CHF323.60
Ubiquiti UniFi Dream Machine
Product ratings
Pros
Cons
104 reviews
Won't connect to Swisscom fibre
I bought the UDM believing the hype that it's the ultimately configurable "prosumer" router. I really wanted the ability to segment my IoT devices on a separate VLAN.
Unfortunately I never got that far. It turns out it's impossible to hook it up directly to a Swisscom fibre connection (via a media converter), because it won't let you configure the necessary VCI (vendor-class-identifier aka DHCP option 60) on the DHCP request sent across during WAN connectivity negotiation [1] [2].
Alas, it seems this is only tip of the iceberg. A lengthy list of missing features/regressions compared to past Unifi gear is here [3]: caveat emptor! Although I didn't get a chance to test this, I'm not even sure this would work flawlessy with Swisscom TV as it relies on IGMP proxy support, which is also on the above list of shortcomings.
Other concerns:
- built-in fan that can get pretty loud
- Ubiquiti's privacy policy allows them to collect _a lot_ of data and share it with third parties. Recently this caused alarm with the community as UI decided to implement some "telemetry" without so much as a mention in the release notes or an opt-out switch [4]!
Had to go back to my "consumer grade" Fritz!Box that does all the above without breaking a sweat (although alas, no VLAN segregation).
[1] https://www.swisscom.ch/en...
[2] https://community.ui.com/questions...
[3] https://community.ui.com/questions...
[4] https://community.ui.com/questions...Pro
- seems powerful and feature rich (until you hit the limitations)
- WiFi signal appears strong
- Nice design
Contra
- Can't be hooked up to Swisscom fibre without going through another router
- Long list of missing features with no roadmap/vendor feedback
- Noisy fan
- Unifi privacy (or lack thereof) policy
- No WiFi 6
Gigabit speed without bottlenecks!!!
Currently the best performance you can get from Ubiquiti for under 1000. Moreover, in a design that has a high Wife approval Factor.
Pro
- Many settings for power users
- Too many settings for technology shy people
No CH cable included
Unfortunately, as is so often the case, Digitec does not manage to include CH cables. I ordered a few things last month and only EU cables were included. Very sad that this has not worked for years.
Poor connectivity
Replaced a single Netgear AP in my house with Ubiquiti Dream Machine plus two Ubiquiti AP AC-Pros. Overall, the reception around the house has become worse. Outside I have almost no Wi-Fi and inside the connection drops out every now and then. Maybe I haven't found the right settings yet, but so far not satisfactory.
Recommended
The Dream Machine is a prosumer/small business switch/AcessPoint/firewall/controller and the price is really very good. Ubiquiti makes mistakes too, but they are worlds apart from Asus, Netgear, DLink etc. I expect years of firmware and software updates from Ubiquiti.
The Dream Machine is not as easy to administer as an Amplifi, as it simply has many, many more options and functions, but the basic setup is painless and quickly done. I run it together with a Unifi FlexHD. If you can do without WiFi 6, you can definitely take a closer look at the Dream Machine.Pro
- Unifi Controller Software and App
- AllInOne device
- Enormous range of functions
Contra
- A little more help text in the software would not be bad.
- No Unifi Protect installed
- No WiFi 6
- one becomes addicted to Unifi ;-)
Good prosumer product with massive pitfalls
Great design, pretty good web interface, but the initial setup of the Internet connection (via PPPoE with VLAN ID) is impossible via the web interface (there is no form field for the VLAN ID, which means that setting up the Internet connection always fails and you cannot skip the wizard). I would definitely expect better from such a device.
Pro
- Design + smart web interface
- Many configuration options
Contra
- Initial setup of the Internet connection via web interface impossible (for PPPoE with VLAN)
- Does not offer pure IPsec VPN (only the mixed form L2TP/IPSec)
- Functions are terribly poorly documented on the manufacturer's website
- Catastrophic customer support (24/7/365) but useless for anything
6 out of 104 reviews
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