UniFi - UniFi Overview

UniFi by Ubiquiti is an integrated networking, surveillance, VoIP and access control device ecosystem geared towards enterprise users.

The UniFi Network devices are managed by the UniFi Network Controller and include:

• UniFi Dream Machine line offers all-in-one network management devices
• UniFi Switching is a diverse line of switches
• UniFi Access Points provide high-performance Wi-Fi
• UniFi Security Gateways provide security features for your network
• UniFi Cloud Keys are devices that host the UniFi Network Controller

UniFi Protect includes a diverse line of cameras and surveillance software. 

UniFi Access is a complete door access control system. 

• UniFi vs Operator
• Common UniFi Topologies
• Host Device Controllers
• Device Feature Matrix
• UniFi Network Controller
• UniFi Dream Machines
• UniFi Access Points
• UniFi Switches
• UniFi Security Gateways
• UniFi Cloud Keys
• UniFi Protect
• UniFi Access

UniFi vs Operator

Back to Top

Besides UniFi, Ubiquiti offers the Operator (ISP) product lines, such as airFiber, airMAX, EdgeMAX and UFiber.

Those are geared towards more advanced users and managed by the UNMS software suite.

The airMAX and airFiber devices provide solutions for long and short range links to create Ethernet bridges connecting multiple buildings or locations.

EdgeMAX is a routing and switching line similar to UniFi Network, but aimed at more IT-oriented administrators and relying more heavily on command line configurations.

UFiber GPON is our fiber line, including terminals and optical network units.

Common UniFi Network Topologies

Back to Top

You can mix UniFi and third party networking devices, but a full UniFi topology managed by the UniFi Network Controller gets you centralized network management with all of the advanced UniFi features.

A common topology including a UniFi Security Gateway, Switch, Access Point and Cloud Key will look like this:

Using the integrated UniFi Dream Machine, a similar topology (covering gateway, switch and access point) would look something like this diagram:

A UniFi Dream Machine Pro system, with both UniFi Network and UniFi Protect controllers, might look like this if you want to power your cameras and access points via PoE:

Host Device Controllers

Host devices are gateway hardware that can support specific UniFi applications. 

The UniFi Dream Machine Pro (UDM Pro) hosts the following applications:

• UniFi Network
• UniFi Protect
• UniFi Access
• UniFi Talk (Beta)

The UniFi Cloud Key Gen2 Plus (UCK G2 Plus) hosts the following applications:

• UniFi Network
• UniFi Protect
• UniFi Access
• UniFi Talk (Beta)

The UniFi Dream Machine (UDM) hosts UniFi Network.

The UniFi Cloud Key Gen2 (UCK G2) hosts UniFi Network.

The UniFi Protect Network Video Recorder (UNVR) hosts UniFi Protect.

The UniFi Protect Network Video Recorder Pro (UNVR Pro) hosts UniFi Protect. Coming soon, currently only available in Early Access store.

Device Feature Matrix

Back to Top

The matrix below lists the features that each type of device enables in the UniFi Network Controller. It does not contain all articles for the features discussed, please take a look at the UniFi help center category to browse all articles.

UniFi Network Controller

Back to Top

The UniFi Network Controller is a free software suite that allows you to set up, configure, manage and analyze your UniFi network in a centralized manner.

The controller can be hosted on:

• a UniFi hosting device such as a UniFi Dream Machine or UniFi Cloud Key
• a local or remote computer or server running Linux, macOS or Microsoft Windows

You can access the controller remotely via UniFi Cloud and manage your network on the go using the UniFi Network mobile app.

For more information about setting up the UniFi Network Controller, see UniFi - How to Set Up a UniFi Network Controller.

UniFi Dream Machines

Back to Top

The UniFi Dream Machine is an all-in-one enterprise-grade router and security gateway that includes the UniFI Network Controller.

There are two Dream Machine models: the UDM and the UDM-Pro.

The UDM provides an integrated Wi-Fi access point, while the UDM-Pro can host the UniFi Protect controller and manage your UniFi surveillance network.

For a more detailed overview of the Dream Machine device line, see Ubiquiti website.

UniFi Access Points

The UniFi AP family is a line of high performance wireless access points designed for both regular and high-density environments.

In addition to the basic functionality, UniFi APs offer features like guest portals, access control, multi-hop and others.

When picking the AP model, keep in mind that different APs have different radio rates, number of ports and concurrent clients and other differences.

You can also conduct a wireless site survey to get a true idea of the different areas of signal strength in the building.

For more information about the UniFi AP features, see:

• model overview and comparison on the Ubiquiti website
• UniFi - Access Point Comparison Charts Help Center article
• device datasheets and specification on Ubiquiti Downloads

UniFi Switches

UniFi Switching is a diverse line of switches for fully managed high-performance switching.

Switching products offer PoE and SFP support, indoor and outdoor options as well as L2 traffic and access control and L3 routing and DHCP.

For more information about UniFi switches, see:

• model overview and comparison on the Ubiquiti website
• UniFi - Access Point Comparison Charts Help Center article
• device datasheets and specification on Ubiquiti Downloads

UniFi Security Gateways

UniFi Security Gateways are cost-effective gateway routers with advanced security features for your UniFi networks.

Some of the features offered by the USG are Intrusion Prevention System, Deep Packet Inspection, advanced firewall and secure VPN.

For more information about the UniFi Security Gateways, see Ubiquiti website.

UniFi Cloud Keys

 

The UniFi Cloud Keys are dedicated UniFi Network Controller hosting devices for local or remote cloud management.

There are two current models:

• the UniFi Cloud Key Gen2, which hosts the UniFi Network Controller
• the UniFi Cloud Key Gen2 Plus, which hosts both the Network and Protect controllers

Find more information about UniFi Cloud Keys, see Ubiquiti website.

UniFi Protect

 

UniFi Protect is a scalable building video security platform designed for multi-camera deployments, both indoor and outdoor.

The UniFi Protect Controller allows for a seamless remote management of your UniFi cameras and can be hosted on a UniFi Cloud Key Gen2 Plus or a UniFi Dream Machine Pro.

Find more information about UniFi Protect in the Ubiquiti website.

UniFi Access

UniFi Access is a door access control system powered by native PoE technology.

It includes the UA-Hub, two options for Access Readers (UA-Pro and UA-Lite) and the UA-Card, the UniFi Access NFC card (but any NCF card is supported).

For more information, see this article: UniFi Access - Getting Started.