So Long, Thanks For All The Help

[tgl]

On the reboot point ... the only reason I've seen for a full reboot of either an AP or the controller is a new firmware version. As noted, some configuration changes involve a momentary service outage --- maybe 10-30 seconds, versus a couple of minutes for a reboot. But a lot of changes cause no glitch at all. It's kind of annoying that you can't easily tell in advance whether a particular change will cause an outage. But it's a lot more forgiving than what I remember from Asus days, where nearly any config change led to a reboot.

 

[tgl]

By the way, I've read it's not good to just unplug the gateway from power and to instead use the gui to either power off or restart. The ap's have a restart hidden in settings too (saw it but forgot where) but not a power off.

Right, I think I mentioned that upthread. You want to be gentle about shutting down the network controller (which is in the gateway in your case) because that's where all the configuration information lives. APs aren't such a problem; the theory is that APs that get confused after power loss can always be reprovisioned from the controller. I've not seen that happen myself --- I have had a couple of power outages that took down the APs, but they restarted without any apparent difficulty.

I've also been moderately religious about making backups of the controller's state, but have not had to use one yet.

 

[aex.perez]

This is a real interesting thread to follow, seeing both the similarities and the differences, great seeing the experience.
Really appreciate seeing the journey.

 

[Tech9]

similarities and the differences

It's actually more user-friendly than Asuswrt-Merlin + AMTM + Scripts. What is listed in your signature is built-in plus much more, including live data on your screen. I know you like monitoring things and you'll probably be watching it as entertainment for hours. No NAT acceleration hacks, no 3rd party involvement. The little box does everything in house with very quick UI.

Logs per category:

Radios:

Insight:

Client list options:

 

[aex.perez]

It's actually more user-friendly than Asuswrt-Merlin + AMTM + Scripts. What is listed in your signature is built-in plus much more, including live data on your screen. I know you like monitoring things and you'll probably be watching it as entertainment for hours. No NAT acceleration hacks, no 3rd party involvement. The little box does everything in house with very quick UI.

Logs per category:
View attachment 62438

Radios:
View attachment 62439

Insight:
View attachment 62440

Client list options:
View attachment 62441

My setup is pretty much stable, took me a bit to get the WiFi just right, but I suspect that's going to be the same regardless. Also pretty much hands off right now, unless something goes south, Police helicopter fly bys, or someone brings up their system using a similar channel for example. Fortunately I'm in a WiFi sweet spot, with few neighbors and being far enough from interference that my WiFi is VERY stable. A main plus, what I'm liking is not having to use a Router ($$$) as a node, when an AP will do the job.

If/when I jump on WiFi 7 or AT&T delivers more than 1Gb to me, then I'll have to make some decisions. Right now though life is good, and since I'm not and will never use some of the more questionable features , which could speed the process up if I got hacked, I'm good so far. One thing for sure implementing PoE, Security cameras (currently WiFi, but prefer wired) and a NVR would be a easier, that's for sure. Some other things I'm seeing are things I've looked at but worked around or done without. Having been on this setup for a couple of years, and a two AC5300's before that, been with this tech for a bit and on Merlin slightly longer.

5Ghz/160Mhz, I regularly (regardless of Speedtest Server) achieve +/- 650Mb over WiFi on the iPhone (AX-2x/80Mhz) and Laptop (AX-2x/160Mhz) which is plenty. 2.4Ghz/40Mhz (I know I'm selfish) and the (AX-1x/40Mhz) cheap Andrioid Tablets achieve +/- 200Mb (they don't have 5Ghz cheap). Not bad, based on many of the posts I seen here. Even if I upgraded the switching to enable 2.5GB, that 1GB out the Internet remains a limiting factor.

I got time as nothing is forcing my hand, but I'm really like what I'm seeing

 

[Tech9]

What's the consensus on auto updates; gateway and ap's

There is no consensus in general. It's an available option and entirely up to you. By default it's Enabled. At least schedule updates at night and for the APs at different time so your network is not entirely unavailable. I keep mine disabled, no rush to update the moment an update is available.

 

[Tech9]

Bad AP or something else?

You have 2x PoE injectors and 2x APs. Easy to find what’s not right. Let’s not turn this thread into general troubleshooting help. The steps are exactly the same like when you have 2x identical home routers and one is not working for whatever reason.

 

[Tech9]

Make sure the cable is good on both ends before you proceed with RMA.

 

[degrub]

That happens with the best of equipment too. Infant mortality on the bathtub curve. Can be from many things - physical mishandling during manufacturing, shipping - small boxes get tossed around, trace or chip or solder issue. My rule is if there is a service/device you can't live without, buy an extra as a spare. When my RV-325 went belly up post lightning strike, i took my spare out of the box, dropped a backup config in, and restarted the network. 30 min start to finish.

 

[tgl]

At least schedule updates at night and for the APs at different time so your network is not entirely unavailable. I keep mine disabled, no rush to update the moment an update is available.

Yeah. Personally I don't allow auto updates on anything. I'd rather deal with any ensuing problems on a schedule of my choosing; not wake up to a broken network on a day when I have work deadlines. But other people may see things differently.

 

[Tech9]

Equipment malfunction is unfortunate. Didn’t start well for @ATLga with the lost package. This system is cursed.

 

[Tech9]

At least we’ll know how the RMA process works in the USA. Thank you!

 

[oldguy]

I received a new networking setup today.
Ubiquiti Cloud Gateway Max and 2 U7 Pro Wall APs.

I couldn't be happier with my new gear.

So, after a long run with Merlin, thanks. For ASU

I switched to Ubiquiti 18 months ago, and it has been rock solid since installation and through numerous updates
My IOT devices accessed through Apple home have been connected with no issues rather than the Monthly reboot required by my dual AX89X mesh system
I have also added Ubiquiti Camera’s and video recorder again with no real issues since installation

 

[Jbennett360]

So to mimic my current setup, I'd need to roughly spend £340 with Unifi.

Cloud Gateway Ultra
U6 Pro
U6 +
2 POE Adapters

Hmm.

Or £299 with Asus to bump up the router to a BE86u, or £219 for a AX86U Pro

 

[Jbennett360]

I'm not familiar with the UK pricing, but it looks low for all of that.
I purchased 3 items (POE Injectors were included with mine). Total was $617.47 US
(fun fact: if one of your devices dies in the first 12 hours of use, it will cost you $35 to ups ship it back to them for rma)

View attachment 62468

Cloud gateway max is £180
U6 Mesh is £162

 

[Jbennett360]

Sorry, thought you were buying All of these things...hahaha.

Yeah that list comes to £340. That's what I'd need to mimic my current setup (AX86s and RP-AX58)

 

[Tech9]

If lower price is the only goal - get a Deco set.

 

[Jbennett360]

If lower price is the only goal - get a Deco set.

Price isn't an issue really, I'd rather have something that's more robust/better long term.

Just not sure if spending £340 is the answer if it's more of a sidegrade, than an upgrade

 

[Tech9]

If you are looking for theoretical maximum speed - Max with U7. Or a spider gaming home router with beta firmware, your choice.

 

[GHammer]

Price isn't an issue really, I'd rather have something that's more robust/better long term.

Just not sure if spending £340 is the answer if it's more of a sidegrade, than an upgrade

It's why I went with the U7s instead. Working a treat for me by the way.