Greetings community members,
This is my first post here. I just got my HA installed for the first time. So zero experience with it.
My current set-up is Ubuntu Desktop running on a HP T610 thinclient with HA running in docker. I followed JuanMTech’s tutorial on how to do it. (If I don’t find any other use for this desktop in the future I might change to ubuntu server to reduce load and power consumption)
I have quite a lot of smart devices in my home which I plan to add to HA and would like to ask your help to determine what is possible and what not, and if and how much I would need to further invest to make everything work; to choose on the right direction from the beginning.
These are the devices in scope which I have:
Xiaomi:
China Mainland server only compatible:
-Philips ZhiRui bedside lamp (with BLE gateway)
Europe server only compatible:
-two Xiaomi Mi v2 gateways
-several zigbee smart-plugs
-Air Purifier
-Roborock vacuum (this one probably makes no sense to integrate)
Compatible with all servers:
- door/window sensors
- motion sensors
- vibration sensors
- Aqara wireless switch
- Mi wireless switch
- Yeelight strip
- Mi Bedside lamp v2
- Mi Bluetooth temp/humidity sensor
Meross (zigbee):
-Hub
-Smart thermostat valve
The two gateways are used as night lights triggered motion sensors and security alarms triggered by door/window, vibration and motion sensors. At the same time the Mi bedside lamp and Yeelight strip turn on if certain sensors are triggered during the night.
Now come the questions :
Q.1 After installation my UPnP UPC router was detected and I configured to add it. Is this useful? How?
Q.1a Would HA make any changes maybe regarding port forwarding automatically?
Q.2 The Yeelight and Mi Bedside lamp (both on Eu server) were detected, but NOT the Philips ZhiRui which is also wifi but on China server, why?
Q.3 When trying to add the Yeelight or the Mi Bedside lamp HQ asks me to pair via the HomeKit Accessory Protocol and requires a pairing code. I don’t have Home Kit or any apple products and never will. What is this about and how to solve it?
Q.4 Which dongle should I choose: Conbee 2 or I have seen that for a similar price I can get GoControl CECOMINOD016164 HUSBZB-1 USB Hub which also has Z-Wave
Q.5 Will I be able to make the same automations as I currently have and keep using the gateways as night lights, alarm speakers?
Q.6 The main bedroom is the furthest from where I plan to setup the Thinclient. It has 3 sensors and the Meross smart valve. I fear it will be out of range of the USB dongle.
Q.6a Will I be able to use the gateways as range extenders to reach them? (This is why I had two)
Q.7 Is there any way to integrate Meross? Their app is dezastruous and very limited. I had two temperature sensors and they both stopped working. I would like to automate it based on the Mi temp seonsor in the room.
Q.7a how about the Meross hub, can that be used in any way with HA?
Q.7b if Meross can’t be connected, what other good and cheap alternative for thermostat valves do you recommend? (I prefer Aliexpress products) I would need around 5 or 6 to cover all rooms
Q.8 Last but not least, will the set-up I chose allow me to easily do back-ups and updates? I’m not clear in that one yet.
Thanks for the patience to read this far. Hope I’ll get answer at least to some of my questions 
