Homeassistant-core + homebridge -> not responding (mdns/avahi/zeroconf issue)

Configuration
1

Hi!
I am using homeassistant-core in jail on XigmaNAS (OS based on FreeBSD, it is similar setup like FreeNAS) and I want to use homebridge integration. However, after configuration according to guideline, the iOS app can not pair to the bridge - it is usual “not responding” error.

The cause of the error seems the configuration of mdns/avahi/zeroconf.

I had exactly the same issue with homebridge standalone, but I was able to solve it:

  1. Install according to:
    https://github.com/homebridge/homebridge/wiki/FreeNAS-11.1-Installation-using-a-Jail
  2. add to config.json: (source: https://github.com/homebridge/homebridge/issues/1935)
  "mdns": {
    "interface": "192.168.1.14" //actual IP of homebridge
  },

Now in homebridge standalone I am able to pair to the bridge instantly and have no issues. Could you help me get homebridge integration in homeassistant-core also working?

2

I’ve enabled debug logs for zeroconf, this looks suspicious.

2020-11-01 11:36:54 INFO (SyncWorker_9) [homeassistant.components.zeroconf] Starting Zeroconf broadcast
2020-11-01 11:36:54 WARNING (SyncWorker_9) [zeroconf] Error sending through socket 8
Traceback (most recent call last):
  File "/usr/local/share/homeassistant/lib/python3.7/site-packages/zeroconf/__init__.py", line 2889, in send
    bytes_sent = s.sendto(packet, 0, (real_addr, port))
OSError: [Errno 50] Network is down
2020-11-01 11:36:54 DEBUG (MainThread) [homeassistant.components.zeroconf] Starting Zeroconf browser

However, I’ve searched this error and people seems to ignore it (maybe they don’t actually need zeroconf?)

3

I’ve got this working, you have to use VNET for jail, then homebridge works without any addidtional configuration, just plain:

homekit: