Newbie Setting up Homey Pro Mini + Ikea Dirigera Hub (Zigbee)

Questions & Help
1

Hi,

Just got my Homey Pro Mini which I’m trying to setup. I’ve spent 2-3 days reading / watching youtube videos but I’m stuck. Normally I tend to “get it” but for some reason I’ve hit a wall and I realised I need to ask for help. I’ve tried to find similar questions but either I suck at searching or I’m just “stupid who don’t get it”…

I’ve not yet even started with Matter so this is only for Zigbee.

I’m struggling with understanding the usage of the App integrations and in this case it’s the IKEA one with Dirigera Hub. I already own it so unless there are any drawbacks of keeping it I don’t have a problem keeping it.

  • As I understand it I have to install the devices on the Ikea Hub to get the firmware updates(?). Or is it enought to just add the device by “chosing it” through the Ikea APP?
  • Because if I first add the devices to the Ikea app, when trying to add it through Homey I need to reset them to find them in Homey and by doing so it resets the device and they are removed from the IKEA app.
  • As I understand it to get the best network setup from scratch I should start with the ones closest, to Homey Pro Mini or the IKEA Dirigera? I have two stories in my house and have Homey on one and Ikea Dirigera on another. Where should I start the zigbee network?

Thanks in advance

2

I don’t know Dirigera, but I think the concept is the same as the Philips Hue bridge.

That means that you have te choose one. If you want to use the Dirigera hub, you should use this app: IKEA DIRIGERA Gateway | Homey
That way, your Dirigera app is making it’s own Zigbee network. Only the hub is directly connected to your homey. You can control your devices using Homey, but also using the IKEA app.

If you use this app: IKEA Home Smart | Homey , then you’re connecting your devices directly to Homey. Homey is making the Zigbee network.

If you have IKEA devices connected to your IKEA hub and other devices connected to Homey, you will have two Zigbee networks in your home. This can cause interference and this means that you’re mesh network is not as strong as you would like it to be.

3

and additionally:

so, one just needs to set the channels right, and also the 2.4GHz wifi channel should be set to a least interfering one.

it’s not about “strong”, it’s about range. Each zigbee mesh should have a sufficient number zigbee routers throughout the location, IF one wants both networks to reach all of the desired spots.

Pro: in case of “really smart” lighting: if one zigbee network fails, you still have the other one you can use.
Con: higher cost: needing additional router devices costs money.

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