Manage your Ubiquiti network devices with the updated and more powerful Cloud Key gen2. Yes, this is significantly more expensive than the gen1 device but it has more cpu/memory resources, a handy status LED display on the front and a built in battery to gracefully shutdown the database when power is lost.
Save about $25 over the cheapest seller on staticice (including delivery).
Thanks to original 20% off All Items at Selected Sellers on eBay Deal Post
So I'm currently planning an unifi install and looking at what I need. Thinking I might get unifi cameras as well so the Gen 2 plus makes sense including the NVR. But would a Synology nas and run the cloud key and NVR in Docker be a better user of money?
Not sure how the synology nas would go. I have the unifi detup running on win 10 server, which also runs the nvr software and hdd. It is on 24/7 and no issues. Probably cheaper than a synology but depends on your use case. Synology are good but hardware limited for the price.
I tried running the cloud key as a docker on my synology nas DS916+ and had a lot of issues with ports etc, ended up just getting the key and plugged it into my PoE switch and its been perfect since
Look at the reddit sub man, so many issues.
Unifi Protect only works on the Cloud Key Gen 2 at the moment, so you'll be restricted to Unifi Video if you want to run it outside of that.
The mobile app for Protect is a lot better though. I used to run Video on a HP N40L with 10TB of storage, I'm now only running a Cloud Key Gen 2 with the 1TB hard drive.
Highly suggest the Cloud Key, good piece of kit if you are all Unifi.
Thanks. Building a new house and trying to include budget for $2000 of network is a hard sell.
Ubiquiti gear I'm running;
I'll be adding in the future
No regrets from me.
@SickDmith: Nothing yet, this is why I'm running an EdgeRouter. Pre last year, USG could only get 80mbps but have since changed to 100mpbs provided you don't turn on all the features.
@onggie: Are you talking about intrusion prevention and DPI?
I have old USG with DPI enabled.
It maxes out 100mbit TPG FTTB.
I still want more powerful USG to run OpenVPN client.
@onggie: I am testing a similar setup for friend. he just wants motion capture but doesn't have home internet. I have donated a modem/router for DHCP and Wifi (no internet)
The hardware I'm testing is
1x US-8-60W
CloudKey Gen 2 Plus
2x UVC-G3-AF
however the camera event view under cloud protect just hangs while loading the camera view.
It works fine when plugged into the internet though.
Do you have any experience with this?? Or suggestions??
@onggie: I keep seeing/reading this myself: "Waiting for a new USG to be announced"
Why? What does the EdgeRouter Lite have over the current USG?
And to follow up, what features are you / is everyone waiting/hoping for in a new USG?
So the CK2+ uses their new 'Protect' software for video rather than the older Unifi Video platform. Protect comes with a bunch of really cool features, but currently is still very, very buggy. I've just done a new install using Unifi cameras and elected to go with a self hosted Unifi Video setup rather than using Protect on a CK2+ due to all the bugs people are reporting (And that you can't self-host a Protect server yet)
I run this docker container on my QNAP TS-431P:
jacobalberty/unifi:arm32v7-beta
I bridged the network rather than changing port assignments. It's been rock solid.
Oh and that's Container Stations version of "Bridge" which is macvlan in the docker world.
Manage your Ubiquity network devices
I didn't even know I had any…
thanks…
Consider running the unifi controller as a docker container on a raspberry pi. This is how myself and quite a few colleagues are doing it and it works very well. Can also run UNMS as another container on the same pi.
What about the NVR software?
Unifi Video won't work on ARM I suspect.
This device is an ARM 64 device. Octa-core CPU, 8x ARM Cortex A53, considerably more powerful than the Pi 3B.
More like a Tinkerboard or an Android video box.
If you want to build your own, you could do so for ~150-200
The rest is for being assured it works.
I've run Unifi on Pi 2b, HP MicroServer and now the QNAP, never really saw the point in paying for a cloud key. Never thought of running UNMS on a Pi, good to know, but I'll leave it on my Azure host.
Jebus that is an expensive raspberry pi! /s
When you're setting up a network for a client you want a solution that just works and is neat and tidy, not a fiddly one with an external micro usb power supply that will require an onsite visit when the power trips or switch is restarted and the database gets corrupted.
You're comparing a low cost hobbist piece of electronics against prosumer/enterprise equipment. LOL. Plus not even the Pi 3 can run the UniFi Controller at proper speeds.
I haven't tested it myself but the controller's are only used for configuration/graphs etc
There is no negative affect on the actual ubiquiti equipment.
Yeah these n00bs have no idea what they are on about.
Reboots fine by itself and runs the controller fine with other stuff running too.
Yeah these n00bs have no idea what they are on about.
Use it enough in production environments and you'll eventually realize that when it comes to real-life customers, it's best to run purpose-built hardware that's designed specifically to do the task, as long as it isn't ridiculously-priced.
When a client's hotspot portal falls over due to database corruption from a power outage or brownout and they're losing revenue as they can't sell internet access, the cost of your callout fee plus hourly rate could have bought this cloud key whose battery backup would have prevented the corruption from happening in the first place.
If it's for home use, a cheap Pi would work just fine. But running a solution like that for customers who need reliability is like buying cheap Asus access points and flashing dd-wrt onto them instead of buying UniFi access points - they can get the job done, but isn't elegant or professional. The cloud key just plugs into a PoE switch with a single cable and does everything.
@eug: I think you are taking it a little far with the whole reliability thing.
Of course I agree that if someone else is paying for it, use the official method that allows you to shift blame.
Choosing a Pi is really unnecessary in that scenario as you have nothing to benefit from making the cheaper decision.
But in reality the pi is going to run for a decade with no problems.
I think you are taking it a little far with the whole reliability thing.
Database corruption isn't uncommon even with the old Cloud Key if it doesn't gracefully shut down. The controller will not start up with a corrupt database. You can't always control what happens at a client's premises - power brownouts, extended outages, someone unplugging the Pi - all that can lead to an ungraceful shutdown.
But in reality the pi is going to run for a decade with no problems.
In a perfect scenario, that is possible. Reality isn't always perfect though. As I said earlier, if it's for home use, a Pi would be absolutely fine. But when it comes to a client's network, is it really worth using a generic hobbyist board instead of a purpose-built PoE-powered hardware controller with built-in battery backup just to save ~$200 off a e.g. $5-10k install?
Don't forget that I was responding specifically to elitistphoenix's post saying this latest cloud key is just an expensive Raspberry Pi. That's like saying a Dell PowerEdge server is just an expensive Techfast PC. They will both run the same software, but would you actually deploy a Techfast PC as a domain controller for a customer?
@elitistphoenix: Says the hobbiest, I have just deployed $20k of Ubiquiti gear into a site and would not put the controller on a Pi… Derp
*Ubiquiti
Urrgghh, thanks. Funny how I've never actually noticed this before. I guess your brain reads just enough of each word to make it out.
FYI: The Ubiquiti Unifi Cloud Key Gen2 Plus is an extra $37.60 at $319.20 if you want the 1TB drive and NVR
For your average 'prosumer'/consumer/home use - is this worth it, or would a gen1 suffice?
I am looking to setup a very basic home network with a USG + 8port POE Switch + UCK + a couple of WAPs
What features are you wanting to use? If you have a home server you could just run the controller software on it. The controller isn't required for the network to run, you only need it if you want to monitor or configure the network, or run a hotspot with authentication.
The ozbargain way to do it is to host it yourself in a virtual machine.