Finally upgraded my home wifi to something that works - managed wifi review

[killramos]

Bare minimum? Buy any AP setup the controller on your computer and turn wifi off on your router.

Everything is incremental to that.

Want more coverage? Buy more / better AP’s

Want it to handle routing? Need a USG, an edge router, a dream machine or a dream machine pro

Want to power everything with one device handling POE? You will need a POE switch

Want to offload the controller from your computer? Need a Cloud Key, a UDM, or UDM pro which integrates that ( or use AWS if you want to be fancy / overkill )

Want cameras? Need either a NVR or a UDM pro + HDD

Basically it’s completely scaleable. Buy what you want to do what you want.

Nice thing about the UDM Pro, is it integrates a ton of the stuff that used to be piecemeal into one reasonably price rackmount product.

[cet]

Agreed about the UDM pro. I recently upgraded my internet to Gigabit and rebuilt my home computer. Had to rebuild my network as a result. If you turn on the security settings in the USG it limits your internet speeds to ~ 80Mbps. I'm thinking of upgrading to the UDM Pro and adding cameras. It's too bad the built in switch isn't PoE though.

[Buster]

The UDM Pro is a great product. It's built-in switch isn't really meant to be a switch for your home. Ubiquiti rightly concludes that you are going to buy a switch to pair with the UDM Pro

[LilDrunkenSmurf]

I want a Unifi switch, but I'm cheap, so I bought a netgear PoE unmanaged switch instead. It runs my APs for me. I'm not as hardcore as many here, I just have a UDM (not pro), unmanaged PoE switch, and 2 APs. Leaves me with 3 APs total.

I did run the Unifi software on a Raspberry pi for a while to keep it off my PC.

[rage2]

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I want a Unifi switch, but I'm cheap, so I bought a netgear PoE unmanaged switch instead. It runs my APs for me. I'm not as hardcore as many here, I just have a UDM (not pro), unmanaged PoE switch, and 2 APs. Leaves me with 3 APs total.

I did run the Unifi software on a Raspberry pi for a while to keep it off my PC.

I’m cheap, so I’m just like you. Netgear poe switches are cheap in comparison.

I run an asus router with Merlin firmware so I can have per IP vpn for my Apple TV’s. That setup is not easy with unifi routers.

I run my controller on one of my various VMs.

[LilDrunkenSmurf]

If I did all of it over again, I'd just run a fucking Asus router. I swear, even with 3 APs, I still run into issues.

[benyl]

That is the big issue with the UDMP. Can't run VPN to anything but another Unifi product.

[Buster]

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That is the big issue with the UDMP. Can't run VPN to anything but another Unifi product.

Unless it isn't a requirement.

[killramos]

I think UDMP has a lot of additional functionality if you are interested in diving into the CLI. Not really an excuse but still.

It meets my needs handily.

[benyl]

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If I did all of it over again, I'd just run a fucking Asus router. I swear, even with 3 APs, I still run into issues.

weird.

I haven't had any issues in 3 different houses. Running 3 APs (1 per floor) or up to 6APs. Everything roams seamless.

[benyl]

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Unless it isn't a requirement.

I gave up on it a long time ago.

The only issue I seem to have lately is that sometimes there seems to be a memory leak or a runaway process that has the CPU running at 90%+. Reboot fixes it.

[rage2]

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I gave up on it a long time ago.

The only issue I seem to have lately is that sometimes there seems to be a memory leak or a runaway process that has the CPU running at 90%+. Reboot fixes it.

I see why that’s an acceptable solution for you.

[benyl]

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I see why that’s an acceptable solution for you.

I should probably clear my cache too.

[Buster]

Has anyone had any issues getting IoT devices to work? I got this stupid water softener that's wifi connected, but uses some older Esspressif chip that apparently only works on 2.4ghz. So I set it up on a 2.4ghz only SSID and it still doesn't work.

[sabad66]

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Has anyone had any issues getting IoT devices to work? I got this stupid water softener that's wifi connected, but uses some older Esspressif chip that apparently only works on 2.4ghz. So I set it up on a 2.4ghz only SSID and it still doesn't work.

Do you use your phone to configure it? If so, make sure your phone is connected to the same 2.4ghz network when setting it up.

[npham]

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Has anyone had any issues getting IoT devices to work? I got this stupid water softener that's wifi connected, but uses some older Esspressif chip that apparently only works on 2.4ghz. So I set it up on a 2.4ghz only SSID and it still doesn't work.

What brand of water softener, so I can avoid it....

[Buster]

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What brand of water softener, so I can avoid it....

Fleck/Pentair

[MOB68]

I just had a similar issue with an older video doorbell I got from someone (skybell). I had Telus to set my dual band router to broadcast on 2 separate frequencies: 2.4 and 5ghz so I could manually select the right one. Still working on getting it connected. It apparently has its own 'virtual' wifi network that you need to connect to first via your phone in order to configure it, before finally connecting through the actual home wifi.

[killramos]

There are a number of check box settings that can cause issues with cheap radios even if you use 2.4 only.

Fast roam, certain channels, 802.11b support etc.

My wife’s aunt had some $50 cheap android tablet that refused to play nice with my UniFi stuff. Their loss.

On a similar topic. What is everyone’s opinions on MOCA these days? I don’t be using cable but I have coax strung throughout the house. Wondering if using it as an internet hardline until I get network cables run is a good solution?

Does anyone make, for lack of a better word, a MOCA switch? Like one device that can feed signals to 4-5 MOCA receivers around the house?

I feel like it has to be better than a repeater mesh setup?

[rage2]

I setup a house using moca 2.5 adapters. Works well, minimal lag, full gigabit speeds. Way easier than wiring Ethernet in an old house. Just some random units on amazon.

First house I did wasted a ton of time. Only getting 10mbps. Turns out it starts slow and negotiates up. Just need patience (30 mins) before it hits full speed haha.