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    Do I Need a Unifi Controller for a Unifi AP Deployment

    Water Closet
    networking unifi ubiquiti access point unifi controller
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    • scottalanmillerS
      scottalanmiller @WrCombs
      last edited by

      @WrCombs said in Do I Need a Unifi Controller for a Unifi AP Deployment:

      @DustinB3403 said in What Are You Doing Right Now:

      @scottalanmiller said in What Are You Doing Right Now:

      @WrCombs said in What Are You Doing Right Now:

      But I would have to set up a unifi controller for my ap to be used on my Aloha Network as wireless - For tablets.. Right ?

      Your Unifi AP? Yes, it needs a controller. CAN be a controller on your phone.

      The AP only needs a controller to be setup, you can turn it off after the AP is configured if you don't need any logging etc.

      I shouldn't need logging.

      Then you don't need a controller that is running full time. But making one that only runs part time is often more of a pain. You can put the controller anywhere... a dongle, a VM on your server, on a laptop, on a server in the cloud. Anywhere that the AP can reliably get to it with a static IP address.

      Because it needs a static IP address, using a laptop will be more work and a pain for no reason. We normally use the cloud because it is incredibly rare to only want one Unifi device in the entire universe and there is no reason not to share the controller with all of your devices rather than building and maintaining a controller for each one individually. So cloud is the light, easy choice. Laptop is the heavy, hard choice.

      Hence why laptop seems weird... it's not the "just do it on my laptop" option, it's the "all this extra work without benefit" option.

      1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
      • WrCombsW
        WrCombs @scottalanmiller
        last edited by

        @scottalanmiller said in Do I Need a Unifi Controller for a Unifi AP Deployment:

        @WrCombs said in Do I Need a Unifi Controller for a Unifi AP Deployment:

        @scottalanmiller said in What Are You Doing Right Now:

        @WrCombs said in What Are You Doing Right Now:

        But I would have to set up a unifi controller for my ap to be used on my Aloha Network as wireless - For tablets.. Right ?

        Your Unifi AP? Yes, it needs a controller. CAN be a controller on your phone.

        well I'm going to use it to test and load tablets for this site that im installing soon.

        This isn't relevant and makes no sense. I think the issue here is that there is confusion about how an Access Point works. It is like a switch. Literally, it's a wireless hub, but essentially a switch. Once the SSID and password are set, all devices connect to access points with that SSID/Password, it's that simple. You don't configure an AP or a switch for each new device that will connect to it, that's not how networking works. You just configure the AP once and then every wireless device that chooses that SSID and knows the password can connect to it forever.

        no the confusion is coming from the fact that I'm running 2 networks off the of the server; 1 = internet , 1 =unrouted private network ;

        I'm connecting my AP to the unrouted private network with the SSID = Aloha which is the unrouted private network.

        we all aren't seeing the same thing; I'm Wrong for my word choice ; I forgot I'm not dealing with aloha people; That's on me.

        DashrenderD 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
        • scottalanmillerS
          scottalanmiller @WrCombs
          last edited by

          @WrCombs said in Do I Need a Unifi Controller for a Unifi AP Deployment:

          Question; should this be set up on my Server for the site, or my phone/laptop ?
          does it matter though? it's not going with the site this is just for staging.

          It is it not going with the site, then the cloud becomes the only obvious answer. Because it's the only one that doesn't require you to reset the device and build a new controller anytime you move the AP.

          WrCombsW 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
          • WrCombsW
            WrCombs @scottalanmiller
            last edited by

            @scottalanmiller said in Do I Need a Unifi Controller for a Unifi AP Deployment:

            @WrCombs said in Do I Need a Unifi Controller for a Unifi AP Deployment:

            Question; should this be set up on my Server for the site, or my phone/laptop ?
            does it matter though? it's not going with the site this is just for staging.

            It is it not going with the site, then the cloud becomes the only obvious answer. Because it's the only one that doesn't require you to reset the device and build a new controller anytime you move the AP.

            The site will be supplying their own AP -

            But for purpose of loading I will need an AP.
            I have one at home that I will bring it to assist in loading them .

            scottalanmillerS JaredBuschJ 2 Replies Last reply Reply Quote 0
            • scottalanmillerS
              scottalanmiller @WrCombs
              last edited by

              @WrCombs said in Do I Need a Unifi Controller for a Unifi AP Deployment:

              @scottalanmiller said in Do I Need a Unifi Controller for a Unifi AP Deployment:

              @WrCombs said in Do I Need a Unifi Controller for a Unifi AP Deployment:

              Question; should this be set up on my Server for the site, or my phone/laptop ?
              does it matter though? it's not going with the site this is just for staging.

              It is it not going with the site, then the cloud becomes the only obvious answer. Because it's the only one that doesn't require you to reset the device and build a new controller anytime you move the AP.

              The site will be supplying their own AP -

              But for purpose of loading I will need an AP.
              I have one at home that I will bring it to assist in loading them .

              Oh, you meant it is not going TO the site. "To" means it isn't moving around. "With" means it is moving around. Opposite means when that word is switched.

              WrCombsW 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
              • WrCombsW
                WrCombs @scottalanmiller
                last edited by

                @scottalanmiller said in Do I Need a Unifi Controller for a Unifi AP Deployment:

                @WrCombs said in Do I Need a Unifi Controller for a Unifi AP Deployment:

                @scottalanmiller said in Do I Need a Unifi Controller for a Unifi AP Deployment:

                @WrCombs said in Do I Need a Unifi Controller for a Unifi AP Deployment:

                Question; should this be set up on my Server for the site, or my phone/laptop ?
                does it matter though? it's not going with the site this is just for staging.

                It is it not going with the site, then the cloud becomes the only obvious answer. Because it's the only one that doesn't require you to reset the device and build a new controller anytime you move the AP.

                The site will be supplying their own AP -

                But for purpose of loading I will need an AP.
                I have one at home that I will bring it to assist in loading them .

                Oh, you meant it is not going TO the site. "To" means it isn't moving around. "With" means it is moving around. Opposite means when that word is switched.

                correct.

                1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                • JaredBuschJ
                  JaredBusch @WrCombs
                  last edited by

                  @WrCombs said in Do I Need a Unifi Controller for a Unifi AP Deployment:

                  I have one at home that I will bring it to assist in loading them .

                  /sigh

                  DashrenderD 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                  • DashrenderD
                    Dashrender
                    last edited by

                    LOL - crazy - @WrCombs left out the fact that the UAP will be on a private non-routed network segment. So using an internet controller isn't possible, as the UAP can't reach the internet.

                    5ea709b7-b7d6-4d3f-850e-c075730926c4-image.png

                    WrCombsW 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                    • WrCombsW
                      WrCombs @Dashrender
                      last edited by

                      @Dashrender said in Do I Need a Unifi Controller for a Unifi AP Deployment:

                      LOL - crazy - @WrCombs left out the fact that the UAP will be on a private non-routed network segment. So using an internet controller isn't possible, as the UAP can't reach the internet.

                      5ea709b7-b7d6-4d3f-850e-c075730926c4-image.png

                      @WrCombs said in Do I Need a Unifi Controller for a Unifi AP Deployment:

                      @scottalanmiller said in Do I Need a Unifi Controller for a Unifi AP Deployment:

                      @WrCombs said in Do I Need a Unifi Controller for a Unifi AP Deployment:

                      @scottalanmiller said in What Are You Doing Right Now:

                      @WrCombs said in What Are You Doing Right Now:

                      But I would have to set up a unifi controller for my ap to be used on my Aloha Network as wireless - For tablets.. Right ?

                      Your Unifi AP? Yes, it needs a controller. CAN be a controller on your phone.

                      well I'm going to use it to test and load tablets for this site that im installing soon.

                      This isn't relevant and makes no sense. I think the issue here is that there is confusion about how an Access Point works. It is like a switch. Literally, it's a wireless hub, but essentially a switch. Once the SSID and password are set, all devices connect to access points with that SSID/Password, it's that simple. You don't configure an AP or a switch for each new device that will connect to it, that's not how networking works. You just configure the AP once and then every wireless device that chooses that SSID and knows the password can connect to it forever.

                      no the confusion is coming from the fact that I'm running 2 networks off the of the server; 1 = internet , 1 =unrouted private network ;

                      I'm connecting my AP to the unrouted private network with the SSID = Aloha which is the unrouted private network.

                      we all aren't seeing the same thing; I'm Wrong for my word choice ; I forgot I'm not dealing with aloha people; That's on me.

                      1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                      • DashrenderD
                        Dashrender @JaredBusch
                        last edited by

                        @JaredBusch said in Do I Need a Unifi Controller for a Unifi AP Deployment:

                        @WrCombs said in Do I Need a Unifi Controller for a Unifi AP Deployment:

                        I have one at home that I will bring it to assist in loading them .

                        /sigh

                        Agreed - WTF? no don't do this!!! make your office buy one - they aren't that bloody expensive. You should have one just for this purpose!

                        WrCombsW 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 1
                        • WrCombsW
                          WrCombs @Dashrender
                          last edited by

                          @Dashrender said in Do I Need a Unifi Controller for a Unifi AP Deployment:

                          @JaredBusch said in Do I Need a Unifi Controller for a Unifi AP Deployment:

                          @WrCombs said in Do I Need a Unifi Controller for a Unifi AP Deployment:

                          I have one at home that I will bring it to assist in loading them .

                          /sigh

                          Agreed - WTF? no don't do this!!! make your office buy one - they aren't that bloody expensive. You should have one just for this purpose!

                          but we don't and we don't have the time to get one shipped.
                          It's mine and will stay that way.

                          scottalanmillerS DashrenderD 4 Replies Last reply Reply Quote 0
                          • DashrenderD
                            Dashrender @WrCombs
                            last edited by

                            @WrCombs said in Do I Need a Unifi Controller for a Unifi AP Deployment:

                            @scottalanmiller said in Do I Need a Unifi Controller for a Unifi AP Deployment:

                            @WrCombs said in Do I Need a Unifi Controller for a Unifi AP Deployment:

                            @scottalanmiller said in What Are You Doing Right Now:

                            @WrCombs said in What Are You Doing Right Now:

                            But I would have to set up a unifi controller for my ap to be used on my Aloha Network as wireless - For tablets.. Right ?

                            Your Unifi AP? Yes, it needs a controller. CAN be a controller on your phone.

                            well I'm going to use it to test and load tablets for this site that im installing soon.

                            This isn't relevant and makes no sense. I think the issue here is that there is confusion about how an Access Point works. It is like a switch. Literally, it's a wireless hub, but essentially a switch. Once the SSID and password are set, all devices connect to access points with that SSID/Password, it's that simple. You don't configure an AP or a switch for each new device that will connect to it, that's not how networking works. You just configure the AP once and then every wireless device that chooses that SSID and knows the password can connect to it forever.

                            no the confusion is coming from the fact that I'm running 2 networks off the of the server; 1 = internet , 1 =unrouted private network ;

                            I'm connecting my AP to the unrouted private network with the SSID = Aloha which is the unrouted private network.

                            we all aren't seeing the same thing; I'm Wrong for my word choice ; I forgot I'm not dealing with aloha people; That's on me.

                            I recall after hearing about the server being multi-homed that this was a setup @WrCombs has spoken of before... it seemed obvious to him.. not so to us..

                            1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                            • scottalanmillerS
                              scottalanmiller @WrCombs
                              last edited by

                              @WrCombs said in Do I Need a Unifi Controller for a Unifi AP Deployment:

                              but we don't and we don't have the time to get one shipped.

                              And they feel that that situation is okay because they know that you will cover the cost for them. Why should they do what needs to be done to properly run the business if you will pay for it out of your own pocket?

                              1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                              • DashrenderD
                                Dashrender @WrCombs
                                last edited by

                                @WrCombs said in Do I Need a Unifi Controller for a Unifi AP Deployment:

                                @Dashrender said in Do I Need a Unifi Controller for a Unifi AP Deployment:

                                @JaredBusch said in Do I Need a Unifi Controller for a Unifi AP Deployment:

                                @WrCombs said in Do I Need a Unifi Controller for a Unifi AP Deployment:

                                I have one at home that I will bring it to assist in loading them .

                                /sigh

                                Agreed - WTF? no don't do this!!! make your office buy one - they aren't that bloody expensive. You should have one just for this purpose!

                                but we don't and we don't have the time to get one shipped.
                                It's mine and will stay that way.

                                Stay what way? not pre-staged? then leave them not pre-staged - again, that's on your company for fucking up..

                                scottalanmillerS 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 1
                                • scottalanmillerS
                                  scottalanmiller @WrCombs
                                  last edited by

                                  @WrCombs said in Do I Need a Unifi Controller for a Unifi AP Deployment:

                                  It's mine and will stay that way.

                                  Doing this as a stop gap because they ordered one but it won't arrive in time is one thing. Doing it so that they don't have to and will rely on you in the future is another.

                                  DashrenderD 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 2
                                  • scottalanmillerS
                                    scottalanmiller @Dashrender
                                    last edited by

                                    @Dashrender said in Do I Need a Unifi Controller for a Unifi AP Deployment:

                                    @WrCombs said in Do I Need a Unifi Controller for a Unifi AP Deployment:

                                    @Dashrender said in Do I Need a Unifi Controller for a Unifi AP Deployment:

                                    @JaredBusch said in Do I Need a Unifi Controller for a Unifi AP Deployment:

                                    @WrCombs said in Do I Need a Unifi Controller for a Unifi AP Deployment:

                                    I have one at home that I will bring it to assist in loading them .

                                    /sigh

                                    Agreed - WTF? no don't do this!!! make your office buy one - they aren't that bloody expensive. You should have one just for this purpose!

                                    but we don't and we don't have the time to get one shipped.
                                    It's mine and will stay that way.

                                    Stay what way? not pre-staged? then leave them not pre-staged - again, that's on your company for fucking up..

                                    It's stay his. Just not at his house for him to use 😉

                                    1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                    • DashrenderD
                                      Dashrender @scottalanmiller
                                      last edited by

                                      @scottalanmiller said in Do I Need a Unifi Controller for a Unifi AP Deployment:

                                      @WrCombs said in Do I Need a Unifi Controller for a Unifi AP Deployment:

                                      It's mine and will stay that way.

                                      Doing this as a stop gap because they ordered one but it won't arrive in time is one thing. Doing it so that they don't have to and will rely on you in the future is another.

                                      Agreed - I would only be willing to do this if they showed me the order process for the one they are buying.

                                      1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                      • scottalanmillerS
                                        scottalanmiller @WrCombs
                                        last edited by

                                        @WrCombs said in Do I Need a Unifi Controller for a Unifi AP Deployment:

                                        but we don't and we don't have the time to get one shipped.

                                        We can get them in 3 hours from Amazon here, 2 hours from Ingram Micro.

                                        DashrenderD 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                        • scottalanmillerS
                                          scottalanmiller
                                          last edited by

                                          @WrCombs if this is yours, how are you using it at home without a controller today?

                                          WrCombsW DustinB3403D 2 Replies Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                          • WrCombsW
                                            WrCombs @scottalanmiller
                                            last edited by

                                            @scottalanmiller said in Do I Need a Unifi Controller for a Unifi AP Deployment:

                                            @WrCombs if this is yours, how are you using it at home without a controller today?

                                            It's an extra one that I have that is not on a network.

                                            DustinB3403D 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
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