Reddit mentions of Ubiquiti UniFi AP AC PRO 802.11ac Scalable Enterprise Wi-Fi Access Point (UAP-AC-PRO-E-US) PoE Adapter Sold Separately

I have a Surfboard 6183 I got from Amazon. I am using a Ubiquiti EdgeRouter-X for routing and firewall. A pair of Ubiquiti WAPs provide wireless service.

Don’t buy that modem - let them give you one and just get your own router.
If you want maximum performance invest in a delegate router and separate access point.
I swear by the ubiquiti products and highly recommend their UniFi security gateway ( router) and AC-Pro access point.

Ubiquiti Unifi Security Gateway (USG) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00LV8YZLK/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_xQCKBbWHTSG35

Ubiquiti Networks UAP-AC-Pro-E Access Point Single Unit New (No PoE Included in Box) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B079DSW6XX/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_dSCKBb1FA8XYQ

I’ve got this in my house along with several family members and it’s rock solid on both 2.4 and 5ghz bands.

I’m generally pretty technically proficient, but more software then networking— what’s the difference between an “access point” and s “Wi-Fi router”? Both just route between physical Ethernet & Wi-Fi, right? Is this a terminology thing?

Looks like this:
Ubiquiti Networks UAP-AC-PRO-E Access Point Single Unit NEW (No PoE Included In Box) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B079DSW6XX/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_8OsaBbQMD3KSN

I plan to get a POE switch already.

https://www.amazon.com/Ubiquiti-Unifi-Security-Gateway-USG/dp/B00LV8YZLK/ref=sr_1_fkmr1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1537542465&sr=8-1-fkmr1&keywords=USG%2B%2BAPlite&th=1

• one of their AP'
  
  the lite: https://www.amazon.com/Ubiquiti-UAP-AC-LITE-802-11ac-Gigabit-Dual-Radio/dp/B01DRM6MLI/ref=sr_1_2?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1537542525&sr=1-2&keywords=uap+lite&dpID=31o-JViBQPL&preST=_SY300_QL70_&dpSrc=srch
  
  or pro
  
  https://www.amazon.com/Ubiquiti-Networks-UAP-AC-PRO-Access-Included/dp/B079DSW6XX/ref=pd_bxgy_147_3?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B079DSW6XX&pd_rd_r=2a4097fb-bdb0-11e8-9d90-8b493ea953ed&pd_rd_w=UiEyb&pd_rd_wg=tidgK&pf_rd_i=desktop-dp-sims&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_p=6725dbd6-9917-451d-beba-16af7874e407&pf_rd_r=G22Q2AY0GQW7Q39SCQZT&pf_rd_s=desktop-dp-sims&pf_rd_t=40701&psc=1&refRID=G22Q2AY0GQW7Q39SCQZT

Most routers I have used seem to boot in around that period time.

If you are just using it as a wifi access point, get something like this, its a much better solution. Its buiness grade, so it works well and doesn't have the consumer junk and much better wifi than using a wifi card.
https://www.amazon.com/Ubiquiti-Networks-UAP-AC-PRO-Access-Included/dp/B079DSW6XX/ref=sr_1_4?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1538095420&sr=1-4&keywords=unifi+ap+ac
I have depoloyed many of these, they bootup fast(buy why are you rebooting your router very often?)

2x
Ubiquiti Networks UAP-AC-Pro-E Access Point Single Unit New (No PoE Included in Box) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B079DSW6XX/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_WPbJBbD5YV67X

And an optional USG Ubiquiti Unifi Security Gateway (USG) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00LV8YZLK/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_ENbJBbQHYAV21

I use the EdgeRouter X (Ubiquiti) which replaced the Google Network Box. Had to follow instructions here on how to replace the GNB. https://github.com/stevejenkins/UBNT-EdgeRouter-Example-Configs/tree/master/Google-Fiber

For the wireless AP, I use a single Ubiquiti Unifi AP. https://www.amazon.com/Ubiquiti-Networks-UAP-AC-PRO-Access-Included/dp/B079DSW6XX

Cool thing with their AP's is that you can add multiple, you use the same SSID for all of them, and you can configure them to use different channels so they don't interfere with each other. Also when you need to upgrade, you just buy the new AP, and 'adopt' it in the controller software. It will get configured with your SSID(s).

I'm not sold on the performance of the ERX over the GNB, but the extra configuration options is great. If you don't need all that, I'd suggest just using the GNB, turn off it's Wifi, and get the Ubiquiti Unifi AP(s).

In almost all cases, UniFi APs include a PoE injector, so there's no need to worry about powering them. The only exception is this version of the Pro AP.

This version of the Pro, the Lite, and the NanoHD all include a PoE injector. Note that there's really no reason to get the Pro now, as the NanoHD is cheaper and faster. If you're going with multiple APs, the Lite is still the best choice unless you have any devices that support more than two 5 GHz streams. You'd want the NanoHD if you do.

Yes as you said below, you really don't want a "mesh" network. That means something totally different.

You just want PoE access points that can do hand-of, which UniFI can do for sure. I use UniFI at my house and it's 100% worth it. Either of these will work:

https://www.amazon.com/Ubiquiti-Compact-802-11ac-Enterprise-UAP-NanoHD-US/dp/B07DWW3P6K/

https://www.amazon.com/Ubiquiti-Networks-UAP-AC-PRO-Access-Included/dp/B079DSW6XX/

but the first one (the NanoHD) is newer and supports 802.11ac wave2.

With unifi you really should go all-in with unifi equipment. That's when the system works best. I'd recommend this PoE switch:

https://www.amazon.com/Ubiquiti-Networks-Managed-Gigabit-US-8-150W/dp/B01DKXT4CI/

You get 8 ports of PoE ethernet and two SFP ports. You can turn the SFP ports into two more RJ45 gigabit ethernet ports (without PoE) with these:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01JUBXDPI/

Alternatively, if you need many more ports or want something rack-moutable, I'd use this switch:

https://www.amazon.com/Ubiquiti-Networks-US-16-150W-UniFi-Switch/dp/B01E46ATQ0/

You'll also need a computer that's always on somewhere in your house to run the UniFI controller software. The controller is how you configure and track everything. It's really light-weight, so it can just run in the background on a desktop or some old Mac or PC.

Alternatively you can just plug a "UniFI Cloud Key" controller into one of your PoE ports:

https://www.amazon.com/Ubiquiti-Secure-Controller-stand-Alone-Hardware/dp/B07BB4RGQD/

One caveat, if you use the cloud key make sure you back up your unifi database (on the controller) often. I've had them fail on me more than I like.

Finally, if you don't like any of those you can use a hosted instance of the cloud controller but it's $199 a year:

https://community.ubnt.com/t5/UniFi-Wireless/Announcing-UniFi-s-newest-Cloud-management-offering/td-p/1912538

Thank you for the suggestion. There appears to be multiple models. Looking at the comparison on https://www.ubnt.com/unifi/unifi-ap-ac-lite/ , I think I would be fine with the lite version for under $100.

However, it sounds like Unifi requires a LAN cable and cannot be bridged over WiFi, is that correct? I'd rather not run an ethernet cable throughout the apartment for the AP.

$171.99 Ubiquiti Networks Unifi 802.11ac Dual-Radio PRO Access Point (UAP-AC-PRO-US)

$127.00 Ubiquiti Networks UAP-AC-PRO-E Access Point Single Unit NEW (No PoE Included In Box)

$81.77 Ubiquiti Unifi Ap-AC Lite - Wireless Access Point - 802.11 B/A/G/n/AC (UAPACLITEUS)

I'd confirm what /u/braiiam says - do a survey first, one AP may be enough. AP ACP Pro works more than fine for me in a 2000 sq ft office with a lot of metal studs, lowest signal level I see is about -71 dBm at far ends.

One bit that may save you some money: UAP-AC-PRO-US singles (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B015PRO512) come with a PoE injector, while what that page refers as "newer item" (UAP-AC-PRO-E-US, https://www.amazon.com/dp/B079DSW6XX) doesn't even though it's more expensive.

One more bit - get yourself WiFiman if you have an Android device: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.ubnt.usurvey - you can use it even if you don't have any Ubiquiti equipment on the network yet, say, to map your current signal levels.

There's tons of options, and it totally depends on how plug & play you want it to be, your budget, how much bandwidth you expect to be pushing, and what equipment you already have.


Just for one example, I use a Ubiquiti Edgerouter X and a Ubiquiti Unifi AC Pro. With hardware offload enabled on the router, it can push 1Gbps just fine. That's all you really need for fiber since the ONT (where the fiber terminates & copper into the house begins) is just included as part of the installation/service.


https://www.amazon.com/Ubiquiti-EdgeRouter-Advanced-Gigabit-Ethernet/dp/B00YFJT29C/ref=sr_1_3?keywords=edgerouter+x&qid=1565620771&s=gateway&sr=8-3


https://www.amazon.com/Ubiquiti-802-11ac-Enterprise-UAP-AC-PRO-Separately/dp/B079DSW6XX/ref=sr_1_4?keywords=unifi+ac+pro&qid=1565620787&s=gateway&sr=8-4


If you don't wanna fiddle with the setup process on prosumer/SMB equipment, or have no need to strategically place one or more separate wireless APs, or are using cable internet service... I'd say just look at something from the Netgear Nighthawk line that fits your needs/budget.


https://www.netgear.com/home/products/networking/wifi-routers/R7000.aspx

You're right. I've never actually used an adapter, as I've always just had PoE switches available. It's nice working for a company with good available resources and funding for dev/prod upgrades often. Makes more sense to put the injector on the switch side. Still, makes no sense to use them over a PoE switch, though.

Why are you assuming I'm using Ubiquiti throughout the whole network? I have an ER-X, that's my only Ubiquiti product at home. I see tons of people recommend other brands, for instance like a TP-Link AC1750 as a decent cheaper alternative to Ubiquiti APs. And look, it doesn't ship with a PoE adapter!! Dang! https://www.amazon.com/TP-Link-Wireless-Supports-Technology-EAP245/dp/B01N0XZ1TU/ Only ~$80, instead of ~$130 for a UAP-AC-PRO (Which on Amazon it says it doesn't come with a PoE adapter either! https://www.amazon.com/Ubiquiti-Networks-UAP-AC-PRO-Access-Included/dp/B079DSW6XX/ ). So here's an one adapter for $20 https://www.amazon.com/TP-LINK-TL-PoE150S-Injector-Adapter-compliant/dp/B001PS9E5I/ but wait, it can only push 15W! My Aruba APs can draw up to 25W. So less flexible, gotta get adapters for every AP, gotta power them near the switch, what a hassle.

It'd almost be awesome if there are affordable PoE switches available! Oh, look at this 8-port Gigabit PoE Managed switch for only ~$65! https://www.amazon.com/TP-Link-Gigabit-Lifetime-compliant-TL-SG108PE/dp/B01BW0AD1W/ whereas a Unifi Switch 8 PoE is ~$110 https://www.amazon.com/Ubiquiti-UniFi-Switch-60W-US-8-60W/dp/B01MU3WUX1/ Plus, you'll probably need the cloudkey if you're gonna use UAPs, so there's another $80. And might as well throw in a USG while you're at it for another $120, since OP needs a router anyways.

So, we could do your Ubiquiti stack:

• UAP-AC-PRO - $130
  
• PoE Injector - $20
  
• USG - $130
  
• Cloudkey - $80
  
• Still will likely need some switch, unless OP has one already. USG doesn't have enough ports. Could get a good ole' Netgear GS108 for $50, only $15 cheaper than the TP-Link PoE version above, which if you're paying $20 to get an injector (and more if you need multiple injectors) that doesn't make much sense does it?
  
  And we'd see that setting up your Ubiquiti network will cost somewhere around $400.
  
  If we do the other brands:
  
  
• TP-Link 1750 - $80
  
• TP-Link SG108PE - $65
  
• We can use an ER-X as our gateway since it's relatively cheap - $60
  
  Wow, look how much simpler that is! And it only cost around $205!
  
  So, remind me again in which section it's cheaper to use the PoE injectors? OP (likely) needs a switch anyways. PoE switch is $15 more expensive than non. But you're paying $20 for one injector anyways (PoE switch is like getting (Edit: 4, not 8) injectors for only $15). Did I miss anything here?