I am running Z2MQTT, not sure if that matters. But I just recently flashed a Sonoff ZBdongle-E to be used as a “router” to extend my range. Mainly for a sensor I have in my mailbox that had a pretty low LQI.
So I joined the router to my network and when I updated the zigbee map in Z2MQTT, i saw that now most of my zigbee mains outlet had already changed their path and were now all going through the router.
But, my battery powered sensor in the mailbox had not. I then went into Z2MQTT and pressed reconfigure on the sensor, but it still did not change its route path.
I had to delete the device from Z2MQTT and then re-add it. Only then did it now update its route to go to the newly installed router.
So my question is two-fold.
Would that endpoint, or any other battery powered endpoint ever update its route if it found the router was closer to it?
What happens to all the battery powered endpoints going through the router if I unplug the router?
It depends on the device. Some devices, like Aqara, have a reputation of never changing routes, but my experience is that Aqara devices may eventually reroute, but they are VERY sticky to whatever route they initially discover. Other devices can be very fluid with their routing.
You probably didn’t really need to delete the device, just re-pair it. Select the router from the Permit Join drop down menu, then press the device pairing button. Z2M is smart enough not to create a second device, the re-paired device will ineherit everything from the original.
Ultimately you don’t have any control, other than selecting what router the device joins through. The device is in control, and some will choose what seem like non-sensical routes.
They should eventually find a new route, but again depends on the device. Some quickly re-route, others may be slow. There may well be lost packets before they adjust. Picking on Aqara again, their MCCGQ11LM door sensors seem especially slow, (multiple hours to over a day) but have always eventually managed to re-route for me when their original router disappears.
For battery devices, realize most only “check in” every hour or so unless there is a status change. Adding a router and checking the map 5 minutes later is not likely to show any difference. Give it at least a couple hours (or longer for Aqara).