This guide outlines the steps for configuring the Home Assistant Connect ZBT-1 for dedicated Thread support. This setup facilitates the connection of Matter-over-Thread devices to your network.

Prerequisites

This guide assumes you have the following setup:

  • Connected Home Assistant Connect ZBT-1.
  • Home Assistant OS installation.
  • Multiprotocol support disabled: Refer to the Disable multiprotocol support procedure.
  • This guide installs a firmware which supports only Thread! If you use your Connect ZBT-1 to control Zigbee devices, you will no longer be able to control them after installing the Thread firmware.
  • Home Assistant Supervised: The Thread border router has some specific requirements on IPv6 configuration (for example, IPv6 routing needs to be enabled). The add-on is being tested on the Home Assistant OS. If you experience connectivity issues, try using a Home Assistant OS installation.

Install dedicated Thread support

Step 1

Migrate your Zigbee network or delete the ZHA integration
  • If you have a new Connect ZBT-1 or did not setup Zigbee Home Automation (ZHA) yet, skip to Step 2.
  • If you use your existing Connect ZBT-1 to run a Zigbee network, Migrate your Zigbee network to another controller.
    • Otherwise, if you delete the Zigbee network, even if you set it up again, all of your entity customizations will be gone.
  • If you are using the Connect ZBT-1 with Zigbee Home Automation (ZHA), and you no longer need a Zigbee network, follow these steps to remove ZHA from the integration list.
  1. Go to Settings > Devices & services.
  2. Select the Zigbee Home Automation integration card.
  3. Select the menu behind the Connect ZBT-1 v1.0 integration and choose Delete.
  4. On the pop-up menu, select Delete again to confirm deletion.

Step 2

Configure the Connect ZBT-1
  1. Go to Settings > System > Hardware.
  2. Under Home Assistant Connect ZBT-1, select Configure.

Step 3

Select the Thread firmware
  1. Select Use as a Thread border router.
    • Result: This will install the OpenThread Border Router add-on.
  2. The dialog informs you that Connect ZBT-1 now acts as an OpenThread border bouter. Select Submit.
  3. Then, select Finish.

Step 4

Locate the Thread integrations

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