Ubiquiti Unifi APs - Do You Need a Controller?
-
I was thinking of upgrading my GF's family's wireless, as they are still on 802.11g and could definitely use the upgrade. I have been using a single UAP AC lite for a couple years now and like it. I have been using my laptop with the controller installed on it, but only launch the controller when I need to update the firmware or change the config.
Obviously, I don't want to be the only one that can set it up/manage theirs. Are there other options for initial setup and/or ongoing management of Unifi APs?
-
But a cloud key.
I hate them, but a home user it is not a bad solution.
-
The UAP AC are now discontinued. You may want to look at getting a newer UAP AC Lite.
-
@jaredbusch said in Ubiquiti Unifi APs - Do You Need a Controller?:
The UAP AC are now discontinued. You may want to look at getting a newer UAP AC Lite.
Sorry, I meant UAP AC Lite.
-
@wrx7m said in Ubiquiti Unifi APs - Do You Need a Controller?:
@jaredbusch said in Ubiquiti Unifi APs - Do You Need a Controller?:
The UAP AC are now discontinued. You may want to look at getting a newer UAP AC Lite.
Sorry, I meant UAP AC Lite.
Yeah, then buy a cloudkey. Or find someone with a hosted controller that will let you out a site or two on.
-
@jaredbusch said in Ubiquiti Unifi APs - Do You Need a Controller?:
But a cloud key.
I hate them, but a home user it is not a bad solution.
Out of curiosity, what is it about them that you hate?
-
@wrx7m said in Ubiquiti Unifi APs - Do You Need a Controller?:
@jaredbusch said in Ubiquiti Unifi APs - Do You Need a Controller?:
But a cloud key.
I hate them, but a home user it is not a bad solution.
Out of curiosity, what is it about them that you hate?
They can barely run the controller and have limited capacity. Just really useless IMO.
-
@jaredbusch said in Ubiquiti Unifi APs - Do You Need a Controller?:
@wrx7m said in Ubiquiti Unifi APs - Do You Need a Controller?:
@jaredbusch said in Ubiquiti Unifi APs - Do You Need a Controller?:
But a cloud key.
I hate them, but a home user it is not a bad solution.
Out of curiosity, what is it about them that you hate?
They can barely run the controller and have limited capacity. Just really useless IMO.
Thanks for the insight.
Do you ever use the ios/android app?
-
@wrx7m said in Ubiquiti Unifi APs - Do You Need a Controller?:
@jaredbusch said in Ubiquiti Unifi APs - Do You Need a Controller?:
@wrx7m said in Ubiquiti Unifi APs - Do You Need a Controller?:
@jaredbusch said in Ubiquiti Unifi APs - Do You Need a Controller?:
But a cloud key.
I hate them, but a home user it is not a bad solution.
Out of curiosity, what is it about them that you hate?
They can barely run the controller and have limited capacity. Just really useless IMO.
Thanks for the insight.
Do you ever use the ios/android app?
No because I have a public controller
-
@wrx7m said in Ubiquiti Unifi APs - Do You Need a Controller?:
@jaredbusch said in Ubiquiti Unifi APs - Do You Need a Controller?:
@wrx7m said in Ubiquiti Unifi APs - Do You Need a Controller?:
@jaredbusch said in Ubiquiti Unifi APs - Do You Need a Controller?:
But a cloud key.
I hate them, but a home user it is not a bad solution.
Out of curiosity, what is it about them that you hate?
They can barely run the controller and have limited capacity. Just really useless IMO.
Thanks for the insight.
Do you ever use the ios/android app?
I never have, but I bet that that works pretty easily.
-
@scottalanmiller said in Ubiquiti Unifi APs - Do You Need a Controller?:
@wrx7m said in Ubiquiti Unifi APs - Do You Need a Controller?:
@jaredbusch said in Ubiquiti Unifi APs - Do You Need a Controller?:
@wrx7m said in Ubiquiti Unifi APs - Do You Need a Controller?:
@jaredbusch said in Ubiquiti Unifi APs - Do You Need a Controller?:
But a cloud key.
I hate them, but a home user it is not a bad solution.
Out of curiosity, what is it about them that you hate?
They can barely run the controller and have limited capacity. Just really useless IMO.
Thanks for the insight.
Do you ever use the ios/android app?
I never have, but I bet that that works pretty easily.
I can't tell if the app is meant for the UAP AC Lite and what functionality it allows.
-
You might consider the Amplifi line. I've not used one but they get good reviews, are more home user focused, and can be configured from a mobile app.
-
@wrx7m said in Ubiquiti Unifi APs - Do You Need a Controller?:
@jaredbusch said in Ubiquiti Unifi APs - Do You Need a Controller?:
@wrx7m said in Ubiquiti Unifi APs - Do You Need a Controller?:
@jaredbusch said in Ubiquiti Unifi APs - Do You Need a Controller?:
But a cloud key.
I hate them, but a home user it is not a bad solution.
Out of curiosity, what is it about them that you hate?
They can barely run the controller and have limited capacity. Just really useless IMO.
Thanks for the insight.
Do you ever use the ios/android app?
I use the app for my outdoor AP, it's pretty simple, can't imagine needing more than that for home use.
-
@flaxking said in Ubiquiti Unifi APs - Do You Need a Controller?:
@wrx7m said in Ubiquiti Unifi APs - Do You Need a Controller?:
@jaredbusch said in Ubiquiti Unifi APs - Do You Need a Controller?:
@wrx7m said in Ubiquiti Unifi APs - Do You Need a Controller?:
@jaredbusch said in Ubiquiti Unifi APs - Do You Need a Controller?:
But a cloud key.
I hate them, but a home user it is not a bad solution.
Out of curiosity, what is it about them that you hate?
They can barely run the controller and have limited capacity. Just really useless IMO.
Thanks for the insight.
Do you ever use the ios/android app?
I use the app for my outdoor AP, it's pretty simple, can't imagine needing more than that for home use.
Can you go from out-of-the-box to finished config with just the app?
-
@wrx7m said in Ubiquiti Unifi APs - Do You Need a Controller?:
@flaxking said in Ubiquiti Unifi APs - Do You Need a Controller?:
@wrx7m said in Ubiquiti Unifi APs - Do You Need a Controller?:
@jaredbusch said in Ubiquiti Unifi APs - Do You Need a Controller?:
@wrx7m said in Ubiquiti Unifi APs - Do You Need a Controller?:
@jaredbusch said in Ubiquiti Unifi APs - Do You Need a Controller?:
But a cloud key.
I hate them, but a home user it is not a bad solution.
Out of curiosity, what is it about them that you hate?
They can barely run the controller and have limited capacity. Just really useless IMO.
Thanks for the insight.
Do you ever use the ios/android app?
I use the app for my outdoor AP, it's pretty simple, can't imagine needing more than that for home use.
Can you go from out-of-the-box to finished config with just the app?
Yep. Connect to it, update the firmware, setup wireless network. I didn't do anything fancy in my config so I don't know what's missing.
-
@flaxking said in Ubiquiti Unifi APs - Do You Need a Controller?:
@wrx7m said in Ubiquiti Unifi APs - Do You Need a Controller?:
@flaxking said in Ubiquiti Unifi APs - Do You Need a Controller?:
@wrx7m said in Ubiquiti Unifi APs - Do You Need a Controller?:
@jaredbusch said in Ubiquiti Unifi APs - Do You Need a Controller?:
@wrx7m said in Ubiquiti Unifi APs - Do You Need a Controller?:
@jaredbusch said in Ubiquiti Unifi APs - Do You Need a Controller?:
But a cloud key.
I hate them, but a home user it is not a bad solution.
Out of curiosity, what is it about them that you hate?
They can barely run the controller and have limited capacity. Just really useless IMO.
Thanks for the insight.
Do you ever use the ios/android app?
I use the app for my outdoor AP, it's pretty simple, can't imagine needing more than that for home use.
Can you go from out-of-the-box to finished config with just the app?
Yep. Connect to it, update the firmware, setup wireless network. I didn't do anything fancy in my config so I don't know what's missing.
Awesome! That should work well enough. Thanks for the info.
-
I tried a cloud key for non-home use and it was miserable. I had constant issues with it. Running the controller now in a VM under Hyper-V and have had zero problems. Very fast and easy. I do not recommend the cloud key. They are too under-powered IMO. Why not just install the controller on one of their local machines?
-
@brandon220 said in Ubiquiti Unifi APs - Do You Need a Controller?:
I tried a cloud key for non-home use and it was miserable. I had constant issues with it. Running the controller now in a VM under Hyper-V and have had zero problems. Very fast and easy. I do not recommend the cloud key. They are too under-powered IMO. Why not just install the controller on one of their local machines?
Because that is even worse.
-
I bet if you ask around you can find someone with an old Core 2 Duo machine lying around somewhere and they will give it to you. Take it, install Debain on it, and then install the controller. Configure the APs. You can then shut down the controller and store the computer away until you need to do something, like add an AP or update the firmware.
Edit: I have a store near me called EPC, and they sell recycle older PCs. I think you can pick up something from them for $25 bucks. You might look for a similar store near you if nothing else.
-
@penguinwrangler said in Ubiquiti Unifi APs - Do You Need a Controller?:
I bet if you ask around you can find someone with an old Core 2 Duo machine lying around somewhere and they will give it to you. Take it, install Debain on it, and then install the controller. Configure the APs. You can then shut down the controller and store the computer away until you need to do something, like add an AP or update the firmware.
Never do this. This means no updates and unpatched devices.
@penguinwrangler said in Ubiquiti Unifi APs - Do You Need a Controller?:
Edit: I have a store near me called EPC, and they sell recycle older PCs. I think you can pick up something from them for $25 bucks. You might look for a similar store near you if nothing else.
Crooks IMO.
