The Unifi 'Short Stack' - An entry level to Unifi Network

Short Stack:

Short Stack Plus:

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0:00 Intro
0:24 The Unifi Short Stack
6:00 The Unifi Short Stack Plus
9:25 Overall thoughts

[emo]

wtf i was just getting into unifi gear, impeccable timing

[antoniocheca]

Short stack is the entry drug for sure, I started back in 2017 with an 8 port POE switch, 2 APs, USG and Cloud Key back then. Some of that HW is still around and working properly in my homelab. Recently I upgraded to the Cloud Gateway Ultra and I am very happy with it!

[MrHjscott]

I think Cloud Gateway Max ($199+), Pro Max 16 PoE ( $399) and U7 Pro ($189) is a great flexible, expandable and feature rich combo. 23 ports total -- 1Gbe, 2.5Gbe, 10 Gbe and PoE

[akorenkov]

Just keep in mind with the Express GW, you can only adopt 4 devices. So, expandability is extremely limited.
If you're buying an AP, don't get the Express GW, get the Ultra instead and save some money.
Also, get a POE to USB-C splitter so you can power the GW off the switch.

[dandcodes]

Loved this video, one of your best yet. Its great to have a guide on how to get into the Unifi stack, or at least what your upgrade path looks like if I wanted to move away from my UDM

[arielamieva]

Very nice video. I have a big Unifi setup, but was shopping around for a family member who has very simple requirements, and this video helped a lot. Thank you!

[Tom_Azin]

Excellent video and a great introduction of how people can get onboard with Unifi systems.

I personally went with the UCG Ultra instead of the Express, just because I don't need WiFi where my router is located.

[boondockmutiny]

That TPLink Omada box on the wall is just staring at me 👀

[notreal]

Love your videos as always!

If I was going to build a Unifi Short Stack, I'd recommend just going with a Dream Router + the access point you recommended. It has two POE ports with a budget of 40W, and has support for running Protect as well as other Unifi apps. It also has IPS/IDS and acts as a Unifi controller, so you dont need a gateway. I think it's a better setup than what is presented, personally. Not as small but close. Keep up the good work brother!

[danielramfer]

its the video i was looking for, a simple and perfect guide to know where to start. Thanks!!

[texasermd]

Have this setup in our rental home while we build again. Using a second AP and a Flex Mini so that maxes out the 4 UniFi device limit. Very happy with the system. Going back to the full stack again once we make the move to the new house… Dream Machine Pro Max, U7 Pro in-wall APS, Pro Max POE switch with Etherlighting, doorbell, cameras. Should be fun. 👍🏼👍🏼

[murtadha]

Brilliant recommendation man, thank you!

I personally got the Unifi Dream Router a while back cause it runs all apps and it has WiFi 6 and is a good price. Its throughput is only 600mbps but it’s good enough for my ISP connections anyways. And I have a U6 Lite AP too, which fits perfectly with that single POE port it has.

[jeremybarber]

I have the Unifi Dream Machine v1 -> PoE injector -> 5 port USW Flex that shares power over to my U6 Lite for better coverage in the back yard. My desk lab has a Juniper EX2300-24T right now but I am seriously tempted by that Pro 8 PoE which would allow me to ditch that PoE injector and be closer to a 10” Mini Rack. I have been lusting after that mini rack since I first laid eyes on it, thanks dude. Great video and love the 2 tiers!

[Eric-leon]

Why Express over Cloud Gateway | UCG ?

[mrwalter]

I upgraded my Ubiquiti EdgeRouterX, Generic PoE+ dumb switch, and U6Lite setup to almost exactly that Short Stack Plus -setup. I've got the UCG-Ultra and the U7-Pro now, still rocking the generic PoE+ switch. Only bad side of the dumb switch is that it's obviously not compatible with Unifi. But this setup works very well for my apartment and scratches that prosumer itch I have just right for the incredible value you get for the money.

[Viking]

Being on disability makes my choices very limited. I wish I could do Unifi, but instead I am building an OPNsense router/firewall using an older dell sff pc with a core i5-6500T cpu and a 4 port 2.5 Gbe NIC, an older netgear Wi-Fi 6 router in AP mode and then a couple dumb 8 port 2.5 Gbe switches. This costs A LOT less than a ubiquity setup, but has a lot less cohesive functionality. It works though.

[markarca]

You can also use a UniFi Switch Flex Mini, which is smaller than the UniFi Switch Ultra.

[velodyneman]

Great video! For around 800 bucks it a solid investment into the Unifi rabbit hole.

[pawelgrad]

My setup started with UDR and flex mini. Later I added AC mesh on chimney and U6+ to add more coverage in house.

[AnthonyBove]

This has helped me out so much, subscribed