I just found out about the option to pair devices in non-secure mode for better range and performance... And it looks like i have to redo a lot of my devices on a project to avail of this boost, which sucks. But before I do so, I was wondering if it was worth it 'practically'.. The following aren't clear to me:
How much more range are we talking about? 30%? more?
If the Plugged Devices that does MESH was included in Secure Mode, will it only repeat or support signals from "secure" devices as well? Or will it support ALL Z-wave Signals?
Similar to #2, if the mesh device is on non-secure mode, and a sensor is in SECURE mode... will the Mesh device support the sensor and route its signals??
Is this secure thing really worth it? knowing that the devices, even in non-secure mode, will only respond to whatever it's been paired with, outside signals shouldn't be a threat , right?
I got lots of AEOTEC devices, they all seem to default to secure mode. Can i re-include them non-secure?
Does Zigbee have a similiar thing going on too?
Thank you guys
BG:
I have a project with roughly around 30 devices (mostly z-wave, some zigbee) and while i dont have a problem pairing and making them work, im having a hell of a time extending the range (i feel as though mesh network isn't working for me on this one)
I’ve never heard that pairing with security reduces range. What does happen is that some devices (eg. locks) enter something called whisper mode during secure pairing to decrease the odds of a third-party listening in. But this doesn’t occur after successful pairing.
This - irrespective of whether a repeating device was paired securely or not.
Realized the advantages (range and performance) are only for PAIRING function. So am I right to assume that if i have paired already my devices (in secure mode), there's no reason to exclude and rejoin in non-secure mode? (i always join my devices direct to the main hub first before deploying it , thus i dont have any pairing issues at all)
As @aaiyar says, if anything is S0 stop using it. It's incredibly chatty and depending on the device, that chattiness can overwhelm a mesh. Generally using no encryption is best because of the overhead that encryption requires. The only thing most of us encrypt are door locks and garage door related items for obvious reasons. I mean let's face it, it's largely unnecessary. If someone is close enough to monitor your mesh, that means they're parked outside. So what if they know you turned on a bathroom light, they simply need only to look up at your house to see that. Not exactly a big security concerned. They're not going to be able to break aes128 encryption from their laptop very easily. In the time in would take I think you would spot the car with the creeper inside so your locks are safe.
