UniFi Dream Router - UDR - Overview and Setup
TLDRThe Unifi Dream Router (UDR) is a Wi-Fi 6 router, firewall, and access point designed for home users and prosumers. Priced at $199, it features a 4x4 multi-user MIMO, a four-port switch with two 802.3af PoE ports, and an Intel dual-core Cortex A53 CPU with 2GB RAM. The UDR also includes UniFi OS with applications like Network and Protect, and supports up to two apps simultaneously. The device is easy to set up via Bluetooth and the UniFi app, and it's suitable for expanding a UniFi network with additional access points or switches.
Takeaways
- 😀 The UniFi Dream Router (UDR) is an all-in-one device designed for home users and prosumers, offering a gateway into the UniFi ecosystem.
- 💡 The UDR features Wi-Fi 6 and comes with a 4x4 multi-user MIMO access point, suitable for most home user environments and expandable with additional access points.
- 🔌 It includes a four-port switch with two 802.3af PoE-powered ports for devices like surveillance cameras or VoIP phones.
- 📀 The UDR has a 128GB internal storage card for UniFi Protect surveillance, but an expandable micro SD card slot is also available for additional storage.
- 🌡️ The device is intended for indoor use with operating temperatures ranging from -10 to 45 degrees Celsius.
- 🔧 The UDR's CPU is an Intel dual-core Cortex A53 running at 1.35 GHz, with 2GB of RAM, indicating it's designed for home or small business use.
- 🔄 It can be managed via Ethernet or Bluetooth using the UniFi app, making the initial setup process user-friendly.
- 🛡️ The UDR comes with a firewall and integrated access point, and the ability to run up to two UniFi applications simultaneously, such as Network and Protect.
- 👀 A .96-inch LCM display screen on the front allows for network and connection monitoring.
- 🔄 The device supports firmware updates, which can be automatic or manually controlled through the UniFi OS settings.
- 🔒 Enabling threat management features like intrusion detection and prevention can reduce the maximum throughput speeds of the UDR.
Q & A
What is the Unifi Dream Router (UDR) and who is it designed for?
-The Unifi Dream Router (UDR) is an all-in-one combo device designed for home users or prosumers. It functions as a router, firewall, and integrated access point with Wi-Fi 6 capabilities.
What is the MSRP of the Unifi Dream Router?
-The MSRP of the Unifi Dream Router is $199, although some people were able to purchase it for $79 during the early access store period.
What are the key features of the UDR's Wi-Fi 6 support?
-The UDR supports Wi-Fi 6 with 4x4 multi-user MIMO, which is sufficient for most home user environments, and also allows for the addition of supplementary access points.
Does the UDR come with a Unifi controller onboard?
-Yes, the UDR has a Unifi controller onboard, which allows for easy management and setup of the device.
What is included in the UDR box apart from the router itself?
-In addition to the router, the box contains a quick start guide and a power cable.
What type of storage does the UDR have and can it be expanded?
-The UDR has a 128-gigabyte internal storage card for Unifi Protect surveillance and includes a micro SD card slot for expanding storage, supporting cards up to 1 terabyte in size.
What is the purpose of the two POE powered ports on the UDR's four-port switch?
-The two POE powered ports on the UDR's switch can be used to power devices such as surveillance cameras or voice over IP phones without the need for separate power sources.
What is the CPU and RAM specification of the UDR?
-The UDR is equipped with an Intel dual-core Cortex A53 CPU running at 1.35 gigahertz and features 2 gigs of RAM.
How can the UDR be initially set up and managed?
-The UDR can be initially set up and managed either through an Ethernet connection by plugging into one of the LAN ports or via Bluetooth using the Unifi app.
What is the maximum number of Unifi applications that can run simultaneously on the UDR?
-The UDR can run up to two Unifi applications simultaneously, such as Unifi Network and either Protect, Access, or Talk.
How does enabling threat management on the UDR affect its performance?
-Enabling threat management, such as intrusion detection and prevention, may reduce the maximum throughput speeds of the UDR due to the additional processing required for these security features.
What is the estimated storage capacity for Unifi Protect recordings on a 128 GB micro SD card?
-With a 128 GB micro SD card, the estimated storage capacity for Unifi Protect recordings is approximately 20 to 30 hours, depending on the recording mode and settings.
Outlines
😀 Unboxing and Overview of the UniFi Dream Router (UDR)
Chris from Crosstalk Solutions introduces the UniFi Dream Router (UDR), a Wi-Fi 6 router/firewall with an integrated access point, designed for home users or prosumers. The UDR, initially priced at $79 during early access, has an MSRP of $199. It features 4x4 multi-user MIMO, a built-in UniFi controller, and a four-port switch with two 802.3af PoE-powered ports. The device also includes a microSD card slot for expandable storage, a 128GB internal storage card for UniFi Protect surveillance, and a .96-inch LCM display for network monitoring. The UDR is powered by an Intel dual-core Cortex A53 CPU at 1.35 GHz and 2GB of RAM, making it suitable for indoor use with operating temperatures ranging from -10 to 45 degrees Celsius.
🔧 Initial Setup and Configuration of the UDR
The video demonstrates the initial setup of the UDR using the UniFi Network app via Bluetooth, including naming the device, setting up the default wireless network with a strong password, and conducting a speed test using a Starlink connection. The UDR's interface is explored, showcasing the device's ability to visualize network connections and manage UniFi Protect surveillance cameras. The UDR is running UniFi OS version 2.4.10, and the video covers the basic setup process, including updating firmware and navigating the web-based GUI.
🛠 Exploring Advanced Features and Storage Options
Chris delves into the UDR's advanced settings, discussing the device's storage capabilities, the use of microSD cards, and the onboard 128GB storage. He explains that the UDR can only use one storage option at a time and that microSD cards larger than 128GB are recommended for surveillance systems due to the limitations of SD card storage for such purposes. The video also covers the UDR's system settings, including remote access, automatic updates, and notification preferences.
📶 Testing Network Performance and IPS Impact
The script describes a series of speed tests conducted to evaluate the UDR's network performance, both with and without Intrusion Prevention System (IPS) enabled. The tests show a significant decrease in speed when IPS is activated, suggesting that while it provides security benefits, it may impact the device's maximum throughput. The video also discusses the UDR's suitability for home use and its role as a gateway into UniFi products, allowing for network expansion with additional access points or switches.
👀 UniFi Protect Setup and Storage Considerations
Chris addresses the setup of UniFi Protect on the UDR, explaining the storage limitations and suggesting optimal recording modes to maximize the lifespan of the microSD card. He discusses the importance of configuring detection settings to record only when motion is detected, rather than continuous recording, to conserve storage space. The video also answers viewer questions about disabling UniFi Protect, handling multiple client devices, and using the teleport feature for remote access.
🏠 Final Thoughts and Practical Application of the UDR
In the conclusion, Chris summarizes the UDR's capabilities, its suitability for home and small business use, and plans to test its performance in a real-world home environment. He invites viewers to share their experiences and speed test results in the comments and recommends a comprehensive tutorial series on UniFi OS for those seeking in-depth setup guidance. The video ends with a light-hearted moment, showcasing the challenges of filming educational content.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡UniFi Dream Router (UDR)
💡Wi-Fi 6
💡MSRP
💡4x4 Multi-User MIMO
💡PoE Power
💡Unifi Protect
💡Unifi Controller
💡Intrusion Prevention System (IPS)
💡Bluetooth Setup
💡Firmware Update
Highlights
The UniFi Dream Router (UDR) is an all-in-one combo device designed for home users or prosumers.
The UDR features Wi-Fi 6 and is a router, firewall, and integrated access point with 4x4 multi-user MIMO.
The device has an MSRP of $199, but was initially priced at $79 during early access.
The UDR includes a four-port switch with two 802.3af PoE powered ports for devices like surveillance cameras or VoIP phones.
The device has a microSD card slot for expanding storage, but the author advises against relying too heavily on it for surveillance systems.
The UDR has a 128GB internal storage card for UniFi Protect surveillance, but is not ideal for extensive storage needs.
The device is equipped with an Intel dual-core Cortex A53 CPU running at 1.35 GHz and 2GB of RAM.
The UDR is intended for indoor use with operating temperatures ranging from -10 to 45 degrees Celsius.
Initial setup of the UDR can be done via Ethernet or Bluetooth using the UniFi app.
The UDR's interface allows for monitoring network and connection status, with a .96-inch LCM display screen.
The device supports UniFi OS version 2.4.10, offering features like floor plan uploads for coverage visualization.
The UDR can run up to two UniFi applications simultaneously, such as Network and Protect, but not Access and Talk together.
The device allows for remote access via unifi.ui.com using UniFi single sign-on credentials.
The UDR's storage settings prioritize the microSD card if inserted, making the onboard storage secondary.
The UDR's speed test results can vary significantly, especially when using a Starlink connection.
Enabling intrusion detection and prevention on the UDR can reduce maximum throughput speeds.
The UDR is suitable as a gateway into UniFi products for home users, offering an affordable entry point for expanding a UniFi network.
For home or small business use, the UDR is recommended for environments with standard client traffic, not for high-density client scenarios.
UniFi Protect can be disabled or uninstalled on the UDR to free up resources for other applications.
The UDR supports teleport for zero-configuration remote access, a useful feature for managing the device from anywhere.
During the author's testing, the UDR did not crash, demonstrating stability for home use scenarios.
