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Self-Hosting a UniFi Network Server

2023-06-09 17:03:12 UTC

Self-hosting a UniFi Network Server should only be done by experienced network administrators. For the best and most streamlined experience, we recommend running UniFi Network on a dedicated UniFi Console compatible with UniFi OS. This will eliminate compatibility risks associated with third-party software and hardware.* Other benefits of UniFi Consoles include:

  • Optimized hosting and management performance
  • Automatic scheduling of backups and updates
  • Seamless email and mobile push notifications for important system activity

*UniFi also offers the Cloud Key Enterprise (on-premise) and a native Cloud Console subscription for scaleable deployments managing hundreds of UniFi APs.

If you choose to continue, see below for instructions to install the UniFi Network Application on your device.

Instructions

Windows

Linux

macOS

  1. Download the latest version of the UniFi Network application (UniFi-installer.exe) from the Download page.
    1. The latest versions of the UniFi Network Application (7.3) require Java 11.
    2. Previous versions (7.2) use Java 8.
    3. Install only the x64 Java release and only one version of Java.
  2. You will be prompted to install Java 11. Select the following options and download the x64 .msi file for Windows:
    1. Package Type: JRE
    2. Version: 11
  3. Install Java, and set the Set JAVA_HOME variable to Will be installed on local hard drive.
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  1. After installing Java, continue the UniFi Network application installation and start it.
  2. Ensure that any anti-virus/spyware programs and the Windows firewall are not blocking the application.
  3. Open a browser, navigate to https://localhost:8443 and proceed when seeing the security warning.
  4. Proceed with the setup wizard.
  5. Adopt your first UniFi device.

Please see the Help Center article here.

  1. Verify that the Security & Privacy settings on macOS are set to App Store and identified developers.
  2. Download the latest version of the UniFi Network application (UniFi.pkg) from the Download page.
  3. Open Finder, control-click the UniFi.pkg file and select Open.
  4. Select Open if you get a malicious software warning.
macos.png
    1. The Open option will only be shown if you control-click the UniFi.pkg file.
    2. Alternatively, select Open Anyway after a double-click in the macOS Security & Privacy settings.
  2. Install the UniFi Network application.
  3. Start the UniFi Network application and install Rosetta if prompted.
  4. Ensure that any anti-virus/spyware programs and the macOS firewall are not blocking the application.
  5. Open a browser, navigate to https://localhost:8443 and proceed when seeing the security warning.
  6. Proceed with the setup wizard.
  7. Adopt your first UniFi device.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Does the UniFi Network application have to run at all times?
If the UniFi Network application is turned off, adopted UniFi devices (access points, switches) will keep functioning. 

However, it is highly recommended to keep the UniFi Network application running at at all times. This enables you gather accurate statistics and make configuration changes whenever needed. 

If you are not able to keep the self-hosting Network Server running continuously, then we recommend to upgrade to a UniFi Console, which is optimized to run UniFi Network and other applications.
2. Can I manage UniFi Devices that are adopted by another UniFi Network application?
No. The UniFi Network application installed on Windows/macOS/Linux is not a viewer for other UniFi Network applications (running on UniFi Consoles).
3. The UniFi Network application is running slow.
Verify if the Self-Hosted Network Server is capable of running the UniFi Network application. The more UniFi and client devices that are connected, the more resources that will be needed.

Please be aware that self-hosting the UniFi Network application is an advanced setup for those familiar with network administration. If you are experiencing poor performance, we recommend upgrading to a dedicated UniFi Console compatible with UniFi OS, which is optimized to run UniFi Network and other applications.
4. The UniFi Network application is not able to start.
Verify if the Self-Hosted Network Server is capable of running the UniFi Network application and that the correct version of Java is installed. 

If you continue to experience issues, try installing the application on a different machine.

Please be aware that self-hosting the UniFi Network application is an advanced setup for those familiar with network administration. If you are unable to get the UniFi Network application running on your machine, we recommend upgrading to a dedicated UniFi Console compatible with UniFi OS, which is optimized to run UniFi Network and other applications. 
5. The UniFi Network application starts up, but I do not see any nearby UniFi devices.
Make sure that the firewall on the host machine is allowing the ports needed by UniFi and that the UniFi Network application is not blocked by any anti-virus/spyware programs.

Also make sure that the UniFi devices and the application are on the same network. If not, then remote adoption is required.
6. I get a "Your connection is not private" warning when accessing via my browser.

This can be safely ignored. Proceed to the next page.

7. What are the UniFi Network application system requirements?
At a bare minimum, we recommend the following system requirements (make sure to read the Release Notes for more details about a particular version):
  • Operating system:
    • Linux: Ubuntu Desktop / Server 22.04; Debian 11 "Bullseye"
    • Windows: Windows 10; Windows Server 2016
    • macOS: Mavericks 10.9, 10.10 Yosemite, 10.11 El Capitan, 10.12 Sierra, 10.13 High Sierra, 10.14 Mojave, 10.15 Catalina.
  • CPU: x86-64 Processor (Intel / AMD x64 Processors)
  • RAM: 2GB
  • Network: 100Mbps Wired Ethernet
  • HDD: Minimum 10GB free (20GB or more preferred)
  • Java: Java Runtime Environment (JRE) 11
  • Web Browser: Google Chrome
  • MongoDB: version 3.2 or later. Mongo is offered bundled: default is 2.4.14 (for macOS and Windows only).

Note: You will need to continually increase your system specs as you begin to adopt and manage more devices.

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