UniFi Setup
UniFi Setup
Hello. I need to buy about 30 UniFi access points, focusing on AC-AP-Pro and AC-AP-Lite models. I'm also interested in a 48-port PoE switch or several 8-port ones. Can you suggest compatible switches that support all these devices together? Do I need to set anything up on the switch?
For such setups the configuration can stay open if you intend a large bulk network. With 30 APs you might surpass the 253 client limit based on your network type (business, school or public). You’ll also require a method to manage the APs and smoothly switch devices as users move. Something similar to a cloud key could help, but it may not be enough for 30 units. To segment these groups into separate subnets you’ll need VLANs and trunk ports, which means adjusting the switches and routers. You’ll need PoE-compatible switches limiting you to about 180 feet of Cat5e/Cat6 cable. Unless the space is heavily reinforced, you’ll likely need more than one switch to distribute the APs evenly. Or consider reducing the number of APs if the environment doesn’t demand 30. Using fiber optics with multiple PoE switches could greatly expand placement options, though it would be a complex project. Can you clarify your requirements?
Could you discuss this on Discord for faster communication? For a business setting, we might limit ourselves to 16 or 24 APs. I’m not sure if this will cover everything. We already have Cat6a throughout the walls, with a few more in the ceiling and on the walls. Would that be sufficient?
You need to evaluate the coverage of each AP and match it with the room size. Make sure there’s overlap at the boundaries of each AP to avoid gaps. A closer look shows Cat6 is better than Cat5e for PoE/PoE+ applications, though the difference isn’t huge beyond supporting 10GBASE-T over full 328f length like regular gigabit on Cat5e. Going further, voltage output and demand of PoE devices affect cable length limits. A 24V supply can only power OM series APs up to around 50MHz, whereas standards like 802.3af and 802.3at claim full 100MHz capability. Generally, CISCO suggests Cat6a works well for this use case, though Cat5e might be preferred depending on your needs.
You'll need to choose the right AP power source or add a PoE injector/booster along the path. You might also run AC power directly to the AP in ceilings or walls. Estimate how many devices the network should handle. Determine if they require internet access or just connectivity to other network elements. Consider whether the setup should be part of a domain. For business environments, limiting client access is crucial to reduce security risks. Also think about using VLANs for clients—this boosts security, reduces broadcast traffic, and improves performance while simplifying troubleshooting.
Have you examined the Unifi switches? Their advantage lies in managing switches and APs through a single interface. What are your strategies for deploying the Unifi Controller? The Cloud Key Gen 2 accommodates up to 50 APs. Avoid the Cloud Key Gen 1, despite its lower cost—it presents significant problems. You can also deploy the controller on various machines or in the cloud. The software is a Java application that hosts an HTTP/S server. There are versions for both Windows and Linux; I suggest using Ubuntu Server or Debian. The controller must operate continuously if you need the guest login portal to function or if you require user and event tracking. If those features aren’t essential, limit its operation to when changes are made. But beware—do not run the controller solely on someone’s personal computer. If it’s lost and there’s no backup, you’ll be unable to implement network adjustments without affecting all devices.
CloudKey V2 and V2+ are both updates to the CloudKey platform, but V2+ includes additional features and improvements over V2.