Netgate 4200 hardware with UNIFI Server
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Hi all with a newbie question, hopefully on the correct forum.
I have purchased and configured a Netgate 4200 (great!), which has unfortunately shown the inadequacies of my switch equipment. (CISCO SG200-08 and CISCO SG200-08 failing).
I am looking to purchase a Ubiquiti Pro Max 16 PoE but I see that UNIFI requires a UNIFI server on my network. I will also look to upgrade my APs in the future, and will consider Ubiquiti for these.
Can I install and run a UNIFI server pkg on the Netgate 4200?
Is this a practical/safe solution?
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@pfjourneyman Ubiquiti only provides versions of the controller app ("UniFi Network Server") for Windows, Linux, and macOS. Netgate's machines run FreeBSD so that's out. But you can just run UNS on any handy desktop or laptop machine. There is no need to run the controller app 24x7 --- once you've configured your UniFi device(s) you can shut it down. (You lose 24x7 monitoring of the devices, but you hardly need that for a switch.)
FWIW, I'm not sure that buying a UniFi switch makes sense if you're not intending an all-UniFi network. I use and like their wireless APs, but I use a Netgate 4200 as router and non-UniFi switches (Cisco as it happens, but much-cheaper ones would work fine). All-UniFi is attractive for offering a single point of configuration and control, but you already lost that benefit by deciding to use a pfSense router.
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Thanks tgl,
That's good information to have. It was not clear that I could get by without running the server 24/7, i definitely would not need to. Also, this is the difficulty of learning via google, I found this link :https://blog.insane.engineer/post/freebsd_unifi6/
describing a UNIFI install in FreeBSD and connected my own dots.
BUT, more relevant is your well made point that I probably don't need Ubiquiti anyway. The configuration (although NOT the price) of the Ubiquiti Pro Max 16 PoE switch was good, I will welcome any recommendations on a cheap managed switch compatible with Netgate 4200:
around 16 copper ports
at least 4 2.5Gb ports, POE for access points.
and reasonably power efficient for home use.Thanks for all advice, I am aware that I am a bit out of my league here.
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BTW, just to be sure you understand your options ... there are basically four ways to control a collection of UniFi network devices:
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Use the software controller (the UNS we talked about) running on bring-your-own hardware. The great attraction of this option is zero up-front cost. Disadvantages are extra maintenance effort --- for example, I regularly see people complaining on the UI forums about problems with the MongoDB version that UNS requires being different from what their Linux platform provides --- and that it will only run UI's routers, switches, and wireless APs, not any of their other products such as cameras.
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Buy a "Cloud Key", which is a small Linux machine that runs the network controller software and can also run the control applications for UI's cameras and other products. More up-front cost, less hassle, more flexibility than the free controller.
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Buy a "Cloud Gateway", which is a UniFi router that has enough CPU oomph to also run all the controller applications. (The things they call plain "gateways" are routers that have to be controlled by a controller instance somewhere else.) This makes plenty of sense if you are going for an all-UniFi network, but no sense if you intend to use some other router.
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Subscribe to UniFi's cloud management service, in which case the controlling all happens on their servers. This involves a monthly subscription fee, and you also have to be okay with the idea of your network devices being externally controllable. But you don't need any local controller device, and if you see remote management as a plus not a minus (say, you are corporate IT and have to manage multiple sites) then this could be your preferred answer.
Oh wait: there's a fifth option, which is that UI also provide phone apps that are stripped-down versions of UNS. I've never used those and am not clear on just how stripped down they are: I get the impression that they are good for managing a single AP but are pretty lame for anything more than that.
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@pfjourneyman said in Netgate 4200 hardware with UNIFI Server:
I will welcome any recommendations on a cheap managed switch compatible with Netgate 4200:
I'm not the person to ask about that; not enough familiarity with what's out there. You can expect that any competently-made ethernet switch will work with the Netgate; what you need to think about is features (particularly, whether you want VLAN capability), speed, and cost. Personally I'd tend to default to Netgear (not to be confused with Netgate), as I've had years of positive experience with their switches. However, allow me to direct you to servethehome.com which publishes a veritable boatload of reviews of switches and other networking gear. You might find this series of posts particularly relevant: The Ultimate Cheap Fanless 2.5GbE Switch Buyers Guide
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@tgl Perfect,
that's exactly what I need and I will start there.
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@pfjourneyman said in Netgate 4200 hardware with UNIFI Server:
inadequacies
What inadequacies are you referring to? Yes, it is a layer 2 switch only.
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@coxhaus Yes, I probably used the wrong words...
Both Switches have been rock solid for years, until I had a lightning strike.. The POE switch now does not function on two ports. And to your comment, I am researching benefits of moving to a L3 switch.
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@pfjourneyman Cisco is definitely the way to go if you want a layer 3 switch. A lot of the others are iffy unless you go to enterprise level which will be very loud.
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@coxhaus I would love to given the positive experience I have had with the CISCO SG200 switches.
I would like to upgrade to at least 2.5G and everything I can find in CISCO products are overkill for my needs, even staying at L2.