Yes, MicroTik APs support roaming with CAPMAN.
Yes, MicroTik APs support roaming with CAPMAN.
The price difference between an UDM-Pro and a standard MikroTik router exceeds $200. It would be simpler to operate the APs independently using a MikroTik router instead of relying on the UDM-Pro and Cloud Key. Your observation about UniFi's roaming performance is worth considering.
When purchasing a UDM-Pro, using a Cloud Key isn't possible because the device handles its own controller software internally. The Cloud Key becomes irrelevant unless you need to separate your APs from your gateway—this is just a humorous point. In practice, the Cloud Key works best with routers like Mikrotik, especially if you want continuous operation. It’s not essential for devices that stay on all the time and have enough resources. For NAS setups, the Cloud Key serves as a dedicated controller unit. Mikrotik and Unifi are similar in normal use, but Unifi supports Fast Roaming while Mikrotik does not. This can cause brief interruptions during calls if you switch APs, mainly due to technical limitations of Mikrotik. The difference is mostly about features unavailable on Mikrotik at the moment. I fully endorse using Mikrotik with Unifi APs. Their routing setup closely mirrors a Linux server role, which can be tricky for some users. If you only needed a single AP, Mikrotik is ideal and self-contained. I should clarify now that the reference was likely about Mikrotik paired with a Cloud Key, not the UDM-Pro specifically.
Based on what we discussed, it seems the controller doesn’t have to stay active for a smooth roaming experience with UniFi APs. Yes, that’s correct—MikroTik and Cloud Key are all set.
It depends on whether Fast Roaming is active or not. When it's off, the controller doesn't affect the roaming experience at all. Enabling it changes things slightly, as APs handle some coordination automatically—though certain tasks might only occur once daily. Once enabled, you can set up the controller on a computer and later move it to a cloud key. Just restore your backup and update the APs accordingly. Whichever location you use, always back up your data before making changes.
I don't have direct experience with the cAP AC, but from the data sheets I can gather, the UAP-AC-Lite offers slightly better gain at both frequencies compared to the standard model. This results in a stronger signal along the direction of the ceiling when mounted and a weaker signal vertically. The shape appears more flattened and wider. Maximum transmit power is nearly identical for both models. At 2.4GHz, the cAP AC tends to be slightly more powerful, while at 5GHz it's a bit stronger for the UAP-AC-Lite. Overall, the differences are minor and hard to distinguish.
Cloud key appears to be $180, so I’ll run the controller on my old PC, which acts as a temporary server. Do you know if the UniFi controller can be easily moved to another device when needed? I probably plan to transfer it to a home lab server I intend to buy in about six months.
Reviewed the compatibility and found UAP-AC-LITE doesn’t handle fast roaming well. It looks like a concern since I experience call drops while moving around using WiFi calling. Would call drops be normal with this type of device? I’m trying to stay under $700 for nanoHD gear.