Router functionality

For demonstrating the “Finding and Binding” functionality, the Router also supports the On/Off Cluster as a server.

Forming or joining a network (router)

The router can only join an existing network. If it does not find the network, it continues discovering the network until it can find a network to join.

Parent topic:Router functionality

Joining an existing network using network steering (Router)

A factory-new Router can join an existing ZigBee only when the network is opened to accept new joiners (Network Steering for a device on a network).

Joining an existing network using Network Steering is achieved as follows:

  1. Trigger Network Steering on one of the devices already on the network (Coordinator or another Router in the same ZigBee network).

  2. Then reset using the RESET button or power on the joining Router device.

  3. As a result, the Router starts a network discovery and the associate process. Association is followed by an exchange of security materials and an update of the Trust center link key (if joining a Centralized Trust center network).

  4. By power cycling, the join can be retried if it fails.

Parent topic:Router functionality

Allowing other devices to join the network (Router)

Once the Router joins a network, the network is immediately opened for 180 seconds to allow other devices to join (Network Steering while on a network). During this time, new devices can join the network using either the Coordinator or the Router as the parent, with no additional steps required. After this time expires, no new nodes can ever join the network. If rejoining other nodes is necessary after this time expires, perform the following steps:

  1. Press the USER button on the (K32W148-EVK / FRDM-MCXW71 / MCX-W72-EVK / FRDM-RW612 / RD-RW612-BGA board). The same button is also used to start “Finding and Binding”, described in Binding devices.

  2. Then, the Router broadcasts a Management Permit Join Request to the network to open the “permit join” window for 180 seconds. The Network Steering process (for devices not on a network) can now be triggered on the devices that are to join the network.

Parent topic:Router functionality

Operating the device (router)

The operational functionality of this device in this demonstration is provided by the On/Off cluster. As the device supports the On/Off cluster server, its operation is passive, and it responds to commands sent by bound devices. It responds to an OnOff Toggle command from a bound controller device, by toggling the LED1 on the K32W148-EVK, FRDM-MCXW71, MCX-W72-EVK, RD-RW612-BGA, or the FRDM-RW612 board.

Parent topic:Router functionality

Rejoining a network (router)

As a Router, when this device is restarted in a state, which is not factory-new, it resumes operation in its previous state. All applications, binding, group, and network parameters are preserved within the non-volatile memory of the device.

Parent topic:Router functionality

Performing a factory reset (router)

The Router can be returned to its factory-new state (erasing all persistent data except the outgoing network frame counter) as follows:

  • Hold down the USER button and press the RESET button on the board (K32W148-EVK / FRDM-MCXW71 / MCX-W72-EVK / FRDM-RW612 / RD-RW612-BGA).

The Router then broadcasts a Leave Indication on the old network. It also deletes all persistent data (except the outgoing network frame counter) and performs a software reset.

The two supported over-the-air commands for removing a device from the network are as follows:

  • Network Leave Request without rejoin

  • ZDO Management Network Leave Request without rejoin

The Reset command of the Basic cluster causes the ZCL to be reset to its factory-new defaults, resetting all attributes and configured reports. It does not remove the device from the network. Therefore, all network parameters, groups, and bindings remain in place.

Parent topic:Router functionality

Parent topic:Running the demonstration examples