run into problems or have to be a tech-wizard. Zigbee is simply not mature enough and as was stated before, because some very big players are involved that all need to earn from selling you their brand devices, this manufacturer-lock-in isn't likely to change any time soon, regardless of the good intentions of the zigbee protocol. Ikea claims to be doing a good effort, so maybe I'm wrong in this, but also their controller is still very limited in (fully) controlling other brand devices.

But now, 3 years after your question, there is a light on the horizon for us tinkerers: at http://zigbee2mqtt.io you'll find a lot of information on how to re-program the CC2531 usb stick to be an usb adapter that you can plug into your raspberry or whatever controller you use and disclose your devices via messages in mqtt. I've ordered the hardware needed on aliexpress, which set me back just onder 14 euros. In the domoticz wiki and in the forum a lot of information has been added since your question. I am going to try it to control some ikea lights in my home and I will let you the result.

[Thorgal789]

I think your post is as old as the topic ^^

I m agree with you, but now It's easier than before, now there is zigbee 3.0 for exemple, even the chinese stuff like Aquara is more zigbee compliant with the opple.

But now, 3 years after your question, there is a light on the horizon for us tinkerer

There is others projects that exist since somes years (and zigbee2mqtt is not a new project too)
This one for zigate > https://github.com/pipiche38/Domoticz-Zigate
This one for conbee/deconz > https://github.com/Smanar/Domoticz-deCONZ

And ofc there is still others plugins but less generalist.

[snellejellep]

I would highly appreciate if anyone who is already running a ZigBee network could share his experiences!!!

So what's the way to control such a network via Domoticz?
Which hardware is compatible?
What other requirements must be fulfilled?

Anyone who has any experiences with one of the above or other ZigBee controlers?

hi, i use zigbee2mqtt, that works with a usb stick from aliexpress. super cheap and works great!
https://youtu.be/28Whi98v66E

[pipiche]

In fact you have a quiet large number of Zigbee controller available on the market and working with Domoticz.
deConz, Zigate are 2 other alternatives !