Modems and Ubiquiti solutions
Modems and Ubiquiti solutions
Hello everyone, I'm just starting out with networking and trying to get everything ready for our new home. I want to set up smart home features, a server, and Ethernet (including PoE) using a small server cabinet. Most of the components are planned, but I'm still unsure about the modem. My idea is to reroute the fiber from the cabinet near the ground floor door to the basement, possibly through one wall. I plan to place my office there and ideally include a server cabinet with soundproofing and ducting for cooling. The fiber should connect to a modem, and from what I've seen online, it seems most people use their ISP's modem and plug it into the switch. Are there any Ubiquiti switches that can replace an ISP modem? I'd prefer a clean setup with minimal connections. Many of us have switched from ISP routers to modems ourselves. Please share your thoughts if you're interested. I've attached a rough flowchart for reference, but things might change depending on availability. Thanks for your feedback!
You wouldn't connect the modem straight into a switch, you'd route from the modem to a router (possibly a combo unit), then to a switch. Ubiquiti doesn't produce modems. Your ISP might require specific gear or let you choose alternatives. Personally, I use an Openreach Huawei HG612 modem that links to my USG. It handles the conversion well, so it's not a major issue. If your provider insists on their equipment and it's a modem/router combo, check if they offer a standalone modem option—this disables routing and lets you use your own router, which Ubiquiti makes. Some ISPs, like Virgin Media in the UK, demand their coax modem/router but provide a mode to switch to pure modem functionality, enabling your own routing gear. Most people stick with dedicated modems because they're simple devices with limited settings. EDIT: Avoid Cat7 cables unless specified; they aren't TIA-approved and often need TERA or GG45 connectors instead of RJ45. Stick to Cat 6a, a recognized standard using standard RJ45 connectors. EDIT2: A UDM Pro could be useful—it manages UniFi apps, acts as router/gateway, NVR host, and offers Gigabit ports plus a 10G SFP+ uplink for servers. It simplifies management but lacks PoE ports, so you'd need additional equipment or injectors. The downside is only one HDD bay, which isn't ideal for business redundancy (though protect isn't recommended for business). For home use, it's a solid choice.
It makes sense that the issue could stem from routers being less reliable, even though modems generally work well. If the modem simply converts the signal, it should be fine. Your questions show you're thinking deeply about the setup. I’m curious—why did you choose this particular device? Was it your ISP’s product or something else? The path from modem to router to switch is logical for managing IP addresses. Regarding Ubiquiti, they don’t currently combine 48-port switches with routers in one unit. Your observation about the UK internet is interesting; it’s great you’re comparing experiences. BT/Virgin are catching up, but there’s still a gap compared to other regions.
In the United Kingdom we typically lack a wide selection of modern modem choices. My service provider supplied a combined modem and router, but you can’t change it to just a modem. I tried several models—like a costly Draytek Vigor and a Netgear unit—but the Draytek faced problems (possibly linked to other network issues at the time) and the Netgear one didn’t function properly. The unit I currently own is inexpensive, as it comes with separate modem and router components, and it’s operated smoothly for years, so there’s no need to switch anytime soon.
2. A modem merely transmits the incoming cable signal into a different format. While you can connect a switch directly to the modem, most consumer internet setups would only allow one device to access the web, because the ISP assigns a single public IP address. Other devices would compete for that limited resource, leading to connectivity issues. Many routers include NAT (Network Address Translation), which lets several local devices share one public IP by managing ports and headers. This prevents packets from reaching their destinations correctly. Local networks often use reserved ranges like 192.168.x.x, 172.16.x.x, or 10.x.x.x, with the latter being the most common for homes. These addresses aren’t routable publicly, so switches usually can’t perform this translation. NAT also blocks routing functions needed for devices to reach external networks unless the ISP’s gateway supports it.
Access points and routers are distinct technologies. Routers today often bundle multiple functions—such as Wi-Fi—into one unit, though many still lack a built-in access point, which is common in consumer models. Most Ubiquiti routers don’t include one, so they don’t support WiFi. Gigabit speeds are expanding, but coverage remains limited. BT and Openreach have split responsibilities: BT mainly handles IP infrastructure, while Openreach focuses on fiber expansion. Virgin Media operates its own coaxial networks, typically capping speeds around 300Mbps. I’m planning to move to a larger city soon, but even then I won’t have fiber until it’s more widespread.
I’m currently using VDSL modems; for fiber devices (which are essentially media converters), I shouldn’t worry too much about specific brands. However, without personal experience with fiber links from an ISP, it’s hard to give a definitive opinion on the differences between models.
Some modern devices marketed as modems actually function as internet gateways. They serve more than just connecting your local network to the ISP—they can also handle your LAN traffic. These units often combine a modem, router, switch, and sometimes an access point into one package. Standalone modems are still available for users relying on cable or coaxial service from their provider. If your ISP offers fiber connections, you might find fiber ONTs sold separately rather than through regular retail outlets. In certain cases, fiber providers may terminate the connection at a media converter, allowing you to connect your own router via Ethernet.
Thanks for your input. While watching a pfSense tutorial, I noticed the router is set to assign IP addresses, which matches what you mentioned. I’ll check the available options with my wife, as she’ll be coordinating with our ISP. I also reviewed a site and saw the Unifi setup suggested for a £78 router after the modem—this gives me clarity now. Appreciate the help!
Just reviewed the updates, thank you for the comments on this as well. It seems Cat6a is currently the best option. We might plan to switch sometime in January, so things in this area could shift. I’m considering estimating the needed quantity and purchasing a spool with about 20% extra. I’ve heard CAT7 offers more shielding (and Beijing’s noisy environment made it worse), which influenced my thought but maybe we can just add extra shielding precautions during installation. For the UDM Pro, I briefly looked into it before but wanted to brush up on details before diving back in. To confirm, would you recommend going ahead? Modem → Router (like USG) → UDM Pro → PoE Switch or injectors → APs + cameras, etc. I’d set up a home server eventually. Could I avoid storing recordings locally by backing them up to the server or offsite? I agree on redundancy, though if it can’t be built into the UDM-Pro hardware, backing up nightly would help. I’m sure everything will work, but as a new dad I want my daughter’s safety first!
Consider investing in an Ubiquiti system if you plan to use Protect. It offers solid firewall and router capabilities, though it doesn’t support hosting the UniFi controller locally, lacks built-in storage, and can’t handle 1Gbps WAN-to-LAN connections. For better performance with advanced features, opt for a UDM-Pro or UDM-Pro SE (coming soon). Your flowchart likely includes a server—some may find the UDM-Pro restrictive for complex needs. A pfSense or comparable firewall could provide superior integration with UniFi.
The UniFi NVR was built to manage redundancy for your Protect device recordings. The UDM-Pro provides everything needed to begin using Protect with a small number of cameras, though it isn't meant for full HD multi-camera configurations. Even though I don’t use Protect/NVR myself, I’m confident there’s a method to back up recordings to a NAS device. Fixed.
I just noticed that USG-Pro functions as a router too, which was my misunderstanding. Thanks for the clarification! I've been reviewing a video about pfSense for about half an hour now (still not finished). Concerning the server, its primary role would be storing files for our work—something my wife and I can access together, share, and switch between desktops and laptops smoothly. It could also serve as media storage for playback on TVs or projectors. I was thinking about remote file access while traveling, especially internationally. Would the UDM-Pro be able to handle that, or is this shifting more toward pfSense? I’m not really looking for advanced features right now, but I’m still figuring out what I don’t know.