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Ubiquiti Unifi-Ap

Ubiquiti Unifi Access Points are used in a variety of buildings for both management WiFi and apartment WiFi for members.

There are a few different models, but they all have relatively the same configuration steps. (Scroll down for configuration instructions)

Models:

UAP-AC-M (Commonly called "rabbit ears AP"):

These are often used as management WiFi access points in equipment racks and on rooftops. They are water proof, suitable for outdoor deployment, have easy mounting options and provide 2.4 GHz and 5Ghz networks.

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UAP-AC-M-PRO (Sometimes called "Flat Panel AP")

These APs are often used to provide WiFi for outdoor areas, plazas and similar places. We are using morethem UNIFIat accessGrand pointsSt onGuild installsand Saratoga for the outdoor WiFi at these days.locations.

These

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They have slightly higher transmit power than the UAP-AC-M rabbit ears along with being able to handle more devices aresimultaneously.

very

Firmware frustratingInformation:

to

Here's setUbiquiti's up,instructions sofor thisupdating documentthe isfirmware.

designed

We tousually help.download the 4.3.20 update and choose the "Updating without internet..." option using scp.

As of 2021 the latest firmware 4.3.28 has very short uptime (<30 days), so we are using a stable older version 4.3.20 (copy this link)

Never use 4.3.28 or later, as the device will go down and require a site visit to reboot!

The devices are coming with very old firmware that isn't even compatible with the controller so step one is to SSH into the AP and upgrade it to 4.3.20.

Meshing:

AdoptingMost wirelesslyof doesn'tthese work,APs sosupport weboth adoptwired uplink and wireless meshing. Wireless meshing allows the AP to theserve controlleras a repeater to extend another AP's network in situations where it doesn't have it's own wired beforeuplink. installing!(It still requires a network cable plugged into a POE power source).
Performance with meshing isn't great, so a wired uplink is always the first choice, but it can be helpful to maintain connection when cables fail or are impossible to install.

After moving on site, you may need to ssh in and set-inform to tell it the address of the controller

SSH firmware instructions

Here's Ubiquiti's instructions

We usually download the 4.3.20 update and choose the "Updating without internet..." option using scp.

Meshing

We mostly install these devices with one wired connection for every two or three unwired ("meshed"). It's best to avoid more than one wireless hop.

Wireless meshing basicallySetup doesn't work afterover versionwireless 4.3.20.meshing! ApartYou frommust laterconnect versionsthe beingAP unstable,with whena onewired goesuplink downto complete setup, then it can takebe downdisconnected alland deployed where it will  operate with only wireless meshing.

Configuration Instructions:

See Ubiquiti Unifi AP Adaption Guide.

Unifi AP's are monitored and controlled with Unifi Controller (https://unifi.nycmesh.net:8443/) (Only accessible from inside the othermesh)
Reach meshed devices! We'reout in a#infra-unifi-uisp veryfor long conversation with Ubiquiti about this.credentials

UAP-AC-M

Layout (rabbitof ears)

Sites:

  • Price
    • $100(alsoin3packs We'vebeenmounting whichmeanscreating
    Site comesName: Usage:
    Parks and 5Public packs)Places Parks,

    We'vepublic installedWiFi theseAPs, atmisc Clementerooftop and they have proved to be reliable when running 4.3.20

    UAP-AC-M-PRO

    • Price $200 (also comes in 5 pack)

    We've installed these at Grand St and Vernon

    They are designed to mountAPs on asmaller wall.nodes
    Hubs themAdminRacks or rooftop APs on lightmajor poleshubs
    <NN> your- own<Hub/Node mountName> Specific hubs or buildings
    (aincluding lotfull ofbuilding work!)

    apartment installs)
    DefaultNot Used

    They seem ok and we haven't had any completely fail yet. The case is just snapped together. I had one randomly come apart before installing.

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