Simplifying my IT - Moving away from UniFi?

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FlyingPete

112 posts

Master Geek

#230635 6-Mar-2018 08:48

Hey,
As a full time solo dad of an 11yo and 14yo tech savvy social media addicted girls I spend quite a bit of time managing my home IT.

Currently I have a full stack of UniFi toys, (switch, two APs and the gateway) however the USG-Pro is offline and using a EdgeRouter-Lite at the moment (more on that shortly), I also have a fully cabled house.

In recent years all the desktops have departed and have been replaced with laptops, all 5G capable, so the use of the cabled infrastructure has been reduced considerably (in fact most outlets not used at all now).

I had implemented time based internet access rules on the USG-Pro, however getting those running and managing them is pain and suffering as it cannot be done via the GUI and the JSON file I was using eventually just stopped working and I could never get the rules to work again so I took the USG-Pro offline and replaced it with an EdgeRouter-Lite which does do time based rules. The hope here is the USG will eventually come up to speed (soon it says on the UniFi forum). I did look at using separate SSIDs for the kids but at the time they still had cabled desktops.

Now I finding I need more control, time based rules don't cut it, I need to control certain services at specific times (social media, streaming video etc). The EdgeRouter will let you do this but it will be a considerable job setting that all up.

And finally we are looking at moving later in the year and odds are there won't cabling in the house.

So I find myself looking for a better solution.

Enter the new generation of "Mesh" (quotes as they are often not really meshed).

The Netgear Orbi looks very appealing as it supports the Disney Circle parental controls that look like (on paper) they will do what I want. I have also noticed there are a new family of devices coming out that you just drop into your network to provide parental controls (Trend just released one), but these are not supported by my current router.

Has anyone else here been on this journey? I have been reading mixed reviews about the Orbi, some great some not so. I know Google, Ubiquiti, Linksys etc also have plays in this space too.

JeremyNzl

359 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1968691 6-Mar-2018 09:07

Have you looked at sophos xg , its free for you usage volume,

I run mine pre my usg, to block torrents and adult content for staff wifi

I have not looked at time rules, but it can do app based filtering,

will need a dedicated pc, or esxi server. Run a Pi-hole ad-blocker as well

Dynamic

3868 posts

Uber Geek

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Lifetime subscriber

#1968746 6-Mar-2018 09:34

We use the KoalaSafe unit at home. It's brilliant and managed from an app that works whether you are home or not. About $160 from memory, had a built in small Wireless AP but also an ethernet port so you can attach a switch or a gruntier AP which uses the same access controls.

Devices are attached to a profile, and you can schedule internet time for each profile. Also there are access control rules for 'general internet' and 'homework only', so for example Kid1 who's homework is up to date can be given half an hour of screen time, and Kid2 who needs to finish an assignment in Google Classroom can be given access using the Homework Only profile.

Happy to take a phone call for any questions as I am a huge fan. The device has a very high WAF as well. Can be ordered straight from the Aussie web site.

Kids asking for internet time.... have you done your chores? Well come back to me when they are done. All done? Open app, click the device's profile, click the Extend Time button (adjusting the length of time granted if you want, and if desired switch between Primary vs Homework profiles). The extension takes effect within 10 seconds whether I'm at home or not.

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FlyingPete

112 posts

Master Geek

#1968760 6-Mar-2018 09:53

Dynamic:

We use the KoalaSafe unit at home. It's brilliant and managed from an app that works whether you are home or not. About $160 from memory, had a built in small Wireless AP but also an ethernet port so you can attach a switch or a gruntier AP which uses the same access controls.

Devices are attached to a profile, and you can schedule internet time for each profile. Also there are access control rules for 'general internet' and 'homework only', so for example Kid1 who's homework is up to date can be given half an hour of screen time, and Kid2 who needs to finish an assignment in Google Classroom can be given access using the Homework Only profile.

Happy to take a phone call for any questions as I am a huge fan. The device has a very high WAF as well. Can be ordered straight from the Aussie web site.

Kids asking for internet time.... have you done your chores? Well come back to me when they are done. All done? Open app, click the device's profile, click the Extend Time button (adjusting the length of time granted if you want, and if desired switch between Primary vs Homework profiles). The extension takes effect within 10 seconds whether I'm at home or not.

This looks like a really good option. I have just been reading about it and I could put this device between the router and the switch so all traffic is routed through it, although I would probably use a separate VLAN and SSID for the kids so only kids traffic is routed through the unit.

The homework profile feature is exactly what I am looking for, easy time extensions great too, saves having to edit or disable firewall rules to achieve the same.