New house build & network (Ubiquiti setup)

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davec987

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#258543 8-Oct-2019 22:13

Hi,

Long time reader, first time poster...
I'm after advice probably on a few fronts.

I've done a lot of reading on these forums and elsewhere. I am currently doing a new build and we are close to having the cabling put into the house (290sqm / 2 storey).
This is what will be being run in currently:
2 * outdoor security cameras, 1 * indoor security camera
3 * TV's each with 4 * cat6 terminations
2 other cat6 terminations
2 * WAP points

In terms of hardware I've pretty much made up my mind to use Ubiquiti after reading a lot of positive articles and watching videos.

This is the hardware I'm thinking of:
Security Gateway USG / Router
Cloud key Gen2 Plus
2 * WAP - UPA-AC-LR Dual band AC1350
3 * cameras - still determining exactly which models
Switch(s) - I'm not too sure here, I need to cover POE for the cameras and WAPs and also the other non POE terminations
Patch panel
Cabinet

I guess firstly I'm after advice on the following:
Patch panels - best Ubiquiti switch option(s) to cover what I've listed
Patch panel & cabinet recommendations based on the above
Where to set the cabinet. I have 2 options really, in the garage which is easy to access or a reasonably sized access under the stairs.
And finally the general set up I've gone for.

Any help / advice would be appreciated.

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#2333128 9-Oct-2019 03:32

I'd personally go for 3-4 X AC-LITE rather than 2 AC-LR. I'd go cheaper APs but with higher density 5Ghz coverage

I've got 3 AC-LITE in a similar sized 2 story solid concrete house and it works well but could really do with 1 more AP. In an NZ timber house you'd probably get away with 3 and have decent outdoor coverage.

I'd put the patch panel at around 1800 in the garage. I did that in my house and it's great. Easy to patch and you can fit the freezer under it. Go for at least a 6U cabinet and you've got space for a UPS so you can watch Netflix on an iPad if the power goes out. You can also fit a NAS or 2U server.

I'd also cable.at least 2 CAT6 runs to every room. You don't have to terminate them (which is the expensive biit), you can leave them under a blank plate and then only use them if required but you won't regret running extra cables. You will regret not running them at some point, especially between the floors. You could even have a second distribution point upstairs if you were feeling inspired but that would be overkill for most people.

Mattmannz

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#2333158 9-Oct-2019 08:03

I like the Ubiquiti "vision" but in my experience there are better products at the same price point, depending on your experience working with technology some of them might provide you better flexibility. The single pane of glass view from Ubiquiti doesn't always deliver what you want.

Definitely run the Unifi AP's, Cameras and Cloud key, that's a great solution. From a routing and switching point of view there is plenty of other hardware on the market that is more reliable with more features at similar price points.

From a router perspective the Mikrotik's are fantastic, great performance, tons of features and great pricing. If you are running a few AP's and Camera's then a PoE switch is a worthwhile investment - personally the TP-Link fully managed PoE switches are powerful and reliable and priced well.

Definitely fit a UPS if you can into your budget.

Matt.

chevrolux

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#2333166 9-Oct-2019 08:20

Go for the new Unifi nano-HD access points instead of the old 'AC' models.

If you are going UBNT everything, stick with Unifi switches. Otherwise the pretty pictures in the controller won't be complete.

I agree with everything @Mattmannz says, and personally wouldn't/don't use Unifi routers/switches because Mikrotik is just better. But would add that going Unifi everything certainly makes it easy for the general consumer to build a very high quality network, whereas they wouldn't get off the ground the Mikrotik gear.

cyril7

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#2333169 9-Oct-2019 08:29

Hi another one here that says yes to a mikrotik router & unifi switch and wap combo.

Cyril

Yoban

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#2333191 9-Oct-2019 09:21

cyril7: Hi another one here that says yes to a mikrotik router & unifi switch and wap combo.

Cyril

@cyril or @chevrolux or @Mattmannz - what model would you suggest for mikrotik?

coffeebaron

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#2333192 9-Oct-2019 09:22

If you are going mainly Ubiquiti including Cloud Key Gen 2+, then it makes sense to use Ubiquiti cameras too as you'll already have the NVR component ready to go.

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chevrolux

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#2333198 9-Oct-2019 09:34

Yoban:

cyril7: Hi another one here that says yes to a mikrotik router & unifi switch and wap combo.

Cyril

@cyril or @chevrolux or @Mattmannz - what model would you suggest for mikrotik?

RB750Gr3 is good for 800-850Mbps over PPPoE, and seems to also easily manage 100Mbps over IPsec (haven't tested further).

RB4011 for a bit more grunt, and a 10Gbps uplink to switches.

BarTender

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#2333205 9-Oct-2019 09:42

As someone who has deployed the full Unifi solution between two offices we use the complete CloudKey + USG4 + Unifi Switch + NanoHD + Camera combo. It all works well when it works.

One issue I had is we have a site to site L2TP VPN with a Static IP on both ends and they are both directly connected to the UFB ONT which I believe contributed to killing all internet access with the latest firmware upgrade. I had to reboot the USG from the LAN side as it wasn't accessible from the WAN.

Another issue I had recently was the CloudKey HDD just blew up after 3 months of operation which was easily replaced but it's something to be mindful of. Having a backup of the CloudKey and a way to recover should it all go wrong is something worth considering.

I had a backup of the controller but not the Unifi protect so with the new Cloudkey I had to factory reset the camera to bring it back online plus we lost all the recordings.

Overall I am very happy with the performance of WiFi and connection on a Gigabit UFB and everyone else in the office doesn't complain. Plus the Controller console is for the most part easy for non-tech people to admin. The only real concern I have is a way to easily recover it if everything blows up again.

Lostja

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#2333214 9-Oct-2019 09:51

Following with interest as I am looking at doing the same

cyril7

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#2333218 9-Oct-2019 09:55

Hi, as Chevrolux said HexS(aka RB750Gr3) and RB4011, I have not tested the HexS with WAN links over 200/20 when using PPPoE so interested in Sams test results of 800-850 (sam any further comment) but have used the RB4011 on 950/450 WANs and it hardly breaks a sweat.

Cyril

Yoban

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#2333221 9-Oct-2019 10:05

chevrolux:

Yoban:

cyril7: Hi another one here that says yes to a mikrotik router & unifi switch and wap combo.

Cyril

@cyril or @chevrolux or @Mattmannz - what model would you suggest for mikrotik?

RB750Gr3 is good for 800-850Mbps over PPPoE, and seems to also easily manage 100Mbps over IPsec (haven't tested further).

RB4011 for a bit more grunt, and a 10Gbps uplink to switches.

Thanks for that. I see Rb4011 is passive cooled which will suit my rack location, but does run hot/hot to touch - have you experienced this?

Been looking at RB4011 vs USG-PRO, but feel my networking skills closer suited to Unifi UI.

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cyril7

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#2333224 9-Oct-2019 10:12

Hi, I have several RB4011's in service at work, have not noticed they get hot, only an expected warmth, also they are not a full rack unit high, although the rack mounting brackets are, so the router creates a natural breathing space above and below, so mounting it hard up under a switch still leaves an air gap, so overall a good design.

Cyril

Yoban

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#2333225 9-Oct-2019 10:17

Appreciate the feedback @cyril7 - at the price point of the RB4011 vs USG Pro, this sounds like a good option combined with Unifi switch+APs.

I am guessing it would not take as much of a hit in performance as USGs seem to do (based on forum comments) when dpi and ips are enabled.

Yoban

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#2333226 9-Oct-2019 10:19

@bartender - how has been the performance of the USG-Pro with dpi and ips enabled? Seems the end users have not noticed assuming it is enabled.

chevrolux

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#2333238 9-Oct-2019 10:21

cyril7:
Hi, as Chevrolux said HexS(aka RB750Gr3) and RB4011, I have not tested the HexS with WAN links over 200/20 when using PPPoE so interested in Sams test results of 800-850 (sam any further comment) but have used the RB4011 on 950/450 WANs and it hardly breaks a sweat.

Cyril

Yep chucked one on a mates UFB max/500 and could consistently get 800-850 on speedtest.net.

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