I think this may be the best deal at the moment for the Unifi Express. Should be good for simple home networks and gives you good remote access through Unifi Site Manager. I am considering this for the holiday home.
This is an integrated gateway, router, Unifi network controller and Wifi 6 access point. There are some limitations like:
- Maximum 4 Unifi devices (Access points, Switches etc.)
- Low powered CPU and little RAM = No IPS/IDS
No free shipping for me unfortunately. I live in regional QLD.
PLE is $239 with free shipping
But the U6-pro is only a wireless access point. This is an access point + Gateway + Unifi Network controller.
I have a UDM and a U6Mesh and looking to extend my home network. Would these be compatible? They undercut the U6Mesh by around $100 but I can't figure out why.
Because it has underpowered wifi hardware compared to the U6 Mesh
U6 Mesh:
MIMO
2.4 GHz
5 GHz
6 GHz
2 x 2 (UL MU-MIMO)
4 x 4 (DL/UL MU-MIMO)
Unifi Express:
MIMO
2.4 GHz
5 GHz
2 x 2 (DL/UL MU-MIMO)
2 x 2 (DL/UL MU-MIMO)
Got it, thanks. I skimmed right over those details.
You would think Unifi could make a version of the Unifi express that is a mesh-able access point only, without the gateway and network controller. That should be a lot cheaper.
@trippy: That has been the criticism of a lot of their latest products — a mish-mash of features with intentional omissions of some key things that would've made it a "must-buy" but instead you're forced to look a little higher up their shelf.
@JPerez: Tplink omada is the closest competitor in price amd features that I've found. No experience with it though, my unifi gear is still working.
Just bought a UXG-Lite over getting a UX
The UXG-Lite is probably better, but you will then have to buy a network controller and at least one wireless access point.
Yeh I already have 3 WAPs, a Cloud Key Gen 2, a Unifi PoE Switch and needed to replace a fried USG.
Replaced my USG with a Cloud Ultra. Works great.
@isaw: That looks like the logical upgrade path from the USG given all the model variants released of late.
I replaced my USG with the UXG-Lite and it also works great as a drop in replacement. You just remove the USG from your controller and then adopt the UXG (but I had to connect directly to the UXG first by Ethernet and change its IP to 192.168.0.1 in the web interface before I started, I think the default was something that wouldn't smoothly fit into my network)
Note that USGs have a known issue with the power supplies dying - have you tried just swapping the power supply for a new one?
You don't need to buy a controller, just run the controller application on one of your machines. It's just a Windows/Linux app.
If you want to collect stats 24/7 its nice run this on a dedicated device.
@trippy: Yeah, run it on your existing server or NAS - you can do it in Docker even.
It definately doesn't need a dedicated device, just one that's always on 👍
UX is really there designed for a small managed network, like a very small office who got their IT infrastructure outsourced. This gives them a cheaper alternative to a full UniFi experience.
I really don't think normal people should have this if there's a slight chance of future expansion to the network in the UniFi eco-system.
I ordered one for the holoday house. Future possible expansions may be a flex mini switch and an extra wired AP if needed. I think the unifi express should be up for handling that.
I would rather wait and get the Cloud Gateway Ultra for around $200, no AP built in but nothing a AC-Pro/U6/U7 can't solve.
https://techspecs.ui.com/unifi/unifi-cloud-gateways/ucg-ultr…
How are those IDS/IPS features? Is that a free product (signature updates)? Similar to Asus ones?
@SAU, i think it is all a bit if a mystery. It is definitely a free feature of the Unifi software, but i am not sure exactly what it does and how effective it is. My guess is that it is better than nothing for a home user. It blocks my kids' attempts to connect to open minecraft servers.
IPS/IDS isn't blocking minecraft, that's just content filtering.
IPS/IDS are pretty black box within the Unifi suite unfortunately, you are right.
That would be my choce if I needed a bit more features. Will they really be AU $200 in Asutralia though?
I have a UDR in a linen closet so not the best use of its wifi. was thinking to throw one of these everwhere I have a TV next to an apple TV and turn off the UDRs wifi.
Would this be stupid to say run 3-4 of these instead of the internal wifi, and is it even possible to use in tandem with a UDR because these seem to be routers as well as APs as opposed to just APs like the inwalls and UAPs
$239 Delivered at Centre Com