Thank you for the insights. I solved my problem with your input and some experimentation. I run a relatively more complex system in that I have two Wifi networks (one for automation / IOT devices and cameras) and the other for normal laptops / phones / tablets etc… Based on the error message I kept getting at the final step, it occurred to me that my Samsung ST Hub v3 was being blocked (or at least difficult to see in my network) since it was linked via ethernet to the “laptop” WiFi network. On a hunch, I took the hub and plugged directly into the Wifi router port for my automation network. Viola, it connected immediately successfully using Matter and established the device in the SmartThings environment. This did create a slightly different challenge that I also worked through. Originally I had no issues linking the Govee app to Alexa using the established “skill” which gave me complete voice control to the Govee Table Lamp 2 (i.e. advanced scenes, modes, etc.) that are in the Govee app. When I used the matter connection to SmartThings, this overwrote the Alexa skill side of the world and defaulted to the SmartThings connection (which makes sense, I forced that to happen). The SmartThigns control of the device is significantly more limited and doesn’t give the option for the advanced controls. I’ve seen this before with other devices, the dedicated apps for the device often get “dumbed down” when they connect and are displayed in the SmartThings interface. So, the final thing I needed to do to get advanced voice control back in the Alexa world was to re-link the Govee skill. The only quirk is in the Alexa environment, I now have two devices, one that is connected via the SmartThings protocol (i.e. Matter) and the other via the Govee App protocol. I have different names so when I want to use voice control, I just need to use the right “name” and the Alexa again works perfect.
You’re probably thinking I’m nuts right about now…and mostly you’re correct. I am far from any kind of expert, but I’ve been using automation from the days of X10 as the first pioneers in this space…and yes, a little nerdy when it comes to this as my hobby. Part of the fun is figuring out how to make it all work together, despite these often odd quirks.
Thanks again for the thoughts…it really triggered me to step back and think about the problem differently.
All the best,
JR