Top of the rack is the Unifi UDM Pro. I love this. It runs the whole Unifi software stack, which for me is the controller and Unifi Protect, and as per the previous post it runs all of this very well.
Currently given my home setup I have no need for Access, or any of the other optional additions to the software stack, but just knowing that this has the potential and the grunt to offer those services to me in the future is amazing. This was the first Unifi piece of hardware that I purchased. Since it’s release we have seen the SE (special edition) and the Max (with another hard drive bay and other features) but as a starting point I think this should be the bare minimum that anyone goes for.
There are lesser powered units such as the cloud keys, I did for a time run the contoller via docker on a RPi, but what I find to be the best selling point of this unit is just the comfort and peace of mind that it’s doing it’s job, and what it does it does very well.
Currently I have a 4TB Ironwolf drive inserted for Unifi Protect, it’s running flawlessly. I am not using the ethernet ports, as I have a larger switch, but for basic routing and firewall, Protect and managing the wifi and other services that I use, this is a brilliant alternative and much more powerful solution to any ISP router. My ISP internet is only 1GB so the provided ethernet port is perfectly fine, and the 10GB connectivity to the rest of my devices gives a solid throughput backbone that’s top notch. I love it. I cant speak highly enough of this.
The UDM Pro Special Edition of this router provides PoE+ ethernet ports, and a 2.5GB ethernet port. The UDM Pro Max version offers two hard drive slots for Protect and a 2.5GB ethernet port for WAN. It does not offer PoE at all. I am really hoping that the next version rolls out with something a bit more, such as full 2.5GB ports and PoE++ or something like that, but maybe that’s just dreaming.
There are smaller versions of these, which are not rack mountable. The Unifi Cloud Gateway Max is looking super sexy, and I could use this to replace my 1GB switch on my mini rack, but it’s superfluous and a bit of a non-starter given the rest of the gear that I own. Then again, Ubiquiti, my guys! Come on! I’d love to receive one 😉
All in all, 10 out of 10 for this bad boy. I use the threat detection and geofencing features too, it just gives more peace of mind that you and all of your data is safe from the outside world. Love it.