Hello everyone, this is my first post. I hope it helps someone.
I ran into problems commissioning IKEA KAJPLATS Thread bulbs (GU10 and E27) using the Connect ZBT-2 in Home Assistant.
The GU10 bulbs would only pair via the Matter Server web UI. The E27 bulbs would not pair at all — I tried everything I could find online (opening NAT64, flashing beta firmware for 1.4 Thread version, etc.), but nothing worked.
After many hours of troubleshooting, I enabled the SmartThings Hub that (to my surprise) is built into my TV. It immediately detected the bulbs, and I was able to commission the E27 bulbs within seconds using the SmartThings app on my phone.
At that point, I was unhappy about having two separate Thread networks. However, I then learned that multiple hubs and border routers can operate on the same Thread network — there is no single “master” controller.
So I added the Home Assistant OTBR (using the Connect ZBT-2) to the SmartThings-generated Thread network by using the “Add dataset from TLV” option. I copied the TLV dataset from the SmartThings Advanced Web App interface.
After that:
- I deleted my original Thread network in Home Assistant.
- I re-commissioned the GU10 bulbs.
- I used Matter device sharing to share the SmartThings Matter devices with the Home Assistant Matter Server.
Now everything works on the same Thread network.
My understanding is that I can disable the SmartThings Hub entirely and everything will continue to function. I tested this by unplugging the TV from power, and everything kept working.
I’m honestly impressed by the level of decentralization in both Thread and Matter.
My only remaining concern is potential future use of less trustworthy devices on the network. Since SmartThings likely enables NAT64, devices on the Thread network may have internet access, which could allow them to “phone home.” I don’t know how likely that is…