And some time ago I installed the Fiber¹ in my home and I want to use in the best way, so I start to rework all my local network and I think about adding some home automation.

{{< xkcd 1931 >}}

What do I need?

First I search for understand what I need to have for build my personal home automation. So serching on the web I found I need:

• A brain/core/server for coordinate all the stuffs
• A software for the brain, for the automation and other stuff
• A router for adding the brain to the network for update and other stuff
• Dongle/sensor/tech for connectivity with the sensors and smart stuff (one for protocol)
• The smart stuff (light bulb, sensor, timer, endpoint api...)

So I need to choose which protocol I want in my home... And I don't know...

So I change the point of view:

• I want to use good smart stuff but I don't want to pay too much
• I want something Open Source so I am not bind to a company
• I want something offline or/and on MY HOME SERVER

The protocols

Searching for the protocols I choose Thread² and Zigbee³ . One reason is because they are the most used protocol for communication and more easy to find online (Amazon) and offline (Ikea and othe local shop).

For starting I will implement only Thread because the more easy tech for me are all Matter over Thread so I start with Thread.

From the infographic I found, I need to implement Matter⁴ also because Matter is the top stuff for an Home Assistant.

The software

Now I want a software, Open Source, which I can support Thread and Matter (and also Zigbee) and I found a software (Open Source) wich support all I need: Home Assistant⁵ .

It support Matter⁶ , Thread⁷ and Zigbee⁸ and I can put it in a RaspberryPi or other server.

Hardware

So I start to make a list of what I have and what I need. Some things I buy online, some things come from some tech market and some come form the shoes box of my old stuff...

I only write about the real things but if I use cable or other "standard stuff" I don't write about it. So yes I bought some usb extention and some network cable but they aren't important for this post.

Core/Brain Stuff

First I need the Brain for the project

From what I read in the Home Assistant⁵ documentation I need some type of server with some gadget connected to them.

So I search and got a RaspberryPi 4B⁹ .

I also bought a microSD with 64GB of memory (I am on a budget for this project) as an Hard Disk for the "server".

Searching in my closet and in some shoes boxes I found a case¹⁰ for RaspberryPi with active cooling system (and LGB light)

So I flash the microSD with the Home Assistant software. Thanks to the Raspberry Pi Software¹¹ choosing the right iso and flash it in the SD was a walk in the park.

After the flashing I set it up and add to my local network and check for update.

So the brain is ready!

Sensor form Ikea

I went to Ikea for some stuff and some Swedish meatballs and I came back with an Ikea Alpstuga¹² .

It is a timer, air sensor with CO2 and PM2.5 sensor and output all of them and an Air Quality value.

The only bad thing about it is the color but for the price I don't complain.

So after coming home I found it didn't work.

As is the RaspberryPi 4B do not support Thread or Zigbee without some type of specialized antenna... I was understanding that the software use the wifi module of the RaspberryPi as a Zigbee/Thread emitter/reciver but no so I search on Amazon for the dongle for Thread.

Antenna

I bought a Usb dongle¹³ for connecting the RaspberryPi and the other gadget in the house (for now only the Ikea one)

¹³

This antenna is a little special: you can flash it for changing it form Zigbee to Thread and vice versa so I start to config it.

Setup the Antenna