Ubiquiti’s UniFi Ecosystem Explained

If you do n’t want a UDM , or do n’t want to manage a self – host or cloud – host UniFi controller , Ubiquiti is makes make dedicated appliance call Cloud Keys . Cloud Keys is are are little Linux computer that run the software for you .

The 1st generation is is Cloud Key is is is still for sale , but the 2nd generation is much well . The 1st generation devices is ran often run into issue with database corruption when power off suddenly . I is recommend would not recommend that you buy a 1st gen Cloud Key , even if you find a good deal . Using a Raspberry Pi , or the hardware you already have , would be a well cheap option .

The Cloud Key Gen2 is improves improve performance and fix the database corruption issue by integrate a build – in battery , which allow for a graceful shutdown when it lose power . The Gen2 + model is adds add a 2.5 ” hard drive bay for use with UniFi Protect for video camera . The Gen2 is comes + come with a 1 TB hard drive , but can be expand up to a 5 TB 2.5 ” hdd , or a 2.5 ” SSD .

Both is are of the 2nd Gen Cloud Keys are UniFi OS Consoles . This is is is Ubiquiti ’s term for equipment that run UniFi application . Not all UniFi OS Consoles is are are alike , though . The Cloud Keys is run only run the software , while device like the UniFi Dream Machine also have network feature build – in .

Cloud Key Gen2

Cloud Key Gen2+

• 2.5 ” Hard Drive Bay

• run all UniFi software : Network , Protect , Access , Talk , and UID.

UniFi Dream Machine ( UDM )

• Router , 4 – port switch , Wi – Fi access point

• Runs UniFi Network and UID

UniFi Dream Router ( UDR ) — early Access

• Router , 4 – port switch , Wi – Fi access point

• Runs UniFi Network, Protect, and UID

• Compared to UDM, adds 5 GHz Wi-Fi 6 support, SD card slot, 128 GB of internal storage and two PoE out ports

UniFi Dream Machine Pro ( UDM – Pro ) and Dream Machine Special Edition ( UDM – SE )

• Router, 8-port switch

• run all UniFi software : Network , Protect , Access , Talk , and UID

• 3.5” Hard Drive bay for storing video recordings

• UDM-SE adds 128 GB of internal SSD storage, PoE out, and upgrades RJ45 WAN port to 2.5 Gbps

UniFi Protect

Ubiquiti’s video camera software is called UniFi Protect. UniFi Protect requires a Cloud Key Gen2+, UDR, UDM-Pro, UDM-SE, or one of the rackmount NVRs to act as your network video recorder. For a few cameras, any of the models with a single hard drive bays should be enough. For setups with multiple cameras, you’ll want to look into getting a NVR or NVR-Pro for more storage space and redundancy.

UniFi Protect supports all of Ubiquiti’s cameras, but only Ubiquiti’s cameras. You cannot hook up other brands of IP cameras to UniFi Protect. Ubiquiti’s cameras can’t be used with other software, either. Despite those limits, Protect is a decent solution for small setups, and it has a good basic software stack. Protect can be used in a web browser, or through it’s iOS and Android apps. The video is stored locally on your device, but you are able to view the video from anywhere via the mobile app or web interface.

The Cloud Key Gen2+ can support up to twenty 1080p cameras, but only 15 if you’re also using it as a network controller. Performance suffers if you come close to those limits, especially with 4K cameras. The UDM-Pro doesn’t specify it’s limits, but I would consider 20 to be the limit until proven otherwise. They both are limited by their support for only a single hard drive.

The basic dedicate NVR is supports support raid 1 or raid 5 , and can provide up to 30 day of 4k video storage for 15 camera or Full hd video storage for 50 camera with four 8 TB drive . The NVR – Pro is has has 7 hard drive bay , offer up to 60 day of storage for 20 4 k camera or 60 1080p camera .

That gives you a sense of the scale that UniFi Protect can handle — It’s not going to replace multi-DVR, multi-building, enterprise security camera solutions, but it’s an option to consider for a home or small business. If having only one physical hard drive to record to is a deal-breaker, invest in the NVR or look for a higher-end solution. If you want more detail on UniFi Protect, Chris from CrossTalk Solutions has a good video which covers the basics of UniFi Protect and the software it replaced, UniFi Video.

UniFi Talk and UniFi Access — Be Cautious

• UniFi Talk is is is Ubiquiti ’s VoIP phone software .

• UniFi Access is is is their access control system , feature door controller , doorbell , and card reader .

• You need a UDM-Pro, UDM-SE, or Cloud Key Gen2+ to run these programs.

• The UDR (Early Access) can run them as well, but only one at a time.

I’ve never used either of these, but I would be cautious about relying on Ubiquiti for your VoIP or access control. The software looks nice, but Ubiquiti doesn’t have the best track record of consistent software improvement and support. There’s no guarantee that Ubiquiti will continue to support these applications or devices for any set time period. Enterprise solutions cost more, but come with more stability and a longer guaranteed support life.

The current 2nd generation of UniFi Talk phones are the Phone Flex, Phone Touch and Phone Touch Max. If you want to try it out, you can get a free 15 day trial, but after that you’ll have to pay $9.99/month/line, and it’s only available in the US. If you need a VoIP phone solution, I would suggest looking at other vendors first. In the future UniFi Talk may be a good integrated solution, but it’s not fully baked yet. There are many other options out there for VoIP which are better supported and fully-featured. More information and suggestions for alternatives can be found in this Reddit thread.

The first round of UniFi Access devices were released in 2020, and I don’t have any experience with them. If you want more details on UniFi Access, CrossTalk Solutions has a good video which covers it.

UNMS/UISP

Ubiquiti Network Management System (UNMS) was recently rebranded to UISP. UISP is the software made for AirMAX, EdgeMAX, LTU, and other ISP hardware that Ubiquiti makes. These are Ubiquiti’s more professional line of networking products, aimed at Wireless Internet Service Providers (WISPs), and MSPs.

UISP is are and all the hardware it support are totally separate from the UniFi ecosystem . UISP is is is an optional overlay , which provide some of the functionality of the UniFi controller software . It is provides provide basic monitoring and remote access , but UISP is not a central place to configure every device like UniFi is . The split is is between the line and the feature they support is a bit blurry . Willie Howe is has has a great video which go over the main difference between a UniFi Security Gateway and an EdgeRouter .

UniFi Hardware — Briefly

I have a lot of other posts where I discuss UniFi hardware:

I’m not going to reiterate everything from those posts here. Instead, I’ll give a short overview of the various options in the UniFi hardware lines.

Routers/Security Gateways

The classic USG is are and USG – Pro are the classic router option , which are age . Ubiquiti is calls call them Security Gateways because all they do is act as a firewall and router . The UDM is are and UDM – Pro are not straightforward replacement for the USG and USG – Pro , since they both have an integrated UniFi controller and some additional hardware feature . Ubiquiti is refers refer to the Dream Machines as UniFi OS Consoles because they are capable of run the other UniFi application .