Modems and Ubiquiti solutions
Modems and Ubiquiti solutions
The UDM Pro functions as a router or gateway, eliminating the need for a USG. The setup flows from Modem → UDM Pro → PoE Switch → PoE devices. Current backup options are limited to manual recordings, which have been in place for more than three years. Protection remains unsuitable beyond home environments; for serious security needs, consider alternatives. It isn’t fully prepared for release yet, lacking essential features and facing legal restrictions in some European markets. Recently, a UI change removed a helpful button, increasing the click count from one to three—an annoyance. Personally, I use it because it meets my basic requirements: straightforward interface, easy access for non-technical users, no subscription fees, and a modern appearance compared to older CCTV solutions. As a backup, the UNVR offers more robust options with additional configurations like hot-spare, RAID setups, and four drive bays.
The product lacks essential capabilities and hasn't shown any real progress toward improvement. Even the EoL Unifi Video offers only minimal features that Protect still doesn’t provide. It functions for certain scenarios, but for anyone seeking a secure, customizable NVR system, Protect falls short. I still appreciate Ubuqiiti’s offerings, though it seems they’re struggling to stay on track. I’m still using an outdated UniFi Controller running in a VM, as support for older devices has been completely discontinued. Previously, updates were available, but now only basic configurations remain. Switching to a newer version would mean losing the ability to tweak those devices, making any changes or reintroductions impossible. They also eliminated the option to run NVR functions locally, removing a useful feature that was available in Unifi Video for years. Many important settings—like managing camera access versus recordings—are now missing, even though they were present earlier.
It seems you're reflecting on something. Maybe that's what you were thinking about.
The security setup is a bit more complex to ensure my wife and her family feel safe. Our daughter has mixed heritage, and they’ve mentioned several times about someone attempting to take her, which I’m not sure is likely but could be avoided with extra effort. This might help ease their concerns and simplify my situation. Based on your advice and the feedback from Falcon1986, it seems the UDM Pro may not be the optimal choice for home security. A UNVR would probably be a better fit. You also noted they need either PoE injectors or an extra PoE switch to manage APs, cameras, and intercom systems. Should I opt for a more powerful router/switch combo—like the UDM Pro without the SVR but with more ports/PoE—or should I consider a different setup altogether? The USG-PRO-4 appears similar but lacks an NVR and is slightly cheaper. I appreciate your patience while I explore their options, though finding routers online feels less organized than expected. It seems the site doesn’t clearly separate switches from routers, which is confusing. I also read about Oshino Shinobu’s experience with them losing direction. Honestly, it makes me a bit unsure. I once trusted Linus’ reviews and a colleague’s real-world setup, but I worry about support when devices reach the end of their life. Should I go ahead and build my own router and manage everything with older hardware? It sounds like it would require more expertise.
Additionally regarding backups, there exists an option to transfer files to another machine, though this isn’t included by default in Protect. You’d likely require a custom script to connect to the video files on the NVR and move them to a separate drive or network location. A discussion from three years ago on their forums still addresses this issue and hasn’t been updated. The thread provides details about the script used, but since the files are proprietary, Protect can only read and play them—raising concerns about restoring them if the storage device fails. Compared to the UDM Pro, the UNVR offers more drive bays, yet its backup capabilities remain limited. Because of these shortcomings, if someone were to compromise the NVR and drives, you’d be left with little protection. The Protect interface is evolving, but recent changes have made the UI confusing—buttons are removed without clear reason, and permission settings are moved to separate menus instead of being accessible from the main app. The UNVR also has distinct settings for both the device and Protect, which feels unnecessary since the device only runs Protect. It still lacks many features once found in UniFi Video. For the USG Pro, it functions mainly as a router/gateway and doesn’t host the controller or NVR, requiring additional equipment like a switch and Cloudkey to manage it properly.
Oh, my! Apologies for the mix-up. For the typical home user—or even the cautious one—the UDM-Pro is enough. It handles the UniFi features from a central hub, keeps a gigabit connection, and provides IDS/IPS without major performance drops. It outperforms the USG significantly. You wouldn’t need to focus on the USG-Pro at this price point since you’re already in the UDM-Pro range. I’m sorry for any confusion; I assumed more advanced networking needs that a pfSense device could handle. But since I’m just starting out, I’d recommend sticking with the UDM-Pro now. As your requirements or skills develop, you can upgrade later. The UNVR is an optional upgrade to boost local storage for your camera system and works well with UniFi software.
I have mixed feelings about this. On one side, their networking solutions provide a practical approach and a streamlined management system that stands out. Cisco Meraki comes close in terms of functionality I can imagine, but it comes with high subscription costs and the drawbacks of devices reaching end-of-life, turning into e-waste when controllers are updated. On the other hand, if you're comfortable with less polished management interfaces, there are alternatives that deliver more value at similar or lower prices, particularly for high-speed 10G+ connections where Ubiquiti options become prohibitively expensive. Mikrotik is worth considering for switch hardware; it offers solid features but requires more setup. I personally don’t use UniFi much after installation—its performance and analytics capabilities aren’t utilized unless in a corporate setting. For Protect, I wouldn’t suggest it. It’s easy to use, especially for remote access, but most of its strengths go unused unless you’re managing a business CCTV network. You become tied into their ecosystem, and if a camera fails, it becomes wasteful and unusable.
Agreed on the USG Pro. It isn’t required for home setup. The regular USG would suffice, or the UDM Pro is a complete NVR. I think you can’t connect it to link storage capacity. Use the Protect NVR app on it for storage purposes—it doesn’t integrate with other devices. Note: Earlier reference was about UDM Pro, not USG Pro.
Additionally regarding the Mikrotik options, there are switches that can switch between router and switch modes using either RouterOS or SwitchOS. This means you could have a single switch serving as both router and switch, equipped with PoE ports and potentially multiple 10G ports—all at a price lower than some UniFi 24 Port PoE models with 10G SFP+. This seems like the path I’m considering if I need comparable performance and features from Ubiquiti, which would be more than double the cost. The UniFi solution still stands out for access points. They offer great value for money and centralized management, allowing updates to WLAN profiles to apply across all access points simultaneously instead of individually. This simplifies tasks like changing SSIDs and passwords.
Thank you very much again for your insights on everything! Your guidance is greatly assisting my understanding of the tech and expanding my knowledge about brands and their offerings. I've managed to stay engaged despite a lot of other commitments, and it seems Mikrotik is accessible in China—though some retailers appear to push a bit too hard. I also reviewed several tutorials on setting up a router, which suggests this setup might suit someone who enjoys deeper customization or a hobbyist approach. Overall, it looks like blending different components rather than sticking to a closed system seems the wisest path.
I personally don’t like being locked into a single ecosystem, which is why I moved away from Apple long ago. I also hadn’t realized Unifi could open this door. Based on what we’ve discussed so far, it seems this is likely the direction I should pursue: using a setup like Modem → UDM Pro → PoE Switch or injectors → APs + cameras, etc.
For the router, I’m considering the following specs:
- Modem: Provided by ISP – should work fine; alternatives exist if needed.
- Router: [link] – good reviews, looks promising.
- Cameras: Connect via switch, not directly to UNVR.
- Power: 2 PoE ports for APs, 6 for cameras, 2 for entry points. Possibly more for garden access if needed.
- Devices: 17 PoE ports for various rooms, plus HASS and NAS. No need for extra injectors or switches beyond this.
- Ports: 4 for front/back doors, possibly more for gardens; power distribution across three boards is ideal.
- Design: Rack mountable, no redundant PSUs, one port per switch; ports evenly split among boards.
- Extras: Not essential but useful.
- Connectivity: No need for many 10Gb ports now; 4 ports seem sufficient.
I’d avoid buying additional switches or expensive injectors unless necessary. The included fans are helpful, and I’m open to saving on unnecessary features. The switch offers the ports I need plus extra options. I plan to check power requirements per device and balance them across the three boards.
For mounting, it’s rackable and I want a design that fits my space. I’m not a big fan of silence in hardware, so being able to install multiple Noctuas for positive pressure would be ideal. Regarding IP limits, I haven’t explored that deeply yet—will look into Zwave and Zigbee for low-power devices.
For APs, Unifi’s models seem top-notch. I’ll need 2.4G, 5G, and 6G channels to support various sensors and devices. Anything plug-and-play would be great, especially for smart home integration like robot vacuums and mops.
In terms of placement, I’m still deciding on the server cabinet location and layout. I’m considering using aluminium extrusions for my office and a custom desk I’ve been planning. This could be a fun project or a practical solution. I’ll also need to think about a patch panel—maybe add it later if needed.
Lastly, regarding cables: I’m not sure if labeling is crucial, but I’m open to suggestions. I’ll keep an eye on how often I’ll need to connect/disconnect cables in the future.
Thanks again for all this advice—it’s really shaping my approach!