user33103: I would like to know what device and model to use for an application where I will have 1 arduino as a master micro controller waiting to receive data from 5 slave arduino microcontrollers.
The Master arduino will be connected to local network via Ethernet cable so once it receive data from a Slave controller it needs to post to server the information, get a response back and in case the response is a "true" value then the Master need to talk back to the Slave in order to turn a LED on.
There will be cases when maybe 3 of the Slaves will send data at the same time, this doesn't mean at exactly the same millisecond. So I don't know if there will be data lost.
I was reading that Xbee maybe is the best device because it has a feature that will hold the data until there is a success communication with slave.

Is this a doable and "easy" task using Xbee? Anyone that already try to do something like this that can guide me?

I was reading that there is a device nRF24l01 that is very cheap and can do exactly what I need. Just that I don't really know how to start.


Appreciate any advice or help.

user19867: It really depends on the communication range and context required.
If your slaves are within 10-20 meters from the master device and the environment is not polluted (in terms of magnetic field) you can achieve good results with very inexpensive nRF24L01+ modules which operate in the 2.4GHz.
If you need to cover greater distances (in the order of 100 meters) or a polluted environment then you have to resort to shorter wavelengths or more powerful devices, but that brings in the question on how are you powering your slaves: on battery power those ranges get pretty power hungry.
Generally speaking I would say this question should be rejected as it's going to start a debate rather than provide a solution.
You can get some introductions on how to use nRF24L01+ modules simply searching online:

some posts on my blog
the Arduino library I always advice
a pretty valid guide


33103: <p>I would like to know what device and model to use for an application where I will have <code>1 arduino as a master</code> micro controller waiting to receive data from <code>5 slave arduino</code> microcontrollers.</p>
<p>The <code>Master</code> arduino will be connected to local network via Ethernet cable so once it receive data from a <code>Slave</code> controller it needs to post to server the information, get a response back and in case the response is a &quot;true&quot; value then the <code>Master</code> need to talk back to the <code>Slave</code> in order to turn a LED on.</p>
<p>There will be cases when maybe 3 of the <code>Slaves</code> will send data at the same time, this doesn't mean at exactly the same millisecond. So I don't know if there will be data lost.</p>
<p>I was reading that <code>Xbee</code> maybe is the best device because it has a feature that will hold the data until there is a success communication with slave.</p>
<blockquote>
<p>Is this a doable and &quot;easy&quot; task using <code>Xbee</code>? Anyone that already try to do something like this that can guide me?</p>
<blockquote>
<p>I was reading that there is a device <code>nRF24l01</code> that is very cheap and can do exactly what I need. Just that I don't really know how to start.</p>
</blockquote>
</blockquote>
<p>Appreciate any advice or help.</p>
 19867: <p>It really depends on the communication range and context required.</p>

<p>If your <em>slaves</em> are within 10-20 meters from the <em>master</em> device and the environment is not polluted (in terms of magnetic field) you can achieve good results with very inexpensive nRF24L01+ modules which operate in the 2.4GHz.</p>

<p>If you need to cover greater distances (in the order of 100 meters) or a polluted environment then you have to resort to shorter wavelengths or more powerful devices, but that brings in the question on how are you powering your <em>slaves</em>: on battery power those ranges get pretty power hungry.</p>

<p>Generally speaking I would say this question should be rejected as it's going to start a debate rather than provide a solution.</p>

<p>You can get some introductions on how to use nRF24L01+ modules simply searching online:</p>

<ul>
<li><a href="https://rlogiacco.wordpress.com/?s=nrf24" rel="nofollow noreferrer">some posts on my blog</a></li>
<li><a href="https://github.com/nRF24/RF24" rel="nofollow noreferrer">the Arduino library I always advice</a></li>
<li><a href="https://arduino-info.wikispaces.com/Nrf24L01-2.4GHz-HowTo" rel="nofollow noreferrer">a pretty valid guide</a></li>
</ul>
