External Commissioning

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External Thread Commissioning

OpenThread Border Router (OTBR) features a Thread Border Agent, which supports external Thread Commissioning. In external Thread Commissioning, a device outside of the Thread network (for example, a mobile phone) commissions new devices onto the network.

The Thread Commissioner serves to authenticate a user (external Commissioner) or a Thread device onto the Thread network. After authentication, the Commissioner instructs the Border Router to transfer Thread network credentials, such as the network key, to the device directly.

This is an example of in-band commissioning, where Thread network credentials are transferred between devices over the radio.

This guide details how to commission an OpenThread device onto a network created and managed by the OTBR Web GUI.

To learn how to commission without an external Commissioner, see On-Mesh Commissioning.