Replacing ZBT-1 (SkyConnect) with ZBT-2
Last week Nabu Casa released the replacement for the ZBT-1 (SkyConnect), the ZBT-2. I have been using the ZBT-1 for a couple of years without issue. I use it to run my Zigbee network. As soon as it was announced I placed my order at Everything Smart Technology.
Nabu Casa says that migrating your devices from the ZBT-1 to the ZBT-2 is simple. It is daunting when you think that all the devices may have to be reset if it goes wrong. Let me put your mind at rest. It was a simple as they said it would be. These are the Nabu Casa instructions.
This was the current Zigbee network
The ZBT-1 Zigbee network
Before I added the ZBT-2 to Home Assistant I used this link to update the firmware. The ZBT-2 has a USB-C connector which means I could easily plug it into my Mac Mini. You must use a Chrome browser. In my case I used Arc. These are the steps to follow.
Install Firmware
ZBT-2 is available
ZBT-2 connecting
Change firmware screen
You have the option at this point to change the ZBT-2 to a Thread Border Router. I chose Zigbee
Firmware install options
Firmware being installed
Successful firmware install
The ZBT-2 will then re-connect and you will see the final firmware version
Final firmware version
We are now ready to connect the ZBT-2 to Home Assistant. I plugged it in to the USB-2 port on my Raspberry Pi 500. The ZBT-1 was plugged into the USB-3 port. The ZBT-2 doesn’t need USB-3 speed. The ZBT-1 didn’t need it either. Once it is plugged in, go to Settings > Devices & services in Home Assistant. There you will see the ZBT-2 has been discovered.
ZBT-2 has been discovered in Home Assistant
Again you will have the choice to change the protocol. We will want to migrate to a new adapter. Don’t worry, nothing will migrate just yet.
Pick your protocol. We are going to use Zigbee
I don’t use Zigbee2MQTT so in the choice below I picked Recommend Installation.
Recommended installation or custom setup
For some reason it chose to install the Zigbee firmware again.
Zigbee firmware is installed
You are now given the option to set up the ZBT-2. The migration will start when you press submit and the Zigbee devices will go offline. Nabu Casa says it could take up to an hour for the network to be stable. Mine was seconds.
Setup the Home Assistant Connect ZBT-2
The ZBT-1 has been flashed back to factory settings and can be removed.
ZBT-2 migration is complete
You can check the Zigbee network by following these steps.
Settings > Devices & services.
Devices
Filter ZBT
Click on Home Assistant Connect ZBT-2
Use the filter to find the ZBT-2
Click the Zigbee Home Automation
The ZBT-2 Device info page
Click on the cog in the first entry
Click on the cog icon
This was my Zigbee network seconds after the migration completed.
Final Zigbee network
