VIrtualized pfSense (Proxmox) with WiFi - possible?

AndyRH

@bearhntr Mostly, you need the AP and the manager. I loaded the manager (I forget what it is called) on a Linux VM. No other Unifi HW is needed.

stephenw10

You don't even need the manager if you don't need the featured that require it be always on. Like captive portal. It has been a while, I put OpenWRT on my Unifi AP, but last time I tried you can setup the AP using only a phone app.

Patch

@bearhntr said in VIrtualized pfSense (Proxmox) with WiFi - possible?:

This script seems to be a Linux (Ubuntu/Debian) I does not mention Proxmox.

Correct.

Create a VM in Proxmox
Load your prefered Linux from the variants supported by the Unifi controller software
Install the Unifi controller software via the above script
Run this VM & set up your controller
Power up a wired Unifi AP which you can then adopt into your Unifi controller software / VM

bearhntr

@Patch , @stephenw10 and @AndyRH

Thank you all - I have been wanting to do a full UniFI system in the house for 6+ years. This house was built in 1989 (and the first owner (I am 2nd) was not super-tech savvy apparently). I have 2 phone jacks in the entire house (one on the wall in the kitchen, one in the master bedroom). There is one cable port in the whole house (in the den - opposite end of the house from the office/bedrooms). When I moved in, there was a satellite dish on the back of the house and 2 line running from it along the outside of the house (one to the master bedroom, and one to the box outside which leads to the single cable jack in the house).

I had to be creative with getting Internet throughout the house....so I got the ORBI system (first I had a D-Link 860L with a satellite - but was constantly plagued with dropouts and slow speeds), and the ORBI worked great for years.

I started researching UniFI system as a way to put an Ethernet port in every room (or more) and to put a wireless AP in the bedroom end, one in the kitchen/den end and maybe one outside. My plan was to put this stuff into the house using the attic for running wires as I am on concrete slab and can access every room via the attic. Then the pandemic hit and the world went insane.... lol I was sent home to work, and a role change took nearly $20k out of my salary as company restructured.

So here today with the wish/desire to start-up that original goal/project in some fashion. I am thinking that I definitely want 6E Wi-Fi, Wi-Fi 7 I think it too new and not really ready for prime-time play.

If I were to go full-on setup (but cheaply - not spending $1000's) I know the CAT5E or CAT6 cable I will need is going to cost me a fortune...what would you recommend? I do want 2 APs in the house - and while I have a SmartHome 'growing monthly', most things are Z-Wave or Zigbee...would like to have a consideration for Wi-Fi IoT devices too, maybe even in their own segment.

stephenw10

The cable itself should not be expensive. If you have to have it installed rather than installing it yourself that is going to be more obviously.

Real APs mounted on the ceiling are so much better it's worth putting in wiring for that if you can.

You can run multiple SSIDs on different VLANs on Unifi APs or any OpenWRT compatible device.

bearhntr

@stephenw10

That is my hope to do PoE and mount the APs to the ceiling (one in the hall between the 4 bedrooms and one in the kitchen/breakfast/den area). I have a ranch home, so all on one level.

Thanks Again

bearhntr

@Patch

Sorry for 're-touching' an old topic. I wanted to keep it in the chain:

I was able to complete the TOP one listed below - and installed 7.5.187 -- Do I need the other one too?

I do not yet have any APs - I still researching the best one(s) to do WiFi 6E and how to do them without a UniFi PoE box.

For wifi I run another Proxmox VM running the Unifi controller application. Separate Unifi AP as required. It works well.
See
https://community.ui.com/questions/UniFi-Installation-Scripts-or-UniFi-Easy-Update-Script-or-UniFi-Lets-Encrypt-or-UniFi-Easy-Encrypt-/ccbc7530-dd61-40a7-82ec-22b17f027776
and
https://help.ui.com/hc/en-us/articles/115012196527-UNMS-Installation-Guide

Patch

@bearhntr from memory the scripts are listed in version number order so more recent version of the unifi controller application are further down the opening post in the thread.

Unifi access points need to be adopted by a controller. Local hosting the software is the option I described. Alternatives include Unifi controller hardware or a Unifi cloud controller.

bearhntr

@Patch

My confusion lies in the what do I need. I believe that I understand the need (once I get them) to have the APs 'configured' and can use the UniFi Controller application that I built/installed on Promox under a Debian 12.

I did see multiple versions out there, some of them mentioned some kind of a KEY. So I simply chose to go with the 7.5.187 version as a Google search stated that 7.5.172 minimum needed for WiFi 6 (could not find anything for 6E).

I was more curious about the 2nd link you provided - and do I need to do both (on sep VMs - on same VM - or only need to choose one of them).

Trying how best to install 2 (maybe 3 APs in my home) - and provide them power and Ethernet.

Thanks Again

Patch

@bearhntr the script in the first link automates the installation described in the second link. I install the latest version unless there is a specific reason not to.

You only need one copy of the controller application running somewhere to adopt all your AP.

bearhntr

@Patch

Thank you for the clarification.