Default Zwave ?

[JOHN WADE]

Defaulting the zwave controller is an option under zwave tools.  What actually occurs when this is done?  Does the panel save the learned/enrolled devices and reload them to the zwave device attached to the panel or do all the devices have to be re-enrolled?

[Michael Burrell]

I’m happy to elaborate, but first, I’ll provide some context on how the system manages these devices. The Alarm Engine manages “Automation” devices, such as lights, locks, garage doors, thermostats, and outputs, independently of the technology they utilize. This design supports the potential use of additional protocols in the future, such as Lutron, ZigBee, Wi-Fi, Matter, etc.

When viewing the Z-Wave tools, note that these apply specifically to the Z-Wave modules. Below is an overview of the available tools and their functions:

• Include a Device – Puts the Z-Wave controller into Inclusion Mode.

• Exclude a Device – Puts the Z-Wave controller into Exclusion Mode.

• Rebuild Network – Rescans the Z-Wave network to optimize mesh communication.

• Default Z-Wave Controller – Removes all Z-Wave devices from the controller.

• View Devices – Opens the Z-Wave Devices page in the app.

• Test a Device – Displays the last known status update from the device.

  Note: “Test a Device” will be reworked in a future release to actively poll the device for a response. This updated version of the test will also be made available to the end user.

To answer your question: Yes, using the “Default Z-Wave Controller” command removes all Z-Wave devices from the controller. All devices would then need to be excluded and re-included. This function is typically used only when removing Z-Wave from a system entirely.

[JOHN WADE]

Thanks

[Keith Belt]

You might want to consider renaming to a more intuitive label.  “Default controller” isn’t clear what that does.  I guessed that meant you were defining the *primary* controller.  You can see how someone not familiar can inadvertently clear their controller.  “Erase Controller” or something like that makes it more clear what that action does.

[Michael Burrell]

Hi Keith,

The current label reads “Default Z-Wave Controller.” Additionally, when this button is clicked, an informational note appears explaining the action—specifically that it will “clear all devices from the controller”—and it requires confirmation before proceeding.

I appreciate your input and want to make sure I fully understand your concern. Are you saying that the label “Default Z-Wave Controller” is not clear enough in conveying that it will reset or clear the Z-Wave controller? Even considering the information note?

I’m also not entirely sure I understand your reference to a “primary controller.” We currently offer only one controller option for Z-Wave.

In the future, we plan to support additional formats for automation devices, each with their own controllers and tools. With that in mind, being consistent and deliberate with our terminology is important to us.

I genuinely appreciate the feedback and want to make sure I’m interpreting it correctly.

Thanks,

Mike

[Author]

Posts