Ubiquiti Unifi Security Appliance (USG), Single,White

I had recently purchased a Ubiquiti Unifi switch and a couple of APs for my place and was really impressed with the whole Unifi concept so I went ahead and purchased the USG and another switch to complete the re-vamping of my home's entire network infrastructure. In anticipation, I read blogs, forums, and watched videos about this particular device and was really wondering how easy it was going to be to setup given some of the feedback but, for me, it was a breeze. The LAN interface is set to 192.168.1.1 by default, and as long as you are aware of that and account for it (like pretty much any other router you may purchase), the setup goes very easy. I plugged the WAN interface into my modem and my existing switch into the LAN port and that was pretty much it. I had to wait for a few minutes for it to sync up with the modem (get an IP, etc...) and for it to assign my PC an IP on the 192.168.1.x range but it eventually just started working and I could get on the Internet. After it was connected, I adopted it into my Unifi Controller and upgraded the firmware with no issues. I did have to re-boot my modem and then re-boot the USG in order to see full speeds but that was not really an issue. The only other thing I did was to change the default DHCP scope by making sure it ended lower than my old router to avoid potential IP conflicts. So, in my experience, for basic internet connectivity and DHCP setup it was very easy. Assuming your network is already 192.168.1.x and that your modem/ISP assigns you an IP via DHCP, it "just works". But is it an "easy" device? That really depends. On the one hand it integrates into the Unifi environment really well and the separate controller really gives you great insight into your network, way more than you would ever get with typical consumer grade stuff. However, while learning the controller interface is not hard (especially if you are reasonably savvy with networking) you do have to spend some time with it to understand where all the configurations are. And sometimes not everything is where you think it ought to be! But if you enjoy stuff like this, it's really fun! If you really can't be bothered it may be too much. Also, remember, for a typical consumer router, you just have a GUI to the router itself. With the Unifi environment you get a controller (purchased or downloaded separately) that controls everything (switches, APs, etc...). That means you have many more perimeters and areas to explore in the GUI than you may be used to which could add to the learning curve.. There are lots of forum posts and blogs that say that the USG is really limited by the Unifi controller GUI and that to do anything really complicated you have to go into the Command Line Interface. I guess that really depends on what you want to do! If you just want a good, solid router/firewall for Internet access that is easy to setup, inexpensive, and gives you a ton info about your network (via the Unifi Controller software) I think this is great. If you are brave and have more advanced needs you can do all that stuff as well. Just be aware that you may have to learn how to SSH into the device and configure things by the CLI. Otherwise, I'm super happy with this purchase as well as the entire Unifi environment. With the managed switches, professional grade APs, and advanced routing configurations this really gives people the opportunity to have a first-rate network at home without spending a ton on pro-grade gear. FYI, I have RCN cable in Chicago with 150Mbs speed and the USG seems to handle the speed/traffic without any issues. I believe I could go up to Gig speed without any worries.

August 25, 2017 - Update: Still 5 Stars - Very Pleased! At home, I've been using Unifi for nearly a year and I couldn't be happier. The USG works perfectly with the entire system. They're currently up to USG Version 4.3.49.5001150 and Controller Version 5.5.20. Over the past year, one of the most noticeable things is how far along Ubiquiti has brought the Unifi line through their product updates to the controller and devices. They seem to listen to their customers and work to incorporate their requests. I did some Layer 3 VLAN testing and did not experience any drops or packet loss like another reviewer had reported. I'm using the USG and a 24 port non-POE Unifi switch for testing and had 100% success. USG to USG VPN connections work perfectly - without issue - but getting the USG to create a connection to other devices over IPSEC requires a lot of CLI work and JSON files. As stated earlier, UBNT listens to their customers and they've told me they plan to include the ability to create tunnels to any device in a future firmware release. I still think anyone who has multiple public IP addresses and the need to NAT ports to multiple IPs would be better suited with another solution, but if you've got a single public IP or dynamic (cable/dsl), this would work perfectly. My IT firm has deployed these to about six organizations to date and we have had zero issues. It's been invaluable for us to be able to log into a single console and remotely connect to a client's controller and get instant feedback on their network. We've experienced no Unifi related network outages and clients love the range of the wireless and the fact that they never have to call us about network issues. To those who have had issues with equipment, all I can say is: these are pieces of electronics and it happens. We've deployed enough of these to get a sense of reliability and we're pleased. As a Disaster Recovery plan, we've ordered a few spare units that we've stocked in the office. That way, if a client ever does have an issue, we can easily re-deploy a new piece of hardware - a lot more cost effectively than than if we'd gone with Cisco or another, more expensive, vendor. I'm still very pleased with Unifi and the USG. November 7, 2016 - Update It's been about a month since installing my USG and I have been extremely pleased. I have had zero issues with uptime or reliability and I love having the near realtime visibility into my network statistics. I introduced it to my company (I work for a small IT firm) and we've also been testing it there for the past month. We started with a USG, Unifi Switch 24-150w, a cloud key and a UAP-AC-PRO but upgraded the USG to a USG-PRO-4 - everything has works flawlessly. We're in the process of rolling it out to a few smaller customers who don't need everything Cisco has to offer and my co-workers have been blown away with the ease of management/configuration and we all love the iOS app/remove management using Chrome. We have discovered that there is a very specific setup process for these and you can only adopt one USG per Unifi Controller. If you wish to replace/update the USG, you must first forget the one paired with the controller. Just a small caveat I thought I'd share. I'll post updates as I have them and/or maybe as we roll them out to customers. October 11, 2016 - Original Review As far as I can tell, the Ubiquiti Unifi Security Gateway has come a long way. I came across Ubiquiti's Unifi line about five months ago (May, 2016) when I purchased a pair of WAPs for my home. I was so impressed with their Wireless products that I decided to give their USG a shot. If you notice, the reviews for this unit have gradually gotten better and better as Ubiquiti has released newer versions of their controller and firmware. I'm currently using the USG with the Unifi Cloud Key, version 5.2.9 and this whole setup works flawlessly. My LAN IP scheme is different than what comes default on the USG, so my setup required a few additional steps but it wasn't difficult by any means. Essentially, I had to run their controller application locally from my computer while giving my computer a static IP address and connected to the LAN port of the USG. I adopted the USG to the local controller, then adjusted my site network to the correct IP range. Once the USG had the new IP address, I connected it up to my live network where I was able to use my Cloud Key to adopt the USG and that was it. The unit itself feels physically sturdy - the case is metal and feels very well made. It comes with the USG, a power adapter, instruction guide and wall screws in the box. When powered up, prior to being configured, the square on top flashes white which changes to blue once configured. As stated above, initial configuration was pretty simple. Once that's done, new configuration is handled through the controller, but CLI is also avaiable. Configuring port forwarding couldn't be easier as it requires only a few simple clicks to complete. The new version of the Controller adds features for Routing as well as advanced Firewall control, as well as some nifty autobackup features for the Cloud Key. I actually upgraded from a Ubiquiti Edgerouter Lite so I could take full advantage of the Data Packet Inspection and having the real-time view of my network and bandwidth. I really like the main dashboard screen that shows the current bandwidth utilization, your attached Unifi Devices as well as the top devices, clients and top users (if DPI is enabled). I feel slightly ridiculous seeing that I have 33 devices connected to my home network but, since this is what I do for a living, I find it very helpful to have that kind of visibility. My plan is to ultimately replace the core switch in my home lab with a Unifi 24 port PoE to do some additional testing with their VOIP security cameras and NVR and/or their VOIP desk phones. I am very pleased with my purchase and have already recommended the Ubiquiti Unifi solution to several of my coworkers/friends.

Funciona bien, ya tenía un switch y punto de acceso de Ubiquiti y compre este por su integración con UniFi. Me costo ponerlo en marcha por que había que actualizar el firmware antes de adoptarlo pero para actualizar necesitaba internet y no lo podía configurar. El caso es que desde el soporte de Ubiquiti me han ayudado a actualizar el firmware por ssh y poder adoptarlo. He sustituido un router ASUS que funciona con Orange en la VLAN 832. Me gusta mucho como se integra con el controlador de Unifi

Excelente equipo. Con solo agregarlo ayudó a mejorar la velocidad de mi AP AC Pro de Ubiquiti. Lo recomiendo ampliamente.

This is a home-based installation after a purchase in October 2017. A way of thinking about this is to consider the usual modem/router/switch combo your ISP gave you as being the same as an all-in-one Hi-Fi. This is the separates version, and darn good separates too. This bit is just a router. It connects two networks, as routers do, being the internet (WAN) and all the stuff in your house/business (LAN). It only has one LAN output by default, and no WiFi, so, you'll need a modem of some form with an ethernet output on the WAN side to connect to the outside world, and assuming you have more than one device a switch of some form to allow them to connect to the internet on the LAN side, and then a wifi access point if you want to connect wirelessly. That means cost. But, you get what you pay for. This is a big step up from the consumer kit you'd normally see to business quality hardware and associated software. We're lucky and have fibre to the home, so the OpenReach GPON (sort of fibre modem) unit dumps 300Mb goodness into this, and it handles it effortlessly. Ours is matched to a Ubiquity switch, which in turn is matched to a controller (runs the software) and several PoE driven access points, so our house has seamless WiFi just like a properly setup office. It's been subject to roughly monthly firmware and software updates, all of which happened without drama, and added useful features to it all, including easy IPv6 support. Other than rebooting following those updates it's been on the whole time. A couple of warnings: Read a bit and watch some videos before diving in, it's not for the technically faint of heart as it won't 'just work'. It's not hard to set up, but will be more trouble than a BT/Sky/ISP preconfigured one. If you deal with this sort of thing for a living, it's a walk in the park. It can get hot, mounting vertically is recommended to use the vents effectively. (Ethernet ports go down) Just mind the dust, and don't cover it. The similar looking 3 Edge Router is pretty much identical to this, cheaper, and easier to use without the controller software. The main difference is that in the controller software with this you get more green circles, and access to it from that control panel. Oh and it glows a cool blue when it's working. If that does not interest you, save a few quid and get the 3 Edge Router. Just like Hi-Fi separates, once you start your wallet will weep as you feed your new addiction, but you'll love the improved everything.

In A Nutshell After switching my home wifi to the Unifi AC-Lite access points and getting a taste of the Unifi controller, I decided to go "all in" on the Unifi ecosystem and replace my Cisco small business firewall/router with the Ubiquiti Security Gateway. The deep packet inspection provides really useful traffic information. I really love that there is "one admin to rule them all". If you're already partially invested in Unifi gear, I highly recommend that you consider getting one of these. The Good Parts * Works great, setup is super easy - for me, it was a drop in replacement for my Cisco small business firewall * Deep Packet Inspection provides useful traffic stats * Does not use a power bar crowding wall wart * Works great with a Unifi Controller - the Unifi Controller has one of the best web admin interfaces I've ever used * Easy to give static DCHP MAC bindings to devices * Can run scheduled Internet speed tests * Small * Nicely designed * Well priced Hit or Miss * Extra LAN port creates a second network -- this might disappoint people who are used to routers that are also switches Could Be Better * You can't create DHCP MAC bindings in advance, you have to connect the device to the network first * Some of the deep packet inspection guesses are off. Windows Updates register as Financial Times traffic for some weird reason. Notes / Tips * Unlike a lot of consumer routers, the USG does not have its own web admin. You need to either get the Cloud Key or install the Unifi Controller on a PC/server. I have my controller running off an Atom-based stick PC that I wasn't really using

Update 30.12.17: Inzwischen läuft mein Unifi Netzwerk seit 9 Monaten stabil und ich habe es erst die letzten Tage erweitert. Es zeigt sich für mich dass es absolut die richtige Wahl gewesen ist, von der Fritzbox auf Unifi umzusteigen. Hauptgrund war ja, dass ich gesehen habe dass bei zunehmendem Alter meiner Kids der Anspruch an ein funktionierendes Netzwerk im Haus rapide ansteigt. Youtube, gestreamtes Fernsehen und Musik, Online Games usw. fordern Performance im Netz. Bei über 12 WIFI-Geräten, die permanent an den Accesspoints hängen und dabei vor allem Multimedia streamen hat die Fritzbox evtl. mit Repeater keine Chance mehr. Mein Setup ist jetzt wie folgt: Modem: Vigor Draytek Router/Firewall: Unifi USG Switch: 2x Unifi Switch 8 - 60W Accesspoints: 1x AP AC LR, 1x AP AC Lite Telefonie: Fritzbox als reiner IP-Client Netzwerkteilnehmer: ca. 20 Geräte Ich habe mein Netzwerk in 3 Netze aufgeteilt: 1x LAN-Management (wo die Unifi-Komponenten drin laufen) 1x Home-Netz 1x Netz für die Kinder Die Netze habe ich aus Sicherheitsgründen untereinander geblockt. Allerdings ist es möglich den Router so zu konfigurieren, dass trotzdem die Kids den Drucker im Home-Netz nutzen können. Die beiden Accesspoints decken das gesamte Haus über 3 Stockwerke mit einem genialen WLAN-Signal ab. Ich habe keine Verbindungsabbrüche mehr, Roaming zwischen den beiden AP's merke ich bei keinem der Geräte. Die Performance ist erstklassig und zu 100% stabil. An der unten stehenden Begeisterung hat sich nichts geändert. Im Gegenteil: Die damals noch empfundenen Nachteile sind durch regelmäßige Softwareupdates inzwischen aufgehoben. Ein VPN-Zugang ist möglich, DynDNS wird durch das USG gestellt. Der zweite LAN-Ausgang am USG ist inzwischen nutzbar. Ich kann jedem, der den Invest nicht scheut, absolut nur zu diesen Komponenten raten. Durch die Nachbesserungen habe ich jetzt 5 Sterne vergeben. ********************************************************************************************************* Ich schreibe diese Rezension gleichlautend für alle meine Unifi Komponenten: Ein Unifi Security Gate (USG), einen Unifi Switch 8 60W, einen Unifi Access Point AP AC LR und einen Unifi Cloud Key als Controller des Netzwerkes. Ich bin über das Internet (Youtube) auf Unifi aufmerksam gemacht worden. Nachdem ich selbst inzwischen im Haus über 150 qm und 3 Stockwerke mit der Abdeckung durch Powerline, Repeater und Fritzbox bei insgesamt 20 Endgeräten am Netz an die Grenzen gekommen bin, weil vor allem die Kinder mehr und mehr Datenvolumen durch Youtube, Games und Video-Streaming ziehen, musste ich etwas an der Netzwerkkonfiguration ändern. Die oben genannten Komponenten arbeiten hervorragend miteinander zusammen. Ich behaupte, wir befinden uns hier schon im semi-professionellen Bereich was die Performance angeht. 1.) Der Access Point deckt das gesamte Haus lückenlos ab - ohne Repeater (wenn auch das hinterste äußerste Eck etwas knapp ist, aber wenn ich ein Signal habe, dann bleibt es stabil) 2) Ich habe vor Umrüstung und nach Umrüstung einen Helios Test laufen lassen, bei dem Daten auf meine Diskstation geschaufelt wurden und die Zeiten gemessen worden sind. In beiden Fällen war die angeschlossene Hardware exakt dieselbe (iMac -> Synology Diskstation 916+) und dazwischen einmal die Fritzbox und dann das neue Unifi Netzwerk. Ergebnis: Das Unifi Netzwerk war doppelt so schnell in den Ergebnissen (jetzt weiß ich nicht ob die Diskstation eventuell die Performance ausgebremst hat und der Unterschied noch krasser gewesen wäre mit einer schnelleren DS). Auch bei meinen Kids ist beim Online-Gaming über Powerline festzustellen, dass das Netzwerk deutlich stabiler eine gleichbleibende Leistung bringt und die Latenz nicht mehr zwischen 25 und 150 ms schwankt, sondern konstant bei 25-30 ms bleibt. Das war bei absolut gleichen Hardware-Komponenten vorher über die Fritzbox nicht der Fall. 3.) Der Preis ist meines Erachtens für die gebotene Leistung in Ordnung ABER: Einen Stern ziehe ich ab, denn Unifi ist einerseits absolut nicht selbsterklärend. Das Manual ist nichts anderes als eine Referenz-Buch und die Software ist noch sehr stark in der Entwicklung. Heißt, es erfolgt zwar eine hervorragende Produktpflege und laufend kommen Updates mit tollen neuen Features, aber bis jetzt gibt es in der regulären Controller Software noch ein paar Lücken, die erst über das Stable Candidate gelöst wurden und dort dann noch BETA-Status haben: - Anbindung über VPN - DynDNS, hier gibt es nur minimale Auswahl an Anbietern (gut das kann ich über die Diskstation lösen, wer das nicht hat -> Pech) - Funktion des zweiten LAN-Ausgangs am USG ist noch tot (außer im BETA) - Software zwar in Deutsch, Dokumentation komplett in Englisch Man muss also schon ein gewisses Grundverständnis für Netzwerke mit bringen, sonst ist man m.E. hoffnungslos verloren. Aber Unifi hat auch einige enorm positive Punkte: + Performance, Performance, Performance + der Switch ist "gemanaged", heißt, man kann die Zuweisung auf den Ports detailliert editieren + VLANs können easy eingerichtet werden + Sehr gute Benutzeroberfläche + extrem gute Statistiken und grafische Darstellungen der Datenströme + Extreme Leistung des WIFI Access Points + Trotz der nur englischen Dokumentation und der aktuell stark in der Entwicklung befindlichen Software ist aber die Community und der Support (auch nur in Englisch) hervorragend und super schnell und damit sehr sehr hilfreich Und das sind nur die Pluspunkte, die ich als Laie empfunden habe. Ich würde jedem, der drüber nachdenkt sein Netzwerk schneller, größer und leistungsfähiger zu machen, empfehlen, Unifi anzuschauen. Vorausgesetzt Sie haben ein solides Grundverständnis für Computer und auch ein wenig für Netzwerke. Wer dann Spaß daran hat, ein wenig auszuprobieren und auch neues zu lernen - dem sei Unifi wärmstens empfohlen.