Diving into the UniFi world

[jhellwig]

So I bit the bullet and bought a UniFi setup. Have been having some issues with my setup and not pleased with the control I have over it. Also have issues with electronics obsessed children so need to isolate devices to SSIDs that I can shut off at night. Kind of guessed on what I needed. Got an express gateway and a couple of Swiss army Knives for APs. After I hit order and read some more I shouldn't have gotten two of those APs. They only do 802.11ac but I don't need the throughput so it will be fine for now. They will be good to use for outdoor APs in the future.

I only have a basic understanding of networking but think I can figure this out.

I made this thread last year about challenges of the house: https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/threads/wireless-router-for-large-house-recomendations.368701/

 

[atikovi]

No idea what all that is for, but I have Verizon FIOS that comes with a router for wireless access.

 

[dogememe]

No idea what all that is for, but I have Verizon FIOS that comes with a router for wireless access.

Another insightful post.

But OP, cool, enjoy. Personally I prefer Aruba Instant On but either way, a million times better than your typical consumer grade networking stuff

 

[OVERKILL]

Nice purchase! Any questions, let me know.

 

[jhellwig]

No idea what all that is for, but I have Verizon FIOS that comes with a router for wireless access.

Yeah no. I explained why in the thread I referenced. All in one routers and box store router stuff isn't going to work for what I need.

 

[jhellwig]

Nice purchase! Any questions, let me know.

I am sure I can come up with 100 and 1 dumb questions. Thank you for offering.

So far I managed to get the gateway setup and created a second SSID on it that was the same as my old one so all of my 2.4Ghz smart home stuff connected. For not having external antennas it seems to broadcast further than my old one in the same location with 3 antennas. Now on to the APs...

 

[wwillson]

I would be glad to help as well. Between @OVERKILL , myself, and a couple other Ubiquiti nuts here, we should be able to get you going.

 

[Rand]

I am always willing to help if you have any questions. Basic stuff no problem, VPNs are not my forte..
doesn't sound like you are doing that though.
There are just about every feature/option available, but sometimes the settings/options are not placed intuitively where you would think
in the setup pages.

Since the express has a build in WAP I doubt you need more than 1 or 2 more WAPs for most houses.

Congrats on "Prosumer" Gear.

PS the best time for a networking gear thread is before you buy

 

[jhellwig]

I will probably add more WAPs later so thanks for the suggestions on that. The swiss army knife attracted me due to being able to be outside and the price made them a good starting point. I opted for the express gateway since its wifi capability fit into the location where it will live. Didn't figure I needed the extra features it had. Anyone close enough to be trying to mess with me through wifi is in line of sight. I am not sure about any WAN threats but to late now.

I got the two WAPs hooked up. The first one didn't want to adopt. Did the updates to the gateway and then they worked.

I found I like the console view better than the standard phone app. Like going into it through a web page even better.

 

[Donald]

The Unifi Swiss Army Knives are old technology as far as WIFI standards. I would have gone for at least 6E. I have two Unifi WIFI 7 ceiling mount access points to install soon at church.

The only problem with the Unifi Express is it can only handle network. Does not support Unifi Protect for cameras. Or Unifi Voice for $10/month phone service.

You did not mention switches. I prefer Unifi POE switches vs a Unifi switch with a POE injector. I like to be able to power cycle an access point if needed. Harder to do with a POE injector.

Use CAT 6 cable. Don't try and cheap out with CAT 5E.

It takes awhile to get good at crimping RJ45 connectors. I use Platinum Tools crimper and their passthrough connectors. And a lot of factory made cables.

I test all cables whether a new factory made or one I ran and crimped on the ends with a Fluke Network Cable Analyzer. It's worth it for me but it's an expensive meter.

 

[Rand]

The only problem with the Unifi express

The express also is not capable of ids/ips
While the cloud gateway ultra is.

 

[Donald]

I use the UDM Pro in the two places I have installed Unifi. One I have a Unifi Redundant Power Supply connected to it and a Unifi POE switch.

 

[brandon9715]

I have a few UniFi deployments I take care of, and they all have functioned flawlessly for a long time. You will have many years of enjoyment from them.

 

[jhellwig]

Hit my first road block. My plan was to make a seperate SSID for my Rokus, smart bulbs, my wife and my phones and then everything else. The problem I have is that I am limited to only 3 SSIDs on the WAP side of the express. I could just put the other ones on just the other WAPs but the express helps cover a good chunk of my basement and part of the room my desktop is in. I can get 8 SSIDs on the other WAPs and they will cover what I need till I rearrange stuff better.

Is there an easier way to do this? I plan on getting a couple more WAPs but am I wasting time making all these separate SSIDs?

My kids are obsessed with electronics and TV. They have to be limited otherwise they stay up all night or get up early in the morning then are grouches. I have to install passwords or take the devices to our room at night to keep them from sneaking them. Removing the temptation works. Telling them no or punishing them for sneaking does not work and makes for not fun times.

 

[wwillson]

Is there an easier way to do this? I plan on getting a couple more WAPs but am I wasting time making all these separate SSIDs?

Put everything on one or two SSIDs. I have an SSID for 2.4GHz and one for 5GHz, that way I can force my 5GHz devices to 5GHz only and get much better performance.

 

[jhellwig]

Put everything on one or two SSIDs. I have an SSID for 2.4GHz and one for 5GHz, that way I can force my 5GHz devices to 5GHz only and get much better performance.

That is what I had going before but not what I am trying to accomplish. I need to shut off some access at night for the kids but leaving my smart home stuff and phones going. I could be overthinking all this and not seeing the obvious solution. My brain is mush due to a med lately.

 

[Pew]

That is what I had going before but not what I am trying to accomplish. I need to shut off some access at night for the kids but leaving my smart home stuff and phones going. I could be overthinking all this and not seeing the obvious solution. My brain is mush due to a med lately.

Two SSIDs, one for your kids and one for everything else.

 

[jhellwig]

Two SSIDs, one for your kids and one for everything else.

That works. Apparently my thinking is more messed up than I thought. I was making it stupidly complicated and couldn't keep it straight in my head.

 

[AandPDan]

I use 3 SSID's. One for our phones and laptops. One for the kids. The third is for smart devices. It may be overkill but most of the IOT stuff I don't trust.

Unifi here too.

 

[Donald]

You definitely want to use 4 SSIDs or less. Unifi uses the other 4 SSIDs for meshing. So if you try and use 8 SSIDs you cannot do meshing.

Use only a couple of SSIDs and then some firewall rules if needed.