Is there a tool or app that you could use to test the Zigbee and wifi signal strengths emitted from the iHost router? Thanks.
First of all, iHost is not a router and it doesn’t create a WiFi network. It’s WiFi capable but this possibility is deliberately disabled. Next, testing Zigbee signal strength is ambiguous. Since Zigbee networks are self-healing mesh ones, you can’t really measure their “strength”. There are software tools called “sniffers” that require hardware devices, such as Zigbee dongle. Any sniffer let you examine the structure of your Zigbee network and how it goes with other radio networks in your vicinity. However to draw conclusions, you need to posses some knowledge that is above basic level. A sniffer won’t “tell” you “do this” or “do that”.
Suppose you know the strength of Zigbee signal in one point at the given time; its RRSI and LQI. All that may change at any time due to many reason, so the readings are not the basis for general conclusions.
You may want to read the general tips on improving Zigbee network range and signal reception or this guide for avoiding interference and optimize using Zigbee Router devices (repeaters/extenders).
Thanks Jam, I did a search on the Forum and came up with the same conclusion. My knowledge of the under;ying technology is limited, but since I started with this project I have learned a lot. I sometimes get the feeling that the developers/ manufacturers are sandbagging certain capabilities on their devices (iHost etc.).
In the case of iHost, this makes sense, as WiFi could potentially affect Zigbee. By design, one of the chips is WiFi enabled, but apparently this capability was disabled out of precaution. Many manufacturers avoid using WiFi and Zigbee in the same device. How this was resolved in the Sonoff ZBBridge U, I do not know. There are no problem reports on this forum concerning parallel operation.
Personally, I’ve never experienced problems even though the Zigbee radio is in close proximity to the WiFi router. Only that this one has an advanced bandwidth sharing algorithm. In my area there is a multitude of different networks in the 2.4GHz band, but a good Zigbee deployment gives noticeable results. Occasionally I find a log entry for congestion on the Zigbee channel in use. This usually translates into a slightly slower response time. But this passes fairly quickly.
many manufactures do that already , smartthings hub , tuya hub , xiaomi hub , and even alexa echo show with zigbee , i think its better to have option to select channel for zigbee and control wifi channel from internet router to avoid any interferences
During my research into Zigbee I became aware of the potential interference issue with WiFi, but I have been testing this by placing the iHost on top of my wifi router and then by moving it away at least 5 meters. I did not notice any interference.
Unforutunately I don’t have the technical expertise to elaborate on this matter 
, but can only speak in this thread 
from experience 
The only negative point of the Sonoff Zigbee products is that we cannot choose the channel that will operate. but I believe that they should use high channels. so to avoid conflict with the most popularly used channels. but it would be great if we can change the Zigbee channel to avoid conflict.
where I live has many Wi-Fi networks but none is interfering with my zigbee ihost network. as I said around me the vast majority uses signal 1
,4.
iHost is using channel 25 of the zigbee network, a very distant channel that only interferes with network 11 of Wi-Fi and here next no one uses network 11 I used to make the network more fluid. but I stopped using it when I started using zigbee.
But that’s not always the case, at least as I understood from @Teki some time back.
Thank you, much appreciated, I am learning everyday
The reason for my questions is that I am trying to understand when I should buy a Zigbee, Matter or a WiFi device since I use both Google Home and iHost in my home.
The decision would be driven by network stability & strength, but as a non technical user of these technologies I don’t have access to the Matter & Zigbee info.
Home automation is getting closer to being a turnkey solution, but challenges remain and sometimes it looks like the manufacturers/ solutions developers are not in touch with the real world implications/ requirements. For example my question about being able to use the Sonoff Push Button Switch in Google Home to start an automation and eWeLink not being able to sync with iHost.
Are these complex problems or more a case of priorities?
Anyway, I am enjoying the project and thanks for your patience and help.
I really don’t know how it works. what I can say is that here with my tests on my equipment. if I put half of my Unifi access points on channel 11. the Zigbee and WiFi network start to present lentidao. already when my entire network uses other channels other than the 11 of the Wi-Fi network the Zigbee network is perfectly working.
Even if it could not change which channel you want to use in iHost’s Zigbee I believe it could only be shown so that more experienced users can solve problems of conflict and slowness.
or even to help with forum support or documentation.
but I find it difficult for zigbee to use lower networks outside of Wi-Fi channel 11.
They do but the results are not stunning. A lot depends on good planning of the device board, antenna placement, etc. Then there is the channel selection algorithm. This is not easy to achieve and does not necessarily work well. There are many articles and studies on this subject on the internet. As a generally accepted practice, if direct proximity of WiFi and Zigbee points can be avoided, they should be moved as far away from each other as possible.
Please observe how the Home Assistant Yellow and Green servers are built. Like iHost, they do not have WiFi built in.
Changing the Zigbee channel is usually not easy. If you change the channel on a working network, you will have to fix all your devices. Optimising 2.4GHz bandwidth in the smart home is an achievable goal if you plan ahead. Developing a well-thought-out strategy for Wi-Fi and Zigbee before connecting devices will save the hassle of later re-pairing every Zigbee gadget - especially the hard-to-reach ones. While the convenience of Wi-Fi is indisputable, maintaining a home network requires a simple rule of thumb: if a device can be connected with an Ethernet cable, it should be. Using cables not only reduces Wi-Fi traffic, but also avoids potential congestion. Devices that are unlikely to move, such as a smart TV, are the first to be wired.
Thanks, for all the feedback, I agree, from what I have seen on very high end home automation projects Ethernet cables are mostly used. If you are building a new home you have the options to add Ethernet points in all areas to ensure optimal wifi coverage etc
That is a great truth.
you can use the cable, and better use the cable, to be able to have good coverage and a well-built network. For future problems to be avoided.