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. 

 

   

 A new complete manual is created here : https://smlight.tech/support/manuals/books/smhub/page/using-smhub-as-thread-border-router-for-matter-devices   

 

 🔹 A. Update SMHUB-OS to v0.3.4dev2 

 Before enabling Thread, update your device to the latest development version supporting Thread services. 

 

 

 Download the update file 

 

 

 Open a terminal on your SMHUB or connect via SSH. 

 

 

 Run: 

 

 

 wget -O smhub-update-0.3.4.dev2.raucb https://updates.smlight.tech/firmware/smhub/os/smhub-update-0.3.4.dev2.raucb

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Install the update 

 

 

 sudo rauc install smhub-update-0.3.4.dev2.raucb

 

 

 

 

 After installation, please reboot your device.  

 

 🔹 B. Flash Thread Firmware to the EFR32 Chip 

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

 

 

 Install the flashing tool: 

 

 

 pip install universal-silabs-flasher

 

 

 

 

 Download the flashing script: 

 

 wget -O flash-efr.sh https://updates.smlight.tech/firmware/smhub/utils/flash-efr.sh 

 

 

 

 

 Make the script executable: 

 

 sudo chmod 777 flash-efr.sh 

 

 

 

 Run the flasher  script and select Thread firmware: 

 

 sudo ./flash-efr.sh 

 

 

 

 

 

 Once flashing completes, the EFR32 chip will act as a Thread RCP. 

 

 

 

 

 🔹 C. Install the OpenThread Border Router (OTBR) App 

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

 

 

 Download the OTBR package: 

 

 

 wget -O openthread_0.3.0-1~dev1_riscv64.ipk https://updates.smlight.tech/firmware/smhub/os/other/openthread_0.3.0-1~dev1_riscv64.ipk

 

 

 

 

 Install it: 

 

 

 sudo opkg install openthread_0.3.0-1~dev1_riscv64.ipk

 

 

 

 

 Start the OTBR service: 

 

 

 sudo /etc/init.d/S99openthread start

 

 

 

 

 Check OTBR logs (optional): 

 

 

 nano /var/log/otbr-agent.log

 

 

 

 

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

 

 🔹 D. Integrate with Home Assistant 

 To connect your Thread network to Home Assistant : 

 

 

 Open Home Assistant → Devices & Services . 

 

 

 Search for “Open Thread Border Router” and install it. 

 

 

 In the configuration, enter: 

 

 

 tcp: //<SMHUB_IP>:8081 

 

 

 (replace <SMHUB_IP> with your actual device IP address) 

 

 

 Add the Thread integration . 

 

 

 Open its settings and confirm a Preferred Thread Network appears. 

 

 

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