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Thread Network Key for adding other thread devices on google nest hub max

benhur_s
Community Member

I am trying to add a custom thread device (based on NRF840). I am using the thread comissioner app 1.3 to add devices to a network. the app detects the Google home nest hub max as a border router, but when i try to add a device, it asks for the network key. How do I obtain this network key?

1 Recommended Answer

armen_dpe
Solutions Expert
Solutions Expert

Thanks for bringing this up! 

If you are working with Google Home Nest Hub as a Thread Border Router and need to obtain the network key for your custom Thread device based on NRF840, you can follow these steps:

  1. Use Android Thread APIs:

    • If the Google Home Nest Hub Max is set up as a Thread Border Router on an Android device, it might be using the Android preferred network. You can obtain information about the preferred network using the Android Thread APIs.
  2. Access Preferred Thread Network Credentials:

    • Check the Android Thread APIs documentation, specifically the setup process for border routers. You may find details on how to access the preferred Thread network credentials using the getPreferredCredentials API.
  3. Understand Thread Network Credentials:

    • Before you get started, understand the concept of Thread Network Credentials. This is a binary blob of Thread TLVs that encodes Thread Network Name, Network Key, and other properties required by a Thread device to join a specific Thread network.
  4. Border Agent ID:

    • Be aware of the Border Agent ID, which is a 16-byte globally unique ID for a Thread Border Router device. This ID is created and managed by border router vendors.
  5. Thread Border Router Setup App:

    • The Thread Border Router Setup app, which is your Android app responsible for setting up new Thread Border Router devices, adds the Thread network credentials to Google Play services. Your app is the authoritative owner of the added credentials and has access to them.
  6. Retrieve Network Key from Credentials:

    • Once you have access to the Thread network credentials, look for the Network Key within the credentials. It's a crucial component needed for your custom Thread device to join the Thread network.

View Recommended Answer in original post

2 REPLIES 2

armen_dpe
Solutions Expert
Solutions Expert

Thanks for bringing this up! 

If you are working with Google Home Nest Hub as a Thread Border Router and need to obtain the network key for your custom Thread device based on NRF840, you can follow these steps:

  1. Use Android Thread APIs:

    • If the Google Home Nest Hub Max is set up as a Thread Border Router on an Android device, it might be using the Android preferred network. You can obtain information about the preferred network using the Android Thread APIs.
  2. Access Preferred Thread Network Credentials:

    • Check the Android Thread APIs documentation, specifically the setup process for border routers. You may find details on how to access the preferred Thread network credentials using the getPreferredCredentials API.
  3. Understand Thread Network Credentials:

    • Before you get started, understand the concept of Thread Network Credentials. This is a binary blob of Thread TLVs that encodes Thread Network Name, Network Key, and other properties required by a Thread device to join a specific Thread network.
  4. Border Agent ID:

    • Be aware of the Border Agent ID, which is a 16-byte globally unique ID for a Thread Border Router device. This ID is created and managed by border router vendors.
  5. Thread Border Router Setup App:

    • The Thread Border Router Setup app, which is your Android app responsible for setting up new Thread Border Router devices, adds the Thread network credentials to Google Play services. Your app is the authoritative owner of the added credentials and has access to them.
  6. Retrieve Network Key from Credentials:

    • Once you have access to the Thread network credentials, look for the Network Key within the credentials. It's a crucial component needed for your custom Thread device to join the Thread network.

KataKaYann
Community Member

In case this helps anyone , I could obtain the Thread Network Key of my Nest Hub v2 by installing this Android app by Google for developers: https://github.com/google-home/sample-apps-for-matter-android/releases/latest

Go to Settings (the cogwheel in the upper right corner) > Developer utilities > Thread network. Then, in column "GPS Preferred Credentials", click on "Exist?" to check whether your device knows them. Finally, click on "Get" to key the "NetworkKey" and other information.