A timeout usually means the end point zwave device did not respond in a timely/expected fashion; you man want to kick off a network heal and see how the nodes look on the map after the heal completes.
As for another way to put zwave power devices into the topology this might be helpful for your situation - https://aeotec.com/z-wave-repeater/ There might also be another company that provides a similar device, this is just an example to show.
Thank you Iāll try it right at the top of the hour
No luck at allā¦ Iāll go again to the school this Pm and try to remove them completely from the zwave network, and re add them. I wonder if I need to power cycle those switches as wellā¦ (shut down breaker/put it back up)ā¦ Iāll let yo know when I get them back online Iām not giving up!!!
Have you tried using a zniffer to observe the Z-Wave traffic? @robmac has used them to help troubleshoot networks.
Hi Bruce, Thank you for your fast response! No I havenāt - any pointers on how to use them? Any device you need to purchase?
Thanks!
A UZB-3 stick is recommended by Rob. I am going to get one myself soon. It is then flashed with some software from SiLabs, the owner of Z-Wave.
EDIT: This link looks like it might work for you.
https://www.digikey.ca/product-detail/en/silicon-labs/ACC-UZB3-U-STA/703-1128-ND/6111632
I got myself one and Iāll be contacting Rob on how to use it.
I just ordered one.
If he doesnāt respond here we can perhaps work through this together. I have some information in a private message thread with him.
Sounds good! I am trying to download the program but doesnāt allow me with the normal user. Any trick to get the software to download?
Just finishing work. Will help when I get back
Thank you so much! No rush Iāve been with this issue for the last 3 months so I can wait 
I sympathize for a couple of reasons.
I was born and raised in Toronto Ontario. I currently live in Virginia working in IT for a University.
Adrian
No direct experience but try creating a developers account or whatever itās called on the web site
I remember another user saying he had to create an account
Please give some idea of the physical distance of these devices and what obstructions are between the nodes (wall? concrete or frame) This probably wonāt give any real help for your problem but at least we can get an idea of if the devices are way out of range or should be working
Hi the total Hallway is around 120 ft long (just 10 classrooms and one library in between) Most of the walls are concrete. All the nodes near the servers room work correctly, and there is direct line of sight between the light switches. Iām attaching two pictures (from the security cameras) so you can visualize what Iām facing - nothing too fancy but cannot make it work at all!!
Concrete or āconcrete blockā, usually called cinder block here in the US ? That makes a difference in RF propagation.
Yes thatās the same. The interesting thing is I can get some walls without any trouble, but the ones way behind (maybe 120-13 ft) cannot connect, even with a lot of repeaters and z-wave powered devices working correctly they donāt seem to make a difference. maybe I need to add those to the network in a different way? Put them near the z-wave controller and then move them? Iām sure Iām doing something wrong but cannot identify where Iām missing itā¦ I do have a similar system (less complex) at home (for testing of course) and it works great thereā¦ but fewer devices and shorter distancesā¦
RF through construction can vary widely, especially with older structures.
Here, testing with 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi, we had some buildings where the signal would travel between floors and others where it would not.
The worst is a stone mansion with plaster & lath walls. There we needed to put an AP in every room to get coverage.
