Access Point Reccomendation

Dan

Dan

Supreme [H]ardness
Joined
May 23, 2012
Messages
8,020
I'm looking to set up 2 or 3 POE Access Points on a network. I'd like the location to only have one SSID and PW and cover the entire area with no "breaks" in signal. Any suggestions on access points and the best method to go about this?
 
UniFi + Cloud Key for the controller... You technically don't need it, but it makes things just that much easier/simpler...
 
  • Like
Reactions: Dan
like this
4th for Unifi. It just works. At this point it is a mature and very stable product.

Cloudkey is a luxury add on for a small network. Totally worth it though unless you have a strict budget. It is a little cheaper than a ubiquiti AC lite, so it it means getting one less AP, I would just get the AP.
 
urbsnspices said:
4th for Unifi. It just works. At this point it is a mature and very stable product.

Cloudkey is a luxury add on for a small network. Totally worth it though unless you have a strict budget. It is a little cheaper than a ubiquiti AC lite, so it it means getting one less AP, I would just get the AP.
Click to expand...
or if you have any 24/7 box the cloud key is not needed. And truth be told you don't need to run the controller software 24/7. I use to on my Plex server but don't anymore because things just work. Only time I do it is to update AP firmware.
 
Vengance_01 said:
or if you have any 24/7 box the cloud key is not needed. And truth be told you don't need to run the controller software 24/7. I use to on my Plex server but don't anymore because things just work. Only time I do it is to update AP firmware.
Click to expand...

***Or if you want it to be collecting network metrics.

Otherwise correct, they'll run fine without it once deployed/live.

EDIT: Some NAS appliances are also able to run it...
 
Been using UBNT since those unifi classics hit the market. Rocking an AC-Pro now and will prob add another AP shortly. The controller runs on an application server vm.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Dan
like this
Just added a UniFi AC Pro and disabled the wireless network on my AC-66u because I wasn’t getting enough coverage. I must say it’s pretty nice. I’m realizing I may need the cloud key as well. I set up the controller software on my laptop but it goes offline when the laptop sleeps. I have a media server that’s always on so I could install there but the cloud key looks so cool!
 
ojai00 said:
Just added a UniFi AC Pro and disabled the wireless network on my AC-66u because I wasn’t getting enough coverage. I must say it’s pretty nice. I’m realizing I may need the cloud key as well. I set up the controller software on my laptop but it goes offline when the laptop sleeps. I have a media server that’s always on so I could install there but the cloud key looks so cool!
Click to expand...
great news. Just run it on the media server. Footprint is so small. Also it does not need to run unless you need to change the config or want to see stats.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Dan
like this
Thanks for the suggestion. I was thinking the same thing after posting and might go that route instead to save me $70!
 
  • Like
Reactions: Dan
like this
Cloud key is worth it for side clients, but my home setup doesn't require it since my unifi camera's nvr is also my network controller which is set to never go off or sleep. If you guys don't have a computer that never goes to sleep, cloudkey is the way to go for sure.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Dan
like this
I've done several Unifi systems but haven't used a Cloud Key yet. Does it offer anything more than the Debian controller?

Also, unless it's changed recently, some Unifi features - for example, guest portal - require a controller.
 
HammerSandwich said:
I've done several Unifi systems but haven't used a Cloud Key yet. Does it offer anything more than the Debian controller?

Also, unless it's changed recently, some Unifi features - for example, guest portal - require a controller.
Click to expand...

Not really. Just convenience, it's a simple PoE Linux device... If you've got an internal or external controller, the cloud key is unnecessary, plus if you're running yours as a VM somewhere, you can always crank up the specs if/when needed. The key is always limited by its hardware, at least until they release a newer one...

cloud-key.png


I need a PoE switch at some point, or rather I'd like to have one... Also yes, guest portal needs the controller still, and a cloud key works just fine.

upload_2018-3-8_18-14-50.png
 
  • Like
Reactions: Dan
like this
Thank you.

I'm pretty cheap about this stuff, but that's not a bad price for a nicely packaged unit. You'd spend at least 50% as much building a Raspberry Pi system with storage, etc.
 
Seems like everyone is on the same page at this point but +1 for unifi. I run the AC Pro's at home and numerous clients. They are cheap and just work.
 
Heard you loud and clear... thanks for all of the advice. I went with Ubiquiti APs as suggested.
I have three AP AC Pros in hand with a cloud key as well. To achieve the desired results (one SSID and PW throughout the building with seamless hand-offs between access points) what configuration type should I use for the APs? Do I want a mesh network? Noob here.
 
Dan said:
Heard you loud and clear... thanks for all of the advice. I went with Ubiquiti APs as suggested.
I have three AP AC Pros in hand with a cloud key as well. To achieve the desired results (one SSID and PW throughout the building with seamless hand-offs between access points) what configuration type should I use for the APs? Do I want a mesh network? Noob here.
Click to expand...

Start here:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVS6ejD9NLZvjsvhcbiDzjw
- Jump into his UniFi specific vids, there are some setup ones.

And here:
https://www.youtube.com/user/arduinoversusevil
- Same here.
https://www.youtube.com/user/TheTecknowledge

This guy is helpful in general:
https://www.youtube.com/user/FiberNinja

Technically unrelated, but for funsies:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChWv6Pn_zP0rI6lgGt3MyfA

That being said... Mesh is technically only if you need to extend coverage and can't hit the AP with an Ethernet cable. It'll basically bridge and extend the network wirelessly, just add power... So no, mesh is likely not what you're after. Just configure the controller and adopt the AP's, they'll basically be a "seamless" network out of the box.

Other [H]'ers might know of better, more useful channels, however these are useful either way...
 
Last edited:
MikeTrike said:
Start here:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVS6ejD9NLZvjsvhcbiDzjw
- Jump into his UniFi specific vids, there are some setup ones.

And here:
https://www.youtube.com/user/arduinoversusevil
- Same here.
https://www.youtube.com/user/TheTecknowledge

This guy is helpful in general:
https://www.youtube.com/user/FiberNinja

Technically unrelated, but for funsies:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChWv6Pn_zP0rI6lgGt3MyfA

That being said... Mesh is technically only if you need to extend coverage and can't hit the AP with an Ethernet cable. It'll basically bridge and extend the network wirelessly, just add power... So no, mesh is likely not what you're after. Just configure the controller and adopt the AP's, they'll basically be a "seamless" network out of the box.

Other [H]'ers might know of better more useful channels, however these are useful either way...
Click to expand...
nope you hit the head on the nail. If you can you reach all 3 aps with Ethernet drops you adaopt all 3 and the config will be pushed out. The only thing you will need to look out for with 3 is the power output. You want overlapping coverage but not each one over powering the other or where a client will stick to one AP long did to the power output
 
Thanks everyone. The advice was taken and I got everything running :)
 
Another recommendation for Ubiquiti. If you have a spare Rasperry Pi sitting around, you can run the controller software on that.
 
Lots of ubiquiti love here. I was a full Ubiquiti geared house. Started having reboot problems with my AC-LRs, so decided to try a bunch of different APs. I don't know what magic TP-Link did with the EAP245, but for the price it is extremely hard to beat. Great range and great performance. Like the Ubiquiti APs you can run them as "solo" or use their EAP software similar to the Ubnt software.

*I will say Ubnt support is amazing. I did have each AC-LR rma'd once, the replacements started having the same issue.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top