So Long, Thanks For All The Help

[tgl]

This is where I'm confused. The cloud gateway is what is managed by one of those three things. You said it's an alternative which isn't exactly what the description says. That gateway needs to be managed "With a cloudkey, official unifi hosting, or unifi network server"

Hmm, are you sure you're reading the right item description? That would be accurate for one of their router-only gateways ("unifi network server" is the DIY-hosted application I mentioned). The boxes with built-in controller software do not need an external manager, and AFAIK can't be managed by another local box. There is some provision in them for remote control from UniFi's cloud management if you want that, but I don't know quite how that works --- maybe @Tech9 can fill in details.

 

[Tech9]

The setup and the management are exactly the same like home router. Even easier because the UCG-Ultra/Max have a screen and it shows instructions. On first boot it will show the LAN IP (I believe the default was 192.168.0.1). You can connect to the device with Ethernet and set it up in WebUI or through the phone App. How we connect the phone with no Wi-Fi? - Bluetooth. UCG-Ultra/Max have Bluetooth radio as well as Gyroscope. Why Gyroscope on a gateway? - because the screen rotates automatically. If you have a few UGC's in one rack they will synchronize their displays automatically using both Bluetooth and Gyroscope. Really cool little gadgets with attention to details.

 

[ATLga]

Hmm, are you sure you're reading the right item description? That would be accurate for one of their router-only gateways ("unifi network server" is the DIY-hosted application I mentioned). The boxes with built-in controller software do not need an external manager, and AFAIK can't be managed by another local box. There is some provision in them for remote control from UniFi's cloud management if you want that, but I don't know quite how that works --- maybe @Tech9 can fill in details.

 

[tgl]

View attachment 62315

Yes, that is a gateway, not a cloud gateway. The cloud gateways are the ones with built-in controller. Not the world's most transparent naming, for sure.

It might help to look at UI's tech specs page, where these boxes are classified into "UniFi Cloud Gateways" (router, controller, and in some models also a wireless AP), and "Cloudkeys and Gateways" (the "gateways" are routers only, and the "cloudkeys" are controllers only, so you need one of each unless you're doing DIY-hosted or Ubiquiti-hosted control).

 

[Tech9]

This one (with 2.5GbE WAN only):

Or this one (with all 2.5GbE ports and NVR storage):

 

[ATLga]

This one (with 2.5GbE WAN only):

View attachment 62318

Or this one (with all 2.5GbE ports and NVR storage):

View attachment 62317

I'm in the US store https://store.ui.com/us/en?category=all-cloud-keys-gateways and don't see a CLOUD gateway max listed there. Only the Gateway Max

edit: it was in a different section. Hmmmm

Ubiquiti Store

Rethinking IT

store.ui.com

 

[Tech9]

Cloud Gateway Max NS - Ubiquiti Store

Compact 2.5G Cloud Gateway with 30+ UniFi device / 300+ client support, 1.5 Gbps IPS routing, and selectable NVR storage.

store.ui.com

 

[ATLga]

So would a typical home user want the Cloud Gateway Max or the Gateway Max. Both can be managed from webUI?

 

[Tech9]

You want Cloud Gateway Ultra or Max. They have Gateway, Controller and Switch 3-in-1. You only need to add Access Point.

Your RT-AX86U in Ubiquiti gear:
- Cloud Gateway Ultra - $129
- U6 Mesh with PoE injector included - $179

 

[tgl]

To each his own, but if you choose the Gateway Max you still need to bring a controller in one of the other ways I mentioned. If you're looking for low-hassle, the integrated cloud gateways are attractive.

 

[tgl]

edit: it was in a different section. Hmmmm

Yeah, the online store also puts "cloud gateways" and "gateways" under different headings, just like I said above for the tech specs page.

 

[ATLga]

You want Cloud Gateway Ultra or Max. They have Gateway, Controller and Switch 3-in-1. You only need to add Access Point.

Your RT-AX86U in Ubiquiti gear:
- Cloud Gateway Ultra - $129
- U6 Mesh with PoE injector included - $179

Was actually thinking about exactly what the OP purchased. I could probably get by with one of the AP's but will probably purchase two just in case.

 

[Tech9]

Was actually thinking about exactly what the OP purchased.

Yes, you get 2.5GbE WAN/LAN and 3-band Wi-Fi 7. Check which one of the U7 series APs fits better your needs. There is a choice. Just keep in mind U7 APs have a cooling fan inside and not exactly dead silent. May be an issue for some. There is a fan control in software.

 

[tgl]

I'd not be in a hurry to buy the U7 series just yet. There's an awful lot of complaints in UI's forums leading to the conclusion that they're still getting the bugs out of that hardware and its firmware. The U6 series is far more solid (and no fans). Maybe in a year things will be different.

 

[Tech9]

I'd not be in a hurry to buy the U7 series just yet.

The reason my AP choice was U6 Mesh and the fact they are very small and look really nice. And the RGB light on top, of course.

 

[ATLga]

The reason my AP choice was U6 Mesh and the fact they are very small and look really nice. And the RGB light on top, of course.

View attachment 62320

View attachment 62322

Specs don't really show anything different that would explain why it's labelled "mesh". Marketing?

 

[tgl]

Specs don't really show anything different that would explain why it's labelled "mesh". Marketing?

Yup, pretty much.

None of the UniFi APs are what I would call designed for mesh, because while they can do wireless backhaul, it's not what they are designed for and they're not very good at it. None of them offer a dedicated backhaul radio. If you cannot run wires to everyplace you need an AP, then UniFi may not be the gear for you. Use a wireless UniFi AP only in places where you need low-performance coverage.

 

[ATLga]

This one is the "pro" version of Mesh (haha) and it's flat and not as unique as the cylinder version. Does cover more SqFt though, but has less spatial streams too

Access Point U6 Mesh Pro - Ubiquiti Store

Indoor/outdoor WiFi 6 AP with 4 spatial streams, an integrated super antenna, and a gigabit passthrough port.

store.ui.com

 

[Tech9]

Marketing?

Yes. It's an AP like all the others, but marketed as Mesh with outdoor use options as it has IPX5 protection. Most of the time people don't have wires outdoors and... marketing decided to use the Mesh in the name. Otherwise all Ubiquiti UniFi APs support wireless mesh.

and they're not very good at it

Expected dual-band mesh performance. I tested U6 Mesh in wireless mesh and got some 400+ Mbps out of it. About half of 80MHz channel throughput to 2-stream device. If no wires are available it's not bad. For an outdoor party with 2.4GHz network to clients is excellent, actually.

 

[Tech9]

Does cover more SqFt though

U6 Mesh works better than RT-AX86U and on lower power. In my environment beats it in both range and throughput. My AP's are currently set at 22dBm or 160mW for 5GHz band and 20dBm or 100mW for 2.4GHz band. Four APs cover easily approximately 6000sqft area. Max power is 26dBm or 400mW.