Aeotec Help Desk

This guide will lead you through using Zi-Stick as a OpenThread controller in your Home Assistant network. This will require you to update your Zi-Stick to use OpenThread firmware before you can use it. 

Required:

• Aeotec Zi-Stick (Updated to OpenThread firmware: Firmware Update Guide)
• Home Assistant OS: Home Assistant installation
  • Must have supervisor installed (to access Add-ons).
    

Setup Zi-Stick with OpenThread in Home Assistant:

1. First update your Zi-Stick to OpenThread firmware, you can follow the update guide here to do so: Firmware Update Guide 

2. Open Home Assistant on your web browser: 

   http://homeassistant:8123/

3. In the HA menu, select Settings 
   

4. Then select, "Add-ons"
   

5. Select "ADD-ON STORE" at the bottom right corner
   

6. Search "OpenThread" and select "OpenThread Border Router"
   

7. Click on "INSTALL" then wait a few minutes for OpenThread addon to install. 

   

8. When available, click on "Configuration" tab at the top:
   

9. Change these configuration settings under the configuration tab:
   Device = /dev/serial/by-id/usb-1a86_USB_Serial-if00-port0
   Baudrate = 115200
   Automatically flash firmware = Disabled
   

10. Click on "SAVE"

11. Change to "Info" tab, then click on "START"
    

12. Click on "Settings" in the Home Assistant menu
    

13. Click on "Device & Services"
    

14. Click on "+ ADD INTEGRATION"
    

15. Search "Thread" and select "Thread"
    

16. Start the setup of your Thread network by clicking on SUBMIT in the popup screen, then click on FINISH.
    

17. On the Thread page, click on "CONFIGURE"
    

18. Find "Other networks" and look for "ha-thread-XXXX" and select "MAKE PREFERRED NETWORK"
    

    
    

    Your Home Assistant is now Thread capable and you are ready to add Thread devices into your network.