CK - Cloud Key - controller only
CKG2+ - Cloud Key Gen 2 Plus - controller and hard drive NVR support
USG - Unifi Security Gateway - firewall-router only
UDM - Unifi Dream Machine - Controller/firewall-router/access point/4 port hub (NO NVR for cams.)
UDM Pro - Same as UDM, minus the AP. Rack mountable, includes hard disk for NVR cameras.
G4 - 4 mega pixel cameras
decent for home and small office that does not need complex firewall routing rules. Given everything that comes jammed in the pretty little cylinder, your getting a pretty good entry point/cost.
You can use any access points, your router will be replace with the UDM.
No, but you’re likely to get sucked in pretty quickly.
Before you make the leap, there are a few people using edge routers with their stuff. I haven’t really looked into them, but there is a difference. All Ubiquiti, all equally addicting. If you’re looking at cameras, then the pro is the way. Considering selling my UDM for the UDM Pro. But, that means I’ll have to consider what I was avoiding. A rack.
I’m also going to mention that @jchurch uses unifi and has REOLink cameras. He’s always raving about them AND the price. Would be worth checking them out too before making the jump on cameras. They have AI as well. So, there are many options out there. I understand that he’s having very good luck with these cameras. He’s one that scrutinizes things intensively before taking the plunge.
Thank you everyone for breaking it down to my level. @TechMedX your descriptions are particularly useful.
I do intend to setup wired cameras so I’m now leaning towards the pro.
My current setup is a Frankenstein of mismatched gear. Lol I do however understand it and it works. Hard to spend to replace working stuff. But if it replaces ALL of it and adds functionality…
In regards to vlans. Is the primary usefulness security? Or are there other benefits to this??
I like to keep my smart stuff firewalled off. Some of it connects to the internet, but most doesn’t connect at all. Just the necessary stuff. My Pi and wireguard. Otherwise I keep everything that doesn’t need to connect to the internet off. I have my cameras on a separate wifi network and vlans broadcasting only on 2.4. Some things don’t like sharing with 5.0, so it’s easier to manage things if you can separate them out. I mainly got my UDM so that I could have easy to use firewall capabilities. You don’t need a degree in networking to get it set up. That’s nice. I’m still using wyze cams. I might migrate to different cameras, but I’m not yet convinced about the Unifi cameras. Mixed reviews. I’d say mainly security no matter how you look at that. IMHO.
It may have changed but I believe you can only use ubiquiti unifi brand cameras with their protect system.
I also initially ran my ASUS wifi router with the system but you will not have access to all the unifi features and you will just replace it.
One thing I did find go at least one size bigger than you think you need.
I am running 5 separate 8 port POE (power over ethernet) switches and they are all are almost full.
I prefer hardwired connections whenever possible.
I went with separate POE switches to allow me to put a switch in different areas of the house and have POE in each area.
Very helpful when I only had to run one network cable to the garage and a POE switch in the garage off which I ran my POE cameras.
Still a pain to run the network cables but way better than having to run separate power.
This is still true. You can use their camera RTSP to other NVR which I can’t see anyone is crazy enough to do that.
I have 4k Hikvision for my outside running blue iris right now and will eventually pick up a bunch of UniFi Protect G3 Instant Camera for indoor.
My brother has reolink 4k and they are crazily good for the price.
Network ‘segregation’. Think Solar Winds hack If all devices can “talk” to each other, then when one device is compromised the rest of your network is in jeopardy. If they are separate VLANs they are not. Can this be a bit much for home use, yes.
In full disclosure I do not use Unifi firewall myself, I do not like it. We run Untangle firewalls, here and for VLAN networks. No onboard logging makes troubleshooting unnecessarily difficult. That said I also have a very ‘complex’ network with upwards of a dozen VLANs. These are mainly for client hosted machines (again segregation), but I also separate stuff like @april.brandt mention.
I can confirm Ring cameras will give you fits if you 2.4/5G networks are not separated. I constantly have to reconfigure Verizon routers to allow for Ring installs and then re-enable the 5G when done. It’s very nice to have multiple SSID/routing control, with or without VLANs.
Second that, I have Reolink as well. The PTZ are great for the cost comparatively. I run mine to Synology NAS, but looking into Blue IRIS for a client that runs a RV/boat lot.
I have the Argus Pro + with Solar on my desk, just waiting for spring! Interested to see how the battery stacks up against my Ring with a large solar and 2 batteries. We have a very shade yard, so it will be a decent test. Will post update come summer if anyone is interested.
Judging by this Unifi thread, and others, I’d say negative on using Reolink, or any 3rd patry cams, with Unifi Protect (Unifi’s camera platform).
Most (possibly all) Reolink cameras have SD slots the record to locally. They also support integrations into other ‘non-proprietary’ NVR system (Synology Surveillance Station, Blue IRIS, etc. Reolink does also have their own NVR, but I have not used it.
Another vote for unifi here
I just picked up another AP Pro to get better coverage out the front of my house. Between the AP Pro and AP-LR my house of well covered.
I dont run unifi router so can’t comment on that as I run pfsense in a vm on my always on server. I too have multiple vlans for IOT things, dahua cctv network (running on a blue iris vm) and rest of network.
I’m also on the hunt for another 24 port switch as my current 24 port is just about full! Hard-wired everything possible!
And here is a big fear of mine. While I’m in the knows enough to be dangerous group and could likely make all this work… then I won’t think about it again for six months, something will break or I’ll want to change things and not remember what in the hell I did in the first place.
I have a Reolink NVR with Reolink cameras. I actually don’t mind it because it runs on it’s own internal network with POE to the cameras so no issues with bandwidth being consumed on a VLAN and has the additional security layer, doesn’t consume precious network ports on my more expensive Unifi switch and you can access from Nodered via a few API’s.
FYI I don’t have the newer Reolink NVR or cameras that support person and vehicle detection instead I do that with a mixture of outdoor PIR motion sensors (i designed a face shield here), Reolink cameras via API and Google Cloud Vision AI. It’s surprising reliable too… I actually did it in the beginning just to mess around but it just works too darn well.
that’s what I thought for a while too, but it’s not like that at all. It’s not over complicated. That’s what I like about it. I have wyze and don’t plan on changing anytime soon as crime is not high in my area of 800 residents, but I’m definitely happy with my Unifi. If you want we can discuss what I do with mine in the “knows enough to be dangerous” category and you can draw a conclusion. PM me.
