About UniFiGuide
UniFiGuide is a resource for people deploying and running Ubiquiti UniFi networks — from a single access point in an apartment to a multi-switch network with VLANs, cameras, and a self-hosted controller.
What we cover
- UniFi Network Application — where to run the controller (self-hosted vs UniFi OS console vs hosted), adoption and provisioning, a sane firmware and update strategy, and backups, migration, and disaster recovery
- Access points — placement, channel and power planning, mesh vs wired uplinks, fast roaming, band steering, and a real method for diagnosing slow Wi-Fi and latency
- Switching — managed switch configuration, VLANs, tagged vs untagged ports, PoE budgeting, uplink sizing, and when link aggregation actually helps
- Gateways and routing — choosing a gateway by real (inspected) throughput, IDS/IPS trade-offs, and whether UniFi should do your routing at all
- Network design — VLAN segmentation (IoT, guest, trusted), a guest network and captive portal done properly, inter-VLAN firewall rules, and getting remote access right
- UniFi Protect — camera selection, storage planning, recording modes, and viewing without exposing the console to the internet
- Multi-site — managing several locations, the site-vs-controller distinction, and remote management without exposing anything
- Buying decisions — an honest framework for UniFi versus Omada, Aruba Instant On, and standalone gear, including when you don’t need an ecosystem at all
Who this is for
People setting up their first UniFi access point and admins designing a segmented small-office network. We write for both. The goal is configuration you won’t have to redo — decisions explained, not just steps listed.
How we write
Guides are vendor-neutral about the rest of your stack and specific about UniFi. Where Ubiquiti’s terminology is confusing (UniFi OS vs Network Application, “site” vs “network,” adoption vs provisioning), we define it before using it. We don’t publish fabricated benchmarks or invented pricing — feature behavior is described generically and accurately, and you should always confirm specifics against current Ubiquiti documentation, since firmware changes things.
Affiliate programs
Some links on this site are affiliate links. We may earn a small commission, at no extra cost to you, if you purchase through them. Affiliate relationships do not influence editorial coverage — we cover what’s useful for building a reliable UniFi network, not what pays the most.
Contact
Corrections and questions go to the editorial desk by email — it’s the fastest way to reach us.