UniFi: network, cameras and access control in one dashboard
Ubiquiti's UniFi ties routing, switching, Wi-Fi, video and door access into a single UniFi Network app or controller -- with no mandatory per-device subscription. Here's what that means for a real smart-building project.
How a UniFi rollout comes together
Assess the site
We map coverage, cabling, PoE budget and camera/access needs before picking any hardware -- port count, PoE wattage and Wi-Fi throughput always depend on the specific model, so this starts with your datasheet, not a guess.
Choose your controller
A UniFi Dream Machine or Dream Router bundles gateway and controller in one box; a CloudKey, your own server or Docker container, or Ubiquiti's own cloud hosting all work too. Either way, no per-device licence fee to keep it running.
Adopt and segment
Switches (USW) and access points (U6/U7, Wi-Fi 6/6E or Wi-Fi 7) get adopted into the UniFi Network site and placed on VLANs -- guest, staff, cameras, access control, kept apart on the same physical cabling.
Extend into Protect and Access, if it fits
UniFi Protect (cameras/NVR) and UniFi Access (door control) sit in the same dashboard as the network, so you get one unified view instead of three disconnected systems -- add them when the project actually calls for it.
What the UniFi ecosystem actually gives you
UniFi Network manages the whole site
Self-hosted or Ubiquiti-cloud-hosted, the controller software itself carries no mandatory per-device subscription -- the honest difference from Cisco Meraki, and the same value logic we've already covered for Reyee.
No mandatory subscription
You pay for the hardware once; the UniFi Network controller software doesn't charge a recurring fee to keep devices managed. Compare that honestly against Cisco Meraki's mandatory licensing before you commit to either.
Self-hosted or cloud, your choice
Run the controller on a Dream Machine/Dream Router, a CloudKey, your own server or a Docker container -- or let Ubiquiti host it. Both paths manage the same devices the same way.
Managed switching with VLANs and PoE
USW switches are managed, support VLAN segmentation, and many models carry PoE for APs and cameras -- exact port count and PoE budget always depend on the specific USW model, so check the datasheet before you spec a project.
Wi-Fi 6/6E and Wi-Fi 7 access points
The U6 series covers Wi-Fi 6/6E, the U7 series covers Wi-Fi 7, in Lite, Pro, LR, In-Wall and other form factors. Real-world throughput and coverage depend on the model and the building, not a spec sheet number alone.
A genuinely unified building view
This is what sets UniFi apart from a network-only brand like MikroTik or Reyee: Protect cameras and Access door control live in the same app as the network, so one dashboard actually shows the whole building, not just the LAN.
What panelcraft delivers on a UniFi project
Vendor-neutral engineering support, from first site walk to the last device adopted -- hardware sourced and specced against the current UniFi lineup, not a generic list.
- {'t': 'Site survey and sizing', 'd': 'Coverage, cabling paths and PoE load get mapped before any switch or AP is chosen -- BOM sized against real requirements, hardware picked from the current Ubiquiti range and priced at time of order.'}
- {'t': 'Controller deployment', 'd': 'UDM/UDR, CloudKey, self-hosted server, or Ubiquiti cloud -- we help you pick and set up whichever fits your operations and support model.'}
- {'t': 'Switch and VLAN plan', 'd': 'USW switches selected and PoE budgeted per the actual datasheet of the chosen model, with VLANs segmenting staff, guest, camera and access traffic from day one.'}
- {'t': 'Wi-Fi design', 'd': 'U6/U7 access point placement based on your floor plan and expected device density, not a generic AP-per-room rule.'}
- {'t': "Protect and Access integration, when it's justified", 'd': 'If cameras or door control are actually part of the brief, we plan their adoption into the same UniFi Network site so operations stay in one dashboard.'}
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to keep paying for UniFi to work?
No. Whether the UniFi Network controller runs self-hosted or on Ubiquiti's own cloud, there's no mandatory per-device subscription to keep devices managed -- that's the core honest differentiator from Cisco Meraki, which does require one.
Self-hosted controller or Ubiquiti cloud -- which one?
Both manage the same devices the same way. Self-hosting on a Dream Machine/Dream Router, CloudKey, your own server or Docker keeps everything on your network; Ubiquiti's cloud hosting removes that maintenance burden. The right call depends on your IT policy and who's responsible for uptime.
What does 'adopting' a device mean in UniFi?
Adoption is the process of pulling a new switch, AP, camera or access device into your UniFi Network site so it shows up and can be configured from the same controller as everything else.
Can network, cameras and door access really run from one app?
Yes -- that's UniFi's real distinguishing strength. UniFi Protect (cameras/NVR) and UniFi Access (door control) sit in the same ecosystem and dashboard as UniFi Network, so you get one unified view instead of three separate systems to log into.
How does UniFi compare to MikroTik, Reyee and Cisco Meraki?
This closes out our four-brand network series. MikroTik and Reyee (Ruijie's cloud brand) share UniFi's no-mandatory-subscription logic but stay network-only; Cisco Meraki is the premium enterprise brand with mandatory licensing. UniFi's edge is the unified network-plus-security ecosystem at a one-time hardware cost -- which brand fits depends on your project, support model and budget, and we'll walk through the tradeoffs honestly.
Planning a UniFi rollout?
Talk to our engineers before you buy hardware -- we'll size the controller, switches and access points against your actual site, and tell you honestly if a different brand fits better.