Add a "not recommended for Zigbee networks with more than 15 devices" note to CC2531 hardware in Zigbee bindings docs.
The reason for adding this specific "not recommended" note is that now very old Texas Instruments CC2531 (and CC2530) less powerful hardware Zigbee adapter hardware are the least expensive and most commonly available so many people make the mistake of buying this older hardware and then risk having a bad experience with Zigbee due to the CC2530/CC2531 hardware limitations.
cdjackson
commented
2 years ago
Add a "not recommended for Zigbee networks with more than 15 devices" note to CC2531 hardware in Zigbee bindings docs.
The reason for adding this specific "not recommended" note is that now very old Texas Instruments CC2531 (and CC2530) less powerful hardware Zigbee adapter hardware are the least expensive and most commonly available so many people make the mistake of buying this older hardware and then risk having a bad experience with Zigbee due to the CC2530/CC2531 hardware limitations.
This is the reason ZHA developers elected in https://github.com/home-assistant/core/pull/55298 to not whitelist "TI CC2531" for USB adapter ZHA discovery.
zigpy developers now also list the same recommendation for CC2530/C2531 in zigpy-znp readme file:
https://github.com/zigpy/zigpy-znp#hardware-requirements
FYI, Zigbee2MQTT as well added "not recommended" notes to both CC2530 and CC2531 in their official supported adapters list:
https://www.zigbee2mqtt.io/information/supported_adapters
https://www.zigbee2mqtt.io/information/supported_adapters#notes
Adapters based on the CC2530 or CC2531 chip are not powerful and not recommended for networks larger than 20 devices.
Also, Zigbee2MQTT / zigbee-herdsman developer Koenkk noted why Z-Stack 3.0.x firmware is not recommended on C2530/C2531:
https://github.com/Koenkk/Z-Stack-firmware/tree/master/coordinator#im-using-a-cc2530-or-cc2531-which-firmware-should-i-use
I'm using a CC2530 or CC2531, which firmware should I use?
This depends: