I’m trying to learn what the differences are and how mixed networks operate. I currently have a VeraLite and am skipping the Edge and anxiously awaiting the VeraPlus (plenty of other complaint threads on that already).
So, from what I gather, Z-Wave+ increases speed and contains things like better range, bandwidth, and battery life. What other features does it provide? Is there anything directly relating to device functions that you can do with Plus that you can’t do with standard Z-Wave? New device “types” not possible with original Z-wave?
How about mixed networks? This is important because I highly doubt anyone is planning on replacing all their devices. I know that you can’t get the throughput if there’s an old node between the controller and a plus device. But since the plus devices are supposed to have better range, do the controllers take this into account to prefer a direct connection or Plus device only route over an old device route to avoid unnecessarily limiting devices to old speed? This would be useful information to anyone interested in moving, or strategically replacing devices to improve overall network performance.
[quote=“PromptCritical, post:1, topic:189854”]Is there anything directly relating to device functions that you can do with Plus that you can’t do with standard Z-Wave? New device “types” not possible with original Z-wave?[/quote]Not many that I am aware of. Z-Wave+ does create the option for providers to do over the air(OTA) updates to firmware. It also has a network wide inclusion(NWI) feature that will be handy, but needs a mostly Z-Wave Plus network to be effective.
How about mixed networks?... But since the plus devices are supposed to have better range, do the controllers take this into account to prefer a direct connection or Plus device only route over an old device route to avoid unnecessarily limiting devices to old speed?
The routing algorithm will likely select some routes that are Z-Wave+ because they might have better quality metrics. Although the routing algorithm is not disclosed, so we can only guess, I doubt that there is any specific favoritism to Z-Wave+, it'll be a simple case of better route(signal, hops,?) chosen.
With mixed networks, Z-Wave+ devices may or may not have better range than other devices. They will enjoy better battery life.
As an end user, you should not place much weight in the improvements of Z-Wave+, especially if it is a mixed network. Most of the benefits are for hardware developers and managed service providers. That end users may benefit from a homogenous Z-Wave+ network is just grist for the marketing mill.