Frequently asked questions

• Which radio chip does the SLZB-06M use, and why does it matter?

  It uses the Silicon Labs EFR32MG21 chip — hence the "M" in the name. That is the key difference from the SLZB-06/06P, which use a Texas Instruments radio (CC2652P). If your network is built on the Silabs stack, or you prefer the Silicon Labs radio, the 06M is the right family variant. For Thread/Matter pick the Mg24, Mg26 or 06p10 siblings.
• Does it work with ZHA, Zigbee2MQTT and deCONZ?

  Yes. Zigbee2MQTT and ZHA are supported out of the box (in Z2M use the ember/EZSP driver, the Silicon Labs one). On deCONZ the network will be Silabs-native. The coordinator runs on any Home Assistant host — a mini-PC, a NAS or a Raspberry Pi — with no vendor hub at all.
• Can I use USB and Ethernet/PoE at the same time?

  Yes. Optoelectronic isolation between Ethernet and USB lets both cables stay connected at once, and the working mode (USB or Ethernet) is switched from the web UI or the physical button, with no mechanical jumper. The Ethernet is 100M and takes PoE power to IEEE 802.3af (~15 W).
• Does it need a Smlight hub to work?

  No. Being the coordinator, it is itself the bridge between the Zigbee network and the server — no separate hub is required. You only need a host (mini-PC, NAS, Raspberry Pi) running Zigbee2MQTT or ZHA. All the Zigbee bulbs, sensors and relays pair directly to it.
• How much better is coverage than a plain USB dongle?

  The 06M is the strongest in the line for coverage: a +20 dB RF amplifier on the board plus an external rotatable (3D) +5 dB antenna. Compared with a USB dongle stuck behind a server, that means a more stable mesh and distant sensors that do not drop off. Orient the antenna vertically for the best result.
• Does it support Thread or Matter?

  No — the SLZB-06M is Zigbee 3.0 only, with no Thread and no Matter. For Thread (say, a future border router) or a multiprotocol radio, pick the line's siblings: the SLZB-06Mg24, SLZB-06Mg26 or SLZB-06p10. We can help you choose the right one for your network.
• Can I update the firmware remotely?

  Yes. Both the EFR32MG21 Zigbee chip and the network ESP32 can be reflashed through the web interface, with no cables or external programmers. The CP2102 converter gives UART up to 921600 bps. We recommend reserving the coordinator a fixed IP in the router when it runs as a LAN coordinator.