Aeotec Z-Stick 7 Plus: Z-Wave USB Gateway for Raspberry Pi 4, Home Assistant Compatible

The Z-Stick 7 from Aeotec allows you to build your own smart home automation hub using commercial or free, open-source software, and to host your hub and automations locally. Engineered in Germany, it utilizes the latest Z-Wave technology, including Gen7 and 700 series, and pairs that version of Z-Wave Plus with S2 (security 2) and SmartStart native compatibility.

With the Z-Stick 7, you can take control of your smart home and your security by building your own Z-Wave gateway hub and hosting it locally, enabling you to run your smart home privately and cloud-free. The device has been designed to allow you to build your own automation gateway exactly as you want it to be, and it is compatible with a range of free and open-source home automation software, such as Domoticz, Home Assistant, and Z-Wave JS. It also works with the commercially available Indigo 7 for MacOS. However, the Z-Stick 7 does not ship with any software by default, so if you would like to use other software, you should consider the Z-Stick Gen5+ instead.

Hosting your smart home locally is essential, as managing your home through the cloud can be risky. If the cloud goes down, your smart home will also be affected. The Z-Stick 7 allows you to host, back up, and manage your home's privacy locally, without sharing how and when you use your home with third-party cloud services.

In terms of security, the Z-Stick 7 features Z-Wave S2 ('security 2') natively, providing leading security for your gateway hub. Along with the standard AES-128 bit encrypted security of standard Z-Wave, the Z-Stick 7 also secures your home using ECDH key exchange to prevent man-in-the-middle hacking, and it is UL 1023 compliant.

The Z-Stick 7 is compatible with open-source hardware, allowing you to build your own smart home hub with existing or cheap computer hardware, including MacOS, Windows, Raspberry Pi, and Linux-based systems.

Furthermore, the Z-Stick 7 is SmartStart enabled, which means that when used with SmartStart-compatible automation software, you can connect new devices to your Z-Wave network in just a few seconds by simply scanning a new device's QR code using your gateway software's app for immediate connection to the Z-Stick 7.

In summary, the Z-Stick 7 is a powerful and versatile device that allows you to build your own Z-Wave hub, run your smart home locally and privately, and enjoy the benefits of leading security and seamless device integration. It is a great choice for those who want to take control of their smart home and manage it on their own terms.

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