Ubiquiti wifi questions

[phil4]

Hi,

I wondered if any of you have their kit and can answer a few questions.

At the moment, I've got a "mishmash" network setup that just uses random Netgear wifi routers as wifi access points, all with the same SSID and dotted around the house. It works, it's not brilliant (mainly because the netgear stuff seems to lockup once a week and need a reboot).

I was looking at Ubiquiti stuff and wondering if I can make things a little better with it.

Specifically - rather than the above generic question:
- Can I get simple wifi access points? ie. not much different to what I use at the moment?
- Do I really need to have one of their routers? I've already got a decent Sonicwall and I want to remain in place.
- Are there any other special gotchas?

I don't mind dipping my toe in by buying one, but I'd rather save myself the trouble if I then find it needs me to double NAT or rip out my Sonicwall, or some other magic sauce that makes it way too expensive (given that at the moment it's cost me very little to do wifi that locks up weekly).

Thanks

[maccas99]

phil4 said:

Hi,

I wondered if any of you have their kit and can answer a few questions.

At the moment, I've got a "mishmash" network setup that just uses random Netgear wifi routers as wifi access points, all with the same SSID and dotted around the house. It works, it's not brilliant (mainly because the netgear stuff seems to lockup once a week and need a reboot).

I was looking at Ubiquiti stuff and wondering if I can make things a little better with it.

Specifically - rather than the above generic question:
- Can I get simple wifi access points? ie. not much different to what I use at the moment?
- Do I really need to have one of their routers? I've already got a decent Sonicwall and I want to remain in place.
- Are there any other special gotchas?

I don't mind dipping my toe in by buying one, but I'd rather save myself the trouble if I then find it needs me to double NAT or rip out my Sonicwall, or some other magic sauce that makes it way too expensive (given that at the moment it's cost me very little to do wifi that locks up weekly).

Thanks

Just dip your toe and get yourself a UniFi AP - you don't need one of their routers (I use a Draytek), get it plumbed in and off you go...

[xeny]

phil4 said:

- Can I get simple wifi access points? ie. not much different to what I use at the moment?
- Do I really need to have one of their routers? I've already got a decent Sonicwall and I want to remain in place.
- Are there any other special gotchas?

- Yes

- No

- You can configure the APs from a phone app, but there is more flexibility if you use the computer based management software they offer. (Java based, Windows, Mac or Linux are supported - I use both Linux and Windows installations)

For typical domestic purposes there is no need to always have this running. I sometime leave it running so I can track how much bandwidth people around the house are using, but it is in no way essential.

if you're looking at the AC Lite or Pro, then the TP-Link EAP 225 and EAP 245 are comparable, slightly cheaper, and have a management interface in the APs, which may be more what you're used to.

Review of them here; https://www.smallnetbuilder.com/wireless/wireless-...

[phil4]

Thanks both, really helpful stuff!

[outnumbered]

With the Unifi software, you will need to leave the controller running permanently if you want to have a schedule on any of your WiFi networks (e.g. if you have a restricted time network for kid's devices).

[phil4]

outnumbered said:

With the Unifi software, you will need to leave the controller running permanently if you want to have a schedule on any of your WiFi networks (e.g. if you have a restricted time network for kid's devices).

Thanks, I've got enough always on servers and raspberry pis to do something if needed, worth knowing though.

Thanks again.

[rednotdead]

I started with an AP Lite (now got all ubiquiti kit - router/FW, switches etc). The Lite has been rock solid and has impressive range, even when mounted 'sub optimally'. It replaced 2 BT WholeHome discs and I now even have wifi in the garden, its range is that good.

The controller software works well on a Pi and it actually becomes quite addictive seeing what and who is chewing your bandwidth. The complete ubiquiti infrastructure is now giving me vlans for IoT, guest networks etc etc. Really pleased with it.

[troc]

I also started with a couple of APs to tame the WiFi in my house and two weeks later everything in my house was UniFi. It’s addictive stuff. The ‘single pane of glass’ software defined networking idea is very nice.

But indeed the APs will happily run with any switches and routers you have and you only need the controller running to configure the hardware or if you have a hotspot-type guest network. Or WiFi schedules and things. I have a cloud key but it runs happily on a raspberry pi or most decent NAS devices.

[rxe]

To confirm all the above

- yes you can have an AP without anything else
- you do need the controller running to make changes to it. You don't need the controller running to use it.
- you don't need their USG security device

However, it is a bit of a rabbit hole once you get into it, and it can become an expensive rabbit hole.

I started with a single AP - I've now got a USG, hardware controller, couple of switches, a fist full of APs and a Unifi Protect CCTV system. The integrated nature of the stuff is excellent (e.g. if a camera needs a reboot, I can do it from an app which is controlling the POE switch - and the apps are both really good.

[phil4]

Thanks to everyone for the info, it's really helpful to hear others experiences.

[thebraketester]

I run the UniFi Controller on a raspberry pi. It works great

[RizzoTheRat]

In the spirit of PH always recommending something other than what the OP asked about...

If you're still at the "looking at options" stage, take a look at the TP Link Deco stuff as well. It'll do 90% of what the Ubiquiti stuff will for a lot less cash. Ubiquity gives you loads of control over your network which is great if you want to be in control and have an idea what you're doing. I looked at it after recommendations on here and ended up with a Deco mesh system instead which doesn't give me anywhere near as much control of stuff I'm unlikely to want to change anyway, but still gives me a rock steady 120 Mbps everywhere.
I'd say if you work in IT or know your way around networking, the Ubiquity system is going to let you set up exactly as you want it, otherwise a Deco system will meet 90% of peoples requirements straight out of the box.

[Pieman68]

Ditto all of the above advice.

I work for a UK distributor of Ubiquiti networking gear so have a bit of an in if you've any more questions (we have a couple of guys have done all of their technical exams - I was due to start training for them before lockdown happened)