Smart gateway help

[dstill]

Hi, i have a number of smart devices that don't need a gateway hub which i have successfully connected to Alexa.

I've bought an Aqara vibration sensor which i think i need a gateway hub for, both to get it working and also to link to Alexa. If i get an Aqara gateway hub will i be able to connect other makes of smart devices to it or do various makes require their own type of hub.

Also, is Zigbee a gateway hub or is it just an app?

 

[OldJake]

Zigbee is a protocol. It runs at 2.4Ghz like wifi but at a much lower strength so that it can support battery operated devices. In most cases, all your devices form a mesh network so that each devices acts like a repeater back to the hub and each will contribute to the stability of the overall network. One device fails, the network just reroutes the traffic through the other devices. It also means that range isn't an issue.

You might want to look at Smartthings if you want to start to play with other devices. It will support load of different manufacturers and is really stable. I think I've got over 50 devices on mine now.

 

[dstill]

Sorry for the late thanks, that's really helpful, thanks again.