SMLIGHT SLZB-06U Zigbee 3.0 Coordinator with Ethernet, PoE, Wi-Fi, and USB Passthrough

SMLIGHT SLZB-06U Zigbee 3.0 Coordinator with Ethernet, PoE and USB Passthrough

The SMLIGHT SLZB-06U places your Zigbee coordinator exactly where the signal is strongest: in the center of your home, in a distribution box, or behind a wall panel, powered via PoE or USB-C and connected via Ethernet or Wi-Fi. The proven Texas Instruments CC2652P chip with a +20 dB amplifier and included +5 dB external antenna provides a stable range for large installations of up to approximately 150 devices. Plug in, connect to the network, and you're done: the adapter is pre-flashed and immediately operational in Home Assistant via Zigbee2MQTT or ZHA.

Chipsets and hardware

The SLZB-06U combines two specialized chips: the Texas Instruments CC2652P handles the Zigbee 3.0 radio with an output gain of +20 dB, while the ESP32 processes all network and management functions via the built-in SLZB-OS web interface. The included external SMA antenna has a gain factor of +5 dB and is rotatable for optimal positioning. The SLZB-06U has 4 status LEDs for direct feedback on connection and status.

Connectivity and power supply

The SLZB-06U supports Ethernet (10/100 Mbit/s via RJ45), Wi-Fi (2.4 GHz), and USB Type-C as connection options to your server or Home Assistant. Power is supplied via USB-C (5V, max. 100 mA) or Power over Ethernet (IEEE 802.3af, 48V PoE); both can be connected simultaneously thanks to optoelectric isolation between the ports. When using Wi-Fi, pay attention to channel selection: Zigbee and Wi-Fi share the 2.4 GHz band and can interfere with each other if channels overlap. Ethernet is the recommended connection method for maximum stability.

USB Passthrough

The SLZB-06U (the U-version) features a USB passthrough function: connect a second USB dongle to the extra USB port and use that dongle via the network as if it were directly connected to your server. This works with commonly used USB-to-UART chips such as CP210x, CH340, and CH9102, useful for a Z-Wave dongle, an additional Zigbee adapter, or other USB serial devices. When powered by PoE, the USB port also supplies power to the connected dongle. The SLZB-06 without U does not have this function; check the model number before purchasing.

SLZB-OS and firmware modes

The SLZB-06U comes with SLZB-OS: SMLIGHT's proprietary operating system with a built-in web interface for configuration, one-click firmware updates for both the ESP32 core and the CC2652P radio, WireGuard VPN, DDNS, OTA updates, and hardware diagnostics. Through the web interface, you can switch between firmware modes with a single click: Zigbee Coordinator (ZHA/Zigbee2MQTT), Zigbee Router, and Matter-over-Thread Border Router (OTBR). ESPHome firmware is also supported for use as a Bluetooth proxy, but it temporarily replaces SLZB-OS.

Home Assistant

The SLZB-06U works via Zigbee2MQTT and ZHA, completely locally without the cloud. In addition, an official SMLIGHT SLZB integration is available in Home Assistant for direct monitoring, diagnostics, and firmware updates from the HA dashboard. Local control is confirmed; cloud is not required after pairing.

Pairing procedure via Ethernet and Zigbee2MQTT

• Connect the SLZB-06U to a network cable and your router; power via PoE or USB-C.
• Open the SLZB-OS web interface via the adapter's IP address (from your router's DHCP overview) or via mDNS: http://slzb-06.local.
• Confirm that Zigbee Coordinator mode is active; note the IP address and port (default 6638).
• In HA, go to Zigbee2MQTT > Settings > Serial and select Network device; enter the IP address and port 6638 as tcp://[ip-address]:6638.
• Zigbee2MQTT will recognize the CC2652P as a ZNP coordinator; the network is immediately operational.

Entities after pairing via the SMLIGHT SLZB integration in HA: coordinator status, temperature sensor (chip), firmware version (core and radio), update entities, LED control, and restart button. Local control confirmed, cloud is not required.

Pairing procedure via Ethernet and ZHA

• Connect the SLZB-06U via Ethernet and note the IP address.
• In HA, go to Settings > Devices & Services > ZHA > Add Integration.
• Select Network device as the connection type and enter socket://[ip-address]:6638 in the serial field.
• ZHA will automatically detect the CC2652P; the Zigbee network will be active within seconds.

Pairing procedure via USB

• Connect the SLZB-06U via USB-C to the server or the USB port of your Home Assistant device.
• If necessary, install the CP2102 driver (Windows/macOS); on Linux and Raspberry Pi OS, this usually works directly.
• Note: some Home Assistant devices (such as HA Green) do not natively recognize the CP2102 USB/UART chip in USB mode. In that case, use Ethernet as the primary connection.
• In Zigbee2MQTT or ZHA, set the serial path to the recognized USB device (e.g., /dev/ttyUSB0).

Other platforms

The SLZB-06U works on any platform with ZNP support via Ethernet, Wi-Fi, or USB: Home Assistant (ZHA and Zigbee2MQTT), ioBroker, openHAB, HomeSeer, and Node-RED. Drivers are available for Windows, Linux, macOS, and Raspberry Pi OS.

Automation examples

Example 1 – Monitor coordinator and automatically restart in case of failure

• Install the official SMLIGHT SLZB integration in Home Assistant.
• Trigger: the status of the SLZB-06U becomes unavailable and persists for more than 3 minutes.
• Condition: time is outside 03:00–04:00 (scheduled maintenance period).
• Action 1: restart the Zigbee2MQTT add-on via service hassio.addon_restart.
• Action 2: send push notification "SLZB-06U unreachable, Zigbee2MQTT restarted."

Example 2 – Perform and confirm automatic firmware update at night

• Use the update entities of the SMLIGHT SLZB integration in HA.
• Trigger: update.slzb_06u_radio_firmware shows an available update.
• Condition: time is between 03:00 and 04:00 (low Zigbee activity).
• Action: perform the firmware update via service update.install and send a confirmation notification "SLZB-06U radio updated — Zigbee network operational."

Points of attention

• The SLZB-06U (with U) has USB passthrough; the SLZB-06 (without U) does not have this function. Check the model number carefully before purchasing.
• Wi-Fi and Zigbee share the 2.4 GHz band; plan channels carefully to avoid interference. Ethernet is the recommended connection method for maximum stability.
• In USB mode, a CP2102 driver is required on Windows and macOS; some HA devices do not natively recognize the chip in USB mode. In that case, use Ethernet as the primary connection.
• PoE standard IEEE 802.3af (48V) required; check if your switch or injector supports this standard.
• One CC2652P module supports approximately 150 Zigbee devices. For larger installations, you can deploy multiple coordinators via multiple Zigbee2MQTT instances.

Box contents

• 1x SMLIGHT SLZB-06U Zigbee network adapter
• 1x +5 dB external SMA antenna (rotatable)
• 1x Micro-USB to USB-C adapter
• 2x mounting screws
• 2x double-sided adhesive strips
• 1x screwdriver
• 1x user manual / QR code card

Compatibility

Compatible with Home Assistant (ZHA, Zigbee2MQTT, and official SMLIGHT SLZB integration), ioBroker, openHAB, HomeSeer, and Node-RED. Connection via Ethernet, Wi-Fi (2.4 GHz), or USB. Supports all Zigbee 3.0 devices in our range, including sensors, switches, and smart plugs.

Specifications

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between the SLZB-06U and the SLZB-06 (without U)?

The main difference is the USB passthrough function. The SLZB-06U (with U) has an extra USB port that allows you to make a second USB dongle available over the network, e.g., a Z-Wave adapter. The SLZB-06 (without U) does not have this port. Both models use the same CC2652P chip and have identical connection options. Check the model number carefully before purchasing.

Do I need an Ethernet cable to use the SLZB-06U?

Not for daily use: the adapter also works via Wi-Fi (2.4 GHz) or USB. An Ethernet cable is useful for initial setup to access the SLZB-OS web interface via http://slzb-06.local and possibly enter Wi-Fi settings. Ethernet remains the recommended connection method for maximum stability.

Does the SLZB-06U also work via USB on Home Assistant Green or Yellow?

In USB mode, a CP2102 driver is required. Some Home Assistant devices (such as HA Green) do not natively recognize the CP2102 USB/UART chip in USB mode. In that case, use Ethernet or Wi-Fi as the primary connection; that works reliably on all HA devices.

Can I use the SLZB-06U as a Thread Border Router for Matter?

Yes, through the SLZB-OS web interface, you can switch to the Thread OTBR firmware with a single click. Then install the OpenThread Border Router add-on in Home Assistant and select the SLZB-06U as a network border router via its IP address. Matter devices can then be paired directly via the Matter integration in HA.

How do I perform firmware updates?

Updates for both the ESP32 core and the CC2652P radio can be performed via the built-in SLZB-OS web interface with a single click, without removing the adapter. Home Assistant users can also perform updates directly via the official SMLIGHT SLZB integration in the HA dashboard.

Does the SLZB-06U work with Homey?

No, the SLZB-06U is an external Zigbee coordinator for platforms like Home Assistant, ioBroker, and openHAB. Homey has its own built-in Zigbee radio and does not work with external coordinators. For a Homey setup, you do not need a separate coordinator.

✅ slimhuisje.nl — Directly available and pre-flashed ready for use. Place your coordinator in the ideal spot in your home and manage your entire Zigbee network remotely via Ethernet or Wi-Fi.