ZBDongle-E as router does not pair to ZBBridge-U

Ideas & Suggestion
1

Hello, is there a newer router/repeater/extender firmware for ZBDongle-E besides Z3RouterUSBDonlge_EZNet6.10.3_V1.0.0.gbl (that was released Jun 30, 2022)?

Or is there an alternative ZigBee router firmware for this device?

I am asking because after flashing it does not pair with ZBBridge-U.

After flashing it boots into pairing mode (green led blinking).

> appNwkJoinOrRejoinWhenPowerOn [328]: 
 start nwk join EVENT,sta = 0x00
NWK Steering scan complete. Beacons heard: 1
NWK Steering State: Scan Primary Channels and use Install Code
Error: install code setup failed. Is an install code flashed onto the device?
Error: NWK Steering could not setup security: 0xB7
Examining beacon on channel 20 with panId 0x0D65
NWK Steering joining 0x0D65 on channel 20

Then it probably receives installation code(s), for few seconds green led is contant:

Update TC Link Key: New key established: 0x03
Partner: A6 A9 54 FE FF A3 65 8C
NWK Steering: Trust center link key update status: 0x03
T00000000:RX len 5, ep 01, clus 0x0000 (Basic) FC 00 seq 14 cmd 00 payload[07 00 ]
Update TC Link Key: New key established: 0x65

Then:

EMBER_NETWORK_OPENED: 180 sec
pJoin for 180 sec: 0x00
NWK Steering: Broadcasting permit join: 0x00
NWK Steering Stop.  Cleaning up.
Join network complete: 0x00

And then network is down and it starts procedure (of receiving instalation code) again:

EMBER_NETWORK_CLOSED
T00000000:RX len 5, ep 02, clus 0x0000 (Basic) FC 00 seq 10 cmd 00 payload[07 00 ]
T00000000:RX len 5, ep 02, clus 0x0000 (Basic) FC 00 seq 10 cmd 0B payload[01 00 ]
RX: ZDO, command 0x0013, status: 0x00
Device Announce: 0x2095
EMBER_NETWORK_DOWN
NWK Steering stack status 0x91
>>>> EMBER_NETWORK_DOWN

> appNwkJoinOrRejoinWhenPowerOn [291]: 
 NWK attempt join EVENT, nwk_state = 0x00, appDevHadAttemptNwkJoinTimes = 0
NWK Steering: issuing scan on primary channels (mask 0x0318C800)
NWK Steering: Start: 0x00

And it keeps like that in the loop.

… or am I doing something wrong? :slight_smile:

2

Hey,

Thx for the feedback. Our team has been looking into this issue.

3

Hi, thank you. I am attaching full log, staring from flashing and then ending on endless loop of pairing with Bridge Ultra. You will find my comments it this file that {look like that}.

This log is of course for everybody that are interested in making ZBDongle-E as a router/repeater/extender paired with ZBBridge-U (Bridge Ultra).

flashing-and-pairing-log-of-dongle-e-as-router.log (48.5 KB)

4

I have just received and email from Aron that… does not help me.

Dear Artur,
Hi
Thanks for your email.

ZBDongle-E can be added to ZBBridge-U in the eWeLink app. Please follow these links to learn how to use ZBDongle-E.

https://sonoff.tech/product-review/how-to-use-sonoff-dongle-plus-on-home-assistant-how-to-flash-firmware/#5
https://itead.cc/product/zigbee-3-0-usb-dongle/
https://itead.cc/sonoff-zigbee-devices-work-with-home-assistant/

Please note that in celebration of our Nation Day, we'll have a holiday from Oct 1st to Oct 7th, 2024. If you have any questions about the order during this period, please send us an email. We will get back to you as soon as possible when we return to the office on Oct 8th.

Regards,
Aron in SONOFF

My understanding is: pair ZBDongle-E [flashed as a ZigBee router to extend poor ZigBee coverage] with ZBBridge-U.

Or am I misunderstood something here?

5

Email from Aron:

Dear Artur,
Hi
Thanks for your reply.

As you said before, ZBDongle-E can't pair with ZBBridge-U. ZBDongle-E can't be used in the eWeLink ecosystem. It can be used as a Zigbee gateway in Home Assistant, openHAB, Zigbee2MQTT, or other open-source platforms to locally control all your Zigbee devices. ZBDongle-E is pre-flashed with coordinator firmware, you can also flash router firmware to extend the network range.[ https://itead.cc/product/zigbee-3-0-usb-dongle/](https://itead.cc/product/zigbee-3-0-usb-dongle/)

Please note that in celebration of our Nation Day, we'll have a holiday from Oct 1st to Oct 7th, 2024. If you have any questions about the order during this period, please send us an email. We will get back to you as soon as possible when we return to the office on Oct 8th.

Regards,
Aron in SONOFF

So… first he wrote “ZBDongle-E can be added to ZBBridge-U in the eWeLink app” and then “ZBDongle-E can’t pair with ZBBridge-U. ZBDongle-E can’t be used in the eWeLink ecosystem”.

:confused:

6

Hey

From what I know so far, it’s not supported for U at the moment; the product team is considering better supporting such devices.

You can alternatively use supported Zigbee lights or switches to route:

Sorry for the inconvenience.

7

Got response from Aron. I am pasting it here for anyone who will try to use Sonoff’s ZBDongle-E with Sonoff’s Bridge Ultra ZBBridge-U. I am pasting it here for anyone who thought that Sonoff devices works with Sonoff devices (and “Works with everything” according to the welcome message in eWeLink app).

Dear Artur,

Hi

Thanks for your reply.

Sorry for the type error in the first email. I accidentally typed "can" instead of "can't." I am sorry for all the inconvenience that this has caused you. The original meaning is: Now the ZBDongle-E can't be added to ZBBridge-U in the eWeLink app.
But after we checked with our technicians, in November, we will update a new firmware version for the ZBBridge-U and a new version of the eWeLink app, if you flashed the ZBDonge-E as a ZigBee router, it will support adding to the ZBBridge-U, could you kindly kindly wait for the update?
Please note our ZBDongle-E was pre-installed with the coordinator firmware and can only be used as a Zigbee gateway which can not add directly to the ZBBridge-U unless you flash it to the router firmware after November.

Please note that in celebration of our Nation Day, we'll have a holiday from Oct 1st to Oct 7th, 2024. If you have any questions about the order during this period, please send us an email. We will get back to you as soon as possible when we return to the office on Oct 8th.

Regards,

Aron in SONOFF