Ubiquiti / Unifi

Every so often we all consider new setups routers etc. and it may be useful to have thread about using Ubiquiti Routers or gateway devices in a home environment as I suspect that this may be the way to go in the future, (especially if the house is already wired in Ethernet/CAT Cable), when and if we update our systems.

In our own house in present setup; we use an Asus RT-AX88U Pro as the main router and in my son's room, (which has foil coated plasterboards), we use an Asus AX82U Router, (as an access point), so that he has his own broadband and wifi.

The house is completely wired with CAT6A Cables to all rooms. - The present system is fast and it's reliable and it works great but VLANs can be messy. - (I was previously keeping my older Asus AX88U and was using it as an access point but I sold it because it was not needed because the Asus RT-AX88U Pro already provides good WIFI Range throughout the house).

Every so often I take a look at some Ubiquiti devices, (including recently the UbiQuiti UDR7 which is a WIFI 7 router. - We do not yet need WIFI 7 and a Ubiquiti gateway device with access points may be a better way forward).

As I understand it the WIFI on the Ubiquiti will be inferior but with added Ubiquity Access Points or by keeping the Asus Routers as access points, it will be better and with my CAT6A Cables, (which theoretically can run at 10Mbps), the home network could be future proofed for adding door cameras etc. and quickly keeping them off the home network.

How do others who are already using Ubiquiti devices feel about it and is a Ubiquiti UDR7 Router a good way to go down the Ubiquiti route?

I don't think that the type of network you are building is exclusive to Ubiquiti / Unifi.

In reply to a post by Fido:

Every so often we all consider new setups routers etc. and it may be useful to have thread about using Ubiquiti Routers or gateway devices in a home environment as I suspect that this may be the way to go in the future, (especially if the house is already wired in Ethernet/CAT Cable), when and if we update our systems.

In our own house in present setup; we use an Asus RT-AX88U Pro as the main router and in my son's room, (which has foil coated plasterboards), we use an Asus AX82U Router, (as an access point), so that he has his own broadband and wifi.

The house is completely wired with CAT6A Cables to all rooms. - The present system is fast and it's reliable and it works great but VLANs can be messy. - (I was previously keeping my older Asus AX88U and was using it as an access point but I sold it because it was not needed because the Asus RT-AX88U Pro already provides good WIFI Range throughout the house).

Every so often I take a look at some Ubiquiti devices, (including recently the UbiQuiti UDR7 which is a WIFI 7 router. - We do not yet need WIFI 7 and a Ubiquiti gateway device with access points may be a better way forward).

As I understand it the WIFI on the Ubiquiti will be inferior but with added Ubiquity Access Points or by keeping the Asus Routers as access points, it will be better and with my CAT6A Cables, (which theoretically can run at 10Mbps), the home network could be future proofed for adding door cameras etc. and quickly keeping them off the home network.

How do others who are already using Ubiquiti devices feel about it and is a Ubiquiti UDR7 Router a good way to go down the Ubiquiti route?

The things you are seeking to address here are common to a range of network hardware in any niche above basic home routers. Above a certain level of complexity, vLANs are almost inevitable - and I am not sure that Ubiquiti / Unifi are offering any alternative.

Going for a complte Unifi system makes overall management and visibility incredibly easy.


The UDR7 is limited to a max throughput of 2.3Gbps - whereas the Cloud Gateway Fibre is 5Gbps. Even the older UDM-Pro which I use is 3Gbps. It is just a one device solution whereas for you, a multi-device setup would be way better.

For example: UCG-Fiber as Gateway and controller, a suitable PoE switch from the range, then individual access points chosen for teh WiFi standard you want and location.

If you want camers - then maybe use UDM-Pro/Max/Beast instead of teh UCG-Fiber or add in a UNVR-Instant recorder.

In reply to a post by Fido:

... it will be better and with my CAT6A Cables, (which theoretically can run at 10Mbps), the home network could be future proofed

Just noticed ... typo or an awful install?

10Gbps for Cat6A

I would say UI is probably the Rolls Royce of this part of the market but its always worth considering the Omada Gateway/Router, AP and Switch range centrally managed via either a hardware or software controller.

I thought I could add very little value and clog up the thread for you!

Oops. - yes it was a typo.

Sackcloth and ashes. - Thank you for pointing it out.

To add:


With my UDM-Pro which is 5 years old and has a 16TB drive added for storage there are currently 10 UI camera running with another camera and doorbell planned. The integration of their protect application with the main Unifi is great and the various Apps for Network Conrol, WiFi management and Protect make it easy.

In reply to a post by MHC:

Going for a complte Unifi system makes overall management and visibility incredibly easy.


The UDR7 is limited to a max throughput of 2.3Gbps - whereas the Cloud Gateway Fibre is 5Gbps. Even the older UDM-Pro which I use is 3Gbps. It is just a one device solution whereas for you, a multi-device setup would be way better.

For example: UCG-Fiber as Gateway and controller, a suitable PoE switch from the range, then individual access points chosen for teh WiFi standard you want and location.

If you want camers - then maybe use UDM-Pro/Max/Beast instead of teh UCG-Fiber or add in a UNVR-Instant recorder.

All good to know.

For others, (like myself), who would be new to Ubiquity it may be useful to know that some Ubiquti devices, (ie. Cloud Devices), have a network control feature located inside the device and the UDR7 and the UCG Fibre both have this feature but some other Ubuntii Devices do not.

Putting VLANs to one side: Asus Routers have been great but I had suspect that Ubiquiti would be a good option for the future and it's really helpful to have an input from someone who already uses Ubiquiti Equipment as that is invaluable.

Right now we only have a 1Gbps broadband connection that runs at about 940Mbps so the UDR7 may be good enough for now but as you point out the UCG Fibre may be a better option for the longer term and I suspect that would be the better choice. (I chose CAT6A Cabling so that it was future proof and a future proof gateway device would be sensible).

At present my Asus RT-AX88U Pro is a stand alone device which is why I was originally leaning towards the UDR7 but the UCG Fibre would be part of a modular system and on the whole a modular system with some built in redundancy sounds good to me.

The reason that most of us update our own routers periodically is better chipsets and advancements in WIFI but with a modular system we may only need to update just the WIFI devices and in my case I have very few WIFI devices so we could keep equipment longer and still be at the cutting edge by changing to a Ubiquiti Modular System.

Right now we do not have cameras but when updating equipment future proof planning could be a sensible consideration.

At present my view is that for a retail user without any Ethernet/CAT Cabling I suspect that Asus Routers would be the better option but for Retail users with complete Ethernet/CAT Cabling then Ubiquiti seems the best option. - (I am happy to be corrected by those who know both systems well).

Regards
Fido

There are quite a few Ubiquiti users on here!

Like all devices or systems there are a few quirks about how they work! Many years back, I got mine working BQM and have supplied the details about how with several others here.

I have always preferred modular systems wherever I could get it - seperate modem, router, switch WAPs &c and have that with UI. The UDM-Pro itself has a switch, but limited in bandwidth so all of devices go thropug a seperate switch with two exceptions - intruder alarm, so there is one less device in teh path; and a block of cameras which come in on fibre to an SFP in the UDM-Pro as that is where Protect runs.

My connection is just 500Mbps - totally adequate and only went from 300Mbps as there was no price difference!

Many thanks to all who contributed as I suspect that a number of forum members will find this sort of discussion helpful.

In my case, I have now, (more or less), decided to go the Ubiquiti Modular way at my next router change and I will then compare it with my present Asus RT-AX88U Pro when I buy the new Ubiquiti hardware.

I did put a few modular Ubiquiti devices into the buy basket yesterday but I decided to remove them and put the change onto the back burner until nearer to the end of 2026 when the sales arrive, (as there is no rush to change right now): Why pay around 30 percent more now when it is a longer term change that can wait to be completed at a discounted price later in this year and in between time the Asus RT-AX88U Pro works great and it suits most of my needs.

Regards,
Fido