This product would be 5-star worthy, until I discovered a glitch in its behavior and tech support on the matter has gone silent.
I am using the device with 4 SSIDs, each using both the 2g and 5g radios. One of the SSIDs is on a schedule (WLAN for the kids gadgets). When the schedule turns the SSID back on, the 2g radio appears to drop all connected clients for a period of time (as if the radio is restarting). Not happening with the 5g connected clients.
This might not seem like a big deal until you recognize most of your home automation runs on a 2g radio. I have reported this to Ubiquiti, with 2 follow-ups requesting status over the last 3 days. I have not even gotten so much as an acknowledgement of them having received the email.
The rating will be reviewed and updated based on Ubiquiti’s handling of this issue.
2/13/2020 - Update
Since writing the original review, Ubiquiti Tech Support finally got back to me. The issue is not resolved. No update on that front. The support rep is going back and forth with the "try this" and "check that" mindset, which is all OK to be thorough, but they have thus far refused to answer my question regarding if they have reproduced or otherwise verified the issue exactly as I have have described to them. Obviously I have to take a non-answer as a 'no'. Meanwhile, I think they have run out of things to check and verify, where they are now going to have really investigate the problem.
I figured out how to reproduce the problem in a controlled manner with about 5 minutes of effort, so I suspect they either have as well, or are doing so now. The bigger problem I see is the firmware in use in the product is the same firmware in use in many, if not all of the UAP products, and there are many. This little glitch I found, while seemingly simple, is likely a nightmare for them to address across all their product line. Pure speculation on all that.
Given the lack of tech response to my questions, and no resolution, or pathway to resolution provided yet, the review remains 1-star quality. Stay away if your requirements include SSID operations on a schedule!
Another update will come when Ubiquiti does something worthwhile on this case.
2/22/2020 (11:30pm)
After much back and forth, Ubiquiti Networks FINALLY acknowledged the issue as I reported it. The weird part is they said “something is not quite right”, rather than acknowledging a bug in the firmware or the product. They are supposedly reviewing internally. I continue to wait for progress. When I know more, I will again update the post.
4/25/2020
I should have wrote this review several weeks ago before the quarantine started, but it does not matter as there is no change as of today. Tech support after acknowledging the problem indicated to me that they had no timeline for fixing the issue. They would not even acknowledge that the issue was in the pipeline to be addressed. Nice job UBNT.
12/11/2020
Earlier this week I noticed a firmware update was available. For those not in the know, the Unifi Controller will show this detail, but you have to specifically look for it. Anyway... I installed the firmware update (v5.43.19.12493) and presto-magico the issue I reported is now resolved, or so it appears to be. Time will tell for certain and I will update this post again if I figure out that the problem remains in some form, or if it has been exchanged for a different problem.
I have updated threating on this item to 4 stars, because UBNT support has proven to be very hit and miss, nearly impossible to get on the phone, and there was zero communication to me regarding the firmware change telling the issue I pressed so hard for was actually addressed. But, at least they got to it. You do have to be more competent with networking concepts to configure this device beyond what the everyday home user would otherwise do - but you can use it like that too.
In all fairness, this is really the best AP I have ever used and I suspect the entire line of Unifi APs are equally as good. As I noted in the original posting, this device would have otherwise gotten a 5-star review. I chose this model as I do not have the wiring in the ceiling space, or the POE switch to drive that type of installation (next house!), and the device provides a fairly sleek look without gaudy antennas or the look of a space ship. There are a ton of features on this device I still do not use, so no telling if there are more hidden gems of defectiveness, but for my usage, this thing is a perfect as I could ask for. I use 4 SSIDs each allowing usage of the 2g or 5g radio when the client connects, each SSID on a separate VLAN. I have the FlexHD trunked to an EdgeRouter 4 (yes - I went outside the Unifi bubble for the router, better throughput) where each of my 4 VLANS is segregated so I no longer have the concerns of the kids gaming gadgets interfering with what is important to me, and I do not have applied QOS as that just slows everything down a bit. With this latest firmware, I am able to turn on/off a specific SSID on a schedule and not affect anything else. Translation, no more concern for the kids being on their gadgets too late at night (or too early), and my IOT network for the house remains online. One device is adequately covering a 2-story 3000 sq ft house, with a 40'x45' footprint. The device is located in the upper lever, slightly toward the front of the house. 5g signal weakens a little in the farthest indoor location, but it does work. 2g is rock solid everywhere, including up to about 20 feet way from the exterior walls of the house (front and back).
| Wireless Type | 802.11ac |
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