Open Thread Border Router Integration versus App

I am setting up a matter-over-thread integration with HA green and a ZBT-2.

I plugged in the ZBT-2 and then upgraded HA and then restarted it by powering on and powering off, but then the Open Thread Integration was broken (see OpenThread Border Router and ZBT-2 not communicating after power outage).

I tried to remove and re-add the Open Thread Border router integration because it was broken. I was able to remove it successfully, but when I tried to re-add it, it is asking me for a HTTP URL. I searched, but was not able to find the IP address of the ZBT-2.

I also don’t find much documentation on how to reinstall the OTBR integration in general. The related page seems to say that it will automatically be installed (along with the Open Thread Border Router app when the ZBT-2 is plugged in and configured in thread mode (OpenThread Border Router - Home Assistant)

This integration is installed automatically when the OpenThread Border Router app for Home Assistant (formerly known as add-on) is installed. For Home Assistant Yellow, Connect ZBT-1, or Connect ZBT-2 refer to the following procedures:

But I have the app (from the previous plugin) but not the integration. The app still seems to be working.

What is the difference between the app and the integration in standard CS terms? Is the integration the driver for the radio? So if there is an app and not an integration, the app won’t actually work because it can’t actually communicate with the radio?

To answer my own question, the integration does appear to be the driver. I went into the device and re-selected the thread integration, then deleted the app and reinstalled it. I had to pick a serial port for the app, but fortunately, one of the serial ports was ..../Nabu_Casa_ZBT-2_.... so that wasn’t too hard.

The app was installed, and it installed the driver (aka integration) and configured it properly. The integration is now green.

1 Like