Overview of Ubiquiti UniFi Cloud Gateways and Related Products
Ubiquiti’s UniFi ecosystem is a comprehensive line of networking equipment designed to provide a robust, scalable, and manageable network solution for a wide range of environments, from small homes to large enterprise settings.
What is UniFi?
UniFi is Ubiquiti’s line of networking products that includes wireless access points, routers, switches, security cameras, controller appliances, VoIP phones, and access control systems. The core of the UniFi system is its software, which enables unified management of all network devices through a single interface.
Key Products and Features
Cloud Gateways
Cloud Gateways are advanced routers that run the UniFi Network application and manage other UniFi devices. Here are some key models:
- Gateway Max (UXG-Max): Released in 2024, this gateway is a more powerful successor to the USG, featuring one 2.5 Gbps WAN and four 2.5 Gbps LAN ports, with one remappable as a second WAN. It supports up to 1.5 Gbps IDS/IPS throughput.
- Gateway Pro (UXG-Pro): Released in 2022, this rackmount gateway includes dual WAN, dual LAN, two gigabit RJ45 ports, and two 10 Gbps SFP ports. It supports up to 3.5 Gbps IDS/IPS throughput.
- Gateway Enterprise (UXG-Enterprise): Part of the Enterprise Fortress Gateway series, this model is designed for high-throughput applications, managing up to 500 UniFi devices and 5000 clients, with up to 23.5 Gbps of throughput or 12.5 Gbps with IDS/IPS enabled.
UniFi OS Consoles
These devices combine the functions of a router, switch, and Wi-Fi access point, and can run various UniFi applications:
- Dream Machine (UDM): An all-in-one device featuring a router, 4-port switch, and Wi-Fi access point. It manages up to 40 UniFi Network devices but does not support other UniFi applications like Protect or Access.
- Dream Router (UDR): Includes a router, 4-port switch, Wi-Fi access point, and supports UniFi Network, Protect, and other applications. It has two PoE out ports and a 128 GB internal SSD, managing up to 15 UniFi devices.
- Dream Machine Pro Max (UDM-Pro-Max): A more powerful version of the UDM-Pro, with a 2.5 Gbps WAN port, dual 10 Gbps SFP , and higher CPU performance. It manages up to 200 UniFi devices, supports all UniFi applications, and includes two 3.5″ HDD bays for video storage.
Integrated Gateways with Controller and Wi-Fi
- UniFi Express (UX): A compact device that acts as a gateway, controller, and access point. It supports up to 5 other UniFi devices and can form a wired or wireless mesh network. However, it does not support IPS/IDS and some security features.
- Dream Wall (UDW): Features a unique wall-mount enclosure with a touchscreen, dual-WAN, 16-port PoE switch, and Wi-Fi. It manages up to 100 UniFi devices and includes dual power supplies.
Enterprise and High-Capacity Solutions
- Cloud Gateway Max (UCG-Max): Includes a 2.5 Gbps WAN port, four 2.5 Gbps LAN ports, and supports all UniFi applications. It manages up to 100 UniFi devices, includes storage options up to 2 TB, and features dual-WAN and 10 Gbps SFP ports.
- Enterprise Fortress Gateway (EFG): A high-throughput gateway with dual-WAN, two 2.5 Gbps RJ45, and two 10 Gbps SFP28 ports. It manages up to 500 UniFi devices and 5000 clients, with up to 23.5 Gbps of throughput.
Key Features and Functionality
- Unified Management: The UniFi software allows for centralized management of all network devices, including routers, switches, access points, security cameras, and more, through a user-friendly interface.
- Security and IDS/IPS: Many UniFi gateways and consoles support advanced security features like IDS/IPS, with varying throughput capabilities depending on the model.
- Multi-Site Management: UniFi Cloud Keys and other consoles enable multi-site network management, allowing administrators to monitor and configure multiple networks from a single interface.
- Wi-Fi and Switch Management: UniFi devices support advanced Wi-Fi management features such as RF monitoring, band steering, and guest portal/hotspot support. Switches can be configured for various operation modes and VLAN settings.
- Video Surveillance and Storage: Many models, like the UDM-Pro-Max and Cloud Gateway Max, include storage options for video recordings and support UniFi Protect for comprehensive camera management.
- Scalability and Flexibility: UniFi products are designed to scale from small to large networks, allowing users to start with a single device and expand as needed.
In summary, Ubiquiti’s UniFi ecosystem offers a robust and scalable solution for network management, combining powerful hardware with intuitive software to manage a wide array of networking and security tasks.