Use UniFi Cloud Gateway as Controller solely — LazyAdmin

Ubiquiti used to supply an inexpensive CloudKey that may very well be used to regulate your UniFi entry factors and switches. At present, we are able to solely purchase the CloudKey Gen2+, which is kind of costly. However, the UniFi Cloud Gateway Specific prices solely $129, so can we use that as a controller solely?

The UniFi Cloud Gateway Specific isn’t actually designed for use as an UniFi community controller solely, but it surely’s potential. Take into accout although that there shall be some limitations.

On this article, I’ll present you the way to arrange and use a Cloud Gateway as a controller solely and offer you another choices.

Use Cloud Gateway as CloudKey

To make use of a UniFi Cloud Gateway as an CloudKey you will want to attach the console on the LAN port to the community. If we use the WAN port, then we received’t be capable of use one IP vary within the community, leading to double-nat which we don’t need on this case.

Utilizing solely the WAN port isn’t an possibility both, as a result of you possibly can’t undertake UniFi gadgets to the console on the WAN port. The invention course of solely works on the LAN aspect of the machine.

When utilizing the LAN port to attach the console, we could have a few limitations, despite the fact that the console ought to be capable of entry the web:

• No distant entry
• Gained’t be capable of use MFA for authentication
• No backups or restore choices
• No automated firmware updates

We can also’t use all options of the Cloud Gateway, as a result of the console isn’t a gateway for the community. Which means that options like those under usually are not obtainable:

• PS / IDS received’t be obtainable
• Site visitors Guidelines
• VPN options
• VLANs

Step 1 – Configure the Cloud Gateway

Earlier than you begin, just remember to have manufacturing facility reset your Cloud Gateway. I’m utilizing a UniFi Specific for this text, however this must also work with the Extremely or Max.

1. Join the ethernet port of the Cloud Gateway to your community. Don’t use the WAN port.
2. Let the console begin up (takes a few minutes) and open the console in your browser (you should use the WiFiMan desktop to search out the IP Tackle)
3. The primary display will inform you to plug within the Web Cable. Click on on Different Configuration Choices.
4. Select Set Up the Console Offline
5. Verify your selection

6. Give your console a reputation
7. Enter a sturdy password (12 characters lengthy, inc. capital letter, quantity, and image)
8. Enter the wi-fi community particulars

Step 2 – Configure UniFi Community

With the configuration full, we are able to now log in to our UniFi Cloud Gateway. You’ll in all probability get a browser warning that the connection isn’t safe, however you possibly can ignore that.

The very first thing we’re going to do is change the default community. We have to give the Cloud Gateway an IP deal with on the LAN port that’s in the identical vary as your native community. By default, UniFi Community makes use of 192.168.1.0/24 for the default community.

1. Within the UniFi Community app, go to Settings
2. Open Networks
3. Choose the Default community

We’re going to change the IP Tackle of the console and disable DHCP. It is best to solely have one DHCP server in your community, and on this case that’s the present router that you have already got in your community.

4. Change the Host Tackle to an IP vary in the identical vary as your present native community. On this case, the vary is 192.168.51.x, so I picked 192.168.51.240.
5. Set Superior to Guide
6. Set the DHCP mode to None

If you’re unable to vary the host deal with since you get a warning that your WAN deal with is in the identical vary, then do the next first:

• Go to Web
• Open the Main WAN connection
• Allow Superior (set it to guide)
• Set the IPv4 Configuration to Static IP
• Enter an IPv4 Tackle in a totally completely different vary, for instance:
  • IPv4 Tackle 10.1.2.3
  • Subnet Masks 255.255.255.0
  • Gateway IP 10.1.2.1

The WAN connection isn’t used, so this manner we are able to use the IP vary on the LAN web site to attach the machine to the native community.

Step 3 – System Updates

UniFi Community app received’t obtain and set up machine updates routinely whenever you don’t have a WAN connection. We are able to, nonetheless, nonetheless set up the machine updates manually. To do that, we first have to disable the automated replace function within the settings

1. Open Settings
2. Go to System
3. Open the Updates tab
4. Disable Automate System Updates

To replace a tool, we are able to open the machine, go to the machine settings, and click on on Guide Firmware Replace. Right here you possibly can enter a URL with the firmware model that you just need to set up.

Yow will discover the firmware model right here at Ubiquiti. Search up your machine and duplicate the obtain hyperlink. Merely paste the hyperlink within the Guide Firmware Replace URL subject to replace the machine.

Wrapping Up

It’s potential to make use of the UniFi Specific as a “Cloudkey” if you would like, however this technique isn’t really useful or supported by Ubiquiti. A greater possibility is to run the UniFi Community app on a neighborhood laptop or use one of many hosted UniFi Community suppliers.

Hope you preferred this text, you probably have any questions, simply drop a remark under.