Is Unifi worth the upgrade?

[chrismsales]

Really appreciate all the wisdom here. Been looking at the various gateways and it does appear that the UCG-Fiber may be the way to go, especially since we have a 2Gig connection through AT&T, and if I am understanding everything correctly will allow me to run the (3) Wi-Fi access points via PoE?

The switches are where I am unsure of as I currently have 16 lines between 2 switches and router running from the main network closet to various spots in the house and outdoor areas. Are the USW-24-POE (95W) or USW-16-POE (42W) the best options or would a Lite 16 PoE and maybe a Flex Mini 2.5G be better? I do not have a rat k or anything in the closet where everything is located, so just looking for the simplest that gives me the passive speeds and ability to power a few lines PoE but unless I upgrade my Arlo cameras down the road, I really only need three PoE lines now.

And since I cannot mount the access points in the ceiling, I'm looking at the U7-Pro Wall model for upstairs and downstairs inside, and then the U6 Mesh for outside pool area.

Starts adding up pretty quickly for sure.

 

[degrub]

You don't have to use the switch for POE allocation. You can buy power injectors as needed and of the required power delivery. Does add 1 wall wart power brick per injector so plan on a plug bar at least.

And don't forget a UPS to filter surges/noise as well as provide some extended network time.

AND verify you have adequate venting for the wiring "closet" - exhaust area 2x inlet area is a good start for passive.

 

[Tech9]

Starts adding up pretty quickly

UCG-Fiber has one PoE+ port with 30W power budget - good for one U7-Pro AP. This port is there for something like small home installation with single AP, for convenience. Similar port is available on UDR7 for same reasons. If you don't plan >2Gbps ISP plan upgrade - UCG-Max is perhaps good enough Gateway. If nothing else than the APs will be using PoE - use PoE injectors instead, PoE switches are expensive. You may want 2.5GbE switch for the U7 APs, perhaps the rest wired devices are good with GbE switch.

Take into consideration your future needs, but don't overpay for hardware.

 

[Tech9]

I'm looking at the U7-Pro Wall model

I see people using more often UX7 for Gateway and AP. For a home setup it's the cheaper and better looking device than U7-Pro Wall + Stand. The specs are very similar. Two UX7 in your case, the needed switches and one U6-Mesh outdoors (comes with PoE injector). Will reduce the number of devices and the total cost of the project. May leave room for better switches. Take a look.

If you want Cameras with Protect sometime in the future - take a look at this new Ubiquiti device (or complete kit):

Network Video Recorder Instant - Ubiquiti Store

Compact UniFi Protect NVR with 3.5" HDD support, featuring an integrated 6-port PoE switch, integrated HDMI View Port, and a capacity for (6) 4K camera or (15) Full HD cameras.

store.ui.com

 

[chrismsales]

UCG-Fiber has one PoE+ port with 30W power budget - good for one U7-Pro AP. This port is there for something like small home installation with single AP, for convenience. Similar port is available on UDR7 for same reasons. If you don't plan >2Gbps ISP plan upgrade - UCG-Max is perhaps good enough Gateway. If nothing else than the APs will be using PoE - use PoE injectors instead, PoE switches are expensive. You may want 2.5GbE switch for the U7 APs, perhaps the rest wired devices are good with GbE switch.

Take into consideration your future needs, but don't overpay for hardware.

Gotcha. So I could basically do the Fiber Gateway and (2) PoE injectors to handle the (3) wifi AP's and then (3)of the Flex Mini 2.5G switches to handle the ethernet lines I currently have in place?

Stupid question here, the gateways do not have any type of Wi-Fi capability, correct?

 

[chrismsales]

Gotcha. So I could basically do the Fiber Gateway and (2) PoE injectors to handle the (3) wifi AP's and then (3)of the Flex Mini 2.5G switches to handle the ethernet lines I currently have in place?

Stupid question here, the gateways do not have any type of Wi-Fi capability, correct?

Never mind, I saw your next post about the UX7's. So (2) of those and then (1) U6-Mesh for outside and then just (3) of the Flex Minis. That definitely makes the cost of everything less.

 

[Tech9]

I have posted one UX7 system example in another thread, it works very well. I don't have 24/7 eye on this particular one since it's not mine, but the owner is very happy. Part of the happiness comes from the fact UX7 is very small size with high wife acceptance factor. I can't predict how similar system will work in different environment though, some Design Center play may be needed.

Perhaps @vibroverbus can share more experience with UX7.

 

[Tech9]

That definitely makes the cost of everything less.

I strongly recommend going after user experience and not specs. You have to look at the entire new system as a whole and not at single device capabilities. I run 40MHz wide channel on 5GHz band for some time, client devices are connected to different APs most of the time on different channels. Throughput from each AP is about 440Mbps, but aggregate throughput may reach 1.7Gbps. My family members are happy with lower latency, stronger signal and the form of hardware MU-MIMO the above setup creates. If I replace the gateway and the switches with more expensive 2.5GbE options - the user experience will remain about the same. The reason I don't do it.