Frequently asked questions

• Can I really run Zigbee and Thread at the same time?

  Yes. The SLZB-MR1 has two separate radio SoCs — the CC2652P7 and the EFR32MG21 — each with its own SMA antenna, so a Zigbee 3.0 network and a Thread network run in parallel, not one or the other. One SoC can be the Zigbee coordinator, the other a Thread Border Router for Matter-over-Thread.
• Does it work with Zigbee2MQTT and ZHA?

  Yes. Both are supported through SLZB-OS: the Zigbee radio shows up in Zigbee2MQTT or in Home Assistant's ZHA as a network coordinator. deCONZ also runs on the Zigbee side. OTA updates cover the CC2652P7, the EFR32 and the ESP32 straight from the coordinator's interface.
• Can it be powered over PoE?

  Yes. The SLZB-MR1 takes PoE 802.3af (48V) straight from a compatible switch, or USB-C power at 5V if you have no PoE. On PoE use a real 802.3af switch, not a passive injector. Draw stays under 1.5 W even with both radios active.
• Does it need a separate hub?

  No. The coordinator itself is the bridge between the Zigbee/Thread mesh and your network; no separate Smlight hub is required. It does need a host running the software — Home Assistant with Zigbee2MQTT or ZHA — because the SLZB-MR1 is a coordinator, not a mini-server with its own logic.
• How does it differ from the single-radio 06 and 06p coordinators?

  The 06/06p have a single CC2652P7 chip and do Zigbee only, no Thread, with an internal or u.fl antenna. The SLZB-MR1 adds a second SoC (EFR32MG21) and two external SMA antennas to hold Zigbee and Thread at once. If you only need Zigbee, an 06p is enough; for dual networks pick the MR1.
• What is the difference from the SLZB-MR1U?

  The two share the same radios (CC2652P7 + EFR32MG21), but the MR1U adds USB-to-TCP/IP passthrough, which the MR1 lacks. The MR3 and MR4 move to newer silicon — CC2674P10 plus EFR32MG24/MG26. For a classic dual network on PoE/USB-C, the MR1 is the series' base variant.
• Where do I mount it and how do I orient the antennas?

  It sits well in the network cabinet or next to the router, on PoE, away from the Home Assistant host but central in the home. Since the two SMA antennas are split per radio, angle them perpendicular to each other to cut SoC interference, and keep the coordinator away from noise sources like a 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi router.