How the UniFi Network Server Works And How To Get Started

Learn how the UniFi Network Server works and explore the benefits and drawbacks of using it in a cloud or on-premise environment

How to setup UniFI Server on Linux
Lawrence.Video/unifi-self-hosted

How To Setup Self Hosted Multi-Site Management
Lawrence.Video/unifi-multisite-management

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Chapters
00:00 Does UniFI Server Require the cloud?
01:45 Download The UniFi Server
02:30 How and Where To Setup The UniFi Server Controller
05:00 UniFi Site Manager
06:04 Getting Started With UniFi
07:22 Multi Site Management With Site Manager
09:04 Self Hosted Multisite Management
11:00 What Happens If The UniFi Server Goes Down?

[chrisbaksa]

I've been using the Unifi software as a network controller for years on my Windows VM. I've never had a Cloud Key or any other hardware device. I never saw the justification in purchasing a device (that was plagued with issues) when the software worked just fine. I wrote a script that makes the install and upgrade easy but Net Net... The result is the software running as a service that is easy to manage and backup. The commands are simple... "java -jar lib\ace.jar installsvc" to install and "java -jar lib\ace.jar startsvc" to start the service. As my VM's are backed up nightly, I can restore the entire app and config going back 30 days.

[kermee]

Quick possible Correction: Some UniFi APs are able to work in 'Standalone' mode which doesn't require the UniFi Network Controller to operate. You can use the "UniFi Mobile App" either for Android or iOS, but I think not all UniFi APs models, especially the newer models, support it. And the features of the APs, when running in 'Standalone' mode are limited in functionality.

[philbishop]

Question:

I have a Dream Machine SE running every multiple application ( Network, Talk, Protect etc ) with 100 devices. I have a pretty powerful PC just sitting in the corner doing nothing.. So would I be better to install Linux on it with the Unifi controller software on it and use it over the DM SE. Would it help with Intrusion Prevention speeds etc.. I notice a drastic drop in my max internet speed if this is turned on.. So would having a more powerful processor and RAM help this?

[ronaldhofman]

option 43 is used by other devices also, i use set inform command, it's really easy via putty can be setup in 1 minute

[tomasnorre]

There is a typo in network in the title after the intro ;)

[LiveWireBT]

The name "Cloud Key" is confusing when all you want to do is get good at networking, so that you are not dependent on some dubious business model. "It's just a server that manages automatic updates of your OpenWRT access points." Would be less intimidating to some.

[johnevans]

I have recently had a problem with my server and my controller went down with it. I can tell you that all my APs a mix of Enterprise U6e and Pro Max wifi 7 went down. They just turned off the wifi and I had the entire family complaining. Apparently if you don't change something in the configuration, if they can't ping the server where you have the controller, they just think that there is no Internet and dissable the wifi completely. They re-enable the wifi SSID from time to time, but mostly you end up with either an unstable connection or a non existent one. Just wanted to share this information.

[dataplatter]

“UniFi Network Server” or “UniFi Network Application”?

Just keep it consistent Ubiquiti!

[ronaldhofman]

We use this for our clients with 1 or 2 ap's , runs on a vm

[pw]

What about UI accounts to log into the cloud key? My cloud key forced me to switch to a UI account login from a local login

[JoshDike-lxgl]

The only issues I've had running it on Windows is just that at some point the firewall changed either on the window side or the Discovery ports used within unifi. All their documentation seems to indicate that Microsoft made a change and started blocking their Discovery report so once that was reopened in the windows firewall I've had zero issues

[DieterFrueh-cpgo]

I use the home assistant addon or docker image

[mvp_kryptonite]

Nice! I actually forgot AP can be run in standalone mode. With a UXG, what information needs to be reconfigured if I move all devices to a new site on the same controller (CK2+)? I understand Teleport can only be used on the default site

[Logicalidea-nizv]

Can we get an update on the unifi protect/camera system ?

[xephael]

How do you set them up for edge computing? 😜🤣

[Thierry.g]

I’m just looking for Unifi products (never used) but there is something I don’t understand

The UDM provides a web interface which allows you to configure your devices and their functionalities (switches, VLAN, AP…). But it seems it’s also ensure (at least) the IDS/IPS protection.

If you don’t use any UDM and only using the Network Controller on a PC which does not request to be always on, does it means IDS/IPS protection will not available ?

Not clear to least for me …

[plrpilot]

The video link isn't working for me. Enjoyed the video, though.

[sanpietroprogettista]

Have you installed a UDP Multicast IPTV system in a hospitality setting with UniFi?

[guaripolo]

i really hope they give eventually some cli to configure them. controllers go down, happens. is a pain. I wish they would do something like extreme.

[iantabor]

It works well on a raspberry pi but the latest version needs the 64bit piOS because the database got changed to 64bit only.