Expanding unifi setup

ptogher14

Hi folks, looking for some advice/feedback and would appreciate any shared knowledge.

**Full disclaimer, I have very limited knowledge of networking/hardware and chat GBT has been advising me to date.

My current setup is made up of ISP router/unifi lite switch and 3 APS. APs are operating in standalone mode. At the present moment the isp router is 5g. I was with imagine but as NBI is being rolled they withdrew the service and relaced it with (a slow) 5g setup. Fibre connection due in the coming months and currently installed to the nearest pole.

I am thinking of adding the below hardware and would appreciate any feedback.

16 port lite switch, current 8 port is near capacity. I'm going to replace it with 16 port and move 8 port out to the garage for a small setup out there.

Controller - gen 2 cloud key plus. I'm of the understanding this will allow me to control the network. Eg setup the APs as a network versus standalone mode. It will also allow me to set up separate networks. Eg an IOT network and priority/streaming network. I also plan on changing out my analogue cameras to unifi cameras and the controller will cover this, it will run unifi protect and act as a small nvr.

UCG ultra cloud gateway - this will allow the setup of a VPN. I trick around with home assistant and to do so remotely a VPN is required (without a subscription). Will the UCG work with the new fibre ISP router? Will the ISP router need to go into bridge mode and is this easily done? Appreciate this could be down to provider which has yet to be decided.

Thoughts on proposed setup? I note a dream machine may cover some of this but with the requirement for a HDD was working out dearer and seemed to be over kill for a domestic setup for newbie.

Thanks in advance.

NotShero

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058423835/expanding-unifi-setup

You will remove the ISP router altogether and connect directly to the ONT that will be installed on the wall. There will be a fibre patch cable going into the ONT and an Ethernet cable will go from the ONT to your router.

You will use PPPoE or IPoE depending on the provider you choose. The PPPoE username and password for providers is all over Boards and can be found with a google search. IPoE/Dynamic IP/DHCP will just work. VLAN ID 10 is needed for all providers also.

Afaik you won’t need a Cloud Key if you’re getting a Cloud Gateway, the controller software is already integrated into it.

ptogher14

Thanks for the response NotShero, I appreciate the feedback.

A quick search found the passwords. Is the unifi ultra sufficient for my requirements or should I be looking at the fibre for future proofing?

Noted on both the controller and router having the software. I still believe i need the controller to act as a small NVR. Is there any conflict here with the two?

I assume I cannot use the unifi router with my current setup (5g router). I dont see this as a problem, I will just leave it out of the setup until fibre is installed.

NotShero

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123794461#Comment_123794461

I don’t know enough about Ubiquiti stuff myself, maybe someone else would be able to help further but I would think the Cloud Key is still not needed.

The Cloud Gateway Ultra has a 2.5Gb WAN port but all of the LAN ports are 1Gb, just to be aware of.

You can use it with your 5G router. Have a look at the 5G router to see if there is a “Bridge/Modem Mode” within its GUI. If not, it would still probably work but there would be double NAT, should be okay as a temporary solution though.

dam099

I believe the UCG Ultra and Cloud Key might work together (using UCG for Network and Cloud Key for Protect).

I wouldn’t though, just get a UCG Max or UCG Fibre which can run both the Network and Protect controllers and you won’t need a Cloud Key. (You will need to get a version with SSD or better value get the SSD tray for them and add your own NVME one). Either is a bit more future proofed as they support 2.5gbe (Max) or 10gbe (Fiber).

ptogher14

Thanks for pointing that out, I didn't realise the max or fibre could be used as a NVR. That would consolidate the setup. I think the max would probably cover my needs but may go with the fibre given it is not that much dearer.

ptogher14

Hi Dam009,

On your observation on the SSD, will any other NVME be plug and play? Any brands you recommend. Aftermarket ones seem to be half the price of the unifi supplied one.

dam099

It should work with most SSDs, see more detail here

https://eu.store.ui.com/eu/en/products/uacc-ssd-tray

I just put in a spare Crucial 500gb 2280 I had to test it out.

I set up a camera in protect but its a Reolink and they don’t support detection events on 3rd party cameras (unless you buy the ai key) so for now I’m sticking with synology surveillance station.

I might revisit if they update to more complete ONVIF support in the future.

ptogher14

Hi NotShero,

A further query on this. I'm at the pre order stage with NBI and looking at providers. From doing some reading on it providers either use PPPoE or IPoE. It was noted in other threads that IPoE can be preferable in some cases. It is a simpler setup and can have lower latency. Is this correct?

There seems to be mixed info out there in relation to Eir with some info saying they use PPPoE and other places IPoE is available. Can any one confirm?

Thanks

NotShero

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123923487#Comment_123923487

Yes you can use IPoE with Eir and Virgin Media, all the rest require PPPoE. IPoE is a little more straightforward as you don’t need to input a username or password.

As far as latency, I didn’t see much difference between them and is more likely the difference in peering/routing between the providers.

There is overhead with PPPoE though and a lot of router CPUs seem to struggle with the processing of it at very high speeds, but you will be fine up to 1Gb.

ptogher14

Thanks NotShero,

If you take price out of it are you seeing much difference between providers? In my mind they are all similar until there is a problem and the chances are problem will be on the line which will be common to all providers.

I'm just looking for a decent connection, to get out of the dark ages. Not looking for a landline. Looking to use my own router. Currently with imagine as they were the only one who could provide for the last 5 years. Always found them decent and decent to deal with but they're way off the mark in comparison to the big names like Eir and Vodafone

NotShero

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123923984#Comment_123923984

I’m currently with Digiweb and find them good, but the NBI price is higher compared with SIRO. It’s €38pm for 1Gb through SIRO.

I’d probably just go with the one that has the best price, the latency between all the providers is very similar.

The customer service can vary a lot, I’ve actually found Eir to be good to deal with in recent times. I found Vodafone customer service to be quite bad myself.

Glaceon

I have the Gateway Max (not the cloud version, it wasn't in stock when I tried to get it!) and find it runs fine on PPPoE at 1 Gb. I haven't tried it on any higher speeds.