Z-Wave Network Stability Issues and Troubleshooting

General
1

Hi everyone, I’ve been experiencing some frustrating issues with my Z-Wave network stability. I wanted to share my experiences and see if anyone else has encountered similar problems or has any suggestions for troubleshooting.

The Problem:
Randomly, some of my Z-Wave nodes (both battery-powered and mains-powered) stop communicating with the controller. This has been happening sporadically, and it’s quite disruptive, especially since I rely on these devices for my smart home setup.

System Overview:

  • Controller: AeonStick S2
  • Z-Wave Devices: 7 Fibaro FGWP101 and 5 Danfoss L-13
  • Software: OpenHAB 2.3.0 running on OpenHABian

Troubleshooting Steps Taken:

  1. Multiple Hard Resets: I’ve performed several hard resets on the controller, but the issue persists.
  2. Node Removal and Re-inclusion: I removed all nodes from the configuration file (nodes.xml) and re-included them from scratch. However, the problem remains.
  3. Increased RAM Allocation: I upgraded my virtual machine’s RAM from 512MB to 1GB, but this didn’t resolve the issue.
  4. Log Analysis: I’ve reviewed the logs extensively, but I can’t identify any unusual patterns or errors that would explain the random disconnections.

Current Sensation:
It feels like the controller still retains some node configurations even after a hard reset, which might be causing conflicts or instability. I’m not entirely sure, but this is a possibility I’m exploring.

Seeking Advice:
I’d greatly appreciate any suggestions on how to further diagnose and fix this issue. Stability is crucial for my smart home setup, and having nodes go offline randomly is quite concerning.

Potential Areas to Explore:

  • Firmware Updates: Ensuring all devices and the controller are running the latest firmware versions.
  • Network Healing: Running a network healing process to ensure all nodes are properly connected and communicating.
  • Interference Sources: Investigating potential sources of interference in my home that might be affecting Z-Wave communication.

Conclusion:
I’m determined to resolve this issue and would be grateful for any insights or recommendations from the community. Let’s work together to get my Z-Wave network back to full functionality!

Best regards,
Andrea