Access Points and switches – UniFi ❤️
We are now making it official, even though we have been switching for months for various reasons. We will not use XXX Access Points or switches for new projects, instead opting for UniFi products from Ubiquiti.
In the past, we have had many positive experiences with XXX but since the introduction of the new AP6 series, many things have changed that have influenced our decision.
In this article, some sections have been adapted based on external feedback to ensure that the content is in line with our partner agreements. If you would like more details or our full opinion on this topic, please feel free to contact us using the contact form.
XXX: Stands for the manufacturer which we have used up to now, but which we are not allowed to name.
Topics
Ecosystem: integration and management
The original section here has been removed due to external feedback to ensure that the article is in line with our partner agreements.
XXX Access Points have in the past integrated well into the XXX-ecosystem in the past. Simple management via the XXX firewall or XXX Cloud was a particularly practical solution for small and medium-sized companies. With the new AP6 series XXX has completely transferred the management to XXX Cloud, which offers a modern and secure solution for customers who prefer centralized cloud management. However, we also have many customers who do not want to manage Access Points in the cloud, which is why we need an alternative.
Management at UniFi is very flexible. UniFi products are managed centrally via a user-friendly interface that can be accessed both in the browser and via a mobile app. The UniFi Controller can be flexibly hosted in the cloud, purchased as a hardware device or installed on a Linux or Windows computer. This makes the system extremely adaptable and easily scalable, which offers a considerable advantage, especially for larger projects with several Access Points.
For customers with a XXX firewall subscription, we offer the controller that we host free of charge.
Price-performance ratio
The original section here has been removed due to external feedback to ensure that the article is in line with our partner agreements.
The price-performance ratio plays a decisive role in projects. Customers are looking for products that are technologically up to date – currently Wi-Fi 7 – and at the same time offer good value for money. We see both requirements fulfilled in the UniFi portfolio.
The portfolio is also wonderfully clear.
On December 3, 2024, UniFi expanded its portfolio with powerful enterprise Access Points. These new models support the Wi-Fi 7 standard, offering higher speeds and improved efficiency for enterprise networks.
The Enterprise 7 offers 10-stream Wi-Fi 7 performance with a 10 GbE uplink and a redundant GbE port for high availability.
The Enterprise 7 Campus is characterized by its robust IP67-certified design and PRISM™ technology for active RF filtering, which reduces neighboring interference by a factor of 1,000.
The Enterprise 7 Audience has 12 spatial streams and an integrated antenna array with customizable beam widths, ideal for high-density environments such as events and stadiums.
We appreciate the fact that we can find a product for all requirements from one manufacturer. Find out more about the new Enterprise Access Points in this video.
Development and features
The original section here has been removed due to external feedback to ensure that the article is in line with our partner agreements.
UniFi regularly releases updates and extensions for its products – without additional license costs. This shows that Access Points and switches are not a by-product at Ubiquiti, but a central component of its offering.
The original section here has been removed due to external feedback to ensure that the article is in line with our partner agreements.
OEM – Access Points
OEM products (Original Equipment Manufacturer) are hardware produced by a manufacturer and resold by another company under its own brand name or integrated into its own products.
The original section here has been removed due to external feedback to ensure that the article is in line with our partner agreements.
Unfortunately, this approach has the disadvantage that it is never possible to provide the latest technology because it takes a lot of time to create the software and integrate it into the ecosystem.
The original section here has been removed due to external feedback to ensure that the article is in line with our partner agreements.
This delay meant that many of our customers did not want to wait any longer and opted for other solutions. With UniFi, we know that we are relying on a manufacturer that has its finger on the pulse with its products and can deliver technologically up-to-date products.
End-of-Life-strategy
The original section here has been removed due to external feedback to ensure that the article is in line with our partner agreements.
In contrast, UniFi has a very customer-friendly strategy. Even Access Points, which was sold seven or eight years ago, continues to receive updates and can be used. This means that customers are not forced to constantly invest in new hardware as long as the existing infrastructure serves its purpose.
UniFi Switches
Another important area that we would like to highlight are the switches. In the past, we have rarely used XXX switches in our projects. One reason for this is the limited product portfolio, in particular the lack of a real core switch. XXX only offers access switches, which is often not sufficient for larger and more complex networks. Core switches are particularly important for scenarios in which comprehensive management of the entire network is required.
UniFi offers a much broader product portfolio, including powerful core and aggregation switches that can also be used in larger environments. The top models are the Enterprise Switches:
UniFi – Etherlighting
UniFi offers innovative solutions for network management, such as the Etherlighting function, which simplifies the management of a network rack.
With Etherlighting, you can search for a device in the UniFi app or via the web interface, for example for the lobby phone, and the corresponding LED on the switch lights up. This allows you to immediately recognize the corresponding cable. All cameras can also be easily identified in this way or devices in a VLAN can be displayed.
Etherlighting also enables the assignment of colors to device types, link states, VLANs or PoE ports. This makes it easier to maintain an overview of the network.
UniFi – Augmented Reality
UniFi’s AR (Augmented Reality) function uses a QR code to show details in an AR view on your smartphone. This allows you to visually record the network status and port assignment in the room. This makes management simple and intuitive.
UniFi is revolutionizing network management with innovative and visual solutions that make complex structures easy to understand.
But take a look for yourselves:
Experience and projects
We have many years of experience with UniFi products, which have been successfully used by some of our customers for over eight years. As XXX started to develop its own switches, we tested them on a few projects. But our experience has shown that UniFi is the better choice when it comes to price, functionality, stability, flexibility and performance. We have done installations ranging from simple setups with one switch and one access point to larger customer data centers using UniFi switches.
Even customers who do not want to switch to the new AP6 models from XXX or have tested them and found them to be inadequate, are now also relying on UniFi. Our most recent project involves over 350 Access Points and 90 switches, all powered by UniFi, controlled by a cloud controller hosted in Azure – and the infrastructure is running absolutely smoothly.
Support
In the past, UniFi was often perceived as a product for home use. I personally had the same opinion over ten years ago. However, the product has evolved incredibly in that time and now offers solutions for enterprise requirements. There are now enterprise products for very high demands, including 100 Gigabit switches and Access Points with 2x 10 Gigabit interfaces – high-end devices that are available at XXX does not offer.
Another prejudice that still exists in many people’s minds is that UniFi offers no support. For a long time, it was actually the case that you had to get help with problems mainly via forums or the community. But since this year, 2024, UniFi has been offering comprehensive 24/7 support specifically for companies. This means that the lack of support from the manufacturer is no longer a reason not to use UniFi. This support ensures reliable support even in critical situations. Further information can be found here: https://ui.com/site-support
UniFi as an alternative
The decision to return to UniFi in the future was ultimately not a difficult one. The combination of a better price-performance ratio, a mature management platform, a reliable End-of-Life policy and the continuous further development of the products convinced us. UniFi offers a more stable and economically viable solution for our customers.
We understand that there are customers whose requirements require the XXX Access Points still fulfill. But for scenarios where stability, scalability and long-term investment security play a role, we clearly recommend UniFi. Our experience shows that projects that rely on UniFi run more smoothly and customers are ultimately more satisfied – both in terms of performance and device management.
Firewall
UniFi also offers firewalls, and of course we took a closer look at these. Here we offer XXX still offers more features, especially when it comes to in-depth security features and complex policies that are important for the enterprise space.
We do not yet consider the UniFi Firewalls to be sufficient for professional business use. If you would like to know more about this, there is a video that shows the current functions and possible uses of the UniFi Firewalls:
Conclusion
In recent years, we have had positive experiences with XXX Access Points or switches in recent years, but have realized that the needs of our customers and the development of the products have changed and the XXX Access Points or switches no longer meet our requirements.
UniFi products have proven to be stable and technologically advanced in all these scenarios. UniFi’s portfolio is broad and offers the right solution for every need, whether for small budgets or demanding enterprise environments. The combination of modern technology, scalable management and reliable support has convinced us that UniFi is the better choice in all cases.
Do we get money from UniFi for this post?
No. We sell UniFi products and earn money when we use them in projects where we take care of the network and supply the necessary hardware. However, we do not yet sell UniFi products in the store. Who knows what the future holds? 😊 We currently see UniFi as the better choice for stable, scalable and economically viable WLAN solutions. XXX remains a strong partner, especially in the area of network security – but we have found alternatives in Access Points and switches.
FAQ
Can the UniFi Switches and Access Points also be used with a XXX firewall?
In fact, this is a very common question from administrators when we use UniFi products instead of XXX switches or Access Points. The combination is absolutely no problem and works great!
But UniFi doesn’t offer support, does it?
Many people think that UniFi does not offer support because this was actually the case in the past. However, since this year there is a 7×24 support especially for companies. This means that a lack of support is no longer a reason to decide against UniFi.
What are the advantages of UniFi in terms of management?
UniFi offers free centralized management via a user-friendly interface that is accessible both in the browser and via a mobile app. In addition, the controller can be flexibly installed in the cloud, as a hardware device or on a computer. This offers great flexibility, especially for larger networks.
Does UniFi support older devices longer than just one generation?
Yes, UniFi has a very customer-friendly End-of-Life strategy. Even older Access Points and switches that were sold more than 6 years ago continue to receive updates. XXX will update older series relatively quickly on End-of-Life as soon as new products are available.
Can UniFi Firewalls be an alternative to XXX firewalls?
UniFi firewalls offer basic security functions. However, in our opinion, the functions are currently not sufficient for corporate environments, which is why we continue to offer XXX is still preferred.
