Which Ubiquiti Unifi AP?

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Borrels

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Several people have recommended a Ubiquiti Unifi access point to expand the wifi network in my house. My plan is to connect to my existing Huawei router I got with my Telkom LTE deal and connect these via CAT6 cable to form a single network that covers all indoor areas. There are however so many different Unifi models that I do not know which one to get. I will put the access point behind my tv cabinet so ceiling mounting is not important to me. Obviously I don't want to pay for an enterprise spec for a home network solution which in the foreseeable future will not exceed 100Mbps and about 4 devices.

Any advice?
 
I use the UniFi AC access points. Those things are totally boss. And they don't break the bank @ +/- R1500
 
I use these in my house, and we have the same in our office as well:
https://scoop.co.za/ubiquiti-unifi-dual-band-ac-lite-ap.html

These APs are really good if:
* You use multiple in your house (although one in a central place also works well).
* You want to ceiling mount it.

So if you are only going it have one AP and place it on a cabinet, Ubiquiti may not be the best. In my case I only have one, but the ceiling mount meant I could place it in a very central area (above a staircase), with good coverage over the entire house.

Another thing to consider is that you need to run control software somewhere - either on a home server if you already have one, or
using one of these: https://scoop.co.za/ubiquiti-unifi-controller-cloud-key.html
Technically you only need this when configuring the AP, but it's better if the control server is running all the time.
 
falcrum said:
I use these in my house, and we have the same in our office as well:
https://scoop.co.za/ubiquiti-unifi-dual-band-ac-lite-ap.html

These APs are really good if:
* You use multiple in your house (although one in a central place also works well).
* You want to ceiling mount it.

So if you are only going it have one AP and place it on a cabinet, Ubiquiti may not be the best. In my case I only have one, but the ceiling mount meant I could place it in a very central area (above a staircase), with good coverage over the entire house.

Another thing to consider is that you need to run control software somewhere - either on a home server if you already have one, or
using one of these: https://scoop.co.za/ubiquiti-unifi-controller-cloud-key.html
Technically you only need this when configuring the AP, but it's better if the control server is running all the time.
Click to expand...
I have a home server running so the control software should not be a problem.

Will it work well with my existing Huawei B315? The Unifi gets great reviews for how easy it is to extend with more Unifi APs but I have not read anything about using other vendors' routers.
 
Borrels said:
I have a home server running so the control software should not be a problem.

Will it work well with my existing Huawei B315? The Unifi gets great reviews for how easy it is to extend with more Unifi APs but I have not read anything about using other vendors' routers.
Click to expand...

Yes, it will work fine. All it does is relay DHCP requests to the B315. Just don't try to configure the Unifi with the same SSID as the B315. You should be able to even turn off the B315's WiFi.
 
I got the LR (Long Range) model. It's fantastic, completely hassle-free, great coverage.
 
Borrels said:
Several people have recommended a Ubiquiti Unifi access point to expand the wifi network in my house.
Click to expand...
(nigh on getting to be) heresy as this may be around these parts there actually is life outside of Ubiquiti (and their damnable controller software).

Like Grandstream 3x3 MIMO dual-band for less than the Ubiquiti version. Or a LigoWave 2.4-only if you have no need for 5 GHz band.

My plan is to connect to my existing Huawei router I got with my Telkom LTE deal and connect these via CAT6 cable to form a single network that covers all indoor areas.
Click to expand...
You don't need CAT6, and if you're looking to run cable anywhere ...fun to get to (like through occupied conduit), you really don't want to; CAT5 will run up to GbE just fine for a start, and is oh so much more flexible due to the lack of that horrible plastic insert. Also, you're connecting to a way sub-gigabit device, there's no real advantage to CAT6 here anyway. What could arguably be more useful is shielded CAT5 (foil or shielding wires in between the pairs), it's what I use for long(er) cable runs to edge devices.
 
bdt said:
(nigh on getting to be) heresy as this may be around these parts there actually is life outside of Ubiquiti (and their damnable controller software).

Like Grandstream 3x3 MIMO dual-band for less than the Ubiquiti version. Or a LigoWave 2.4-only if you have no need for 5 GHz band.

You don't need CAT6, and if you're looking to run cable anywhere ...fun to get to (like through occupied conduit), you really don't want to; CAT5 will run up to GbE just fine for a start, and is oh so much more flexible due to the lack of that horrible plastic insert. Also, you're connecting to a way sub-gigabit device, there's no real advantage to CAT6 here anyway. What could arguably be more useful is shielded CAT5 (foil or shielding wires in between the pairs), it's what I use for long(er) cable runs to edge devices.
Click to expand...
The Grandstream looks like a great option but I already ordered and received the Unifi AC Lite. Now for the more difficult part to pull the cable through the conduit - wish I had seen your post about the rigid CAT6 before I ordered...
 
Borrels said:
The Grandstream looks like a great option but I already ordered and received the Unifi AC Lite. Now for the more difficult part to pull the cable through the conduit - wish I had seen your post about the rigid CAT6 before I ordered...
Click to expand...
Well, hope the AP works out for you. As to the cable, it's less rigid than not hugely flexible 'cos of that bloody '+' separator running down the middle, which gives it kark bending radius. Also, fish tape is your friend. (I have, and needed, both on my last job 'cos the S4B sparky stuffed up the bend in the conduit buried in the concrete (it got somewhat crushed), so getting 3x CAT5 cables around that corner was ...entertaining)
 
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