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

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?

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?)

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

homekit: