Yes, a UniFi switch can manage several WAN connections.
Yes, a UniFi switch can manage several WAN connections.
I considered this since you're correct. The series isn't part of the Edge line, which means it needs downloadable tools for remote control. With the right software, it can be accessed via a web browser through Java, effectively creating a WebUI. I’m puzzled as to why both lines aren’t standard WebUIs—it would simplify management greatly. It wouldn’t require installing programs on every device you wish to oversee.
These products cater to various scenarios, though they share common hardware components. Devices like Edgerouter and Edgeswitch function as complete solutions managed through standard interfaces—CLI via SSH or serial connections, with a basic web interface on each unit. They operate independently, offering no enhanced capabilities when paired together. Unifi, on the other hand, is a unified platform that consolidates switch, router, and access point configurations into one interface. It simplifies tasks such as launching a new SSID in a dedicated VLAN, granting internet access while isolating it from other networks. The controller software also adds functionalities like guest network management, billing options, and remote monitoring through the Unifi Cloud. A limitation is that certain Edge series features are absent or delayed in Unifi, due to redevelopment for the integrated system. This solution belongs to the Software Defined Networking (SDN) category, with competitors such as Meraki and Ruckus offering similar technologies—though the latter primarily serve enterprise environments and datacenters. Mikrotik provides a wireless controller (CAPsMAN) for APs but lacks broader capabilities. Users often choose Edge devices like EdgeRouter or EdgeSwitch when they need features missing from Unifi, prefer traditional setups, or want to experiment with newer hardware. Recent 10Gb switches are typically released as standalone edge devices before Unifi versions appear. Unifi shines for centralized management and shared admin responsibilities, especially if you don’t require all its advanced tools. When alternatives lack a unified management system, non-Unifi routers can deliver many independent functions that a USG cannot.
For my own network I chose the Ubiquiti US-16-XG, a managed full 10Gbit switch. It handles basic features like jumbo packets and VLANs since it supports multiple networks without needing broadcast traffic to clients on other networks. Before this switch, the two networks used PPP over a /30 subnet, limiting client addition at 10Gbit speeds. I’m planning to get a 48-port Gigabit switch from Ubiquiti and might opt for the Unifi version again because I don’t need the most advanced capabilities—I’ll likely set up VLANs instead. I won’t purchase a Unifi gateway; I’m thinking about building a pfSense box. I could explore Unifi APs, but I doubt Cisco will make a 16-port 10Gbit switch affordable.