Alright. I’ve introduced the auto-discovery (by abusing the tube* prefix for now):
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Nice! At least it can be tested as a Zeroconf proof-of-concept for ZHA borrowing the “tube*” prefix name.
As suggested above. Maybe change it later to new a general “ezsp” prefix or suffix names for generic ESPHome based Zigbee remote adapters using Silabs Zigbee radios, and respectively “znp” as a new general prefix or suffix names for generic ESPHome based Zigbee remote adapters using Texas Instruments Zigbee radios.
Totally agree. At the moment the zha component evaluates the efr32 of the service name to select the correct radio_type. The radio_type of the zeroconf payload isn’t picked up at the moment (if I don’t miss something).
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Just bought one of these ZB-GW03!
What is currently the most stable setup over LAN? Would love to know!
Also, is it possible to hook up multiple and put them in the same ZigBee network (mesh them)?
Thanks in advance.
AFAIK a zigbee network can have one coordinator only. If you use multiple coordinators you create multiple networks. A repeater at a zigbee network is called “router” and doesn’t require ethernet connectivity. Most wired (!= battery powered) zigbee device acts as an router. This doesn’t apply to some light bulbs.
hmm, maybe then even try to think a bit further ahead into the future since radio-adapters for the upcoming Matter over Thread radio adapters (with devcices based on Matter over Thread becoming available next year) as those will also be based on the exact same Silicon Labs “EFR32” multi-protocol MCU and radio modules because the same models Silabs EFR32 chips also support both Zigbee and Thread (as well as other IEEE 802.15.4 based specifications too).
I think using “ezsp” instead should work since Thread radio-adapters for Matter will use OpenThread firmware that uses the the Spinel protocol instead, however if would like to be absolutely sure that only adapters that have Zigbee firmware flashed then might need to add more DNS records in Zeroconf mDNS to for specify that it specifically is a “Zigbee” radio adapter(?), perhaps by utilizing the new ZeroconfServiceInfo feature in ZHA?
https://github.com/home-assistant/core/pull/60266
https://github.com/home-assistant/core/pull/60206
https://github.com/home-assistant/architecture/discussions/662
While a Zigbee router does not require Ethernet or WiFi connectivity, it would still be very nice to have an optional Zigbee router firmware for ZB-GW03 (and Sonoff ZBBridge) as with them running ESPHome it would give you the option to remotely initiate a reset/restart the MCU/radio if you have any issues with that specific Zigbee router device. Not being able to remotely reset Zigbee router devices that have hung is otherwise an issue and a pain if you have loads of devices or if the units are installed in wall sockets so not easy to get to and reset manually.
FYI, in related news, you should know that xsp1989 who builds the firmware for the “SM-011” module inside ZB-GW03 (and Sonoff ZBBridge) announced that he is working on Zigbee router firmware for these.
https://github.com/xsp1989/zigbeeFirmware/issues/16
Would be awesome if could have several of these and run Zigbee coordinator firmware on one and Zigbee router firmware on the others, that way you do not have to have idle hardware lying around if you want a spare as backup in case one breaks. So the one with the Zigbee coordinator fails then you reflash one of your Zigbee routers that have the same hardware and restore a backup of your Zigbee coordinator to it. See this related feature request with ideas related to Zigbee coordinator backups:
Tip regardless of setup, make sure you have backups + preferably spare hardware. See link above!
With the limitation of only one Zigbee coordinator per Zigbee network being hard limit set in the Zigbee specification standard, your Zigbee coordinator becomes a single-point-of-failure and a very important component in your home automation setup.
Recommend regularly backup your Zigbee coordinator, and alsorecommend buy a spare Zigbee coordinator so that you have it at home that you can restore your backup to in case of hardware failure.
Even though you can create multiple Zigbee networks with multiple Zigbee coordinators (again with the limitation of only one Zigbee coordinator per Zigbee network) it is worth adding that the ZHA integration in HA does currently not support multiple Zigbee coordinators at all, even if they each was only connected to one Zigbee network on their own.
FYI; Zigbee Router firmware for EFR32MG21 adapters has now been released by xsp1989 on GitHub.
From readme it sounds tested with ITead Zigbee 3.0 USB Dongle and an SM-011 based USB adapter.
The same “SM-011 V1.0” Zigbee radio modules by CoolKit Technologies is also used inside some Zigbee gateways/hubs like ZB-GW03 eWeLink Ethernet Zigbee Gateway sold by EACHEN and SmartWise as well as the popular ITead Sonoff ZBBridge, so could perhaps be that the same Zigbee Router firmware could maybe also be used on the SM-011 Zigbee module in all or some of those products as well? However, suspect ZB-GW03 and/or Sonoff ZBBridge require signed firmware?
https://github.com/xsp1989/zigbeeFirmware/tree/master/firmware
https://github.com/xsp1989/zigbeeFirmware/tree/master/firmware/Zigbee3.0_Dongle/RouterForDongle
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FYI, syssi now added step-by-step instructions for how-to flash ZB-GW03 with ESPHome firmware:
He even included instructions for how to perform backup and restore of the original firmware.
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As reported in syssi github I just bought a zb-gw03 bridge and flashed it directly with Esphome firmware (and 6.7.8 zigbee firmware).
I’m using Esphome 2021.12.1
I moved from a Sonoff zbbridge where I had sometimes NCP errors (non frequently but they happened); I used bellow’s backup feature to move to the new adaper without having to repair all the devices, and it worked smoothly.
Unfortunately the bridge is turning out to have network errors, with a lot of watchdog heartbeat timeouts, and bellows keyerror 520 which require every hour or two to trigger a zigbee reset.
I’m struggling to understand where the problem is, the HA PC and the bridge are connected through the same switch, and it is never reported by Esphome to be offline or not available.
Anyone experiencing the same behaviour?
Looks like I found the solution. Flashing the bridge with the custom tasmota firmware solves the issues, so it’s all about ESPhome.
My idea is the stream-server component used in syssi firmware doesn’t work very well with recent versions of ESPhome. In my case I used v.2021.12.1 and the stream-server was randomly connecting and disconnecting, while the ESPhome api were always up and running.
It looks like the stream-server component doesn’t work well on recent esphome versions. If you use esphome 2021.9.3 the serial bridge is rock-solid.
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FYI, xsp1989 has uploaded a signed Zigbee Router firmware for ITead’s Sonoff ZBBridge which could possibly make it a Tasmota/ESPHome connected Zigbee Router (instead of as a Zigbee Coordinator):
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1H-M5CTh_XGGVl2te4vHLQ5SfGPHL6yCS/view?usp=sharing
This is the signed routing firmware used by ZBB, the usage method is the same as the unsigned firmware.
You think Tasmota/ESPHome can send basic commands to it to initiate paring/joining and restart/reset?
xsp1989 post update on router firmware in [REQUEST] Zigbee Router firmware for EFR32MG21 in Sonoff ZBBridge by ITead? · arendst/Tasmota · Discussion #11536 · GitHub
“This firmware can ground the PA00 5S into pairing mode, and ground the RST to restart routing. UART is used to transmit data transparently.”
and
“There is also another version of the routing firmware that can control the join network through a proprietary serial port protocol”
Ideas around this is also discussed for ITead’s Sonoff ZBBridge hacked with Tasmota/ESPHome here:
https://github.com/arendst/Tasmota/discussions/11536
https://github.com/thegroove/esphome-zbbridge/issues/3
https://github.com/syssi/esphome-zb-gw03/issues/12
https://github.com/xsp1989/zigbeeFirmware/issues/2
https://github.com/xsp1989/zigbeeFirmware/issues/16
PS: Have not tried this myself as I got rid of my ITead Sonoff ZBBridge because being WiFi-based it did not work any good as a remote Zigbee Coordinator, but might reconsider buying one if it worked as a Zigbee Router device that can be paired/joined and restarted/reset remotely via Tasmota and/or ESPHome. So that Tasmota/ESPHome is basically only used to initiate virtual join/pair button and restart/reset the device similar to a remote power-cycle it hangs.
Checkout “How to Convert the Sonoff Zigbee Bridge into a Router / Repeater” blog article by @digiblur
https://www.digiblur.com/2022/02/convert-sonoff-zigbee-bridge-to-router-repeater.html
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How to use the router firmware with the ESPHome node:
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First all my thanks to all who have provided their 2 cents to bring device to a higher level.
Secondly, I currently get stuck in the process of adding the GW03 to Zigbee Home Automation, in Home Assistant, running in VM on Unraid. Steps taken and its success:
1.I have managed to flash the GW03 with the newest bin file (pre-compiled, downloaded) as linked by thehelpfulidiot (erkoc - vahempio).
2.added the template as per instructions on Github (vahempio)
3. updated the zigbee firmware to 6.7.9_115200.ota
4.disabled wifi as per instructions on Github
5. remapped Zigbee Tx/Rx pin as per instructions
6. Added TCP zigbee server as per instructions
In my router I have forwarded port 8888 both internally and externally. I have given the GW03 a fixed IP-address as well. However fault is both in dynamic as well as fixed IP address. I have changed IP address a few times to test, same result
I can ping and access the GW03 on it’s address 192.168.178.63, so that seems to be up and running.
obviously I have rebooted the GW03 a few times and as stated I can access the GW03 directly by filling in it’s IP address.
Current setup:
Unraid server on a HP Proliant server
Home Assistant runs in VM on Unraid
Home assistant does recgonize other ethernet devices (i.e. kwh/gas usage meter)
Any idea’s? I am a bit lost here!
Did you follow his two separate update posts as well and not just the original post by thehelpfulidiot ?
https://thehelpfulidiot.com/a-wired-sonoff-zigbee-alternative ← ORIGINAL POST
https://thehelpfulidiot.com/update-a-wired-sonoff-zigbee-alternative ← UPDATE 1 (ZHA fix)
https://thehelpfulidiot.com/update-2-a-wired-sonoff-zigbee-alternative ← UPDATE 2 (Zigbee2MQTT fix)
What he has not covered which might be a good idea is to try upgrading to Tasmota 11.0.0 (or not?)?
https://tasmota.github.io/docs/Upgrading/#migration-path
https://github.com/arendst/Tasmota/releases/tag/v11.0.0
http://ota.tasmota.com/tasmota/release/
http://ota.tasmota.com/tasmota32/
You could also test posting same to here:
https://github.com/arendst/Tasmota/discussions/12764
Why? Do you not have your ZB-GW03 on the same local subnet segment as your Home Assistant OS?
PS: There is newer experimental/untested firmware available for the SM-011 Zigbee module here:
https://github.com/xsp1989/zigbeeFirmware/tree/master/firmware/ZigbeeBridge_SM-011
Please let me first off all explain, I am nowhere an advanced user of network/IT. I am keen to learn as I see it is worth my time and efforts to be future proof to learn matters associated with Domotica.
I have literally spend 100’s of hours watching youtube and stroll around on fora to grap and learn the whole idea of running my own server (unraid, plex, FTP, VPN and now Home Assistant) because I truly believe to be independent of commercial cloud solutions.
In other words, please be patient with me, I am learning, but surely making decisions that don’t make sense. Networking/server IT has always a weak point for me, so trying to progress!
to come back to your replies (thank you for that):
my understanding on his webpage is that from update 12/5 there is no difference any more (no necessary ZHA fix), unless I am misreading his statements.
I quote:
Happy to hear if I’m wrong (trust me, I am used to it).
He also refers to the ‘fixed’ bin file where user erkoc experiences instability (predominantly disconnects). I have followed his steps (same as thehelpfullidot, aside from a different compiled bin file), I quote:
Now your last statement gets interesting, and this probably highlights my inexperience/ignorance:
Perhaps I should install Tasmota first in HA…I am still not fully conversant how all these sub-layers (if I can call it that) are related to each other and what their depenancies are, but can see I might have missed a step. I’ll spend some time setting that up first (mind you this is a clean, first install of HA). 
I’ll report back when that is up and running before I continue my complaint!
last but not least:
I wasn’t sure if it was needed; inexperience I guess and wanted to make sure blocked ports were not the problem. But yes, the GW03 is in same subnet (192.168.178.xx)