Replacing a (mostly) failed ZST39 Stick - Guidance/Opinions Wanted

[Botched1]

Per the thread below: #6874

I flashed my ZST39 from 7.18.3 (1.1 in their versioning) to 7.21.3 (1.3 in their versioning). It did not go well, and I am having a lot of issues. Unfortunately in the flashing process my stick seems to be somewhat messed up. I cannot downgrade or install any gbl firmware to the ZST39 in Zwave JS UI or PC Controller. Both just error out.

The current stick is recognized in both ZWave JS UI and PC Controller. I can do an NVM backups in both ZWave JS UI and PC Controller.

I have a new ZST39 on the way. When it gets here I am hoping to be able to move everything to the new stick, and not lose/have to re-pair everything.

Question - Does anyone have any guidance on how to do this "the right way", and as importantly what NOT to do in that process?

• Is it as simple as restoring the NVM backup to the new stick since they are identical models?
• Should I use ZWave JS UI or PC Controller for the NVM restore? Does it matter (aka is one more reliable than the other for this)?

New stick gets here tomorrow, so I'm just trying to think through things today. Anything I can do to avoid having to re-pair everything would be wonderful.

Thanks!

[AlCalzone]

Is it as simple as restoring the NVM backup to the new stick since they are identical models?

Assuming the NVM (backup) is not corrupt, then yes.

You'll want to use Z-Wave JS for restoring since it converts the NVM to the target format if you are moving to a lower firmware version for example.
PC controller just restores the backup 1:1

[Botched1]

You have 30 LR devices?

I was a bit off. 26 right now, but 10 more I haven't paired/replaced the mesh device on yet.

I've never tried of the secondary gateway gets LR devices in the list of existing devices. Probably not....

It does not.

Anyway, this will require some time to implement. This was made to let people migrate from old 5th gen networks and discontinued controllers to new 7th/8th. Never tried to migrate an LR network

No problem. Z-Station has to go back to the box for now. :) I simply do not have time to re-pair 100+ devices.

[Botched1]

Side note @AlCalzone .... I have no idea what form factor the upcoming Home Assistant z-wave hardware will take, but if it followed the Z-Station form factor, but with non-proprietary firmware, I would buy it in a SECOND.

z-wave.me has the perfect hardware form factor, but the proprietary firmware / proprietary tools kills it for many.

[AlCalzone]

I'll have to take a look at the Z-Wave.me NVMs, because normally Z-Wave JS should be able to restore the NVM backups including LR nodes, unless there's something that differs from the NVM formats the official firmwares use.

I have no idea what form factor the upcoming Home Assistant z-wave hardware will take

Cannot say for sure, but likely quite a bit bigger.

[Botched1]

Cannot say for sure, but likely quite a bit bigger.

Interesting. As long as they are not USB dongle format and preferably with external antenna, I would be happy. :)

[Botched1]

It is frustrating @PoltoS ... The Z-Station is probably the nicest / best hardware form factor I have seen on a z-wave device, but the custom bootloader and firmware prevents many of us from using it as we can't migrate to it (if using LR, which many US people do now).

Would you ever consider releasing a standard/non-proprietary bootloader and firmware for the Z-Station so that the standard PC Tools / ZWave JS tools could be used natively?