BT and Zigbee dongle?

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#1

Is there a known dongle I could use that incorporates both Bluetooth and Zigbee protocols?

The reason I ask is because I’m running from a Synology 920+ NAS via a virtual machine, currently with a SONOFF Universal Zigbee 3.0 USB Dongle, which occupies the only USB port available to the VM.

So as I have a number of devices that could work via BT, it would be greatly advantageous if I could get a dongle that reliably operates both Zigbee and Bluetooth without having to choose between them (which I currently do, and Zigbee won).

I happened up this one here, could I get some thoughts & opinions?

Thanks In Advance :slight_smile:

DONGLECOM1

#2

Dongle is not supported by ZHA or Zigbee2MQTT, so you will have a hard time using it for Zigbee with HA.

#3

Most all the zigbee chips are also bluetooth capable, but their firmware does not support doing both at the same time. I doubt the linked adapter is any different, but don’t really know.

A usb hub is a cheap, easy, reliable solution.

Esphome bluetooth proxies another cheap and easy solution for many BT devices.

Not quite as cheap, an ethernet connected coordinator could free up the port.

#4

Right, and that’s why I’m asking for help with finding one :slight_smile:

Right, BUT, the VM device only sees one USB - I don’t believe a hub would reliably show up in HA running on the VM.

Forgive my ignorance, but even after a glance over Google, I am not entirely certain what this does? Given my brief check it seems to be a wifi dongle that pretends to be BT?

Again, I’m not sure this is relevant in the context of a VM.

My NAS (and by extension, the VM) is connected to a dedicated Switch - so would it be possible to use an RJ45 from the Switch, which connects to the NAS, to an ethernet coordinator?

#5

Yes, it does not matter how many switches are between the ethernet coordinator and the NAS. All that is needed that they are on the same network.

#6

OK, so correct me if I’m wrong, please.

You are suggesting that on my NAS’ USB I replace the current Zigbee dongle with a Bluetooth one and then connect a new Zigbee coordinator to my Switch via RJ45 - correct?

#7

If you only have 1 USB port, that would be a wise decision. Addition advantage : you can place your coordinator anywhere where there is RJ45 available. Mine is placed in the middle of the house, far away from my HA installation.

#8

I don’t know how synology presents the usb pass-through, but I’d be surprised if it can’t handle passing through multiple devices connected via a hub.

As for the bt proxy stuff see ESPHome Bluetooth Proxy

#9

Also interested in a multiple protocol dongle. Would any of these work with HA on VM:

Also considering an Android VM to run apps that support my IoT products if HA is not compatible with any of these.