Ethernet port a requirement, when add?

post by Joe1 on Apr 4, 2020

Your sprinklers offers powerful capabilities, but I hope you produce a wired ethernet port Rachio.

Until there is that feature I must pass on this, despite my strong desire to get one, unfortunately must pass.

Range and Interference issues are the most obvious.

Setup problems could occur (Wi-Fi adds complexity to connection).

Access to my sprinkler location is easy, would take me about 10 minutes to toss a line to my switch (and cost less than a repeater).

Security is the biggest issue I have and one people should be aware of. Any Wi-Fi device is a door for exploitation, even a sprinkler controller. Criminals use equipment to listen to a device for a few minutes, then spoof the Wi-Fi station into thinking a malicious cracker computer is a sprinkler.

In my house I have an 8-point router for all fixed devices (like cameras, security), with Wi-Fi station on a completely different branch and firewalled for safety.
When the Rachio includes Ethernet, I would like to see a physical switch for the Wifi.

I have seen some devices automatically turn on WiFi after power issues, which is not safe.

Thank you for reading my concern and with.

post by GeoWoz on Apr 4, 2020

I agree that having a hard-wired Ethernet connection option for the Rachio 3 would be a valuable improvement. After having problems with the WiFi signal strength in my garage when I first installed the Rachio 3, I found that I had to install a WiFi extender pod in the garage to get it to work. My house is hard-wired with Ethernet cables, and I would have much preferred to use an Ethernet connection in the garage rather than installing a WiFi booster pod. I agree that security is a concern with a WiFi connection, but because there if no other option, I have decided to accept the small possibility of getting a security breach with the WiFi system to obtain the benefits of having the Rachio 3 smart sprinkler system.

I have only had the Rachio 3 for a very short period of time, but so far I’m satisfied with this decision. I have never experienced any major WiFi signal interference problems with the WiFi system that I have had installed in my house for several years. However, if Rachio 3 eventually comes out with a newer version that has an Ethernet connection option, I will probably upgrade to get it mainly for the improved security of having the Ethernet connection.

post by Stewart on Apr 4, 2020

Your request is not realistic; you won’t be seeing smart sockets, light bulbs, thermostats, etc. with Ethernet connections. The boogeyman is not out to get you. Most prosumer APs (Ubiquiti, Mikrotik, high-end TP-Link, etc.) support multiple SSIDs on separate VLANs. Set up a network just for your IoT devices; if it gets hacked into, the intruders will have no access to your valuable data.

post by wafflesngravy on Apr 5, 2020

I’m a network engineer, you should be far more worried about your WAN port than your wifi. WiFi has a range of what, a dozen nearby homes? There are billions of devices trying to hack you from the WAN side, and unless you have a real router, you don’t even see it happening.

post by Joe1 on Apr 5, 2020

I can find wired sprinkler systems, wired cameras, wired security, wired thermostats, all of that exists so you are wrong.

Not hard to make some devices with Raspberry Pi either, if one had time to tinker.

Why did bother posting that nonsense?

post by Joe1 on Apr 5, 2020

Then you should know perfectly well POE vulnerabilities.

Granted, a sniffer attack is unlikely, but not nil. Additional layers of complexity in structure to deal with.

IOW, KISS.

Next?

post by wafflesngravy on Apr 6, 2020

Good luck to you Joe. Be sure to stock up on tinfoil in these hard times. 🙂

post by Joe1 on Apr 7, 2020

If I need them (I won’t), I will get my stock from you.

After all, no need for EM protection when one is not blasted from multiple nodes.

Leave the WiFi for mobile devices. 🏆

post by Joe1 on Apr 26, 2020

I would happily pay to Beta test a wired version of the system.

I beta test software and know the NDA and legal requirements of doing this.

post by Stewart on Apr 26, 2020

Please stop requesting this. You are wasting your time, as well as that of the community and Rachio.

There is essentially no demand for such a product. Anyone concerned about security issues would simply put their untrusted IoT devices on a separate VLAN, with access to the cloud but isolated from valuable local assets.

While I agree that a wired interface would somewhat improve reliability, it would still fall far short of, e.g., what a fire-extinguishing application would require. I suppose for growing cannabis, you might pay a premium for a more reliable controller, but such uses are far from the market Rachio is addressing.

post by Joe1 on May 1, 2020

Stewart, are you an employee of Rachio? You are speaking as one.

GeoWoz also voiced support for Ethernet, how many others would get one if it had Ethernet?

Sprinkler stations are some of the most distant devices on a property, some locations easily accessible by cable. 200 ft of Ethernet cable is <$20, a Repeater is >$30 (not all will work with competing brands).

New builds are adding connections everywhere too.

$5 in parts would be a small price to make a more attractive device.

post by Joe1 on May 18, 2020

Example of WiFi connection problems, on both units one customer had.

The Android Developer and Rachio Co-founder was involved in solving this problem. Eventually, yet another unit (third unit) had to be sent over to successfully connect.

This issue apparently was the firmware was not connecting with customers' devices, and the only way to update firmware was at factory.

I applaud the excellent customer support by Rachio to solve this, but obviously, it is also a tremendous effort to fix the issue for a few customers.

A built-in Ethernet would give customers and Rachio options in solving such issues. A firmware update could be sent via Ethernet, then switch to WiFi once the update is successful.

post by Chris2 on Oct 9, 2020

For health reasons, I have removed all WiFi from my home and all devices, except my Rachio controller, are now hardwired. Is there a way to connect my Rachio controller to the Internet with an Ethernet cable?

post by Steward on Oct 9, 2020

Not directly, but a device such as Amazon Link may meet your needs. There are many similar inexpensive devices available. Put it, along with your controller, in a metal enclosure with small vent holes. If this is outdoors, you’ll need to make it weatherproof. Use Wi-Fi Analyzer or a similar app on your phone to confirm that the signal is undetectable where you sleep or otherwise spend a lot of time.

However, I’m dubious on the concept. A mobile phone exposes you to hundreds of times more RF radiation than environmental Wi-Fi. Transmit power is typically more than ten times higher, and you’re usually less than one-tenth the distance from the antenna, resulting in absorption more than a thousand times greater.

post by Chris2 on Oct 10, 2020

Stewart, Thank you very much! I’ll have to test the Wi-Fi signal on this device to make sure it doesn’t reach my bedroom. If it does not reach my bedroom then this device will solve my problem.

Now, I need a device that will remotely switch breakers off in my electrical panel. I hate having to go outside every night to turn them off and then back on again each morning.

post by Stewart on Oct 10, 2020

A robot that literally switched breakers on and off would be very expensive and likely not compliant with the electrical code. You could have an electrician install a box outside with contactors (big relays) in series with the breakers you wish to control. The contactors could be in turn controlled by remote-controlled outlets or switches. Unfortunately, most of those are Wi-Fi and you wish to avoid that.

Ethernet controlled switches are available, though not cheap. For example: Control By Web. Most of them are designed for indoor use and can’t handle a wide temperature range. If your panel is e.g. outside your garage or a closet, you could bring the cable from the contactors through the wall and put the controls inside.

If your schedule permits, it would be simpler and less expensive to have a mechanical timer control the contactors. The timer would have an override button that you could operate manually when needed.

post by Joe1 on Oct 15, 2020

An Ethernet-controlled power switch!

Reliable connection, always stable, even includes automatic call-home. BRILLIANT!

It’s wonderful you support wired IP devices! 😉

Wireless station is just a fail point for a device that will never move from its location,

And another item to set up when the Wi-Fi station is replaced.

post by rraisley on Oct 15, 2020

I like Ethernet cables too, but the idea of wifi is not necessarily to service devices that move, but rather to service areas without an Ethernet cable. Like outside. Like my garage. Like places where irrigation controllers are located. Today’s wifi is pretty foolproof, just about omnipresent, and, according to NCTA, is present in 89% of the US households with broadband. I’ll bet most of those don’t even have an Ethernet cable; none of my friends do. Even companies have abandoned them: too hard to keep track of and replace; switches take up rooms, and can’t keep up with changes.

I wouldn’t mind if the Rachio controller had an Ethernet port, but I’m willing to bet at least 90% of users won’t care and won’t use it. I wouldn’t.

post by Sean1 on Oct 26, 2020

I would love to see an ethernet option for the Rachio. As of now, I have decided not to buy the Rachio, because it doesn’t offer ethernet. If anybody understands how homes are made in Florida, there is block and all kinds of barriers that stop wifi. Wi-Fi will not travel through the walls or the windows. It is hit and miss when it comes to cell phone reception. It’s just the way they build down here because of the heat, so they installation has metal barriers and I was told the windows have metal in them that works to reflect the sunlight back out. An installer told me it is the equivalent of having your windows covered with aluminum and makes it virtually impossible to get signals through. I even put a router on my window sill to stream music out to my pool, and it still wouldn’t go through. So to have a device outside that relies on Wi-Fi will not work. It would, however, be somewhat easy for me to run an Ethernet line. Can’t believe Rachio overlooked large sunbelt markets that make outside Wi-Fi unreliable. It looks like they didn’t even talk to home builders on how new homes are built now. Looks like no research was done.

post by Thomas_Lerman on Oct 26, 2020

You are correct about windows having metal in them. I had a few replaced because the seal was bad, which caused condensation on the inside of these windows, which then caused rust. This is part of the UV protection that the windows have. At least for my windows, it actually is a ferrous (iron) material.

I know some people are more concerned about Ethernet security than WIFI security. However, I would rather use Ethernet over WIFI for several reasons. I believe having that as an option would be helpful to those that want it. Some might say an alternative though would be to run Ethernet to the garage or outside and have a WIFI router out there. I believe this has issues as well, such as heat, humidity, enclosures, etc. The problems with enclosures include they are not easy to find one that fits, takes care of heat & humidity, and if metal it is a Faraday case).

post by RPostWVU on Oct 28, 2020

Squard D makes a schedule-based and remote-controlled based panel intended for commercial and industrial lighting. Powerlink is the name. Lutron makes a system that uses Eaton smart breakers also. Leviton also makes a very pretty smart power panel, but I don’t like Leviton products. All of these are probably a $3-5k change out for parts and labor.

post by RPostWVU on Oct 28, 2020

I would be concerned about isolating the ethernet port from a lightning strike. The controller is one of the higher risk items in the house to take a hit, and I wouldn’t want to add my router, and possibly every device wired to it to that chain.

I actually considered adding a surge arrestor to my sprinkler wires, like my invisible dog fence has, but I didn’t know where to get 10 circuit ones.

post by wkearney99 on Nov 1, 2020

There’s not "no demand". I’d buy one if it had wired support. My Gen2 16 has had wifi issues, not often, but I’d love to take wifi out of the equation entirely.

So don’t be dismissive of someone making requests, even if because you don’t need it or understand why.

post by wkearney99 on Nov 1, 2020

Unrelated to this application, I’ve installed these in places where rebooting the router was necessary when the cable modem or device got hung up. MSN Switch.

The one I’ve used is the 522b. It can monitor two devices, in layers and power cycle them accordingly. As in, the device isn’t responding to pings… power cycle it. And ‘the internet isn’t responding to pings, power cycle the router’. Works like a charm. And when the link returns, it sends me an e-mail letting me know it’s had to reboot things.

At $99, it’s been cheap insurance against remote site networking woes. Where it’s been MOST useful has been at the mother-in-law’s place. I see an e-mail from it, and I can mention to my wife that the router had to reset… and she can decide if that factors into a conversation with grandma. As opposed to yet another panicked call from the battle ax.

post by Stewart on Nov 1, 2020

Please don’t quote me out of context. I said "essentially no demand"; perhaps it should have been "minimal demand" or "little demand". Some of that demand arises because Rachio has IMO implemented Wi-Fi-related firmware poorly and their controllers have a reputation for frequently losing connection. This should be fixed. That said, AFAIK my own 16-zone Gen 2 has never lost its connection to the network.

Most of the remaining demand is for locations where Ethernet is available (or can easily be made available), but there is no Wi-Fi, the signal strength is inadequate, or the firewall has incompatible restrictions. This is easily solved by adding e.g., a $15 N150 access point.

A controller with Ethernet would obviously cost more to manufacture, in addition to substantial engineering costs for design and ongoing firmware maintenance. I’m a retired engineer who used to design embedded systems for a living. IMHO, the slight gain in market share would not come close to covering the additional costs.

Another issue is that an irrigation controller is connected to outdoor valves, often with hundreds of feet of cable buried only a few inches below ground. A nearby lightning strike can induce many kilovolts in that cable, which could result in the destruction of network gear costing thousands, as well as increasing the chance of setting the house afire.

post by wkearney99 on Nov 1, 2020

I’m puzzled at a) your vehemence on repeating the same point, and b) your lack of status as a vendor representative.

There are absolutely many ways to mitigate lightning strikes. And since the device is powered via AC, there’s already that risk. Which would have to be mitigated…as would any wired network connection.

Having configured dozens of inter-building networks, I’m well aware of the factors involved, the statistical likelihoods of the problem, and the extremely low numbers of situations where it’s actually been a problem. But hey, you go with your retired engineer shtick.

Clearly you have a point of view and you feel that repeating it is somehow going to make it more valid than the concerns and requests of other customers.

post by Stewart on Nov 1, 2020

I’m not belittling anyone. I’m merely posting my opinion that providing Ethernet does not make economic sense for Rachio and users shouldn’t expect future models to have it, unless possibly if Rachio develops a unit tailored to the industrial / large commercial market.

I don’t claim to have expertise about lightning. There have been a few credible posts in this forum about controller failures caused by an electrical storm. Also, I’m not the first in this thread to mention lightning as a hazard to Ethernet, even though the actual risk is very small.

I’m a big fan of wired networking where there are specific benefits.
As I write this, nmap shows 48 hosts on my LAN, with the majority wired:

1. Security cameras are wired because they require considerable bandwidth. I ran the PoE cables myself, rather than pay a licensed electrician to install AC outlets.
2. Desk and wall phones are wired because the PoE switch is fed from a UPS, so we can call 911 during a power failure.
3. Access points are wired; ceiling installation has better aesthetics. Performance and reliability are better than a mesh network.
4. TVs are wired; our Wi-Fi network can’t reliably support two 4k streams.
5. Computers are wired to achieve Gigabit transfers from other LAN devices.

And your Rachio would be wired because? If you don’t have Wi-Fi there, a $15 AP will solve the problem. If the Wi-Fi is unreliable, Rachio should fix it. Many of my IoT devices cost less than $25 and stay connected just fine. If some other reason, please explain.

post by Joe1 on Nov 7, 2020

Why the reluctance for a wired unit?
And you are missing the obvious: spending another $15 (possibly more) for yet another Wi-Fi unit, and then spend time to find the optimal location for the Rachio to have a good signal with.

There is NO practical simplification of Wireless device by adding another wireless node. Added all up in many cases a wired box is cheaper than a wireless one.

With nearly all control boxes located outside the living area, almost all will have to adjust or add to WiFi to get the wireless to work.

(Granted there are cases of good signal and solid connection, but it is not every instance).
It will cost about $6 in parts to add an Ethernet port with surge isolation. I would pay more for a unit with Ethernet.

post by kevin624 on Dec 10, 2020

I wanted to hop on this thread as well - would VERY much like an Ethernet port.
Wi-Fi is needlessly complicated and more prone to failure. Flashing up with the unit is tedious and error-prone. the Rachio 2 is finicky about SSIDs, so I had to rename my network to please it, or it wouldn’t connect. It would be so easy for me to just run an Ethernet cable to the basement closet where the Rachio lives.

I can’t imagine this would cost much for them to add as a feature. Otherwise, very pleased with the unit.

post by aviat72 on Jan 3, 2021

After having spent three plus hours trying to get the Wi-Fi running, I absolutely agree with this suggestion.
This is not a simple IoT device like a light bulb or a switch. It is a full-fledged computer.

Adding an Ethernet NIC does not add much to the Bill of Materials since it already has a full network stack for the Wi-Fi. It will save a lot of hassle, at least in the initial setup. Probably save more in the support costs, and return of controllers that do not work than the cost added.

I have run an Ethernet cable to my garage, added a new WiFi Access Point to the garage, and then struggled to get past the yellow flashing light. Have tried connecting directly to the Rachio-xxxxx Wi-Fi network but no luck from my Mac Air or iPhone.

post by terminator on Jan 10, 2021

I live in a 6000 sq ft house on a 12000 sq ft lot. I would like to think this is above average for a US house. My Wi-Fi signal (Asus router in the middle of the house) reaches everywhere on the property. Rachio, which is in the garage, has not disconnected once in the last three years. I have 50 devices - 10 or so wired near the router and the rest on WiFi.

I can see 15 other WiFi signals on my property so I am afraid there is no escaping it if Wi-Fi signal is bad for health. I am more afraid of millions of people from other countries hacking WAN to get into my wired devices than someone in my driveway hacking Rachio, which is on a different guest network.

There is a reason why Ethernet ports were removed from MacBook Pro, MacBook Air since years ago. I understand power users/network guys swear by hardwired lines, but unfortunately, they are in the minority as far as the user base goes for these devices.

post by Joe1 on Jan 11, 2021

Ethernet removed from a portable device is a classic example of someone desperate to find an excuse not to have a wired Ethernet.
A sprinkler controller cannot go anywhere.
Not only is it physically and permanently wired to not just power but the valves, but it also literally BOLTED TO THE WALL!

Perhaps TVs should have all the HDMI and audio connects removed, Wi-Fi only, and use the iPhone MagSafe power adapter, making it easy to take it off the wall and put it on your coffee table.

post by terminator on Jan 11, 2021

Hypothetically speaking if someone showed you a poll of Rachio users where 99% said they don’t care about wired ports, 1. you would not believe it and 2. insist that Rachio build for the 1%?

post by wkearney99 on Apr 5, 2021

If they build it, I’d buy it, even with an added cost.

As for ‘insist they build it’, give that nonsense a rest. You don’t speak for anyone other than yourself; stop trying to bully the argument against having a wired OPTION.

post by HealthyEnergetics on Nov 13, 2025

I am strongly in favor of ethernet. I have fiber optic in the house after the Rachio went in. I started very early with the smart house. But my issue is more that the fiber works so much better. I am way more sensitive than most. I can feel when someone left the Wi-Fi on. It definitely stresses me.

Most of the time, I want to let go of the technology in the Rachio and go back to very simple. I didn’t find the weather options worked for me very well in my area. Storms pop up very quickly and the weather reports don’t accurately follow them. With my Rachio, we just got 10 inches of rain and then the sprinklers went on. I am leaving it but I would love to adapt it myself.

post by Joe1 on Nov 13, 2025

What about the 20% of buyers who get a unit, then find Wi-Fi issues that negate the advantages of the Rachio? Then there is a small group that is told they need a firmware update, which requires a Wi-Fi connection they cannot get working.

Result in product returns, lost revenue, hit to reputation. It will cost them far less to install an Ethernet port and have happy customers.

post by Joe1 on Nov 22, 2025

The light gain will pay for itself in more sales.

Also pay for itself again by not having to return the device for a firmware update; instead, the owner connecting it to Ethernet themselves.

There are opto couplers to limit electrical surge on Ethernet from damaging the rest of the device, and most likely that surge will destroy more items, not just the router. I have lightning destroy some electrical devices in my house (and start fires), but my Ethernet network was not impacted.

post by Nickbelli on Apr 7

I’d like to keep this thread alive. I too would pay more for Ethernet, but in fact, I won’t buy a sprinkler controller without ethernet. I’m not concerned about getting hacked; I understand the bandwidth needed for the device is minimal. I don’t want to deal with the hassles of configuration, poor signal, recovery, etc.

I was a Network Administrator for a school district and while I appreciate Wi-Fi, fundamentally I don’t trust it for mission-critical purposes. I have wired my house and in addition to Ethernet connections for every TV and access point, I have also wired locations for cameras and IoT devices. In fact, years ago I installed an Irrigation Caddy controller, placed it under the house in the crawl space and ran Ethernet cable and power to it. A bundle of control wires running through a hole in the foundation runs to the valves controlling the sprinkler system. This worked great until the Irrigation Caddy died. I would prefer to find a replacement with an Ethernet port since I don’t know if the WiFi signal would be reliable under the house. Please consider a model with an Ethernet port.