Ubiquiti Unifi AP devices

[Sandman1]

Hi,


I am thinking of getting the long range AP for the house, but wanted to know if I need to have the unifi controller software running all the time on my Windows laptop?

If this question was already answered before, can someone please point me to that thread.

 

[Sinbad]

You don't need the controller running full time unless you want proper stats, and to use a guest portal.

How big is your house? The LR might be overkill. I have the Lite and it covers most of my property (installed in the roof)

 

[Sandman1]

I have 160 meter square, two story house. I already have a netgear dgn2200 adsl modem sitting at the bottom in the tv room, and a TP-link 300mps range extender in the second floor bedroom, but I get dead spots in the corners of the house and sometimes my WiFi connection drops in one of other rooms on the top floor. I was thinking of just using the ubiquiti device to cover my whole house without the netgear, will that work?

 

[Sinbad]

I have 160 meter square, two story house. I already have a netgear dgn2200 adsl modem sitting at the bottom in the tv room, and a TP-link 300mps range extender in the second floor bedroom, but the I get dead spots in the corners of the house and sometimes my WiFi connection drops in one of other rooms on the top floor. I was thinking of just using the ubiquiti device to cover my whole house without the netgear, will that work?

OK I don't know about double storey - it might not work through the floors.

 

[NorthPole]

I find that the Lite works sufficiently to cover the majority of the house(2 story), however you will still need the DSL modem to get internet so I'd leave it's WIFI on and use the Unifi on the 2nd floor, odds are it will cover to first floor too but if you have a slab there it may interfere.

 

[Sinbad]

Maybe do some research on the coverage "shape" of the various APs. AFAIR the LR is tuned to provide wide, "shallow" coverage..?

Could have it totally wrong though

 

[Sandman1]

I find that the Lite works sufficiently to cover the majority of the house(2 story), however you will still need the DSL modem to get internet so I'd leave it's WIFI on and use the Unifi on the 2nd floor, odds are it will cover to first floor too but if you have a slab there it may interfere.

Thanks, I have a 4 meg internet connection with Afrihost, and soon my complex will get fibre. So basically I am trying to sort out my WiFi connection before I get high speed internet.

 

[Sandman1]

Maybe do some research on the coverage "shape" of the various APs. AFAIR the LR is tuned to provide wide, "shallow" coverage..?

Could have it totally wrong though

Thanks, will check Google on that...

 

[MagicDude4Eva]

Hi,

I am thinking of getting the long range AP for the house, but wanted to know if I need to have the unifi controller software running all the time on my Windows laptop?

If this question was already answered before, can someone please point me to that thread.

I would just buy the Unifi CloudKey and have it run on your network. If you have a POE switch it is powered over POE or otherwise it powers via USB. This will then download any updates, keep your configuration (and you can do some cool stuff with it - https://www.naschenweng.info/category/gadgets/unifi/)

 

[Sinbad]

I would just buy the Unifi CloudKey and have it run on your network. If you have a POE switch it is powered over POE or otherwise it powers via USB. This will then download any updates, keep your configuration (and you can do some cool stuff with it - https://www.naschenweng.info/category/gadgets/unifi/)

Definitely worth it if you have the budget.

 

[yogidabear]

You can install a controller to configure and it does not have to be kept running, you can use the app standalone or with a controller

https://help.ubnt.com/hc/en-us/articles/226395988-UniFi-Managing-Access-Points-via-UniFi-Mobile-App

I have 3 UniFi in my house and run a controller on my Linux NAS but honestly just because its there, and not necessary

3 because its a rather disjointed house with 420sqm and 2 sections are double story. 1 is mounted under the eaves for the braai room / outside and its great as you just add more if you need to

dont use guest unless you have to as it cuts the bandwidth, and dont use zero handoff

 

[access]

as said the app does not have to stay open on a pc.

as for going through floors and walls, its difficult to tell. might have some hectic concrete or reinforced with a lot of steel.

seen some people stick it in the staircase so it spreads to both floors. their staircases are pretty central and open..

 

[Bryn]

I have a full UniFi setup: 2x LR APs, 1x Outdoor+ AP, UniFi Cloud Key & UniFi Security Gateway.

The Cloud Key is great for network stats as it monitors 24/7. The gateway is great too as it enables a much deeper level of stats. Each LR AP has fantastic coverage and covers both stories of each half of the house (separated by corridor, so clear separation). The walls are pretty thick but it's no issue. The Outdoor+ has amazing outdoor coverage and speeds.

Also, I used around 300m of UV resistant & shielded network cable to connect all the APs to the switch in the study.