Support for Ubiquiti UniFi solutions
Support for Ubiquiti UniFi solutions
Hello everyone, my parents use the home network through an IPS and AP combo, but it doesn’t meet their expectations. They want a higher-quality setup. At work we switched to Cisco Meraki, which is functioning well. For the home, the current costs feel too high, so I’m searching for alternatives. Their needs include a premium brand with a 2.5G link between all PCs and the NAS, no extra wiring, and a stable solution that can expand with additional APs. They also want Ubiquiti UniFi for security cameras, which fits their requirements. The plan is to install two Switch Enterprise 8 PoE units, one Access Point per floor, and a CloudKey+ (UCK-G2-PLUS) to manage the network and add cameras later. If needed, a Dream Machine could replace the CloudKey+. Since they likely won’t need a UniFi gateway, it seems the CloudKey+ offers a good balance of features. I’m open to suggestions on missing parts or more affordable options. Any advice would be appreciated!
Premium features come with an investment, not just in price. Managing and fixing issues becomes more challenging, so you’ll need strong IT expertise. While UniFi sites can be controlled through the cloud, the controller must have WAN access to function properly. Keep these points in mind. What cables are currently installed? Are they full copper or copper-clad? Avoiding the U6 Enterprise is a good choice since it lacks the necessary 2.5Gbps PoE+ port. This limitation affects the UCK and restricts the number of cameras you can run in Protect—responsiveness may slow down with more devices. The UDR also struggles under heavy load. The UDM-Pro/SE offers better processing power for UniFi Protect. You mentioned premium, correct? Although Ubiquiti isn’t the cheapest option, they aim to provide a glimpse of high-end, professional-grade equipment. They’re not as refined as dedicated hardware. The trade-off is you’ll be responsible for your own support. If I were helping my parents set up a network, I’d keep things simple—just restart devices and troubleshoot when needed. An Asus AiMesh system can handle multi-gig speeds on wired connections if you’re willing to learn and fix issues yourself.
Thanks for your response and observations. It seems all connections should be made with copper, even though I only verified the cables on the NAS and PC. Probably just a cost consideration. Currently there are no WiFi6E devices installed, and based on what I see, it makes sense to use wired connections for devices needing fast and reliable links. I’ve removed the CloudKey+ and will run the UniFi app on my PC to set everything up now. If this resolves their networking problems, we can transition to an UDM-Pro/SE later if they decide to add cameras. The order is confirmed and should arrive before the holidays, giving me time to install it. This lets me familiarize myself with the UniFi hardware and software, using it as a small test setup. If it performs well, I may consider adopting it for our new home next summer.