OTBR access via USB

[micmoc95]

Checklist

• Checked the issue tracker for similar issues to ensure this is not a duplicate.
• Described the feature in detail and justified the reason for the request.
• Provided specific use cases and examples.

Feature description

Would it be possible to add usb connectivity to the OTBR through USB (CDC-ECM) ?

Use cases

Change wifi/ethernet access with usb connectivity to RPI5.
Use Espressif S3/H2 gateway hardware

Alternatives

No response

Additional context

No response

[zwx1995esp]

@micmoc95 Hi, I'd like to clarify a couple of things.
First, are you intending to use the ESP32-S3 as a USB CDC-ECM device or a host?

Also, could you share more details about your intended use of the S3/H2 gateway hardware — specifically, are you looking to use it purely as an Ethernet or Wi-Fi uplink?

[micmoc95]

I’m using Espressif gateway https://www.espressif.com/en/dev-board/esp-thread-border-routerzigbee-gateway-en as an OTBR to communicate with my matter devices..
So far this board is connected with Ethernet to my Home Assistant instance hosted in a RPI5.
The S3 on the gateway is running basic_thread_border_router which offers wifi or ethernet connectivity. I would lire to connect the gateway directly to my RPI5 with usb.
Something lire replacing esp_netif_create_default_eth_netif() with some kind of usb_netif_create() ?
Does it make sense ?

[schildbach]

In my case, I'm using the same devboard, and it's connected to my home router via USB just for power supply. It could easily also carry data (uplink to my regular home network), rather than using valuable WiFi airtime.

[zwx1995esp]

Hi, @micmoc95 can this https://docs.espressif.com/projects/esp-thread-br/en/latest/codelab/home_assistant.html#home-assistant-integration docs help you?

[zwx1995esp]

@schildbach So you want the TBR to communicate with the RPI using the USB JTAG interface? If yes, you can have a try. I only know that S3 supports the USB device mode and if you have more questions about the USB, you can create an issue in the ESP-IDF repo. Someone more familiar with USB will be able to assist you further.