# Run Thread networks

The following guide explains how to enable **Thread networking** on your **SMLIGHT SMHUB** device.  
This process involves updating the operating system, flashing Thread firmware to the radio module, and installing the OpenThread Border Router (OTBR) app.

> ⚠️ **Note:** This is an *early-access feature*. Future (expected v0.3.5+ versions) of SMHUB-OS will make it fully automatic.  
> For now, please follow the steps carefully in the order below.

#### <span style="background-color: rgb(241, 196, 15);">A new complete manual is created here</span>: [https://smlight.tech/support/manuals/books/smhub/page/using-smhub-as-thread-border-router-for-matter-devices](https://smlight.tech/support/manuals/books/smhub/page/using-smhub-as-thread-border-router-for-matter-devices) 

---

## <s>🔹 A. Update SMHUB-OS to v0.3.4dev2</s>

<s>Before enabling Thread, update your device to the latest development version supporting Thread services.</s>

1. <s>**Download the update file**</s>
    
    
    - <s>Open a terminal on your SMHUB or connect via SSH.</s>
    - <s>Run:</s>
        
        <div class="contain-inline-size rounded-2xl relative bg-token-sidebar-surface-primary"><div class="sticky top-9">  
        </div><div class="overflow-y-auto p-4" dir="ltr"><s><code>wget &#45;O smhub&#45;update&#45;0&#46;3&#46;4&#46;dev2&#46;raucb https&#58;&#47;&#47;updates&#46;smlight&#46;tech&#47;firmware&#47;smhub&#47;os&#47;smhub&#45;update&#45;0&#46;3&#46;4&#46;dev2&#46;raucb</code></s></div></div>
2. <s>**Install the update**</s>
    
    <div class="contain-inline-size rounded-2xl relative bg-token-sidebar-surface-primary"><div class="sticky top-9">  
    </div><div class="overflow-y-auto p-4" dir="ltr"><s><code>sudo rauc install smhub&#45;update&#45;0&#46;3&#46;4&#46;dev2&#46;raucb</code></s></div></div>

<s>After installation, please reboot your device. </s>

---

## <s>🔹 B. Flash Thread Firmware to the EFR32 Chip</s>

<s>The EFR32 radio inside your SMHUB needs a special firmware to operate as a **Thread radio co-processor (RCP)**.</s>

1. <s>**Install the flashing tool:**</s>
    
    <div class="contain-inline-size rounded-2xl relative bg-token-sidebar-surface-primary"><div class="sticky top-9">  
    </div><div class="overflow-y-auto p-4" dir="ltr"><s><code>pip install universal&#45;silabs&#45;flasher</code></s></div></div>
2. <s>**Download the flashing script:**</s>
    
    <div class="contain-inline-size rounded-2xl relative bg-token-sidebar-surface-primary"><div class="overflow-y-auto p-4" dir="ltr"><s><code>wget &#45;O flash&#45;efr&#46;sh https&#58;&#47;&#47;updates&#46;smlight&#46;tech&#47;firmware&#47;smhub&#47;utils&#47;flash&#45;efr&#46;sh</code></s></div></div><s>[![image.png](https://smlight.tech/support/manuals/uploads/images/gallery/2025-11/scaled-1680-/COKimage.png)](https://smlight.tech/support/manuals/uploads/images/gallery/2025-11/COKimage.png)</s>
3. <s>**Make the script executable:**</s>
    
    <div class="contain-inline-size rounded-2xl relative bg-token-sidebar-surface-primary"><div class="overflow-y-auto p-4" dir="ltr"><s><code>sudo &#60;span class&#61;&#34;hljs&#45;built&#95;in&#34;&#62;chmod&#60;&#47;span&#62; 777 flash&#45;efr&#46;sh</code></s></div></div>
4. <s>**Run the flasher  script and select Thread firmware:**</s>
    
    <div class="contain-inline-size rounded-2xl relative bg-token-sidebar-surface-primary"><div class="overflow-y-auto p-4" dir="ltr"><s><code>sudo &#46;&#47;flash&#45;efr&#46;sh</code></s></div><div class="overflow-y-auto p-4" dir="ltr">  
    </div></div><s>[![image.png](https://smlight.tech/support/manuals/uploads/images/gallery/2025-11/scaled-1680-/d6aimage.png)](https://smlight.tech/support/manuals/uploads/images/gallery/2025-11/d6aimage.png)</s>
    
    <div class="contain-inline-size rounded-2xl relative bg-token-sidebar-surface-primary"><div class="overflow-y-auto p-4" dir="ltr">  
    </div><div class="overflow-y-auto p-4" dir="ltr"><s>Once flashing completes, the EFR32 chip will act as a Thread RCP.</s></div></div>

---

## <s>🔹 C. Install the OpenThread Border Router (OTBR) App</s>

<s>This application enables SMHUB to act as a **Thread Border Router**, bridging your Thread network with Ethernet or Wi-Fi.</s>

1. <s>**Download the OTBR package:**</s>
    
    <div class="contain-inline-size rounded-2xl relative bg-token-sidebar-surface-primary"><div class="sticky top-9">  
    </div><div class="overflow-y-auto p-4" dir="ltr"><s><code>wget &#45;O openthread&#95;0&#46;3&#46;0&#45;1&#126;dev1&#95;riscv64&#46;ipk https&#58;&#47;&#47;updates&#46;smlight&#46;tech&#47;firmware&#47;smhub&#47;os&#47;other&#47;openthread&#95;0&#46;3&#46;0&#45;1&#126;dev1&#95;riscv64&#46;ipk</code></s></div></div>
2. <s>**Install it:**</s>
    
    <div class="contain-inline-size rounded-2xl relative bg-token-sidebar-surface-primary"><div class="sticky top-9">  
    </div><div class="overflow-y-auto p-4" dir="ltr"><s><code>sudo opkg install openthread&#95;0&#46;3&#46;0&#45;1&#126;dev1&#95;riscv64&#46;ipk</code></s></div></div>
3. <s>**Start the OTBR service:**</s>
    
    <div class="contain-inline-size rounded-2xl relative bg-token-sidebar-surface-primary"><div class="sticky top-9">  
    </div><div class="overflow-y-auto p-4" dir="ltr"><s><code>sudo &#47;etc&#47;init&#46;d&#47;S99openthread start</code></s></div></div>
4. <s>**Check OTBR logs (optional):**</s>
    
    <div class="contain-inline-size rounded-2xl relative bg-token-sidebar-surface-primary"><div class="sticky top-9">  
    </div><div class="overflow-y-auto p-4" dir="ltr"><s><code>nano &#47;var&#47;log&#47;otbr&#45;agent&#46;log</code></s></div></div>

<s>If the service starts successfully, your SMHUB is now broadcasting as a Thread Border Router.</s>

---

## <s>🔹 D. Integrate with Home Assistant</s>

<s>To connect your Thread network to **Home Assistant**:</s>

1. <s>Open **Home Assistant → Devices &amp; Services**.</s>
2. <s>Search for **“Open Thread Border Router”** and install it.</s>
3. <s>In the configuration, enter:</s>
    
    <div class="contain-inline-size rounded-2xl relative bg-token-sidebar-surface-primary"><div class="sticky top-9">  
    </div><div class="overflow-y-auto p-4" dir="ltr"><s><code>tcp&#58;&#60;span class&#61;&#34;hljs&#45;comment&#34;&#62;&#47;&#47;&#60;SMHUB&#95;IP&#62;&#58;8081&#60;&#47;span&#62;</code></s></div></div><s>*(replace <code>&#60;SMHUB&#95;IP&#62;</code> with your actual device IP address)*</s>
4. <s>Add the **Thread integration**.</s>
5. <s>Open its settings and confirm a **Preferred Thread Network** appears.</s>

<s>Once visible, your SMHUB is successfully integrated with Home Assistant as a Thread Border Router.</s>  
<s>You can now pair **Thread or Matter** devices through the standard Home Assistant interface.</s>