OpenThread
OpenThread released by Nest is an open-source implementation of Thread®. Nest has released OpenThread to make the networking technology used in Nest products more broadly available to developers, in order to accelerate the development of products for the connected home.
With a narrow platform abstraction layer and a small memory footprint, OpenThread is highly portable. It supports both system-on-chip (SoC) and network co-processor (NCP) designs.
With a narrow platform abstraction layer and a small memory footprint, OpenThread is highly portable. It supports both system-on-chip (SoC) and network co-processor (NCP) designs.
Thread Certified component
OpenThread implements all features defined in the Thread 1.1.1 Specification. This specification defines an IPv6-based reliable, secure, and low-power wireless device-to-device communication protocol for home applications.
Features
OpenThread implements all Thread networking layers (IPv6, 6LoWPAN, IEEE 802.15.4 with MAC security, Mesh Link Establishment, Mesh Routing) and device roles, as well as Border Router support.
Application services
- IPv6 configuration and raw data interface
- UDP sockets
- CoAP client and server
- DHCPv6 client and server
- DNSv6 client
Enhanced Features
- Child Supervision
- Inform Previous Parent on Reattach
- Jam Detection
- Periodic Parent Search
Border Router
- Web UI for configuration and management
- Thread Border Agent to support an External Commissioner
- NAT64 for connecting to IPv4 networks
- Thread interface driver using wpantund
How will you use OpenThread?
If you're interested in contributing to the ongoing development of OpenThread, then the OpenThread GitHub repository is for you. There you will find all the code, including information on how to contribute, our style guide, code of conduct, licensing, and much more.
If you want to use OpenThread in your own products or for personal deployment, check the options below.
If you want to use OpenThread in your own products or for personal deployment, check the options below.
Deploy a Thread network
Determine the hardware and platform design you wish to use to build and deploy your own Thread network. Add a Border Router to connect your Thread network to other network layers, such as Wi-Fi or Ethernet, or use OpenThread RTOS, a single platform solution using LwIP, FreeRTOS, and mbed TLS.
Develop applications on top of a Thread network
Try out our API Codelab and use our API Reference as a guide to application development. IPv6, UDP, CoAP, ICMPv6, DNSv6...it's all there.
Port OpenThread to a new hardware platform
Check out our Porting Guide, which walks you through all the steps necessary to port OpenThread to a new hardware platform.
Get Thread Certification for your OpenThread product
OpenThread can be used for certification by the Thread Group. As a Thread reference stack, OpenThread makes certification easy.
News
Connect Thread Devices to the Cloud with IoT Core
OpenThread partnered with Cloud IoT Core at Google I/O 2019 for a session on
enabling CoAP and MQTT, building and deploying code to embedded devices running
the OpenThread stack, and creating a simple application to view data and control
the devices. Watch the video to learn more and check out the related Codelab.
Bringing the internet to low-power IoT devices
OpenThread was at Google I/O 2018! Check out the video to watch our session, which
gives a brief overview of Thread and how developers can quickly build IoT
solutions using OpenThread.
Cloud IoT Core Codelab added
May 15, 2019
We've added a new Codelab, Integrating Thread Devices with Cloud IoT Core. Using Docker, Cloud IoT Core and Pub/Sub, learn how to connect a simulated OT RTOS device to a Cloud MQTT server.
We've added a new Codelab, Integrating Thread Devices with Cloud IoT Core. Using Docker, Cloud IoT Core and Pub/Sub, learn how to connect a simulated OT RTOS device to a Cloud MQTT server.
Support for Nordic nRF52811 added
May 15, 2019
The nRF52811 is a Bluetooth 5.1 Direction Finding SoC with comprehensive protocol support.
The nRF52811 is a Bluetooth 5.1 Direction Finding SoC with comprehensive protocol support.
Packet sniffing guide added
Mar 12, 2019
We've added a Packet Sniffing guide, which shows how to use Wireshark and the Pyspinel sniffer tool with an OpenThread NCP to sniff packets on a Thread network.
We've added a Packet Sniffing guide, which shows how to use Wireshark and the Pyspinel sniffer tool with an OpenThread NCP to sniff packets on a Thread network.
Who supports OpenThread?
What products use OpenThread?
The following products use OpenThread and support the core requirements of the Thread Specification.
Nest Hub Max
Get help, connect with
those who matter most, and control your connected home in one view.
Nest Thermostat E (EU)
It's easy to save energy.
Place it wherever you like in your home.
Nest Heat Link E (EU)
Connects to your heating
system and works with the Nest Thermostat E to turn on and off or modulate the
heat.
Nest Secure
The Nest Secure alarm
system, featuring Nest Guard and Nest Detect.
Nest Hello
The doorbell that lets
you know who's there.
Nest x Yale Lock
A tamper‑proof, key‑free
deadbolt that can be locked and unlocked from anywhere.
Nest Connect
Connects the Nest x Yale
Lock to the internet, and serves as a range extender for the Nest Secure system.
Nest Cam IQ Indoor
A best-in-class security
camera with top-of-its-class brains.
Nest Cam IQ Outdoor
A weatherproof and
tamper-resistant outdoor security camera.
Start using OpenThread today
Java is a registered trademark of Oracle and/or its affiliates. Thread is a registered trademark of the Thread Group, Inc.