UniFi Basics: Initial Setup Made Easy

In this second installment of Unifi Basics, I dig into the practical first steps of setting up your own Unifi network. Starting with the initial adoption of equipment, I explain how to connect and configure these devices for optimal performance. Learn about PoE, setting up your first wireless network with the U6 Plus access point, and the importance of creating a guest network. With clear instructions and expert tips, this video is perfect for anyone looking to simplify networking at home or in small businesses. Don't forget to subscribe for more insightful tutorials and check out the links in the description for all the gear mentioned in this video!
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#Unifi #UnifiSetup #UnifiNetworkConfiguration #UnifiInstallation #CrosstalkSolutions
CHAPTERS:
00:00 - Intro
00:58 - Equipment Overview
02:14 - Initial Setup of the UCG-Ultra (Mobile)
05:18 - Initial Setup of the UCG-Ultra (Desktop)
08:11 - UniFi OS Settings
12:24 - UniFi Network Settings
21:10 - Adopting a UniFi Switch
23:06 - Adopting an Access Point
24:00 - Creating Your Wireless Networks
27:02 - Adopting the Flex Mini Switch
27:39 - Final Thoughts and Outro
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[@craigstephens4318]

My son (like 43 year old son and a cybersecurity expert) talked me into upgrading my system to Ubiquiti Cloud Gateway and U6+ Access Points. I couldn't be more pleased. Your video help me understand the setup process before I began. It's now up and running and working GREAT. Thank you!

[@noflrs]

A beginners guide like this but for cameras would be fire!🔥

[@michaelgarcia8271]

Great video. I have been using Unifi for a number of years and still learned a few new things. I currently have a Unifi network in my motorhome which is going to be the base of my mobile office when I hit the road. Keep up the great work!

[@denisd3258]

These videos are simply great: understandable, compact and to the point. A big thank you from Germany. 👏

[@CrosstalkSolutions]

Thank you!

[@IniyaGeethangal]

Thanks for this video! Perfect timing for me :-) I am getting in to the UniFi world and got my Cloud Gateway Ultra, Ultra Switch 60W and U6 Mesh today.

[@antongrimm]

One of your best videos yet! Thank you :)

[@jeremy_317]

these last two vids got me over the edge to commit to the Unfi system. Thanks!

[@Amine-qf6lq]

This is exactly my setup ! Thanks for this cool video !

[@arthurhernandez]

This is fantastic. I'm considering moving onward from a Amplifi HD (and additional HDs as mesh/ap points) to Wifi 6. One path was Firewalla + Omada AP. This looks like a great path in one ecosystem.

[@tmlmpo]

Brilliant video, I'm super exited for the next videos where you'll cover all the other topics. Also for me the timing is perfect since I started my UniFi implementation.

[@ItsMeThinkering]

Great video, looking forward to the rest of the series 👍

[@doembele]

That's a perfect video for beginners. Thanks a lot!!!

[@user-bq8bt8lr4k]

THANK YOU!! There are moms that my wife tells about how I have timers set on KZbin and social media for the kids and safe search so we don't see the crazy. I can wait for that video and maybe show how to set times on the rules and all :) I will be sending them that video.

[@jgcolema]

I am looking forward to future videos as I have adopted Unifi devices for my home and business network.

[@jorgitogaitan]

Would be nice a video like this for how to start w edge devices too. Great video. Always great info.

[@stevenaziz]

This video is so good that even though I’m a professional I subscribed! Well done!

[@jamauai]

Thanks to the part 1 video, I realized I ordered everything BUT a gateway.. just got the UCG-Ultra.

[@jech8964]

great video!! A similar video for cameras will be awesome!

[@swmatthews005]

Awesome!

[@KrispyKrink]

Will you be doing an updated video on firewall/access rules setup for multiple networks using the “newer” ways Ubiquiti prefers? Your previous multi video series on a full setup was invaluable. I haven’t even attempted to translate my firewall rules into the newer traffic rules they’ve implemented.

[@mvp_kryptonite]

So much easer than years back with chrome discovery tools lol. UniFi for sure offers a nice ecosystem

[@cmtvspot]

thanks bro' !! thx a lot !!!

[@williammontoya6389]

Thanks!

[@craigstephens4318]

Very helpful.

[@MrBrettStar]

Now UCG ultra is becoming readily availablr it would be great to see a guide on updating a USG-3 and CK1. The CK1 is stuck on an old version so im pretty it needs to be updated before moving to the UCG ultra.

[@AlleyneHiggins]

As always very informative, One question when setting up the USG Ultra as per your video I cant connect to my Guest ssid, if i change the guest network back to to default network (Ie Not Vlan 2) then I can Connect.

[@JasonTechSF]

Can you do a video on how to use the Unifi fiber products? Sooner or later, ISPs that currently offer fiber Internet service will allow their WAN signal to go directly into the Passive Optical Network devices like the Ubiquiti GPONs. It's nice to know what to do when such an option is offered.

[@anpc86]

Looking to start a home network with cameras and doorbell , great source hope to figure this out

[@MarkvanVaals]

Could you do a tutorial how to replace a USG + Cloudkey on an existing install to a newer cloud gateway like the Dream Machine Pro or Cloud Gateway Ultra. I'd like to keep the whole network "down the line" (switches and AP's) the same including all configurations of those and the firewall

[@JoeYllanes]

Fantastic video. The only suggestion would make is to set your default appearance to dark.

[@mdowney14]

This video is awesome! Can you cover any settings we should consider on our home Internet modems that are feeding the Ubiquiti setup? My AT&T modem comes with its own AP and security settings and I’m always wondering if there’s anything in there that I should change from default in order to optimize my Ubiquiti network (speed, security, port filtering for gaming, etc).

[@Susang1313]

Thank you for the info. I recently ordered all the devices you showed in this video but got the 60w switch. My question is if I ever want to add a security camera I guess I’m out of luck with these devices? I would probably need a device from unifi that has storage to do this?

[@Zphex]

Will you be doing a video on the Miniforum MS-01 behind you? Just got mine in this week as my first homelab. Learned so much in just 5 days.

[@JBates650]

Thanks for all the videos! Appreciate them. Have you covered IOT Matter devices in UNIFI that require IPV6? Thanks!

[@AinzOoalG0wn]

ty so much for this. any chance for an omada setup guide? pretty plz 😊

[@NatesRandomVideo]

When I saw the Ultra released, I ordered. Working on converting my hodge podge of stuff including Orbi for years, to Ubiquiti. Had used them for work before and knew they were solid but needed at least 1 Gb with full IDS/filtering. It’s here now. Here we go. I bet they made you use the MSRP of the gateway with no storage so for those who don’t know, is misleading. The only model available today is 512MB storage. I removed it to use elsewhere. No plan to use Unifi Protect. No storage option won’t be available until late August.

[@TheAsjdj]

When i moved from cisco to unifi for my home network it was like having to oearn everything over again. The cisco does stuff in terms of firewall and ACL is really not the same i found out. These videos helps me. I might be a Cisco CCNP person but unifi doesn't work the same in the firewall with how rules are layed out

[@nkair19]

Great video! Will you be covering the ultra gateway max that was just released?

[@lowercasestephen7080]

I just recently purchased a Cloud Gateway Ultra and a U7 Wall AP. I ended up having to SSH into both the CGU and the U7 to force update their firmware to the most recent early access firmware so that the CGU could see the U7 to be able to adopt it. Have you ran into similar issues?

[@kenteastley]

I have a Cloudkey Gen 2 Plus, running my Network and four Protect cameras. If I install a Cloud Gateway Ultra into the mix, will it conflict with the network controller on the cloudkey? Would I need to turn off Network on my CKG2+?

[@OmahaWayne]

Great video, seems the more I look for rv network solutions the more I end up back here. So I just subbed to make it easier :) I was looking at going all unifi but every time I get a plan one part or another is never in stock from unifi and the choice comes down to going to a different brand or pay the scalping prices. Sad that unifi is dong nothing but helping scalpers and pushing people away from their products.

[@AtomCoder]

Brilliant video. Can I use a generia switch or do I need to use a unifi switch for this setup to work? Also, does the unifi ultra completely replace my ISP's router?

[@CrosstalkSolutions]

You can use a generic switch - it just won’t show up in the UniFi controller. May throw off the topology view too.

[@stephennix2188]

Great video, but I have a problem. Is it possible to have a AP backbone connect through two serial connected switches to the Dream Machine router? I attempted to create a Unifi network but encountered a problem. My home requires me to locate my Unifi Dream Machine in an office with a single cat-5e cable to a Central Lite 8 PoE switch located in a separate room. From that Central switch single cat-5e cables connect to two remote home locations where additional Lite 8 PoE switches are located. A single UK-Ultra Access Point is attached to each of the two remote switches. Unfortunately Adoption of the Access Points always fails.

[@thinidus]

Thank you for this video. Good to see how smooth setting up network could be.

[@Eternal_Tech]

The way this UniFi network was configured in this video, a double NAT (Network Address Translation) situation exists: The T-Mobile gateway is providing NAT and the UniFi gateway is also providing NAT. Double NAT could potentially cause problems with servers, peer-to-peer networking, and some games. Does the T-Mobile gateway have the ability to be set to bridge mode, so that its router functions are disabled and the UniFi system serves as the only DHCP server on the network?

[@Francpatrick]

Can i use Lite 8 PoE switch for powered my 2 U6+ ?

[@retrogamer6209]

Hello with the ucg gateway max do u need to spend money on services and could key

[@Cobinja]

6:47 I love how you initially were going in the direction of "Proceed without UI Account". Was that out of habit?

[@williamalford5286]

Perfect, now I can get rid of my glitchy TP-Link Omada setup

[@jamespadgett5761]

Thats what I am wanting to do as well but the switch will work fine if you have the controller you can still talk to them. I am using Mikrotik right now and its working great the omada router will not port forward to use with a reverse dns right if adopted into the omada network any inbound connect not defined will fall through to the login for the controller

[@TNR27]

I currently have the original UDM, would there be an increase of over throughput/speed if I upgraded to a UCG-Ultra knowing that I would lose the built wifi access point? I have 1g fibre service connected through a TP-Link Gigabit SFP to RJ45 Fiber Media Converter.

[@paullaws3889]

I have a Amplifi router hd, can I add it and use it as a AP?

[@ObsidianWalker]

Really enjoying this series. I have a multi-floor property and wonder what hardware is best for extending out the network. Wired is not an option, I currently use a mesh which has been successful for a number of years.

[@CrosstalkSolutions]

Check out the U6 Extender.

[@ObsidianWalker]

@@CrosstalkSolutions unfortunately it’s doesn’t come with a U.K. plug (and is constantly sold out). Any other options?

[@SOU6900]

I want to add unifi hardware into my network. Only thing keeping me from doing so, aside from trying to get my spending under control again, is that I have Starlink, and I don't really want to switch it to bypass mode just to connect external hardware that's going to take over all the functions of the Starlink router to begin with minus the modem function. Unless I'm way overthinking things like normal and can leave my Starlink router as is and just use the network controller to manage the unifi hardware.

[@SuperAgent47]

Can the 60w switch power up 2 Enterprise Access points ?

[@Subliminal87]

Stupid question. I currently have a Base UDM, and I am going to upgrade to the UCG Ultra when we move. Can I set up the UCG Ultra on my home network alongside of the UDM, then take it to the new place and connect it to a different ISP and have it work instantly? Where we are at currently is comcast but moving to a location that has FIOS.

[@mkho1971]

Is there a way to reset the access point without using a paper clip? My access points are installed high up to the ceiling.

[@kelemvor3333]

How many networks do you recommend for an average home uses with some laptops, phones, and IOT devices? I see some vides that have all kinds of networks to keep everything segregated, but that just seems like overkill. Would you recommend a Main network for all my laptops, phones etc, an IOT network for all my thermostats, plugs, etc, and maybe a Guest network for people who come over? Is there any real need for more than that? Do I even really need an IOT network?

[@travisboorman6580]

Can you restore a new Cloud Gateway Max from an existing UDM-SE setup?

[@PabloTBrave]

I have a ucg ultra how can i add a letsencrypt cert

[@spietrza]

Can we change mac address router ? I must use static reported to my ISP

[@thediscmurderer]

Chris when are your U7 Outdoor review come out?

[@LKDB-pz4cf]

Can I use a non Unifi POE switch with UCG Ultra and U6+ AP?

[@davidbailey3289]

Informative except based on what I saw I don't need a switch to accomplish the wifi setup for my home.I would ask how exactly i would setup a second or third wireless access point across the house away from the gateway without having to run a Ethernet cable clear across the house.

[@spoils8179]

You're still gunna have to run a cable for internet or POE to the AP. However, you can just use a POE injector instead, if the switch you're using doesn't have POE.

[@NickCollura]

I wish they UBNT made a USG Ultra with POE. My use case is on a mobile cart, and i'd love to choose my AP and then mount the USGUltra-withPOE in a hidden away spot. Having all 3 devices plus power bricks is pretty messy. and the dream router im using now is an awkward shape.

[@mvp_kryptonite]

Unifi Express but has a built in AP and likely consolidates your setup

[@NickCollura]

@@mvp_kryptonite yeah i have 3 of them. my issue with them is they're relatively slow. 8 minutes for a reboot is crazy. faster if it's AP only, but they APs in them are less than ideal for my use case. Im competing with video crews with high gain/ high broadcast power antennas, and they use like 10 of them at once.

[@mpaquin61]

Do you have one of these for tp link

[@jesperlaursen3917]

Please do a video where you migrate from USG 3 and CK2 to Unify Gateway Ultra. There must be thousands upgrading to Gateway Ultra wanting to know the easiest process to do so. Looking at the internet, there does not seem to be an standard method of dooing this. Thanks in advance.

[@jesperlaursen3917]

@Crosstalk Solutions, have you already done this?

[@blanko582]

Does Ubiquiti have a modem? Or are all they have is routers?

[@blueline15]

They do, it’s on the store. The model # is UCI.

[@FinderX]

Be warned that the Flex Mini is not a managed switch, I mean for been so cheap, Ubiquiti remove the most advance features like Tag, Untag vlan networks, and only admit 'block all' or 'accept all' not custom vlan setting by ports.

[@CrosstalkSolutions]

This is true, but that’s fine for most use cases. If you need it in a particular VLAN, just make sure the network switch port powering up the flex mini is set to Untagged for whichever VLAN you need. I use it with my IoT VLAN.

[@darylfortney8081]

How does this compare to a nighthawk

[@richardblack5710]

is there a monthly fee for the UniFi account you showed to set up the equipment and run it?

[@CrosstalkSolutions]

Nope.

[@ne2i]

No

[@richardblack5710]

@@CrosstalkSolutions Thanks

[@richardblack5710]

@@ne2i Thanks

[@jeramegoodman7826]

Can you use a normal gateway to set up a network without any of the cloud stuff. Trying not to lose my ass on a $200 gateway with “no applications”

[@mateo739]

Pls make full unifi setup with firewall rules version 2024.

[@jackpowell9276]

I find the unifi lineup frustrating. Atm ive got a UDR and 1 wifi6 AP for coverage, powered by a POE socket. but my internet is beyond 1gbps. Id really like a gen2 UDR, with wifi7, and a full bank of 2.5G ethernet. Quite frankly, today in 2024, i think all higher end prosumer network gear should be 2.5g minimum. 1gbps ethernet has been available dirt cheap for over a decade, and while i understand 5 and 10g is a big jump, 2.5 really shouldn't be. Sure, ISP provided cheap crap routers can be 1g, but £100-£300 kit should be 2.5 baseline on the wires. I was considering a UXGmax, and 2 U7s but the UXG has no POE ports. I rent, and dont have the space for the rack mount gear, or really the justification of price for such high end kit. Here is hoping for an upgraded UDR, with 4x4 wifi7, and 2.5G ports across the board, and at least 2 being POE like the current one. If they could bring that to market for less than $300, maybe 200 ish, they'd be out of stock forever with demand id think.

[@logiclust]

i'm considering unifi, but only if i can self host their cloud nonsense

[@Tininppa]

sad there were no mention that you don't need unifi account

[@samuelhulme8347]

Their network controller is hosted on the hardware you buy (like the dream machine). It optionally accessible through the internet.

[@craigiedema1707]

You can self host a controller. I do. Depending on the router/gateway it will have it built in.

[@CrosstalkSolutions]

I specifically covered adding a local user…but yes. It is possible to set it up completely local with no cloud connectivity.

[@MrBCRC]

@@CrosstalkSolutions Most people looking at DIY'ing Unifi gear who don't already use it commercially and thus have experience should really be avoiding associating their network with a cloud system. Their 2fa device will be their phone and they'll be one sim swap and password reset away from having their network fully open to a hacker. Local only network management with no outside network access and they'll never be able to get hacked unless someone can connect to their internal network. It's a good thing none of us are claiming to be network security specialists...

[@GeorgeGoosen]

Does anyone know if you can setup DNS local host names on Ubiquity? I want to have some local development servers on my home network like nginix.local etc.