Review: Ubiquiti UniFi Dream Machine Pro (UDM-Pro)

Lawrence Systems
17 Feb 202036:30

TLDRTom from Warring Systems reviews the Ubiquiti UniFi Dream Machine Pro (UDM-Pro), highlighting its hardware design, cooling system, and software capabilities. He discusses the device's quiet operation, potential for home and small business use, and its limitations, such as single drive storage and lack of multiple IPS on a single LAN port. The review also covers the initial setup, software features, and performance testing, noting the device's ability to handle high traffic without overheating or slowing down.

Takeaways

  • 😀 The UniFi Dream Machine Pro (UDM-Pro) is a step up from the previous USG models, offering enhanced features and capabilities.
  • 🔧 The UDM-Pro has a well-designed hardware with efficient airflow and cooling systems, featuring a metal heatsink and fan combo.
  • 💻 The device comes with an optional hard drive for additional storage and includes UniFi Protect for video surveillance needs.
  • 🔑 Despite having a single drive slot, the UDM-Pro lacks redundancy and the ability to RAID multiple drives for performance gains.
  • 🏠 The UDM-Pro is well-suited for home users, especially new home builders with a need for a compact and powerful network solution.
  • 🔒 The device requires registration with UniFi, which may be a deal-breaker for some users who prefer not to have their devices tied to an account.
  • 📈 The UDM-Pro performed well in speed tests, showing consistent throughput even under load, but was impacted by the intrusion detection system when using multiple streams.
  • 🛠 The software interface is user-friendly and includes features like threat management, geo IP filtering, and an internal honeypot for network security.
  • 🔄 The device does not support managing with an external UniFi controller, as it is designed to be a standalone unit.
  • 👀 The UDM-Pro has a front display that provides quick access to system information and settings, enhancing the user experience.
  • 🆕 The UDM-Pro is expected to receive future software updates that may address current shortcomings and add new features.

Q & A

  • What is the UniFi Dream Machine Pro (UDM-Pro)?

    -The UniFi Dream Machine Pro (UDM-Pro) is a network device that combines routing, switching, wireless access point, and more in a single unit. It is a step up from the previous UniFi Security Gateway (USG) and includes features such as a built-in display and support for UniFi Protect, a video surveillance system.

  • What are some design considerations of the UDM-Pro?

    -The UDM-Pro has a well-thought-out design with attention to airflow. It features a metal heatsink and fan combo for cooling, with air being pulled in and distributed evenly across the device. The device operates quietly and has a clean, organized internal layout.

  • What are the shortcomings of the UDM-Pro mentioned in the script?

    -One of the shortcomings is the limitation to only having a single drive slot, which restricts storage capacity and does not provide redundancy for camera footage. This single point of failure could be a concern for some users.

  • How does the UDM-Pro cater to home users?

    -The UDM-Pro is suitable for home users, especially for new home builders who may have smaller racks for A/V equipment and require fast internet routing and Wi-Fi distribution. It is easy to set up and manage, with the controller located within the device itself.

  • What is UniFi Protect and how does it relate to the UDM-Pro?

    -UniFi Protect is a video surveillance system that can be integrated with the UDM-Pro. The UDM-Pro has a built-in hard drive for storing footage from UniFi Protect cameras, although it lacks the ability to support multiple drives for redundancy or increased storage.

  • What are the routing capabilities of the UDM-Pro?

    -The UDM-Pro is capable of high-speed routing, with support for 10 Gigabit Ethernet connections. It can handle multiple streams of data, which is more representative of real-world usage where multiple devices contribute to bandwidth usage.

  • What is the process for resetting the UDM-Pro?

    -The UDM-Pro can be reset by holding the reset button. It also has an emergency recovery process detailed in a UniFi support article, which can be used if the device becomes corrupted or settings are misconfigured.

  • How does the UDM-Pro manage network security?

    -The UDM-Pro uses a combination of threat management tools, including intrusion detection, DNS filtering, and deep packet inspection to identify and manage network traffic. It also has the ability to create honeypots for internal network security testing.

  • What is the status of the VPN server setup on the UDM-Pro?

    -The VPN server setup on the UDM-Pro is somewhat limited, offering L2TP server configuration but lacking a more robust setup for advanced VPN solutions like OpenVPN. The OpenVPN option is available in beta for site-to-site connections but does not offer extensive features.

  • What are the software features of the UDM-Pro?

    -The UDM-Pro runs UniFi OS, which includes a unified software-defined networking controller, support for UniFi Protect, and additional features like access control and voice solutions. It also has a user interface with customizable settings and an overview of network status.

  • How does the UDM-Pro perform under load?

    -The UDM-Pro remains relatively quiet and cool under load, with the fans and heatsink effectively managing temperature. Even when pushed with multiple data streams, the device maintains performance without overheating.

Outlines

00:00

🤖 Introduction to the Unified Dream Machine Pro

Tom from Warring Systems introduces the Unified Dream Machine Pro, discussing its reception since release and his experience testing it. He mentions the device's design, air flow, and hardware components, including a heatsink and fan for cooling. Tom also talks about the device's quiet operation and optional hard drive with Unified Protect. He addresses potential shortcomings, such as limited storage and single drive vulnerability, but appreciates the device's potential for home users and new home builders.

05:01

🛠️ Hardware Analysis and Rackmount Utility

The script delves into the hardware of the Unified Dream Machine Pro, highlighting the device's thoughtful design, including the air flow system and the placement of fans for effective cooling. It discusses the device's quiet operation and the optional hard drive's role in Unified Protect. The narrator points out the lack of multiple IPS on a single LAN port as a limitation for business use, but acknowledges the device's suitability for home users, especially new home builders who value rackmount devices for their AV equipment and internet routing needs.

10:02

🔍 Closer Look at the Unified Dream Machine Pro's Features

The video script provides a detailed examination of the Unified Dream Machine Pro's features, including its front display, power supply, and port options. It discusses the device's software, mentioning the need for a Unified account and the separate dashboard for the Pro model. The narrator also covers the device's temperature performance, storage options, and the process for resetting the device in case of software issues.

15:03

🌐 Software Deep Dive and Network Management

The script offers an in-depth look at the Unified Dream Machine Pro's software, focusing on the Unified Software Defined Networking controller. It covers the initial setup, including speed tests and VLAN configuration, and explores the threat management features, such as geo IP filtering and DNS filtering. The narrator also discusses the device's firewall capabilities, VPN setup, and the limitations of managing the device with an external controller.

20:03

🛡️ Advanced Security Features and Customization

The video script discusses the advanced security features of the Unified Dream Machine Pro, including deep packet inspection, device fingerprinting, and network scanning. It explains the functionality of the internal honeypot and the benefits of IP reputation lists. The narrator also touches on the customization options available for threat management and the device's firewall features.

25:03

🔌 Port Configuration and Device Management

The script provides insights into the port configuration and device management aspects of the Unified Dream Machine Pro. It details the features available for each port, such as unicast, multicast, and broadcast settings, and discusses the advanced options for VLAN management. The narrator also explains how to access and manage the device's services and settings through the unified interface.

30:04

🌡️ Performance Testing and Temperature Monitoring

The video script describes the performance testing process for the Unified Dream Machine Pro, including the use of iperf for measuring network throughput. It explains how the device handles different numbers of streams and the impact on processor usage and temperature. The narrator also discusses the device's quiet operation during intensive tests and its ability to maintain performance without overheating.

35:04

👋 Final Thoughts and Future Outlook

The script concludes with final thoughts on the Unified Dream Machine Pro, noting its reliability and performance after being unplugged and restarted multiple times. The narrator expresses satisfaction with the device's operation and plans for future videos exploring additional features like Protect, Access, and Talk. He also invites viewers to engage with the content, subscribe for updates, and reach out for collaboration or discussion on the Lauren Systems forum.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡UniFi Dream Machine Pro (UDM-Pro)

The UniFi Dream Machine Pro (UDM-Pro) is a network device that combines routing, switching, wireless access point, and network security functionalities. In the video, it is described as a step up from its predecessor, the USG, and is aimed at both home and business users who require advanced network features and management. The UDM-Pro is highlighted for its design, performance, and integrated UniFi Protect for surveillance needs.

💡Software-Defined Networking (SDN)

Software-Defined Networking is a network design where the network control is decoupled from the hardware and provided as a software application. In the context of the UDM-Pro, SDN allows for flexible and centralized management of network functions, which is a key feature of the device. The script mentions that shortcomings identified in the hardware are expected to be resolved through software updates, showcasing the adaptability of SDN.

💡Heatsink

A heatsink is a device designed to dissipate heat generated by electronic components. In the video, the UDM-Pro's heatsink is discussed as part of its thoughtful design to ensure efficient cooling of the main processor, which is crucial for maintaining the device's performance and longevity.

💡UniFi Protect

UniFi Protect is a video surveillance software that can be integrated with UniFi devices like the UDM-Pro. It allows users to manage and monitor security cameras within their network. The script mentions that the UDM-Pro comes with an optional hard drive to support UniFi Protect, indicating its capability to handle video recording and analysis for security purposes.

💡Rackmount

Rackmount refers to a type of electronic equipment that is designed to be mounted in a standard rack or cabinet. The UDM-Pro is described as a rackmount device, making it suitable for both home users with dedicated AV equipment racks and businesses that require compact and organized network infrastructure.

💡Single Point of Failure

A single point of failure is a part of a system that, if it fails, will stop the entire system from operating. In the script, the reviewer points out that the UDM-Pro has only one drive slot, which could be a limitation as it introduces a single point of failure for data storage, especially for surveillance footage.

💡10 Gigabit Connectivity

10 Gigabit Connectivity refers to a network connection that operates at a speed of 10 billion bits per second. The UDM-Pro is tested for its ability to handle 10 Gigabit traffic on both the LAN and WAN sides, demonstrating its high-speed data transfer capabilities, which are important for businesses and power users with large data needs.

💡Threat Management

Threat Management is the process of identifying, assessing, and mitigating potential security threats in a network. The UDM-Pro features threat management tools, as discussed in the script, which include intrusion detection, DNS filtering, and other security measures to protect the network from various online threats.

💡Unified Software Defined Networking Controller

The Unified Software Defined Networking Controller is the management interface for UniFi devices, allowing users to configure and monitor their network. The script describes the UDM-Pro's controller as being similar to other UniFi devices, providing a familiar environment for users to manage their network settings and services.

💡iPerf

iPerf is a tool used to test network performance by measuring the maximum TCP or UDP throughput of a connection. In the video, iPerf is used to test the UDM-Pro's routing capabilities and to demonstrate how the device handles different network loads, providing insights into its real-world performance.

💡VLAN

A VLAN, or Virtual Local Area Network, is a virtual network that is defined by software rather than hardware. The script mentions the creation of VLANs within the UDM-Pro, which allows for better organization and segmentation of network traffic, enhancing security and management.

Highlights

Introduction to the Ubiquiti UniFi Dream Machine Pro (UDM-Pro) and its capabilities.

The UDM-Pro is a step up from the previous USG models, offering enhanced features.

Design and airflow of the UDM-Pro have been thoughtfully engineered for optimal cooling.

The device features a single drive slot, which may limit storage and redundancy for certain applications.

The UDM-Pro is quiet during operation, showcasing good fan design.

The device includes UniFi Protect, a surveillance system, which is an additional feature not covered in this review.

The UDM-Pro is well-suited for new home builders with integrated AV equipment and networking needs.

The device's front display provides quick access to system information and settings.

The UDM-Pro supports 10-gigabit connectivity, demonstrated through testing.

The device requires registration with Ubiquiti, which may be a consideration for some users.

The UDM-Pro's software is user-friendly and includes advanced networking features.

The device offers threat management with options for intrusion detection and prevention.

The UDM-Pro has limited VPN capabilities compared to other UniFi devices.

The device's hardware build quality is commendable, with a focus on user experience.

The UDM-Pro's performance during stress testing remained stable, showcasing its reliability.

The reviewer's final thoughts on the UDM-Pro, including its lack of an off button and overall performance.

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