Ubiquiti Guide
Table of Contents
This is a guide to all of my posts about Ubiquiti. The blue bolded titles are all links. This page was last updated in January 2024.
Overviews
All of my posts about Ubiquiti in general.
UniFi Gateways Explained as Simply as Possible
My attempt to explain the difference between UniFi Gateways and Cloud Gateways in the simplest way possible.
Catching Up With Ubiquiti: UniFi OS 3.0 and Beyond
This is my attempt to step back and reflect on UniFi OS 3.0, the Dream Wall, and Ubiquiti’s march towards integration in April 2023.
UniFi and UISP Controller Hosting Options
Reviewing the various options for a UniFi and UISP controller hosting.
Ubiquiti Hardware: What’s New, What’s Old
Going over what hardware is new, and what hardware is old. Includes release dates where possible.
Answering some more commonly asked questions about Ubiquiti, including:
Ubiquiti product line overview
Which equipment should I buy?
UniFi software
Typical Ubiquiti networks
How do I get Wi-Fi or my network from A to B?
How many APs do I need?
Why is my Wi-Fi slow?
UniFi alternatives
Intro to Ubiquiti PtP and PtMP Radios
Explaining the basics of PtP and PtMP radios, Ubiquiti’s many product lines, and which frequencies and models to consider.
Answering the most common questions I get about Ubiquiti and UniFi.
Ubiquiti’s UniFi Ecosystem Explained
Going over the various parts of the UniFi ecosystem and how they fit together:
Software: UniFi Controller, UniFi Protect, UniFi Talk, UniFi Access, UNMS/UISP
Hardware: routers/security gateways, switches, wireless access points, Cloud Keys
UniFi vs. EdgeMAX
UniFi vs. AmpliFi
UniFi vs. other consumer brands
UniFi vs. Enterprise
Full UniFi stack vs. a mix
Trying to define common network terms, devices, and the OSI Model. Briefly covers routers vs. switchs and LANs vs. subnets. This post is a work in progress, and feedback is welcomed.
Comparison Charts
All of my comparison charts for Ubiquiti Routers, Switches, APs, and PtP and PtMP Wireless radios.
UniFi Network Comparison Charts
Comparison of all available UniFi gateways, Cloud Keys, wireless access points, and switches.
UniFi Protect Comparison Charts
Comparison of UniFi Protect cameras, NVRs, and UniFi OS Gateway Console NVRs.
EdgeMAX and UISP Comparison Charts
Comparison of Ubiquiti EdgeSwitches, EdgeRouters, EdgePoints, and UISP routers and switches.
PtP and PtMP Comparison Charts
Charts of all available models of point to point and point to multi-point wireless radios. Includes all airMAX, airFiber, LTU, 60 GHz Wave, NanoBeam, NanoStation, NanoBeam, PowerBeam, Rocket, Bullet, and GigaBeam models.
UniFi Wireless Access Points
All of my posts about UniFi wireless access points.
UniFi Wi-Fi Access Point Buyers Guide
This compares all the available UniFi AP models, and recommends which ones you should consider for your home network. It also includes some background information about Wi-Fi in general, with the goal of helping you decide which model is right for you.
UniFi’s Advanced Wi-Fi Settings Explained
Explaining UniFi’s advanced Wi-Fi Settings, what they mean, and how you should use them.
U7-Pro Preview: Welcome to Wi-Fi 7
A brief look at 802.11be and Ubiquiti’s first Wi-Fi 7 AP, the U7-Pro
UniFi U6-Pro and U6-Mesh Review and Speed Comparisons
My review of the UniFi U6-Pro and U6-Mesh. It includes spec comparisons and speed test results for UniFi, TP-Link Omada, and Aruba Instant On access points.
UniFi 6 Lite and U6-LR Review and Speed Comparison
My in-depth review of Ubiquiti’s first two Wi-Fi 6 access points, the U6-Lite and U6-LR. It includes speed tests and a comparison to the AC-HD, UniFi Dream Machine, BeaconHD and some Wi-Fi 6 mesh access points.
UniFi U6-Enterprise Preview and Wi-Fi 6E Deep Dive
Taking a look at the upcoming U6-Enterprise, and examining what Wi-Fi 6E changes brings.
Wi-Fi Speed Tests — Instant On vs. UniFi
My comparison of Aruba Instant On and UniFi access points, including speed tests and comparison charts.
Recommended Injectors for UniFi PoE Devices
A list of recommended models of PoE Injector for UniFi devices, including wireless access points, UniFi Protect cameras, UniFi Cloud Keys, and UniFi Talk phones.
Q&A: AP-Only vs. Complete UniFi Network
Discussing running an AP-only vs. a complete UniFi network, and what pieces you need to make it all work.
UniFi BeaconHD and Smart Power Plug Review
My review of the BeaconHD, and how I use it in my home network. Also includes a brief review of the Smart Power Plug.
If you’re interested in learning more about Wi-Fi in general, I have a series of posts I’m working on which covers Wi-Fi and how it works
How Wi-Fi Works: From Electricity to Information
Wi-Fi Frequently Asked Questions
Wi-Fi Origins and History
Wi-Fi 6E In-Depth
Wi-Fi 6E Progress and Reality
UniFi Gateways Explained as Simply as Possible
My attempt to explain the difference between UniFi Gateways and Cloud Gateways in the simplest way possible.
UXG-Lite Preview: A Proper USG Replacement
A preview of the new UniFi Gateway Lite (UXG-Lite) covering hardware specs, limitations, and where it fits in the gateway lineup.
UXG-Lite Review: Monkey’s Paw Gateway
In-depth review of the UniFi Gateway Lite (UXG-Lite), including setup, settings, features, USG and UXG-Pro comparisons, iPerf routing and VPN speed tests, and OpenSSL benchmarking.
UniFi Express Preview: Flexible and Mesh-able
A preview of the UniFi Express (UX), a flexible new Cloud Gateway and access point from Ubiquiti. This covers the specs, it’s place in the lineup, and a comparison to other UniFi Cloud Gateways and mesh Wi-Fi options.
UniFi Gateway Comparison: USG vs UDM vs UXG
A longer, more complete comparison of the various models of UniFi Gateways including the old USG, the new UXG, and all the models of Dream Machines and Cloud Gateways.
How to SSH Into Your UniFi Dream Machine (UDM or UDM-Pro)
Instructions on how to SSH into a UniFi Dream Machine and explaining what you can do with SSH access.
UniFi Dream Machine (UDM) Review
My old, original review of the UniFi Dream Machine, including steps for setting up a L2TP remote access VPN, and my thoughts on what it’s good for and what it isn’t good for.
UniFi Dream Machine (UDM-Pro) Review
My review of the UniFi Dream Machine Pro, including some setup and debating who the UDM-Pro is for.
UniFi Next-Gen Gateway (UXG-Pro) Preview
Discussing what to expect from the upcoming UXG-Pro when it’s available.
UDM Setup Guide: Discovery and Basic Settings
UniFi Dream Machine Setup and Basic Configuration Guide using the UniFi Mobile App.
UniFi Firewall Basics: DNS for a Guest Network
Going over the basics of UniFi firewall rules, including an example of allowing PiHole DNS to a guest network.
UniFi Dream Machine Vs. AmpliFi Alien
Comparing the UniFi Dream Machine vs. the AmpliFi Alien, Wi-Fi 5 vs. Wi-Fi 6, AmpliFi vs. UniFi.
UniFi Pro 8 PoE Switch: Overview and Comparison
Comparing the new UniFi Professional 8 PoE switch specs, alternatives from UniFi and other vendors, and where this new model fits in the UniFi switch lineup.
Explaining UniFi switches, comparing them to EdgeSwitches, and diving deep into PoE.
UniFi Switch Comparison and Buyers Guide
Comparing the specs of all available UniFi switches.
Networking 101: VLANs and Network Layers
Explaining VLANs and network layers using a carefully-crafted collection of 1’s and 0’s, delivered via millions of electrical pulses through a cable or over the air.
UNMS and UISP
Other posts about UNMS and UISP, and Ubiquiti's products for WISPs, ISPs, and other professional network operators.
UISP Switch Review: Battle of the Brands
My review of Ubiquiti’s UISP Switch and the still-under-construction UISP hardware line. EdgeMAX is dead, long live EdgeMAX.
Intro to Ubiquiti PtP and PtMP Radios
Explaining the basics of PtP and PtMP radios, Ubiquiti’s many product lines, and which frequencies and models to consider.
UniFi and UISP Controller Hosting Options
Reviewing the various options for a UniFi and UISP Controller hosting.
Ubiquiti: UISP is the new UNMS
Discussing the rebranding of UNMS, as well as the upcoming UISP routers and switches.
Guides and Miscellaneous
Other posts about UniFi, networking, and Wi-Fi in general.
UniFi Network Application Release Notes
UniFi Network Application release notes, stretching back to version 6.0. Hopefully this make them easier to find, scroll, and search through.
Q&A: Making a UniFi and Cisco Network
How to configure a UniFi network to work with a layer 3 Cisco switch.
UniFi Firewall Basics: DNS for a Guest Network
Going over the basics of UniFi firewall rules, including an example of allowing PiHole DNS to a guest network.
UDM Setup Guide: Discovery and Basic Settings
UniFi Dream Machine Setup and Basic Configuration Guide using the UniFi Mobile App.
If you’re interested in learning more about Wi-Fi in general, I have a series of posts I’m working on which covers Wi-Fi and how it works
How Wi-Fi Works: From Electricity to Information
Wi-Fi Frequently Asked Questions
Wi-Fi Origins and History
Wi-Fi 6E In-Depth
Wi-Fi 6E Progress and Reality
Networking 101: VLANs and Network Layers
Explaining VLANs and network layers using a carefully-crafted collection of 1’s and 0’s, delivered via millions of electrical pulses through a cable or over the air.
Trying to define common network terms, devices, and the OSI Model. Briefly covers routers vs. switchs and LANs vs. subnets. This post is a work in progress, and feedback is welcomed.
The episodes of the UI Chat podcast that I have been a guest host on