I promise this isn’t stupid - Ubiquiti Pro Max 24 PoE

Finally, RGB gaming network switch. Well, not really. Ubiquiti is here with their new Pro Max 24 PoE with etherlighting, so you get quick status/speed updates at a glance. Jake couldn't wait to get his hands on it to see if the port lighting is just a gimmick or if it should be in server rooms around the globe.

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CHAPTERS
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0:00 This can't be real...
0:38 Unboxing and visual differences
1:31 The name is a bit confusing
2:31 Port selection
4:03 Sponsor - Pulseway
4:36 Starting it up and why the lights are useful
6:02 Trying out different cables
7:17 SC after dark
8:06 Other Etherlighting products and customizing the colours
11:02 Pricing and comparison to an alternative
11:48 Overall thoughts
12:49 Outro

[ist.media]

Remember that old video when Linus said "RGB isn't the main focus for server manufactures, yet"

[dan_loup]

It needs a load mode, that goes from green to red depending on how much traffic there is in certain ports, and maybe one for packet rate specifically.

[trietnguyen]

The one time RGB makes sense for color coding! You know how hard it is to write documentation for network???

[Zweulf]

The VLAN identification feature is what dreams are made of.

[moti.g]

Jake: describes functionality that doesn't exist
Somewhere, a product manager at ubiquiti: furiously taking notes

[CatalystDestiny]

There actually is an easy way around that cable covering up the light problem - that huge amount of space above each port, they could simply have the RBG lights there right above each port nice and clear so yeah all kinds of IT teams could use the RGB as color coding to make managing racks full of these far simpler for their IT teams. Pretty cool feature with lots of potential if you think outside of the box and don't just associate "anything RGB = gamer lulz".

[SamPhoenix_]

Starting a networking job (Which wont be on site most of the time), I was quite excited for this.

If when I need something doing, instead of having to drive to site or try and painfully tell someone how to find the right port, I could just light it up remotely and say "that one".
Also having them set to the VLAN is really nice.

Hoping they do flesh this out a bit more, some of the other features I would imagine are currently on the beta firmware.

[garryholmberg]

Out of the box thinking on Ubiquiti's part, what a great idea. And you only need to replace the cables on ports/configs you want to give RGB meaning like this group is the LAG, or these ports are for access points (I know you said that function isn't there yet, but I am hoping it is in their long term plan. They wouldn't need to do anything other than just let you set the color without regard for the things they currently set the color for). Very cool!!!

[computerup]

Imagine cables using some cheap fiber optics integrated in them, to not only light up the plug on the switch side, but also on the other end! If you’d want to see where a cable run ends, just blink the light on the port and see where else in the rack/building it lights up! One of my previous employers uses cables similar to that, but you can just use a little device that clips onto the connector and does the same.

[cheeseisgreat]

I could see RGB lighting being soooo useful in networking simply because of being able to color code at the device which things are what, which would absolutely pay for itself in saved time from having to read port numbers or label everything with labelmaker labels that fall off or rub off after a while. Especially if you have someone who’s your boots on the ground but doesn’t necessarily have access to accounts and stuff but you’re talking them through the situation, which happens at my work all the time. Hopefully they add further logic functionality in the lighting, because I could absolutely see a use for this right now.

[GrantZaitchick]

I can confirm on Ubiquiti not being able to recognize everything, that whenever I look at my connected devices, my Arch Linux desktop will show as a Steam Deck in unifi network even though it is not that specific distro.

[rustedoutwrench]

I would love to see a home setup that's normal like a couple poe cameras, a few acess points, a few general plug ins, and then maybe a small home storage. Also a few videos on how to set it up would be cool.

[DoctorX]

Having the ability to identify things visually is great. I feel like there should be an indicator above/below the port and not just IN the port, that way you don't have to worry about opaque cables blocking it, or getting the special transparent cables. [I'd like it to be both, and if I had money I'd get the special transparent cables, it does look lovely]

[PGrAnGeR]

This will become a mandatory feature in all switchgear by 2030

[questglove]

I know nothing about networking but some of my favorite videos by LTT or Short Circuit is Jake just being super passionate about it.

[CreaminFreeman]

Hit the nail on the head: they should add this to everything AND THEY SHOULD MAKE IT CUSTOMIZABLE!!
As someone who uses Ubiquiti products quite a lot for work I can't wait to play with one of these!

[webluke]

Jake forgot about all the "Ultra" new Unifi gear that is just a rebranding of "Lite, " which is just the basic stuff in new cases. And there is nothing "Ultra" about a 1G switch these days.

[TunedForkYT]

As an often remote network guy, this is my favorite thing unifi has uniquely done. The idea of telling a user "I've marked two ports orange - please plug in there" is amazing. Definitely not a gimmick.

[RILDIGITAL]

It's refreshing to see Ubiquity trying something different in such a stagnant market. While it's mostly aesthetics, the practicality of the colored ports can't be ignored for large scale setups.

[arminrichard]

I love how jake transforms into a kid on christmas everytime new ubiquity shows up.