UniFi Dream Router

Introduction

It has been a while since I blogged about my UniFi setup. The last post was about my UniFi G4 Doorbell. But since then a lot has happened. Unfortunately, My USG-3P started to develop some problems and had to be retired. Mostly the issues included dropping out and config corruption when changing settings in the UniFi dashboard. Also, the 85mbps throughput had become a bit of a bottleneck, considering I pay for 130MB of internet. So I could never fully utilize the speed I was paying for.

I retired the USG and replaced it with a DrayTek Vigor 2860 temporally. Until I had the funds to buy my next router. When I switched routers. I also moved my kitchen switch and the downstairs access point to the TV unit. However, this had an undesired effect. As I mentioned in a previous post, use TP-Link power-line adaptors around my house and for the most part, these are problem-free. But when the network becomes saturated, they do start to struggle. As most of our WiFi devices are downstairs, this quickly saturates the power-line network and causes problems.

How did I fix the problems?

I fixed my problems by replacing my router with an UniFi one that had a built-in access point. At the time of detecting these problems, there was only one option. The UniFi Dream Machine (Not the UDM-Pro). But Ubiquiti had another device that was in early access. The UniFi Dream Router was a device similar to the UDM but has a built-in WiFi 6 access-point. I knew that this was the router that I wanted. But due to COVID and the device being in high demand, getting hold of one was impossible.

I decided that I would hang on and wait for the UDR to be released officially. I waited and then I heard the news that it was released. But because of its popularity, It was out of stock again. So I decided to wait again. I had almost given up hope of getting one of these devices and decided that enough is enough and would buy a UDM. But when I logged into the store. I was shocked to find out that it was in stock again. I wasted no time and purchased the UDR.

Ordering

As usual, I ordered from the UniFi store as I find the experience and prices to be the best. However last time I ordered, I got stung with import duty. But luckily, this time I didn’t. It arrived a few days later.

Setting up

As previously mentioned, I use a CloudKey-Gen2+ for my UniFi controller and this was running both Network and Protect. I was certain that I wanted to retain my existing configuration. Getting the UDR out of the box, I hooked up the power cable (after chopping the EU plug off and rewiring it). I plugged a ethernet cable to my MacBook and another from the WAN port to my existing switch.

I fired up a web browser and found that UDR had booted up and re-directed me to the setup screen. To my disappointment, it would not let me restore from a cloud backup. I suspect that this is due to a software update being outstanding. I set the device up as a new install, then existed out to the device configuration to restore a backup, that I had just exported from my Cloud Key. After a few minutes, my network was up and running as if nothing had changed from my USG.

Conclusion

In summary, this device is a perfect home router and possibly even for some small businesses. The form factor is perfect for people that don’t have home network racks.

Here is the updated network drawing.

Dream, Networking, Router, Ubiquiti, UDM, UDR, UniFi

Networking, Tech, Ubiquiti

June 20, 2022