Answers
Mar 13, 2017 - 11:14 AM
Yes, you should be able to control it with a Z-Wave remote via Associations. Regarding Smartthings you'd need to check with ST support directly but considering ST is a cloud-based controller I would suspect you'd need an internet connection at all times.
Mar 13, 2017 - 05:26 PM
No, I was unable to control z-wave switches and relays when internet was down with SmartThings. I even stopped using SmartThings sometime back because of cloud dependence and very limited offline functionality. Exactly the point you raise. So even though Smartthings has a z-wave controller built-into its hardware, it will not 'function' without internet connection. It has a cloud centric architecture. Only z-wave and zigbee lighting products 'officially licensed' by Smartthings will work. In theory, it should be able to, however, offline features are not 'enabled' by that company. I have no such trouble with Indigo as it works fine when internet is absent. Regarding a remote: if the remote still requires the presence of a z-wave controller hub then the remote will not function with a SmartThings hub that is offline. Yes, you can link any z-wave remote. For use with your own wifi/or ethernet net
work without internet, you will need a hub/controller or software that is not cloud dependent.
work without internet, you will need a hub/controller or software that is not cloud dependent.
Mar 14, 2017 - 12:41 PM
Thank You for the reply. Yes the cloud dependency is bad but overall I find there are benefits that outweigh this with SmartThings, at least with the way I currently use it. The community support and community written Device Handlers seems to make many more devices compatible with ST than any other system I looked at in the past, perhaps this has changed now though? It seems to have much greater integration with other things out there, Alexa, IFTTT, Arlo, Blink, Ring, Stringify, Hue, LIFX etc. etc. Yes most of these require web access but then they would irrespective of SmartThings. The important switches that run the house are all hard wired anyway so the drop in internet will only prevent me from switching these via my phone or tablets etc. (saying that Smart Lighting will continue to work in most instances even without internet) If away from home then irrespective of what system I have there is
no control if there is no connection anyway. Security wise is mostly covered by Arlo and now with the Pro Base I can record locally so no need for the web anyway. The reason I asked about this socket is because I wanted a way to power cycle my router should it become locked up, I will Associate it though. My modem/router and all other automation bits like WirelessTags, Arlo, Blink etc.all run off a UPS (a power failure will not impact any of these) and since being with Virgin (over 5 years now) I think it has only ever dropped twice for extremely brief periods so I think I am really going to extremes here anyway lol. Still I have also just ordered a 4G WiFi router which will fall back to 4G should the internet fail anyway. I also hope that the ST Hub V3 will not be cloud dependent but only time will tell..
I would be happy to hear if there are any alternatives out there that offer this sort of integration with other devices mentioned which does not reply on an internet connection. Thank You again! :-)
no control if there is no connection anyway. Security wise is mostly covered by Arlo and now with the Pro Base I can record locally so no need for the web anyway. The reason I asked about this socket is because I wanted a way to power cycle my router should it become locked up, I will Associate it though. My modem/router and all other automation bits like WirelessTags, Arlo, Blink etc.all run off a UPS (a power failure will not impact any of these) and since being with Virgin (over 5 years now) I think it has only ever dropped twice for extremely brief periods so I think I am really going to extremes here anyway lol. Still I have also just ordered a 4G WiFi router which will fall back to 4G should the internet fail anyway. I also hope that the ST Hub V3 will not be cloud dependent but only time will tell..
I would be happy to hear if there are any alternatives out there that offer this sort of integration with other devices mentioned which does not reply on an internet connection. Thank You again! :-)
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