Ubiquiti Question

Nevakonaza · 22 Apr 2022 at 18:49

Hey,

Looking to improve my WIFI, Currently just have the Superhub 3 from Virgin handling my Wi-Fi.
While its okay, I think i could get better!

Ideally I'm looking for something that's "Upright" like a capsule shape if that makes sense so it can sit nicely next to my SH3 on the small shelf.

Would love it to be something different from the norm like a more business orientated or something from Ubiquiti with a nice easy to set up GUI.

Although I'm confused by Ubiquitis products as im not really in the know when it comes to network stuff.

Are their "Access points" purely to pick up the wifi connection from my SH3 then boost it?
As it doesn't look like Ubiquiti sell ACTUAL just Wifi Routers?
cheers!

andy_mk3 · 22 Apr 2022 at 18:54

Access points generally need a cabled connection to your router and then broadcast their own network, Wifi extenders are the ones that usually connect to your existing wifi and then repeat out another network, but this generally isn't great for speed and latency. The idea being you should disable the Wifi on your router and only use the access point(s). Ubiquiti don't sell an all in one device as the idea is you choose what suits your needs, because everyone's needs are different.

Sparx · 22 Apr 2022 at 19:03

Effectively the point is you want 1 system broadcasting your wifi, rather than a mix of products.

So typically if you buy a Ubiquiti AP (or multiple), or a mesh wifi system for example - you would then disable the Wireless on your VM router. This way you only have 1 combined SSID being broadcast from your 1 or more APs, whether it's from Ubiquiti gear - or a mesh kit from TP Link for example.

For what you described, you'd probably like the U6 Mesh - https://eu.store.ui.com/collections/unifi-network-wireless/products/access-point-wifi-6-mesh

You'll just need to plug the POE injector which the U6 Mesh model says it comes with into a plug socket - then wire it via ethernet from your VM router to give it network access to broadcast.

You don't want any wifi extenders - they are not that great value for what they do, along with reducing your internet's bandwidth available when connecting via it.

Avalon · 23 Apr 2022 at 11:38

Nevakonaza said:
Hey,

Looking to improve my WIFI, Currently just have the Superhub 3 from Virgin handling my Wi-Fi.
While its okay, I think i could get better!

Ideally I'm looking for something that's "Upright" like a capsule shape if that makes sense so it can sit nicely next to my SH3 on the small shelf.

Would love it to be something different from the norm like a more business orientated or something from Ubiquiti with a nice easy to set up GUI.

Although I'm confused by Ubiquitis products as im not really in the know when it comes to network stuff.

Are their "Access points" purely to pick up the wifi connection from my SH3 then boost it?
As it doesn't look like Ubiquiti sell ACTUAL just Wifi Routers?
cheers!

This post reads like the beginning of a budget horror movie, you know it’s going to end badly and most of the cast are going to die, you just don’t know how.

If you want to improve the Wi-Fi, you generally need an access point or access points hard wired back to the router. Replacing one box already operating at the maximum legally permitted power level with another doing the same next to it won’t generally produce a significant improvement assuming like for like channels etc. Also your list of wants seem purely based on aesthetics, being different and simple. Unifi management can be simple, but it’s strength isn’t in its simplicity, it’s in being able to manage a site of AP’s easily. It sounds like you want something else - depending on your package VM may give you some not awful kit free of charge with a little nudge.

chroniclard · 23 Apr 2022 at 12:15

andy_mk3 said:
Ubiquiti don't sell an all in one device as the idea is you choose what suits your needs, because everyone's needs are different.

Yeah they do, though its still early access, they sell the UDR, I have one. Though its just sat in a box as I dont use it because it cant handle virgin 1gb speed :cry:

, otherwise its a pretty solid product.

Dream Router – Ubiquiti Store Europe

WJA96 · 23 Apr 2022 at 12:57

chroniclard said:
Yeah they do, though its still early access, they sell the UDR, I have one. Though its just sat in a box as I dont use it because it cant handle virgin 1gb speed , otherwise its a pretty solid product.

Dream Router – Ubiquiti Store Europe

And the UDM (non-pro) is also an all-in-one device. And it could do your 1Gbps Virgin line.

chroniclard · 23 Apr 2022 at 13:08

WJA96 said:
And the UDM (non-pro) is also an all-in-one device. And it could do your 1Gbps Virgin line.

UDM is outdated now though. Its a shame the UDR is under specced as its a nice bit of kit.

WJA96 · 23 Apr 2022 at 18:28

chroniclard said:
UDM is outdated now though. Its a shame the UDR is under specced as its a nice bit of kit.

Well, if you mean it’s only a 4x4 AC access point rather than a 4x4 AX access point then maybe so, but that will be rectified very soon I’m sure. The rest of it is basically as good as it gets.

doodah · 25 Apr 2022 at 11:23

Love my UDM, the only thing I'm wanting now is more network ports.

darkblade · 26 Apr 2022 at 10:36

Ubiquiti stuff is great when it's working, but it's a pain to sort out whenthere are problems, such as when firmware upgrades don't work properly (and this happens more often than it should).
If you want something simple with easy admin - Ubiquiti is not it.

Bluecube · 26 Apr 2022 at 10:54

It sounds as if the OP needs a UDM. The WiFi is only ac but I’ve never had any issues with speed in the years I’ve had mine. It’s a rock solid product that does the job and does it well.

WJA96 · 26 Apr 2022 at 12:02

darkblade said:
Ubiquiti stuff is great when it's working, but it's a pain to sort out whenthere are problems, such as when firmware upgrades don't work properly (and this happens more often than it should).
If you want something simple with easy admin - Ubiquiti is not it.

I disagree. While there are significant value proposition problems with the UniFi routers, the access points and switches are rock-solid and will give years of use without ever needing an update if that’s what you choose to do.

Once you have the controller up and running UniFi is staggeringly easy to maintain and add/remove components to. On larger sites you can quite literally add 50 access points with two mouse clicks and they just auto-configure from the controller. And if you change anything, it changes everywhere if that’s what you want to do.

Unifi is massively popular for 2 reasons. Firstly, it just works and secondly, it’s really easy to use.

Nevakonaza · 28 Apr 2022 at 21:51

Appreciate the replies folks, Been having a look and wow those Dream Machines are super pricy, Don't think id be wanting to pay £379!!!

What about the U6-Mesh?
I see it has 4x4 Wifi 6 and is AX

WJA96 · 29 Apr 2022 at 04:38

The coverage on the Mesh isn’t as good as the ceiling mounted access points and that’s OK because you can add extra ones in a mesh to extend coverage. I do not think you’d be disappointed with any of the currently available UniFi access points - just pick what fits your location and pocket and you’ll not be unhappy.

WJA96 · 29 Apr 2022 at 04:40

Bluecube said:
It sounds as if the OP needs a UDM. The WiFi is only ac but I’ve never had any issues with speed in the years I’ve had mine. It’s a rock solid product that does the job and does it well.

Agreed - while it’s not AX (yet) it is a really solid product now and the ability to add other switches and access points to your UniFi network makes it the most expandable Ubiquiti product.

Sparx · 29 Apr 2022 at 08:23

Nevakonaza said:
Appreciate the replies folks, Been having a look and wow those Dream Machines are super pricy, Don't think id be wanting to pay £379!!!

What about the U6-Mesh?
I see it has 4x4 Wifi 6 and is AX

See my original post #3, I already suggested this to you. Never replied

WJA96 · 29 Apr 2022 at 08:28

Nevakonaza said:
Appreciate the replies folks, Been having a look and wow those Dream Machines are super pricy, Don't think id be wanting to pay £379!!!

What about the U6-Mesh?
I see it has 4x4 Wifi 6 and is AX

The UDM is £250 List price. Don‘t get hung up on WiFi6 unless you have LOTS of IoT devices and LOTS of modern handhelds. In reality most handhelds run on the 5GHz AC channels anyway.

Nevakonaza · 29 Apr 2022 at 23:45

Sparx said:
See my original post #3, I already suggested this to you. Never replied

I do apologise ,Just noticed that the U6 only has the one ethernet port, Which isn't any good because to put the virgin media router into Modem only mode it only leaves one active port, which that would go straight into the U6 to give a wireless signal, But then i cannot connect any hardwired devices into it such as my PC in the same room, I suppose i could have a 4 port network switch sitting in-between the SH and U6..pretty sure that would work?. But then that bumps up the price in which id be better off getting the Dream machine which are out of stock, Well at Ubiquity anyway. Third party sellers are selling for way more!

WJA96 said:
The UDM is £250 List price. Don‘t get hung up on WiFi6 unless you have LOTS of IoT devices and LOTS of modern handhelds. In reality most handhelds run on the 5GHz AC channels anyway.

Yeah unfortunately sold out at Ubuquiti

Sparx · 30 Apr 2022 at 08:29

£12 for a 5 port gigabit switch, or £28 for a POE one and saves buying the injector for the AP.

darkblade · 3 May 2022 at 18:13

WJA96 said:
I disagree. While there are significant value proposition problems with the UniFi routers, the access points and switches are rock-solid and will give years of use without ever needing an update if that’s what you choose to do.

Once you have the controller up and running UniFi is staggeringly easy to maintain and add/remove components to. On larger sites you can quite literally add 50 access points with two mouse clicks and they just auto-configure from the controller. And if you change anything, it changes everywhere if that’s what you want to do.

Unifi is massively popular for 2 reasons. Firstly, it just works and secondly, it’s really easy to use.

Pleased to hear it's working for you - but my experience differs and I've come across a number of others in forums with the same issues.
When it works, it's exactly as you say - very easy to deploy new access points and easy to update. But when an update fails (and it's happened three times in five years for me now) it really is a pain to sort out.