UniFi Basics: Start the Right Way Without Breaking the Bank!

[@brandobond]

When I bought my home a few years ago one of the selling features was that it had wired networking to almost every room. Found a good deal on a used Unifi 48 port switch which allowed me to actually connect all the ethernet cables that led back to my network closet. Also bought a basic unifi AP (NanoHD). Fast forward to today and I have now added a UCG Ultra and upgraded to a U7 Pro AP. The old AP has been relocated to the garage. Very happy with everything.

[@earldavison3513]

I built my UniFi network using this channel as the primary resource. First came the UDM pro. Then a 24 port POE switch, 2 - 8 port POE switches in outbuildings with nine access points across 5 buildings on a 1 acre lakeside lot. Overkill? ABSOLUTELY. All buildings have a Cat 5e back haul to the 24 port switch/UDM Pro. I have full bars on every inch of the property. The network has been rock solid from day one. Thanks Chris!

[@adminnimda8632]

Which AP's did you go with? I'm designing for a similar situation. I'm planning on getting a UDM Pro, 24port POE switch, and then the AP's in the house with placement to cast signal to the guest house on my property as well as a moderate signal to a shed 200ft away and my parent's house across the street to power a low-end security camera (my Deco mesh network is currently doing a good job on coverage, just with horrible latency). I wish they had a U7-In-Wall with 4 ports (that wasn't garbage, as I hear the U6 IW units are). I'm considering getting the U7 Pro Max as the main AP, and then adding on additional APs as needed down the road.

[@SeattleSandro]

I love my home UniFi network. I've got a UDM Pro, a 16-port POE switch, and 3 WiFi 6 access points covering my house. I've also got a couple of UniFi cameras for security. My network is rock solid and has been, since day one. It's easy to manage, easy to expand, and easy on the budget for what I get. I've learned a lot from this channel and from Canadian Cody.

[@barygol]

Aren't there better security IP cameras? Did you buy Unifi's because the Ecosystem? I control all of my domotic home with Home Assistant. Are they HA compatible?

[@SeattleSandro]

@@barygol There probably are better cameras, but I can't say for sure. I have a UDM Pro which has a drive bay for recording footage and I can manage the cameras along with my other UniFi devices, so yeah, i guess it was because of the ecosystem. I also manage my house with HomeAssistant and yes, using Scrypted, my UniFi cameras and their sensors are visible in HA.

[@henrik12345]

Hi, Would you mind having a short talk about your setup? It sound quite alot like the one I am currently designing. But as a newb I would like to ensure that i get it right ;)

[@noflrs]

You have no idea how much more relived and confident i am now building my home network.

[@discy12345]

Very smart to create a product-selector with a kickback URL. Providing value for us and money for you :).

[@TheLintensCompany]

In Europe we have brick/concrete houses by default, so here it's more like 1 or multiple access points per floor depending on the number of walls and size of the house.

[@ArnoSchmidt70]

I have 6 in my two story home with brick walls.

[@mwituszy]

HI @@ArnoSchmidt70 Just to make sure i understand - the biggest benefit is that when you move around my own home i do not need to switch to different networks? i have currently 3 networks(1st floor, ground floor and basement) and it is working ok but switching needs to be done most of the time manually as even if you are in the 1floor you still have weak signal from ground floor and device is sticking to it. so unifi will allow us to benefit from the strongest AP and the switch will be seamless ? yes?

[@janl.3046]

@@mwituszyexactly. But I wouldn’t overload my place with access points, that makes roaming harder for the devices. Start with maybe one in the basement and one on the first floor and try to figure out, where your speeds/ connection is not how you like it. UniFi offers a great hardware and software combo, but they can’t beat physical and technical limitations of radios for example. So playing around with the devices (min. RSSI and the location, just to name a few options) is key.

[@dontworry1302]

@@mwituszy Yes, it will be a seamless experience, just be sure to not overbuy access points. If you have too many, it can lead to the device hunting for the strongest signal and killing battery. There is an online tool that you can use to layout a floorplan and see how many you need, or you can do one per floor alternating which side of the house.

[@DaMook82]

I have my express on the ground floor and a U6+ on the first floor. Works great. Even with only the express i have internet on the attic, maybe not the fastest, but it still works for streaming (not 4k).

[@MikeBTeeVee]

THIS is the video I’ve been looking for weeks! Finally, a thorough explanation. You’re doing god’s work

[@davidweiner3365]

I have set up 3 homes for myself, and I just upgraded to Gateway Ultra for two of them and the Dream ROUTER for the other. From there I use 8 port POE switches. For access points I started with the UAP AC Pro a few years ago, but I'm slowly migrating to the U6 access points. One home is 5500 sf and three access points covers it well. I love the Unifi system for the ability to set up VLANs and multiple WIFIs for guests and IOT.

[@Cloud-yp4eh]

Here in the UKwoth our house construction (bricks / steel / concrete I have lots of installs that use over 10 APs. Love Unifi. Thanks for the great content

[@GarrettThornburg]

But what if I want to break the bank because I can stop whenever I want I swear!

[@mrman991]

then Cisco have some kit you can buy

[@not2tired]

@@mrman991 Yep. For example, Cisco probably has a $24000 power injector available

[@roger38888]

I blamed Chris as the sole culprit of my Unifi network and my broken wallet. My wife is not happy with him.

[@mikemcdonald5147]

no you can't!!!1 smacks your hand Now put that credit card down!!!!! LOL :)

[@theo_mande]

@@mrman991 like which one ?

[@johnson554671]

3:15 WOW you really caught my interest after showing the UI Product Selector you put together. New watcher of your channel now!

[@afmoa]

Another great UI pitch. I have a UDMP for the house. I recently added a detached garage to my property and have heard horror stories of underground copper network cables being affected by nearby lightning strikes. I wanted a non-conductive alternative. I went with a Switch 8 PoE (150W) connected VIA SFP adapters and fiber to the UDMP. I have cameras, AP and such connected to it. It's working out great!

[@PilotPlater]

Thank you for this video. I was completely lost on how to set up my unifi access point because the app interface doesn't give access to all settings without a controller. Set up a controller on an always-on PC and now it's great. Changed my wifi band settings for 10x the speed!

[@Vespura_]

Thanks for this video, i was looking for one just like it, and this is the only one that answers all of my questions. Perfect timing!

[@Tatus_legarius]

I’m one month in with my UCG Ultra, U6 Pro AP and the 16 POE Lite switch. Completely new to all this, it’s been a lot of fun

[@guggie]

I built my network out 3 years ago when we bought a home with in wall Ethernet (Cat 5e.) Mostly done with assistance from KZbinrs like you! UDM Pro USW 16 PoE 4 In Wall HDs (I love these for their ability to just plug into an existing Ethernet wall jack and act as a switch) 3 Flex Minis for behind entertainment centers The setup has been outstanding. The WiFi 5 In Walls are fine for our needs. If anything, the 4 APs are probably overkill. I do have thoughts on what I’d do differently if starting now, like planning for 2.5Gb so I could upgrade to more powerful APs in the future, but I haven’t seen a need for that yet.

[@gutwallst6645]

I'm using the UDR and it covers my entire house 3 floors, my house is 100 yr old with plaster walls. I have an additional access point, but the UDR is so good that the access point doesn't have any clients on it

[@jasonperry6046]

Would love to know if the products Ubiquiti just released change your hardware picks for this video.

[@MichaelGraves3304]

I like the Flex switch with POE pass through. It's an excellent way to leverage a single POE+ feed to an attic where it then connects to several cameras and an AP.

[@johnvanwinkle4351]

This is great information for those interested in Unifi for their home setup.

[@FStewartIII]

thank you very much for this video. I am not yet in the Unifi family, but have been given the go ahead from my wife after multiple issues with our Linksys router. While we both are happy with our Ring cameras and doorbell, I will plan on a system whereby I could use Unifi cameras in the future.

[@CrosstalkSolutions]

Wife approval achievement unlocked!

[@killerplank1]

Great coverage of this issue. As a pharmacy employee I can tell you everything is spot on

[@davejohnson5780]

Best overview i have seen, including defining terms, parts of the whole system and pics to go along with. thanks

[@KIWIGAMERINE]

one thing that would be usefull in the product selector it to have a description of what each of the app filters is for for people who don't remember or If they cant find this video again like how you quickly listed them at 4:00

[@louiem5985]

GREAT VIDEO!!!! I know when I first started I just jump into buying UDM-Pro and bought 1 wifi device, and 1 camera. I then followed your videos on how to setup the device. Had to wait about 1 month before I started building my network because of the cost. Wish I would of started like you mention in the video but glad I just jumped in the ocean.. since then I have updated my network to more devices. Keep up the great work, and look forward on more videos.

[@Techrodd]

Your selecter site is offline.

[@deonh9303]

Great into video Chris - thx. Here the installs get very expensive very quickly because the houses are all brick & mortar and mostly with concrete slabs between floors. Also a lot of the installs we deal with are where the owners only think about wifi AFTER the fact - but alas, once done the customers seldom look back 🤗

[@Sotzrem2007]

For my film lighting console. Went with the unify express and a tp-link 16port (already had, plus space is a concern) 3 POE++ injectors for 2x U6 Mesh Ip67 units, and 1 Lumen radio Stardust (for wireless DMX). This rig is mobile and is used for location shooting often runs on battery power.

[@toxxie2810]

I use Mikrotik routers and switches, and I have a couple of Synology NAS'. I'm hosting my own Controller and installed a Unifi 6 LR today. It was such an easy process.. Everything from creating the docker to surfing the web over wifi. And the controller interface is really nice... Kind of funny when compared to working around RouterOS!

[@nfmc6640]

Exactly what I was looking for. Helpful advice. Thanks 👍

[@clellbritt3434]

I've really wanted to get a UDR for my home network, but they are never in stock. The setup you mentioned in the video is exactly what I had specked out for me.

[@rujith]

They're just promoting black market now

[@jeffalarson]

Thanks very much for all of your help. Dream Machine SE and U6 Enterprise replaced my rented Verizon FiOS equipment thanks to you and some others. Busy smart home with 65 connected clients, rocket ship fast from anywhere in and out of the house (1000sqft). As soon as I can talk myself into running some Ethernet cable I'm replacing my Arlo system next : )

[@jcpuga1]

I really like Unifi products. I have a U6+ and I'm planning to get a UCG-Ultra, but I find the switches too expensive. I'll use a managed switch from TP Link and a POE injector instead. It doesn't make sense to pay the same for an 8-port switch as for a Gateway.

[@andrewmcdonald6108]

New to Unifi gear, it's the 'Apple' of networking gear. Great quality, great integration, rock solid. I have a UCG Ultra, a 16 port POE unifi switch and three access points. Upgrading today to the UDM pro as I want to start throwing up some unifi camera's. Great video, many thanks. 🤗

[@Ankkuli]

No these are not Apple of networking gear. Apple doesn't require you to do hours of research and consider millions of different little gizmos which maybe do the same things and others don't and dive deep into the settings to make it work, and it still may end in disaster. Networking is a nightmare and Ubiquiti is not making it any better.

[@Cobinja]

I currently run the network controller in a docker container on a raspberry pi to manage my ubiquiti wifi. The rest of my network is (currently) from other manufacturers

[@daddydeadpool1531]

Great video for beginners 😊 - the best decision I made three years ago. Unifi is brilliant - stable and user friendly.

[@ericstromquist9458]

Great video! I just subscribed. Question for you. We are early in the build building a 2 story stretched out 6000 sq ft house. I want to use the ceiling mounted APs. My question is whether they radiate up or only down (or if power radiating up is significantly less). I’ve assumed they radiate mainly down, so I’m thinking of 3 on the top floor and two on the lower floor. If they are omnidirectional then I probably don’t need three on the top floor. Thanks!

[@NuttyElf]

Did you ever find an answer to this?, i am actually also building a 2 story 6,000 sqft house lol. I was even thinking of just doing 3x on the top floor if they radiate down.

[@melanieweber3902]

Great video for a first timer, thank you !!!! As I've been researching and putting together our system one thing that I don't think was mentioned is the NVR. Which NVR do your recommend for a small home installation?

[@meRyanP]

The setup you provide at the end is very close to what I got as my first Unifi setup last month. Cloud Gateway Ultra, Lite 8 port switch, U6 Pro, and two flex minis. If I could go back and do it again I'd get the 16 port lite switch you talk about because I already have the need to expand on the switch, so the 16 port lite is on my radar for the future. I'm renting now so I didn't need protect, but once we buy our home I'll upgrade everything so I can run protect.

[@AngryGibberish]

Thank you for this. This information was exactly what i was looking for

[@21band]

My setup I’m a beginner UniFi Claud gateway ultra Switch Poe lite Access point u7 pro Very happy

[@mikekelley6885]

I'm thinking of the above but just adding an additional outdoor unit to cover behind the house.

[@KirbyTank]

Great video! I've just started getting in the realm of unifi and this is just what I needed. Do you happen to have a video on port forwarding (do I do this through the controller? Gateway? Or switches?) and creating vlans using unifi? I'd really like to see how the software works for both these and what extra devices are needed for vlans especially when it comes to communicating cross vlans and permissions.

[@stevebeschakis9775]

A few years ago, I bought the 6P EdgeRouter, one of their switches and their WAP. Very happy with the gear and the management suite. Lets me physically isolate my IoT stuff and Windows box on a separate physical network, away from the 'real' computers.

[@MattFerguson26]

If hooking up cameras, how does it store recordings? Or do we need the switch with local HDD storage?

[@bonro001]

Great overview! Curious on something. If I do the gateway and AP you recommend how do I extend this if I don't have wires in my home? Do I have to start with a mesh AP to add mesh AP's? I have a larger 2 story home with a large backyard and currently run the TPLink Deco with an outdoor mesh, it does OK but thinking about updating to your suggestions. Thanks again!

[@James_Knott]

I have a Unifi AC-Lite AP which more than covers my condo. I have the controller installed on my Linux computer. I also have a Cisco 8 port switch and my firewall/router is pfSense on a mini PC. Works well!

[@toneloc79]

Wish there is like starter kit everything in one package to get started with nice video

[@Jase013]

Great video, thanks for sharing. I'm located on a farm and was recommended, through a forum, to start with ai UniFi Dream WiFi 6 Router and two UAP-AC-M . After watching your video, I'm not sure I need the UDR as I already have a router connected to satellite internet (not Starlink). I know I have quote a bit to learn!!! hahahaha

[@Arie_vds]

I could follow you until the switch/ap part. I feel that the 8-port switch ultra is overkill for most and the 8-port lite switch is not only cheaper but with 4 POE ports provides plenty of options for future expansion. Also: 60 watts feed A LOT more devices than 2 or 3. my Unifi 6+ AP's draw like 4-5 watts, my CK2 plus draws 6 watts and my flex poe switch around 8 (with one AP attached). I also think that the distinction is not so much between Wifi 5, 6 or 7, but between the pro and non-pro versions. In home settings the Pro versions dont offer anything as they are only capable of handling more clients, not have better coverage as ppl tend to think. Lastly, I think that starters should look at getting second hand AC (wifi 5) AP's to get good coverage in their homes. Coming of a single Wifi Router and moving into Unifi, the coverage from a single Unifi AP is often worse so getting two used AC (wifi 5) AP's for the price of one AX (wifi 6) AP is a good choice. Especially the HD Nano is a very strong value bet with its 4x4 mimo antennas. Used Unifi equipment in general gives good bang for buck, with ppl uprgrading their DM Pro's for instance or their AC AP's for wifi 6 or even 7. Just steer clear of the old school USG as it's low specs make it obsolete today, would be my only exception.

[@markbarta2369]

The thing a lot of people miss is network design outlook and capabilities changed for the industry between Wifi5 and Wifi6. They moved away from one router/AP trying to do everything to more APs in tighter areas(BSS coloring). Wifi 6 and Wifi 7 operate on the assumption that the density of wifi devices is only going to increase, and crosstalk/interference from neighboring routers/APs (that you likely have no control over) is only going to increase. So they want to reduce the amount of power Wifi devices are throwing around(there's a Wifi 6 protocol for that too). Which means Ubiquiti is going where the Wifi Alliance wants things to go with Wifi 6 and 7, shorter ranged APs with higher throughputs in order to reduce bandspace congestion for other neighboring users. Tim "The Tool Man" Taylor is not supposed to be giving his Wifi APs "MORE POWER," it creates more problems than it solves in more urbanized environments.

[@leonardxander6512]

I plan to place an order to replace my ISP equipment (1Gbps connection). I wonder if you still recommend Unify Cloud Gateway, 1x U6 Pro, 1x 16POE LITE, 1x LITE MINI for home network to start with? My doorbell is Reolink cable connected and thats it for any camera (here I just use Reolink app).

[@binghamjd]

Great video. Really opened my eyes and demystified unifi. Real Question: What is the make/model of that digital picture frame on the wall behind you? I need that in my life!

[@Danielhogstrom1]

Wonderful video. Is Gateway Max better if I have 1.5Gbps internet the GW Light?

[@austintysver7366]

I’m currently running the UDR which is powering a U6+ and a AC Mesh over POE. That was one thing that sold me on the UDR was the ability to have two POE ports included on the 4 port onboard switch. It’s an honorable mention in my opinion.

[@nrgonline]

I’m running ultra gateway with the 210w ultra switch with a 60w ultra switch with a u6-lr access point. It’s a great system. I’ve installed many dream machine pro for small business and large home. Ultra line is perfect for small homes.

[@fishbulb101]

So weird that I've been looking right at this time. And here's the video to help

[@fulvioandreani7879]

Thanks - great video as always! I have a dated UniFi system with a USG& CK that I want to upgrade and also add cameras. I would get a CloudKey+ for the cameras; does the Cloud Gateway Ultra work as a gateway for the CK+ or do I need a different gateway (Gateway Lite or Max)?

[@RussellKasem]

This is coming at the perfect time as I am planning my home network for our new house. Ive been using typical household equipment but I want something that is 2.5/5gbps capable as our fiber connection is available in higher speeds. Debating between going full Ubiquiti or maybe a fancy TP-link Wifi 7 Router.

[@bikeomatic8005]

If I have a modem from my cable tv/internet provider - do I still need to buy Gateway/Router or can I connect my ISP modem to Ubiquity switch and run cables to all the devices around the house from there ?

[@wotsthestory]

Just went to use your Product Selector. Missing multi-wan option for searching. IMO one of the hardest things to wade through between gateway types.

[@CrosstalkSolutions]

Excellent suggestion…I’ll add that!

[@feastwithethan9412]

I get the start off with basics but this is how you get sucked in and then it's just upgrade after upgrade after upgrade. I want this. I want that. Never ends.

[@rodioleary]

Great video but what about the CloudKey? As a Unifi starting point I bought the Cloudkey+ to run my APs and cameras.

[@Sevenfeet0]

Thank you for reminding me about the Flex. We have a TPLink 5 port switch in our kitchen and I never liked having a power cord to feed to it alongside the Ethernet cable. For $29 I don’t have to.

[@Ramnathk]

Thanks a bunch for this. It really helped me get a handle of how to approach this. Quick question though, why the U6 Pro/Plus? I saw you use the U6Mesh in that lake house build for the entire house, so was curious about the distinction

[@chaosfenix]

The Ultra really is a cool switch though you didn't call out its killer feature. PoE Passthrough. You can power it with PoE++ which it can then split and provide POE output to other devices. This means you do NOT need to have it plugged into an outlet. I have the older USW-Flex deployed in my attic to run an AP and cameras from it and it is amazing.

[@CrosstalkSolutions]

Agreed it's cool! But beginners who are buying that switch for their homes aren't going to be using it that way.

[@chaosfenix]

@@CrosstalkSolutions Yes but maybe because they don't realize it is possible. Even though I had been in IT for 15 years and had used PoE for multiple APs in my home I didn't realize that PoE passthrough was a thing until a friend of mine told me he was looking for a switch that supported it for a doctors office he was installing some cameras in.

[@mrs5850]

So I live in a 2 floored brick home. When using the planning tools it looks like 1 u6+ would cover the whole floor. How would I plan for the ground floor ? Would 1 penetrate 2 floors ?

[@jetblast1212]

There would be penetration through the floor, but probably not a stable connection. I've had great success with the U6Pro, just a little more expensive than the U6+, but so much better in every meaningful way. For the ground floor, if you don't have ceiling access for another U6Pro, the U6IW is great for some retrofits.

[@BoraHorzaGobuchul]

When I tested a u6-lr in my home, I put it in the second floor, it covered it and most of the 1st floor and quite a lot of the area outside my house. However, in some areas of the 1st floor, as well as outside, the signal was obviously worse, and in some areas of the 1st floor very bad. One could live with it but of course for best results several aps - at least one per floor, and at least a couple for a larger land plot around the house would be ideal. This depends greatly on the aps used, materials of the house, its geometry, ap placement, and (as always with wifi) outside factors such as local radio environment, channels used, so on. Best method is initial planning with a simulation, then testing the coverage with the ap-on-a-stick method.

[@neomage2021]

I am running unifi network as a docker image on unraid. I already have been using an old ac pro for years that is being moved to my shop and just ordered: Switch Pro Max 16 PoE Access Point U7 Pro Max Access Point U7 Pro 2Gb internet, 10Gb between my switches and to the unraid server, 2.5Gb everywhere else. MY hosue is very a long 3200 square feet. Will put the U7s on each end of the house and also run some reolink security cameras.

[@FurtzBR]

awesome video, it helped alot!!! cheers from Brazil

[@IntoxicatedVortex]

When it comes to the APs, there is a consideration between the U6+ and U6 Lite (amongst others) that is often overlooked until its too late is Protect All-In-One Sensor support. These are an extremely handy little sensor that doesn't connect to all APs due to a lack of BT implementation. The U6+ and U6 Lite are the same price for me in the EU and this can be an important distinction between them.

[@neiker234]

Great explanation, it has cleared up several doubts for me! Thanks!

[@ravil4230]

I got annoyed about the ISP "quality" router that wasnt able to handle all the clients (ca 20 that is not massive considering IoT and a family where everyone has phone and comp) so 1st thing I tried was EOL enterprise firewall that makes my home network now. Then I got annoyed about the wifi coverage and got 2 U6+ APs to mesh the house and yard around it. At first planned to use them as a standalone but then found that its possible to add unify controller to my NAS via docker. Next steps are at some point to retire the FW and get the unify gateway and preferably switch to separate IoT network from general network.

[@garymbushsr.7723]

With the introduction of the Cloud Gateway Max, would you suggest that over the Cloud Gateway Ultra? Modem/Router (Motorola) bought the farm this week and I need to get a new modem and thought I would go with a Unifi gateway. I have the 16 port switch lite and two Unifi APs.

[@joshuaobelenusable]

Heads up with the Flex-Mini, VLANs are a bit weird, the ports can be set to VLAN1 Untagged (all other VLANs tagged), or to a single VLAN untagged. You cant apply custom port profiles like you can the other switches. It is a nice switch for odd ball applications, but has limitations.

[@CrosstalkSolutions]

Good point - I only ever use those in an untagged port on my IoT VLAN.

[@paulpoco22]

What about the provider's Gateway or the provider's wifi booster pods that work fine?

[@Otuhh]

Would you consider doing a tp-link omada version of this video?

[@chaosfenix]

Just noticed but it may be good to call out that all of the links on the selector are afiliate links. I don't see anything wrong with it as I expected it and the selector you built is much better than what Ubiquiti has but it would probably be good to state it nonetheless.

[@DonDavie]

I have a large home, detached garage and 9 acres. I was thinking of using the CG Ultra - 2 outdoor mesh, 2 indoor APs and a 60 ghz bridge to a remote outbuilding that needs an AP as that's where I toss my family when they visit with their RV. The issue I have is the 60 ghz bridges.. Can one of the building bridges work with these or do I need to do a UISP install with the 60 ghz units?

[@pieterjanvl]

Just wondering: wouldn't the Swiss Army Knife AP be more suited for a basic outdoor access point? It's about half the price compared to the U6 Mesh. I've been in doubt between the two to cover a medium sized residential garden. Thanks for the video, and your entire channel. It's been one of my main sources on learning about Ubiquity and home networks.

[@CrosstalkSolutions]

Yes - the UK-Ultra would be great! But it's only Wi-Fi 5, and I was trying to stick with all the same Wi-Fi 6 technology in this video.

[@pieterjanvl]

@@CrosstalkSolutions Thanks for the quick reply! Looking forward to build my setup in the upcoming months.

[@monty00701]

great video - thank you!!

[@Twiggithy]

For my small house, the Express does everything I need it to. Neat little box.

[@brainz-brainz]

The only thing the cloud gateways are missing is USB support for a 5G hotspot for WAN failover. I really don’t like my Omada router but it does have this feature.

[@itsJoshW]

Anyway you can go over the Ubiquiti Modem and what's required to utilize this in a standard configuration for a home?

[@adriencatoire4509]

Hi ! Thanks so much for the video I leave in France and when you subscribe an internet offer here you get the router from the internet supplier that has 4 ethernet outputs and a WiFi connection in it. Question : can I still plug 3 antenas directly from the ports ? Or do I still need a gateway ?

[@JJFlores197]

Yes that will work, but you first need to power your access points. Ubiquiti APs use PoE (Power over Ethernet). Most home routers don't support PoE so you will need to buy PoE injectors for your APs. You connect an ethernet cable to your router and the other end into the network input of the injector. You then plug in the power cable into the injector and plug another ethernet cable from the injector's output to the AP's ethernet port. Repeat this for all APs you want. Ubiquiti APs are managed via the UniFi controller software. You don't need the Unifi gateway, but you will need to run the software on a PC or use the UniFi app on your phone to setup and manage the APs.

[@LEGnewTube]

Very helpful video. Thank you!

[@EddioFabio]

Is the 30 device limit on other unifi devices for the express new? Didn’t it used to be 5? That was what was holding me back.

[@alanjrobertson]

Excellent explainer video, thanks!

[@bdiddlemcgriddles]

Can i use any brand PoE switch with my unifi products? I need PoE for 6 cameras, and the unifi PoE switches seem expensive.

[@philipandrews5738]

What would you do for a home with fiber internet? I am currently using glofiber with Eero wireless access points but thinking about switching it all out to Unifi

[@HoleLeashIt]

I love my 16 lite poe switch. It’s the best looking switch imo, and reliable. Powering 2 APs and a Zimaboard too

[@michaelh5722]

I run a different router, but have 6 switches (1st Gen) and 6 APs (Nano HDs and ACs). Solid coverage everywhere, mostly everything is wired besides iPhones, iPads and a g4 doorbell.

[@cbinder46]

So I use Tmobile 5G internet since I am rural and I plan to get a 3rd party 5G modem/router. If I wanted to install a UniFi system in my home, would I run a cable from that modem to the Cloud Gateway Ultra, then to a PoE switch, then out to the 2 AP's I am planning + 2 wall ports? I am considering this system or the Omada system. Could I not just run the network cable from the modem/router directly to the switch and skip the gateway?

[@franciscos.5839]

Did you mention that the cloud gateway ultra allows for dual WAN?

[@theboywiththeblackeyes6563]

The Ultra only has a single WAN port.

[@franciscos.5839]

@@theboywiththeblackeyes6563 No, you can use 2.

[@jasonfuessel2961]

Which would be the better choice? Go with edgemax router or unifi gateway console.

[@davidbailey3289]

You recommend a unifi gateway but what if you already have something like a netgate setup with pfsense. I'm looking to add the unifi switch and wireless access points with the ability to have my IoT stuff run in a secondary network under the primary.

[@samuelhulme8347]

You need some sort of a UniFi network controller to manage the switch. Cloud be self hosted in a VM/Docker or a hardware based one like the Cloud Key.

[@davidbailey3289]

@@samuelhulme8347 so based on what your telling me I would need to buy the cloud key ,connect it behind my netgate and then run my switch and wireless access points from there. Does that sound right? Also what benefits do I get from the cloud key.

[@0M9H4X_Neckbeard]

Why the Ultra 60W over the Switch 8 Lite PoE? Seems to me the second is cheaper with no downsides.

[@Amine-qf6lq]

Currently, my small setup is composed of ultra gateway and switch and one U6+ as you recommended. For when an NVR in the ultra lineup. In my opinion the Cloud Key Gen 2 is to expensive for small deployment

[@CrosstalkSolutions]

I'm not really a fan of the CK Gen2 Plus as an NVR - sure it'll work, but it's only a single disk, so not only are you limited in the amount of storage you can hold, it's a single point of failure. I would never use it for a business - imagine you haven't checked the NVR in a while, but then you have a break-in. You go to check the surveillance footage only to find out that the single hard drive had died and you didn't catch anything. For home use, if you have 2-3 cameras max and you're really only using them to check on your pets when you're away or something - that's fine.

[@wizain32]

How big was that house in design center. I put my blueprints and heck I need atleast 5 APs for cover not including an outdoor for patio.

[@ricepony33]

What about a house that isn’t wired for network? Seems like mesh is the only option

[@georgesimpson3113]

Helpful, but why not buy the wifi 7 now and NOT buy something you will be replacing in a year or so?!?

[@magicmanchloe]

8:46 the USW-Lite-8-POE will give you 52w Poe for $50 less, apart from having 8 W less available power the only downside I can see is it limits you to only 4poe port but with that small of a Poe budge chances are your not connecting more than 4 POE devices anyway

[@chaosfenix]

Personally I would choose the ultra as well but instead of the 60W AC Adapter I would recommend getting a POE++ adapter. The Ultra has a really cool feature (That is not in the Switch Lite 8 PoE) that he didn't mention in PoE Passthrough. This means that your ultra does not need to be near a power outlet. I have the older USW Flex that also does PoE Passthrough up in my attic powering an Access Point and 3 cameras even though I don't have any power outlets up there. It may not be needed for what you do but when you do need it it is awesome.

[@sanguineel]

Stupid question: Can an edgerouter x be the gateway and/or controller?