3 ms·

> On caveat is that I have started running into some reliability issues (occasional device unavailability) once I exceeded 50 or so devices. This seems to be co

> On caveat is that I have started running into some reliability issues (occasional device unavailability) once I exceeded 50 or so devices. This seems to be common for Zigbee networks, It's patently ridiculous that you could add a lightbulb to your network and be unable to get in your front door the next day because now you have too many devices. Even more so when you consider that the standard is twenty years old and should be extremely mature. This is the problem with all this home automation stuff...all of them, Zigbee, Zwave, wifi - seem to crap out as soon as you have a decent number of devices. WiFi seems the least robust for high device count, but why haven't Zwave and Zigbee figured out how to get their systems to work for a large number of devices, a decade-ish into things? Security is also something of a joke for both zigbee and z-wave. > I'm excited about the upcoming Matter and Thread standards which are likely to replace/augment Zigbee (and Z-wave) as true interoperable home automation connectivity standards. Interoperable, but you'll be forced by vendors to use someone's online services. There is no way Matter and Thread will be designed in such a way that you will have freedom from paying somebody every month and give data that will eventually make its way to marketers. Edit: the author's upstairs window automation devices are ludicrously dangerous from a fire safety standpoint as there appears to be no easy way to open them if the device breaks or loses power. Folks, do not remove manual control from windows. It's not just dangerous, it's likely illegal. Windows and doors MUST be operable, easily, by one hand.

secabeen 5y ago
> It's patently ridiculous that you could add a lightbulb to your network and be unable to get in your front door the next day because now you have too many devices. I am not aware of any keypad zigbee or z-wave door lock that depends on that network to unlock in standard config. Yes, you could set it up that way, to unlock based on presence detection, etc, but that's on you. The standard setup is a local code list on the lock, with updates and status reported to home automation to enable integration. Most locks also have a standard key backup as well, so you're doubly protected.
- vetinari 5y ago
  Similarly with radiator valves; they operate locally. You program them with a mode (normal/off/away) and schedule (given temp at given time) upfront, and then they maintain the required temperature.

secabeen 5y ago

> It's patently ridiculous that you could add a lightbulb to your network and be unable to get in your front door the next day because now you have too many devices. I am not aware of any keypad zigbee or z-wave door lock that depends on that network to unlock in standard config. Yes, you could set it up that way, to unlock based on presence detection, etc, but that's on you. The standard setup is a local code list on the lock, with updates and status reported to home automation to enable integration. Most locks also have a standard key backup as well, so you're doubly protected.

vetinari 5y ago
Similarly with radiator valves; they operate locally. You program them with a mode (normal/off/away) and schedule (given temp at given time) upfront, and then they maintain the required temperature.