Difference between router and end-device firmware for XBee ZB modules

XBee & XBee Gateway XBee - Zigbee
1

It seems that to setup a router, one can either:

  1. Use the end-device firmware and set SM = 0
  2. Use the router firmware and set SM = 0

To setup an end-device, one can:
3) Use the end-device firmware and set SM = 4 or 5
4) Use the router firmware and set SM = 4 or 5

I suppose the recommended practice is to do 2) and 3). But what are the practical differences between 1) and 2), and between 3) and 4)? Are the end-device firmwares optimized for end-devices, perhaps?

Because it seems easier to manage the modules by just programming all the routers/end-devices using one type of firmware only, and then switch between router/end-device mode using the SM parameter.

2

Hi,

Steps 2 and 3 are recommended. Beacuse the modules having end device firmware like xbee sensor are battery powered hence it should sleep for some time to save battery.

In general, we should set end devices to sleep, not the Routers and Coordinators.

1 Like
3

But the Sleep settings on the end device and router should be same as the Coordinator.