The new “service” from Ubiquiti - replenishment in the lineup UniFi AC

That's right - the other day, Ubiquiti Networks (ubnt.com) announced 4 new UniFi AC access point models . Now the range of high-speed "plates" is not inferior to the variability of the previous generation UniFi, which has gained deafening popularity among the builders of small WiFi networks. The cost of the youngest dual-band 802.11ac point now starts at $ 89, and all new points support Wireless uplink radio technology. General data on new points is presented in our quick-look-review.
Comparison of the general parameters of the new UniFi AC access points


Naturally, there is no 802.11ac in the 2.4 GHz band, so the bandwidths of the 802.11n standard are indicated for this range. The separation of power standards between junior and senior points has become customary, and this is a double-edged sword: on the one hand, there is a wonderful opportunity for backward compatibility across the infrastructure when existing UniFi APs can be replaced with something new without the cost of replacing injectors / switches with Passive PoE. On the other hand, during the construction of new networks, one will again have to put up with the “non-standard” power of UniFi. However, the EdgeSwitch family of switches still knows how to power the dots with both the power standard.

It is worth noting that we are not talking about Wave 2 in the new line, which means there is no MU-MIMO either. At new points, the design was changed and several hardware and software features appeared. Before considering each point individually, we will talk about the general features of new products.

New options have been added for the radio channel: Spectral Analysis, Band Steering, and Airtime Fairness. The

purpose of each of these functions is clear from its name and a short description of the manufacturer: Spectral analysis collects statistics on both WiFi ranges and available channels (questions about whether information about non-protocol interference, whether statistics collection is available without interrupting the service, remain open).

Band steeringdepending on the settings, it either works in its traditional application, “pushing” clients who can work in the 5 GHz band into it, or distributes clients between ranges in a certain predetermined ratio.

Airtime Fairness , in turn, is designed to solve the problem of a slow client by allocating time for each of the clients working at the point, during which it can transfer, which means that now the slow client will not be able to monopolize all the resources of the access point, since everyone will get the same time data transfer (this is what Fairness means, “honesty”). As you can see from the descriptions, and from the names too, a lot of things overlap with the functionality of the “full-fledged” Ruckus Wireless enterprise solutions .

Android and iOS Easy Setup Mobile Application Support - and this is already a stone in the garden of the "ruksovsky" low-cost solution Xclaim. In general terms and vague formulations, the work of points in such a setup mode without a controller is claimed (there is no information about the maximum size of such a complex and about the functions supported at the same time). In fact, here we are talking about legalizing the operation of the system without a constantly running computer with a controller, however, the application is only “available soon” for mobile OSs. The versatility with which the integration of new points is positioned is interesting: if you want - a solution controlled by a controller, or if you want - a small network of two or three points that works autonomously, but is managed centrally. Be that as it may, it is too early to talk about the method and quality of the implementation of this function, but the concept itself is very inspiring.

Changes, of course, affected design. Talking about its quality means postulating very subjective statements: someone likes the rounded familiar UniFi “plates”, someone will miss the UAP AC chopped forms, but we, in turn, would better turn to the consideration of the functionality of each point in more detail.

Unifi AC Lite AP

UAP-AC-LITE-AP is the most low-cost (slightly more expensive than the "classic" UAP, significantly cheaper than UAP PRO) and a compact access point in this line.

Compared to the “standard” UniFi AP, the UAP-AC-LITE diameter is reduced by a quarter, and the maximum (declared) bandwidth is increased by 5 times. MIMO 2x2: 2 mode in the 2.4 and 5 GHz bands provides a maximum bandwidth of 300 and 867 Mbps, respectively.

An ultra-compact dual-band access point for less than $ 100 would be a good buy for home use or for a small office.

UniFi AC LR AP

UniFi-AC-LR-AP is the best option for organizing WiFi in large rooms.
Many probably faced the so-called “asymmetric power problem” when the client device “sees” the access point, but cannot “finish it off” to it. For such cases, it is recommended to use the Long-Range model from the UniFi family. AC LR models are not only more powerful than conventional access points, which is typical for the LR-family, but also have an improved 5 GHz antenna system, which allows improving channel performance not only towards the client, but also in the opposite - new solutions in design antennas provide a symmetrical coverage area due to the increased antenna sensitivity factor (2.4 GHz: 3 dBi, 5 GHz: 6 dBi). See how much more complicated and modern the antenna of the new Unifi has become, compared to the classic ones. Of course, prior to Ruckus adaptive antenna systemsthey are still far away, but there is undoubtedly progress.



UniFi AC Pro AP

UniFi-AC-Pro-AP - high performance 3x3 MIMO simultaneously in two bands, placed in an all-weather case powered by Passive PoE (48V) or 802.3af / 803.2at. The Instant Upgrade feature allows you to install UAP-AC-PRO in place of a standard UAP using existing hardware, which greatly simplifies the work of upgrading a wireless network. IMPORTANT: this is not an outdoor point, it is not positioned as suitable for outdoor use, just now you can make WiFi in a room with high humidity, for example, in a warehouse - the main thing is that the rain does not pour on top of the point. Here's what the manufacturer says about this:

• Mounting location should be at least 60 cm (2 ft) from the edge of the eave or ceiling.
• Cable feed must be pointed downwards when wall-mounted.
• Shielded Category 5 (or above) cabling should be used for all outdoor wired Ethernet connections and should be grounded through the AC ground of the PoE. We recommend that you protect your networks from harmful outdoor environments and destructive ESD events with industrial grade, shielded Ethernet cable from Ubiquiti Networks.


And AC Pro also has an intriguing highlight on board - a USB port for connecting some optional accessory with the ability to send up to 11 Watts of power. It remains only to wait for the announcement of this accessory - while we can only speculate what it will be: Bluetooth low energy, 4G modem, something else? Or will it just be a separate hands-free kit to upgrade the Pro to EDU?

UniFi AC EDU AP

UniFi-AC-EDU-AP is a dual-band access point with 3x3 MIMO powered by Passive PoE or 803.2at. A key feature of this model is the presence of a built-in speaker for organizing sound alerts in schools, hospitals, offices, shopping centers - anywhere where such a need arises. UAP-AC-EDU makes it possible to create sound announcements without the need to purchase additional (and expensive) equipment, while the system provides accurate voice reproduction. Now you do not need to call the reception and ask to announce something by speakerphone, everyone can do it from their smartphone (or from a UniFi series phone) You can create a sound notification from any smartphone and transfer it to the access point via WiFi via the application (it will appear in the App Store and Google Play soon). UAP-AC-EDU provides the ability to create sound announcements without the need for additional equipment, and the system provides accurate voice reproduction. Questions about the integration of this solution with already installed warning systems are open and remain unanswered at this stage - we will wait, then we will test and see. So far, the most logical way of such integration seems to us to assign the entire notification system or its individual segments of SIP telephone numbers, which will allow it to be linked to any modern telephone exchange.



Control

Access points are managed and monitored using the fourth-generation free UniFi Controller software. This controller is a single solution for managing UniFi devices: access points, VoIP phones, switches and Security Gateway.



Thus, the UniFi AC family of points now consists of 6 models, which allows you to choose the most optimal equipment for a specific task.



Of the obvious drawbacks of the new models, besides the doubts that were voiced above, it can be noted that powerpacks are not included in multipacks now - however, such kits are usually purchased for large objects where it is logical to use PoE switches.

Prices for the new line are already published on our website .