Geekzone giveaway: Ubiquiti Dream Machine

Forums › Off topic › Geekzone giveaway: Ubiquiti Dream Machine

michaelmurfy

cat
12221 posts

Uber Geek

Moderator

ID Verified

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#270046 20-Apr-2020 22:15

You've read the title right - I am giving my review unit away to one lucky person on here all thanks to Go Wireless! You can read my review Here.

How to enter: Now, I did trick you a little. It may be a giveaway but I need to know you're deserving enough to get this router. So, we're all bored at the moment with lockdown (or working from home as I am). To enter in the competition you need to draw / sketch / plot / doodle / mindmap your home network and devices along with take photos of it pointing out flaws with your setup - you can upload these images and link them in your post using the Geekzone image uploader (ensure your post contains embedded images by using the IMG tag). Using the datasheet (here) list off ways (again, be creative) where the UniFi Dream Machine will assist you with creating the perfect home network.

You're free to search online for inspiration however stealing images that don't belong to you will automatically get you disqualified from this competition so don't do that.

How the judging will happen: Be creative, make other people laugh because they're the ones actually judging here. By using the +1 buttons at the top of the post vote on those who you think are deserving to win the Dream Machine from the content of their post. I'm excluded from this competition. The winner will be announced once we're back at Level 2 COVID-19 restrictions. I'll post a list of qualifying entries at the cutoff to get some final votes in. In the event of a tie-breaker the moderation team will collectively decide on a winner.

General rules: Competition is open to anyone who has had a Geekzone account before the time this competition was posted and the winner will be announced by PM. This giveaway is only open to NZ residents. After confirmation we will post winner's username in this topic. Once confirmed, the winner will receive the prize via post (once courier services are fully operational).

Email notification: this topic may get quite busy, so if you don't want to receive email notifications when new replies are posted, remember to uncheck the "E-mail me when someone replies to this post" option. An unsubscribe option is always sent with every email.

And lastly, stay home, and stay safe out there!

Easy voting: If you make an entry mark it with "set answer" - this way by viewing Answers Only you only get the people who have entered the competition.

Michael Murphy | https://murfy.nz
Referral Links: Tessie | Tesla | Quic Broadband (use R122101E7CV7Q for free setup)

Are you happy with what you get from Geekzone? Please consider supporting us by subscribing.
Opinions are my own and not the views of my employer.

1 | 2 | 3

606 posts

Ultimate Geek

#2466843 21-Apr-2020 09:46

Hey Michael awesome competition! Is there a closing date for entries?

TrendMicro

Best TrendMicro deals for antivirus and malware protection(affiliate link).

michaelmurfy

cat
12221 posts

Uber Geek

Moderator

ID Verified

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#2466850 21-Apr-2020 09:56

Nate001:

Hey Michael awesome competition! Is there a closing date for entries?

As per the OP - no date in such, I am leaving it open while we're in Level 4/3 restrictions and drawing when we're back at Level 2/1. So you have time!

eracode

Smpl Mnmlst
7265 posts

Uber Geek

ID Verified

Trusted

Subscriber

#2466851 21-Apr-2020 09:59

Weel they tol’ me to connict up m’ gidgets to m’ router. Bin done that but danged if I can git the whole shebang to work proper.

Sometimes I just sit and think. Other times I just sit.

Batman

Mad Scientist
29038 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#2466907 21-Apr-2020 10:45

If I made multiple posts will you add up all the +1s ?

It's very difficult be the hero Gotham deserves while the hero they need is still struggling to pass Cat6 cables throughout the cave.

At the moment I had to scale up 400 feet (yes Gotham is not yet SI compatible) to an air pocket in the cave to use the neighbour's wifi signal while I am struggling to find a way to connect an item I bought off ebay only to be told by some Geek on the safest island in the world that a consumer grade router will not meet my needs.

The listing read: "repossessed. no antenna, no wires, but the box opens." No mention of whether it's consumer grade.

Please help.

wratterus

1687 posts

Uber Geek

#2466968 21-Apr-2020 11:19

My home network is in a real shambles

You can see this without too much squinting

Traffic flow is highly impacted

Even when I am only just printing

You can see that it has some potential

But right now, nothing is central (ilsed)

My WiFi runs at a terribly slow pace

Even PLC is showing its dirty face

Patch cables everywhere

No free power points to be seen

The wife even complains

The linen cupboard is not clean (enough)

To have a UDM would be swell

Tidy things up incredibly well

WiFi for days

The speeds would amaze

If you could hit that +1

My heart would be ablaze

tehgerbil

995 posts

Ultimate Geek

ID Verified

Subscriber

#2466971 21-Apr-2020 11:21

Ok, can't beat eracode's set up, but this is mine..

I constantly have issues with wifi dropping out, router crashing and my wife despises the fact the router is mounted on the wall to maximise the pathetic range.

This one device would literally help my relationship, as well as stop the constant disconnects, and changing signals and then using my data whenever I (frequently) drop out of range.

Jase2985

12347 posts

Uber Geek

ID Verified

Lifetime subscriber

#2466984 21-Apr-2020 11:43

Currently my network setup is a bit of a mess. The phone line comes in behind the TV in the lounge and that's where the Modem is (VDSL). Behind the TV is an 8 Port Switch which connects all the AV equipment and gaming consoles, all 8 ports are currently used. Right next door in what used to be the dining room, but is now our office is all my computer equipment, and due to working from home there is currently 2 full PC's there. I run all the Vital PC and network gear off an UPS to allow the PC to shutdown gracefully in a power outage, and give us internet and WiFi for about 2-4h. There is a Cambium E400 AP next to the TV doing the WiFi duties for this end of the house.

We have a network cable running under the house from the lounge to the master bedroom where there is a second switch mounted behind the TV which is for the second E400 which does WiFi for the bedrooms. the TV and the media player also connect to the switch so they can talk back to the serviio server on my desktop.

Not the greatest setup at the moment but its working and hopefully this year it will all change.

We are currently in the process of building a garage on the front of our section and as part of this i will be getting an OHUG (Overhead to Underground) conversion done to bring fiber into the garage. This is where the ONT will be placed in a wall mounted cabinet. From there im planning on putting a small server rack under the workbench which will hold some network equipment for sending data back into the house to the APs and the switches. eventually i would like to run 10gbe switches. Having a decent router will allow me to get a gigabit internet connection, as im pretty sure this Netcomm unit will not cut it.

Going forward id like to be able to separate out my IOT devices to their own VLAN, and id like to have a Kids WiFi network to keep them safe online. Finally id like to upgrade the E400's to some newer ubiquity devices to improve WiFi performance around the house. It will also give me the ability to VPN into my network when im away from home to check my security cameras.

The Dream Machine looks like a very capable device and will help me to be on my way to having a more coherent, fast and reliable home network.

Current network topology

Lounge, horrible layout of everything behind/under the TV

Master Bedroom, but more tidy with everything mounted behind the TV

ShinyChrome

SNNAAAAAAKKKKEEEEE
1505 posts

Uber Geek

ID Verified

Trusted

Subscriber

#2466987 21-Apr-2020 11:44

Great idea michaelmurfy!

As much as I would love a new toy, my ER4 -> UniFi Switch 8 -> NanoHD setup is working like a champ... all I need to do is get it wired up. Curse my propensity for overbuying and resulting flawless Ubiquiti setup!

@eracode, you definitely need to get rid of all that spaghetti and get one on of those wireless routers.

lagbort

261 posts

Ultimate Geek

ID Verified

#2466993 21-Apr-2020 11:53

Well, no expectations of winning as my network works pretty well for the most part (other than mobile devices being really stubborn about roaming between APs), but this was an interesting exercise to map the network that has just grown organically over time.

BigMal

982 posts

Ultimate Geek

ID Verified

Trusted

#2467073 21-Apr-2020 13:30

Below is my network topology and accompanying photo.

Those of you with a keen eye will see the main problem with my network is that it's significantly under powered. One guinea pig is simply not enough to provide the power output required to keep things running smoothly. I'm considering improving power output by either

a) Add a wheel for the guinea pig to run on

b) Add a second guinea pig to the network

Input and ideas welcomed.

**edit** I believe the Ubiquiti Dream Machine can be powered by a single guinea pig hence the reason for my entry.

kyhwana2

2553 posts

Uber Geek

#2467164 21-Apr-2020 15:49

Is this the one that catches on fire? :P

tripp

3797 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#2467189 21-Apr-2020 16:23

Is it me or posting your setup not a great idea when it comes to others knowing what you are running on your internal home network? i.e. people knowing you are running plex, NAS, Cameras etc which could tell others what ports are being used etc or outdated hardware/firmware etc.

chevrolux

4962 posts

Uber Geek
Inactive user

#2467217 21-Apr-2020 17:01

tripp:

Is it me or posting your setup not a great idea when it comes to others knowing what you are running on your internal home network? i.e. people knowing you are running plex, NAS, Cameras etc which could tell others what ports are being used etc or outdated hardware/firmware etc.

No, because anything public facing should be secured appropriately. If you don't understand the implications of exposing a web service to the public internet, you shouldn't have done it in the first place.

kyhwana2

2553 posts

Uber Geek

#2467218 21-Apr-2020 17:02

tripp:

Is it me or posting your setup not a great idea when it comes to others knowing what you are running on your internal home network? i.e. people knowing you are running plex, NAS, Cameras etc which could tell others what ports are being used etc or outdated hardware/firmware etc.

Everyone is patching their stuff right? And not exposing things to the entire internet when they shouldn't be?

michaelmurfy

cat
12221 posts

Uber Geek

Moderator

ID Verified

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#2467314 21-Apr-2020 19:36

chevrolux:

tripp:

Is it me or posting your setup not a great idea when it comes to others knowing what you are running on your internal home network? i.e. people knowing you are running plex, NAS, Cameras etc which could tell others what ports are being used etc or outdated hardware/firmware etc.

No, because anything public facing should be secured appropriately. If you don't understand the implications of exposing a web service to the public internet, you shouldn't have done it in the first place.

Also remember the Dream Machine has nearly line speed IPS to help protect these insecure devices :)

But this isn't really the topic to discuss this all on, people are here to win a router so try and keep it on topic folks!

1 | 2 | 3