Z-Wave ========= .. panels:: :container: container pb-4 :column: col-lg-12 p-2 :card: shadow .. panels:: :container: container pb-4 :column: col-lg-12 p-2 :card: shadow **What is Z-Wave?** Z-Wave is a **wireless communication protocol** primarily used for **home automation**. It allows smart devices like lights, locks, thermostats, and sensors to communicate with each other using low-energy, short-range radio waves. Z-Wave operates in the **sub-GHz frequency bands**, which helps reduce interference with Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. .. panels:: :container: container pb-4 :column: col-lg-12 p-2 :card: shadow **Why is Z-Wave useful?** * Designed specifically for **smart home applications**. * Offers **reliable and low-latency** communication. * Supports **mesh networking**, improving range and fault tolerance. * Interference-free operation due to **sub-GHz frequency use**. * Ensures **interoperability** between certified devices, regardless of manufacturer. .. panels:: :container: container pb-4 :column: col-lg-12 p-2 :card: shadow **How it works?** * Z-Wave devices form a **mesh network** where each device can relay messages. * A **Z-Wave controller** (or hub) manages the network and connects it to a user interface or cloud service. * Each device has a **Node ID**, and routing is dynamic. * Operates at **low data rates** (~100 kbps), suitable for control signals and status updates. * Uses **AES-128 encryption** for secure communication. .. panels:: :container: container pb-4 :column: col-lg-12 p-2 :card: shadow **Where is Z-Wave used?** * **Smart homes** (lights, locks, sensors, alarms). * **Home security systems**. * **Energy monitoring and management**. * **Assisted living and healthcare**. * **Smart building automation**. .. panels:: :container: container pb-4 :column: col-lg-12 p-2 :card: shadow **Which OSI layer does this protocol belong to?** * Z-Wave defines its own stack, roughly mapped to: * **Layer 1 & 2**: Custom physical and MAC layers (sub-GHz radio). * **Layer 3 & 4**: Custom network and transport layers. * **Layer 7**: Application layer for device communication (Z-Wave Command Classes). * It does **not use the TCP/IP model**. .. panels:: :container: container pb-4 :column: col-lg-12 p-2 :card: shadow **IS Z-Wave Windows specific?** * No, Z-Wave is **not Windows-specific**. * Z-Wave devices typically run on **embedded firmware**. * Windows apps can control Z-Wave networks via a **Z-Wave USB controller** or **gateway**, but the protocol itself is OS-independent. .. panels:: :container: container pb-4 :column: col-lg-12 p-2 :card: shadow **IS Z-Wave Linux Specific?** * No, Z-Wave is **not Linux-specific**. * Linux is commonly used in **home automation controllers** (like Home Assistant, OpenZWave, etc.) to interact with Z-Wave networks. * However, the protocol is platform-agnostic and can be used with any OS that supports the proper controller interface. .. panels:: :container: container pb-4 :column: col-lg-12 p-2 :card: shadow **Which Transport Protocol is used by Z-Wave?** * Z-Wave uses a **proprietary transport protocol** tailored for low-bandwidth, low-power communication. * It does **not use standard IP-based transport protocols** like TCP or UDP. .. panels:: :container: container pb-4 :column: col-lg-12 p-2 :card: shadow **Which Port is used by Z-Wave?** * Z-Wave does **not use TCP/UDP ports**. * It operates on **sub-GHz ISM bands**, which vary by region: * **908.42 MHz** (North America) * **868.42 MHz** (Europe) * **Other regional variants** exist. * Communication is done via **radio frequency**, not network ports. .. panels:: :container: container pb-4 :column: col-lg-12 p-2 :card: shadow **Is Z-Wave using Client server model?** * Z-Wave uses a **controller-slave (hub-device)** model, which is conceptually similar to a **client-server architecture**. * Devices send reports or respond to commands from the **Z-Wave controller**. * Communication between devices (via the mesh network) is peer-to-peer in nature. .. panels:: :container: container pb-4 :column: col-lg-12 p-2 :card: shadow Topics in this section, * :ref:`Learnings in this section ` * :ref:`Terminology ` * :ref:`Version Info ` * :ref:`Z-Wave Version&IEEE Details ` * :ref:`Z-Wave Basic Setup on Ubuntu using IPv4 ` * :ref:`Z-Wave Basic Setup on Ubuntu using IPv6 ` * :ref:`Z-Wave Protocol Packet Details ` * :ref:`Z-Wave Usecases ` * :ref:`Z-Wave Basic Features ` * :ref:`Reference links ` .. _Z-Wave_step1: .. tab-set:: .. tab-item:: Learnings in this section * In this section, you are going to learn .. _Z-Wave_step2: .. tab-set:: .. tab-item:: Terminology * Terminology .. _Z-Wave_step3: .. tab-set:: .. tab-item:: Version Info * Version Info .. _Z-Wave_step5: .. tab-set:: .. tab-item:: Z-Wave Version&RFC Details * rfc details .. _Z-Wave_step18: .. tab-set:: .. tab-item:: Z-Wave Basic Setup on Ubuntu using IPv4 * setup .. _Z-Wave_step19: .. tab-set:: .. tab-item:: Z-Wave Basic Setup on Ubuntu using IPv6 * setup .. _Z-Wave_step6: .. tab-set:: .. tab-item:: Z-Wave Protocol Packet Details * packet details .. _Z-Wave_step7: .. tab-set:: .. tab-item:: Z-Wave Usecases * usecases .. _Z-Wave_step8: .. tab-set:: .. tab-item:: Z-Wave Basic Features * features .. _Z-Wave_step17: .. tab-set:: .. tab-item:: Reference links * Reference links