--- title: "How to Connect USB Smart-Home Radios with W5500 on the SMLIGHT SLZB-U2L?" url: "https://maker.wiznet.io/viktor/resellers/slzb-u2l/" markdown_url: "https://maker.wiznet.io/viktor/resellers/slzb-u2l/md" type: "VAR: Value-Added Reseller Products" author: "smlight" author_url: "https://smlight.tech/products/slzb-u2l" editor: "WIZnet" editor_url: "https://maker.wiznet.io/" original_author: "smlight" original_url: "https://smlight.tech/products/slzb-u2l" published: "2026-09-23" language: "en" hardware: ["WIZnet W5500"] likes: 0 views: 49 comments: 0 source: "WIZnet Makers (https://maker.wiznet.io/)" --- # How to Connect USB Smart-Home Radios with W5500 on the SMLIGHT SLZB-U2L? > modular USB-to-Ethernet bridge that makes your USB smart-home radios available across your LAN or Wi-Fi Original author: smlight (source: https://smlight.tech/products/slzb-u2l) ## Components - **WIZnet W5500** x 1 ([docs](https://docs.wiznet.io/Product/Chip/Ethernet/W5500)) WIZnet parts: W5500 ([Datasheet](https://docs.wiznet.io/Product/Chip/Ethernet/W5500/datasheet?utm_source=maker&utm_medium=project&utm_campaign=w5500), [product hub](https://maker.wiznet.io/products/w5500/)) ## Article ## Summary The SMLIGHT SLZB-U2L makes compatible USB smart-home radios accessible over a network, separating radio placement from server placement. Its optional **WIZnet W5500 Ethernet add-on** provides a 10/100 Mbps wired connection through SPI. The base unit supports Wi-Fi and USB; Ethernet requires the matching module. ### About SMLIGHT SMLIGHT is a hardware and software engineering company focused on locally controlled smart homes. Its portfolio includes SLZB Zigbee and Thread coordinators, Linux-based SMHUB hubs, LED controllers, radio modules, and networking accessories. The company develops hardware and firmware in-house and maintains SLZB-OS, SMHUB-OS, firmware installation tools, and Home Assistant integration. Its stated approach emphasizes owner-controlled automation without mandatory cloud services. ## What the Project Does Instead of connecting a supported USB radio directly to an automation server, users attach it to the SLZB-U2L. The bridge can then sit where radio coverage is needed while the server remains elsewhere on the network. SMLIGHT identifies Home Assistant, Zigbee2MQTT and Z-Wave JS as host-side applications. ![SMLIGHT Ethernet add-on module beside the A1-SLWF-09](https://smlight.tech/media/products/slwf-series/slwf-09/img/foto-slwf-09-10.webp) *Source: https://smlight.tech/products/addon-ethernet* For an Ethernet installation, the functional path is: **USB radio ↔ SLZB-U2L ↔ W5500 add-on ↔ Ethernet LAN ↔ automation server.** Supported applications include Zigbee, Thread, Z-Wave, LoRa and 433 MHz devices, subject to dongle compatibility. The attached radio provides the wireless functionality; the bridge makes its connection available across the network. ## Where WIZnet Fits SMLIGHT offers two Ethernet add-on variants for different host interfaces. **The W5500/SPI version fits the SLZB-U2L**, while the LAN8720/RMII version fits the A1-SLWF-09. They are board-specific choices, not interchangeable alternatives. The add-on page describes W5500 as **“MAC + PHY (SPI)”**: it integrates Ethernet media-access and physical-layer functions behind an SPI interface. This matches the SLZB-U2L’s supported expansion architecture. The references identify the hardware interface but provide no TCP/IP driver details or performance measurements. They therefore establish W5500-based Ethernet connectivity, not quantified CPU-offload or latency improvements. ### Other SMLIGHT Products on WIZnet Makers The SLZB-U2L complements several SMLIGHT coordinators already featured on WIZnet Makers. The important distinction is **external USB radios versus integrated radio hardware**. **SLZB-MR3U — dual-radio Zigbee and Thread coordinator.** [ElenaLee’s feature covers the SLZB-MR3U](https://maker.wiznet.io/ElenaLee/resellers/smlight%2Dslzb%2Dmr3u%2Da%2Dw5500%2Dbased%2Ddual%2Dradio%2Dzigbee%2Dthread%2Dethernet%2Dpoe%2Dcoordinator/), which combines a Texas Instruments CC2674P10 with a Silicon Labs EFR32MG24. SMLIGHT specifies an ESP32-S3 controller, W5500 Ethernet, and 802.3af PoE. Its two independent radios support simultaneous Zigbee and Thread operation, with one protocol on each radio. **SLZB-06p10U — single-radio Ethernet coordinator.** Previously covered by sophia, [the SLZB-06p10U](https://maker.wiznet.io/sophia/resellers/smlight%2Dslzb%2D06p10u%2Da%2Dw5500%2Dbased%2Dzigbee%2Dthread%2Dethernet%2Dpoe%2Dsmart%2Dhome%2Dcoordinator/) uses a TI CC2674P10 radio alongside an ESP32-S3, W5500 Ethernet, and PoE. SMLIGHT describes its radio operation as Zigbee **or** Thread, selected through the device configuration. This distinguishes it from the dual-radio MR models: its built-in radio changes roles rather than supplying two independent radios for concurrent networks. **SLZB-MR4U — dual-radio coordinator with EFR32MG26.** [Grace_Koo’s article examines the SLZB-MR4U’s](https://maker.wiznet.io/Grace_Koo/resellers/slzb%2Dmr4u%2D1/) separate radio and wired-network functions. Its radio pairing is a TI CC2674P10 plus a Silicon Labs EFR32MG26. Compared with the MR3U, the Silicon Labs radio changes, while the ESP32-S3 controller, W5500 Ethernet connection, and PoE architecture remain common to the MRxU family. These three coordinators integrate their radios and Ethernet hardware. The **SLZB-U2L instead brings compatible external USB radios onto the network**, with W5500 Ethernet supplied as an optional expansion. It therefore serves a different purpose: retaining an existing dongle rather than replacing it with an integrated network coordinator. ## Implementation Notes At module level, installation involves fitting the matching Ethernet add-on, connecting the network and power, attaching a supported dongle, and selecting the active device through the browser interface. The host application then uses the bridge’s network connection. SLZB-OS is preinstalled and supplies WireGuard VPN, DDNS, over-the-air updates and LED controls. ESPHome is an alternative firmware option supporting USB-UART passthrough and Bluetooth Proxy; these are separate firmware configurations rather than one combined feature set. The supplied references contain no firmware source or SLZB-U2L GPIO map, so they do not establish a bare-chip wiring or initialization procedure. ## Practical Tips / Pitfalls - **Check dongle compatibility.** SMLIGHT lists CH34X, CH340, ESP_JTAG, STM32_VCP, CDC_ACM and CP210X interfaces. Confirm the intended adapter before installation. - **Plan around active-device limits.** Several dongles can be connected, but one normally operates at a time. Two simultaneous devices require both dongles to be CP2102-based. - **Verify PoE separately.** Ethernet and PoE are optional configurations; purchasing an Ethernet module alone does not establish that the required power module is included. - **Account for LTE channel sharing.** SMLIGHT lists LTE as in development. Its documented USB-modem mode shares the USB channel, preventing simultaneous operation with the USB radio. ## FAQ ### Why use the W5500 module on the SLZB-U2L? It is SMLIGHT’s supported SPI-based Ethernet MAC/PHY module for this platform. The LAN8720 variant uses a different host interface and targets another board. ### How does W5500 connect to the SLZB-U2L? Through the matching SPI-based add-on connection. The referenced pages identify SPI but omit individual GPIO assignments. ### What does W5500 handle in this product? It provides the wired network interface for communication between the USB-radio bridge and the automation server. It does not replace the attached radio. ### Can beginners configure the W5500-equipped SLZB-U2L? The preinstalled firmware and browser setup reduce software work. Users still need a supported dongle, the correct module and compatible host-application settings. ### How does W5500 Ethernet compare with built-in Wi-Fi? Wi-Fi avoids Ethernet cabling and requires no Ethernet add-on. W5500 adds a wired connection but requires the module and a LAN cable. --- Source: https://maker.wiznet.io/viktor/resellers/slzb-u2l/