HomeSeer Z-NET IP-Enabled Z-Wave Interface — Installation Guide

Installation Guide (rev 1.2) for the HomeSeer Z-NET IP-enabled Z-Wave interface — a network-connected Z-Wave Plus controller supporting Network Wide Inclusion (NWI), installable anywhere a network connection is available via Ethernet or optional WiFi.

Overview

Z-NET incorporates Z-Wave Plus technology and supports Network Wide Inclusion (NWI), letting you add or delete devices from your Z-Wave network at long range — provided the devices use v4.5x or 6.5x Z-Wave firmware (ZDK). Older devices require Z-NET and the device to be positioned within a few feet of each other for inclusion; the optional USB→WiFi adapter makes repositioning Z-NET easier in these cases. Devices marked with a Z-Wave+ logo support NWI, and most devices on the market today (built on at least the 4.5x ZDK) support it even without the logo.

Installation tip: Although Z-Wave is a mesh network technology that routes commands device-to-device, optimal performance comes from installing Z-NET with a wired Ethernet connection near the center of the home. If a wired connection isn't possible, use the optional USB→WiFi adapter — WiFi performance will vary with router quality and the home's wireless profile.

If upgrading from another interface (Z-Troller, Z-Stick, etc.), complete all steps below. If building a Z-Wave network from scratch, skip Step 2 and Step 5.

Step 1 — Update the HS3 Z-Wave Plug-in

Z-NET requires HS3 Z-Wave plug-in v3.0.0.196 or higher. Download and install it from the HS3 updater (check the "Beta" section at the bottom of the list for the latest Z-Wave plug-in).

Step 2 — Backup Current Z-Wave Network (upgrades only)

1. In the HS3 web interface, go to Plug-ins > Z-Wave > Controller Management, expand your existing interface, and select "Back Up this interface" from the Actions menu.
2. Rename the backup file if desired, click START. The backup should take only a few seconds and shows "Done" when complete. Note the file name for later.
3. Disable the old interface by clicking the green checkmark next to its name (a yellow/red crossed-out circle confirms it's disabled).
4. Delete the interface from the software (click the delete button under the interface name) — this is required to avoid Home ID conflicts with Z-NET. Do not skip this step, and do not erase your existing interface itself.
5. Physically disconnect the existing interface: for a Z-Troller, unplug the AC power supply and serial cable, and remove batteries; for a Z-Stick, unplug it from USB (press its control button once first if the blue status light is blinking).
6. Store the old interface safely as a backup in case Z-NET ever fails.

Step 3 — Network Configuration

1. Physical installation: connect Z-NET to your LAN with the supplied Ethernet cable and power adapter. The LED blinks red for ~20 seconds, then glows solid red.
2. Accessing Z-NET: on a PC, tablet, or phone, browse to find.homeseer.com and click "search." You'll typically see entries for your HomeTroller/HS3 system and for Z-NET (a third entry appears if the optional WiFi adapter is installed). Click the IP address hyperlink under System to reach Z-NET's settings.
3. Updating Z-NET: if an update is available, click "Update" in the upper right. You can also rename the unit here (useful for multi-Z-NET homes, e.g. "First Floor Z-NET"). Submit changes when done.
4. As shipped, Z-NET uses DHCP and will be auto-discovered by your HS3 system — most users can skip ahead to Step 4. Continue below only if you want a persistent IP or Z-NET is on a different network than HS3.
5. Optional — persistent (static) IP: either (a) in Z-NET settings, select "Static-IP" and enter an address within your router's subnet but outside its DHCP range, then save (Z-NET reboots); or (b) use your router's address reservation feature, keeping Z-NET on DHCP but reserving its IP by MAC address, then reboot the router.

Step 4 — HS3 / Z-NET Configuration

1. Browse to find.homeseer.com, click "search," then click the IP address hyperlink for your HomeTroller/HS3 system.
2. Go to Plug-ins > Z-Wave > Controller Management, click "Add Interface."
   • If Z-NET has a DHCP address: name it, select "Z-NET Ethernet" from the Interface Model menu, then choose your interface from the dropdown (two entries appear if the WiFi adapter is present).
   • If Z-NET has a static IP: name it, select "Ethernet Interface," enter the IP address and port 2001. For a remote/internet connection, use the WAN IP and forward port 2001 to Z-NET on that router.
3. Click the yellow/red "disabled" button to enable the new Z-NET — it should switch to a green "enabled" state.
4. The Z-NET LED glows green once HS3 connects successfully — visually confirm this.
5. Building from scratch: refer to HomeTroller/HS3 documentation for setting up your Z-Wave network, and skip Step 5. Upgrading: proceed to Step 5.

Step 5 — Restore Z-Wave Network to Z-NET (upgrades only)

1. In HS3, go to Plug-ins > Z-Wave > Controller Management, expand the new Z-NET listing, and select "Restore a Network to this Interface" from Actions.
2. Choose the backup file from Step 2, confirm, and start the restore. Click "Close" when done.
3. Because the routing table wasn't included in the backup, only directly-in-range devices will respond at first. Confirm via Actions > Test Node Connectivity on a Network > Start — expect a mix of "successfully contacted" and "did not respond" results.
4. Rebuild the routing table: Actions > Optimize a Network, No Return Route Changes > Start. This can take time depending on network size; running it at least twice is recommended for a reliable network.
5. Add return routes: Actions > Fully Optimize a Network — finalizes the routing table by adding return routes from devices back to Z-NET.

Remote Network Installation

HomeSeer systems can communicate with Z-NET units on different networks:

1. Configure Z-NET on the remote network per Step 3 above.
2. Set a port-forwarding rule on the remote router to forward port 2001 to the remote Z-NET.
3. If the remote network has a static WAN IP, skip ahead; otherwise, subscribe to a dynamic DNS service for a WAN domain name.
4. Configure your HS3 system per Step 4, with these changes: set Interface Model to "Ethernet Interface"; enter the WAN IP or DDNS domain name in the IP Address field; enter port 2001 and enable the interface.

Note: Remote Z-Wave network setup (inclusion/exclusion) must be performed from the remote location itself using HomeSeer's controller management functions — enable remote access to your HomeSeer system to make this possible.

Troubleshooting Z-NET

All customers get unlimited helpdesk support (helpdesk.homeseer.com) plus Priority Phone Support (603-471-2816) for the first 30 days, and free community Message Board support (board.homeseer.com) 24/7.

Manufacturer / Support

HomeSeer Technologies — 10 Commerce Park North, Unit #10, Bedford, NH 03110. www.homeseer.com · 603-471-2816