Some concerns about enhancing my home network with Ubiquiti
Some concerns about enhancing my home network with Ubiquiti
Hey there! I'm looking into switching from my old Asus router to a Ubiquiti Unifi setup. I've heard they're solid and dependable. With a 250/250 fiber connection in a 70m apartment housing 15-25 devices, I'm trying to decide between a full Unifi configuration or using an edge router with an SFP and AP AC Lite. Some people suggest the edge+AP over a full setup without clear reasons. What are the key benefits of a full Unifi system beyond just the interface? How does a basic access point compare to a Pro model? Should I just purchase an Ubiquiti AP and build a small pfSense device, or is there a better middle ground?
1. It's because the edgerouters have more advanced features, which is better if you know more about networking and want to homelab things. Also edgerouters tend to be cheaper / faster, but UniFi has the nicer interface. 2. UniFi as router has IDS / IPS, but note that enabling IPS will cripple connection speed to 80Mb/s on USG. You get the full pretty interface on UniFi controller. It's a fair lot easier to configure unifi remotely from the UniFi controller vs Edgerouters (Which are meant to be standalone. There is the UNMS software for connecting edgerouter products, but still in beta / needs Linux to run it). Remote management via UniFi website. 3. Lite has less internal antenna and runs at a slower speed. AC Pros have two ethernet ports (Though you only really need one) and if you wanted to upgrade, the AC Pro use the same base as the AC HDs. You can also consider the NanoHDs. I run two AC Pros myself. 4. It is possible to run it like this, but pfsense can be a bit rough for people starting out (I wouldn't use pfsense if I were installing for a non techy client). Also if you are going this route, I would run pfsense in a VM, have another VM that has Linux and have that run UniFi controller for you. If you want the official pfsense hardware, they sell NetGate Pfsense prebuilt routers. Otherwise you are building yourself one, I would pick Ryzen (Affordable and good performance for the price) Also, you do not have to buy a cloud key, you can run unifi controller on a server / PC, or keep it on your phone. It does not have to be running 24/7 after you get the initial setup done. It is neat to leave it running though, you can stare at usage logs. Ah, since you only will have one AP, I would just stick to a normal switch (Unless you want to see what device is connected to what port / get data logs). Be careful though, some of the new packaging of AC Lite / Pros do not come with the POE Injector (Which you do need to turn the AP on)
For most small businesses or homes, I’d opt for the USG (Unifi Security Gateway) and keep everything unified under Unifi. Just use the smallest switch that fits your 60W 8-port setup – it’ll suffice.
To address your points:
1. Full Unifi is more convenient since you manage one interface and everything stays synchronized. The Edge + AC combo comes down to personal choice; Edgerouter offers extra control if you’re comfortable with it.
2. It simplifies updates and traffic monitoring, letting you track user activity and device issues easily at home or work.
3. For households, lighter devices work best; in offices, higher performance is preferable.
This approach suits those who enjoy hands-on networking tasks. If you just need a reliable network at home, the Unifi path is ideal. @scottyseng you were typing together!
Here’s a revised version of your message:
Thanks for the thorough explanations. Your team does an amazing job! I’m currently pursuing computer science, so a command-line interface isn’t intimidating for me—I just want reliable Wi-Fi. The chance to experiment and learn about networking is really appealing, so having a setup that supports this in the future would be ideal. Right now, I plan to stick with a full Unifi configuration since it seems the most beginner-friendly and stable option. If you’re comfortable, I have a few more questions: You said something might seem simple but what exactly is it? Is it suitable for someone new to networking? Could a Unifi installation handle my 250/250 and possibly 1000/1000 connections without slowing things down? Are there any benefits to choosing this approach over using professional hardware? I’m curious about the cost of the Nano model in my area. What’s the benefit of using official components versus building something yourself or getting a mini PC with AES support? Also, how would you describe the complexity of pfSense? I already have some Linux experience—just switched from Ubuntu to Arch after using it. Could a Unifi system enable me to set up a full network VPN?
Congratulations on this achievement! My background is in computer engineering, and I recently pursued a CCNA to support my career while continuing my studies. I’m not aiming to become a full-time programmer, but I’m learning about networking tools. When comparing CLI features between EdgeRouter and UniFi, IDS/IPS systems differ significantly—IDS alerts without blocking traffic, while IPS actively blocks packets. This extra processing can strain UniFi hardware, especially at higher speeds. USG routers handle gigabit performance well, but security features become less efficient once IPS/IDS are enabled. MuMIMO is available on the NanoHD model, though I personally prefer the Pro version for better performance. It’s worth noting that the NanoHD lacks a PoE injector and comes with limited support. Official hardware includes warranties and power-efficient CPUs. For those unfamiliar with PFSense, it seems less practical for home use due to performance issues and UI quirks; alternatives like Untangle might be more suitable. VPNs can reduce speed on USG routers, though they’re not ideal for everyday browsing.
I transitioned from DD-WRT to OpenWRT and then to pfSense. Adjusting to pfSense was a bit overwhelming, but it offers significantly greater capabilities. Now I manage four VPN connections so my VPS isn’t exposed online, host a remote VPN for when I’m away, use pfBlocker to filter suspicious IPs from reaching the network, and run various security tools. Whether it fits someone depends on their technical interests, but I usually find it worth considering. I recently switched to something comparable at https://amzn.to/2MP0IOF, though you likely only need a couple of ports—LAN traffic should go through a switch.
Thanks again! I also found out you can run the controller software on your NAS, which means you won’t have to spend money on a cloud key – that’s a plus. The only downside is the VPN speed, so maybe checking out pfSense would help if needed. @Alex Atkin UK Appreciate your help! I’m a bit worried about how much time it’ll take to set everything up. How challenging do you think installing a pfSense router would be for someone with limited FREANAS and Linux experience? Also, I’d love to save up to $250 or less. Do you have any suggestions? Any beginner guides or tutorials you recommend so I can get started quickly? I want to reduce downtime since multiple people use the internet at home.
If you're evaluating a UAP proxy, opt for the Nano model. It's essentially an updated and enhanced version of the original. You'll experience slightly reduced performance at 2GHz, but it offers four times faster MU-MIMO at 5GHz and a much compact design. Choosing a full Ubiquiti setup is similar to selecting Cisco, Meraki, Razer, Apple, or any other brand—it provides convenience. The Ubiquiti ecosystem simplifies things significantly when you use a controller. For a reliable, low-maintenance solution, I wouldn't recommend pfsense on generic hardware unless it's paired with Netgate equipment. Personally, I'd prefer the USG instead.
I believe that's what I'm going to do, maybe try out pfSense with a VM or an old computer if I can find one nearby. Also, based on what I see, I could potentially place pfSense in front of the USG later if needed. Thanks for the helpful information!