Understand every step.
Follow the icons to see how a device reaches your smart-home system: which network carries the messages, what sits in between, and which integration makes it work.
They explain the building blocks. They do not confirm compatibility for an unreviewed product. Device pages show recorded paths for the exact model, with requirements and evidence. Arrows show the connection sequence; communication can flow both ways.
The same ecosystem can be reached through different hardware and software.
A compatible USB coordinator supplies the Zigbee radio. ZHA is the software integration inside Home Assistant. A normal Wi-Fi router does not replace the coordinator.
Zigbee device
To Zigbee USB coordinator
Zigbee USB coordinator
To Home Assistant · ZHA
Home Assistant · ZHA
For a supported Shelly Wi-Fi device, Home Assistant can communicate through the local network using its Shelly integration. Other Wi-Fi products may need different integrations or a cloud service.
Supported Shelly Wi-Fi device
To Home Wi-Fi / LAN
Home Wi-Fi / LAN
To Shelly integration
Shelly integration
To Home Assistant
Home Assistant
In a cloud-to-cloud setup, a supported manufacturer service connects to Google Home after account linking. The home router provides the device’s internet connection. This route depends on the cloud services.
Supported Wi-Fi device
To Wi-Fi router / access point
Wi-Fi router / access point
To Manufacturer cloud
Manufacturer cloud
To Google Home
Google Home
The border router connects the Thread network to your home LAN. Home Assistant’s Matter controller handles device control. Matter and Thread have different jobs; Thread support alone does not establish Matter support.
Matter-over-Thread device
To Thread border router
Thread border router
To Home network
Home network
To Home Assistant · Matter controller
Home Assistant · Matter controller
Every icon has a text label. The label names the exact device, service, or connection.
The exact product you want to connect.
Connects Wi-Fi devices to your home network.
The radio interface for a supported mesh network.
Intermediate hardware; supported routes depend on the model.
Connects a Thread network to another IP network.
Software that lets an ecosystem communicate with a device or service.
A messaging service used by some integrations.
An online service outside your home network.
The system that manages your device.
Forwards messages within a supported network. It does not replace the ecosystem integration.
Read the labels as well as the icons. Sharing a protocol alone does not confirm ecosystem compatibility.
These marks identify technologies, not certification of any listed device.
Bluetooth may be used only during pairing. Matter can run over Wi-Fi, Ethernet, or Thread. The device’s documented route determines its actual use.
Check the exact model, required equipment, controls, and evidence.
