Setup a Thread Flashed Sonoff MAX Dongle And Adding Matter Devices

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Hi, I have an existing HA system with HA OS 2026.4.2 running on a standalone Nuc. My network is provided by a SonOff MAX Dongle set in default Zigbee mode connected via Ethernet.

I want to add a thread server in there for some Matter devices I picked up. The Sonoff dongle can be set to Thread mode via firmware. When I did so on the Sonoff dongle the Zigbee devices were disconnected. I’ve now restored all that and decided to buy a new Sonoff MAX Dongle, dongle 2, and dedicate that to Thread. So I disconnected my HA system and the existing Sonoff dongle, connected the Sonoff dongle 2 to the network, set it to to a new spare IP and flashed the firmware to Thread Router. Powered off dongle 2 and connected everything back up and tested. All OK. I then powered up the new dongle 2 and checked in the control panel. I recognised dongle 2 and asked if I wanted to add the new dongle. So I said yes. It then asked if I wanted to migrate the existing Zigbee devices which I don’t want to do so I chose manual instead of automatic hoping I could change some setting. It came up with an error. Well, it isn’t because it is on a Network Port. So I’m stuck.

Anyone have any ideas how to set up a second sonoff device on Threads? All other articles talk about standard dongles on the serial port and I’m on the network.

Any pointers?

Regards, Dave

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Start with installing Matter App/Integration ?

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I’m not sure what that is but I found Matter Server and Open Thread Border Router so I installed them and tried again. No change.

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Not sure you need the Open Thread Border Router, as i understand it as you flashed your device with Thread Border Router Firmware ?

Anyhow You should Then Create a Thread Network, for your Matter Devices to “linger” in a Thread-Network

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OK. So I should just ignore the Zigbee install HA is trying to push and configure a Thread Network. Any articles on that you would recommend?

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Homeassistant has a comprehensive Documentation, And if you start reading about the Integration you want to use, then you get a good( And uptodate base, Which various AI’s aint ), when / if you get Problems , there is a search in this Forum, where you can search for “specifics” to your Problems/Thoughts
Link to Matter Integration below, with valuable Info, And with links to Thread-Integration
Matter - Home Assistant .
It sounds to me you’d be better of reading this so you get a better understanding of Matter vs Thread vs Zigbee

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Thank you. Reading now. There is just so much stuff and most of it just goes straight in while some needs tinkering with. Need to get a better understanding as I do like playing.

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There sure is, it’a a Rabbit Hole you got your self into :grin:
I Change you Topic Header, so You can Continue your Setup in this Topic.

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