Best practices for managing UniFi devices

Managing a network of UniFi devices involves a blend of technical know-how, strategic planning, and ongoing maintenance to make sure everything performs optimally, is secure, and ready to scale.

For home-users this is less of an issue, but for MSPs and IT-service businesses handling multiple large volume networks it's really important to get this right.

Hence, we compiled a set of best practices effectively managing UniFi devices.

Let's dive in!

Table of Contents

• Keep firmware and software updated
• Utilize the controller for centralized management
• Implement network security measures
• Plan for scalability
• Adopt a consistent naming convention
• Monitor network performance regularly
• Document your network
• Optimize wireless coverage
• Engage in proactive maintenance
• Train your team
• Final Thoughts

Keep firmware and software updated

Regularly updating the firmware on UniFi devices and the UniFi Controller software is critical. These updates often include security patches, performance improvements, and new features that can enhance the functionality and security of your network.

This is straightforward but oftern overlooked. Establish a routine schedule for checking and applying updates to maintain network integrity.

Utilize the controller for centralized management

The UniFi Controller is a powerful tool for managing and monitoring UniFi devices across multiple sites from a single interface. You should utilize this and use the Controller to its full potential by configuring network settings, monitoring network health, and troubleshooting issues.

If you don't want to hassle of keeping up with this, there are cloud-hosted solutions like UniHosted that can provide reliable Controller hosting, ensuring scalability and efficiency.

Implement network security measures

Secure your UniFi network by implementing strong passwords, enabling two-factor authentication (2FA), and using VLANs to segment network traffic. It's also straightforward, but really important to get this right.

Apply firewall rules to control inbound and outbound traffic and regularly review security settings to adapt to new threats.

Plan for scalability

This is especially useful if your are an MSP or IT-service business. You need to design your network with scalability in mind. Use a hierarchical network design to facilitate growth and ensure that core network infrastructure (such as switches and routers) has sufficient capacity to handle increased traffic as the network expands.

Adopt a consistent naming convention

Use a consistent naming convention for your UniFi devices and networks to simplify management and troubleshooting. A logical naming system makes it easier to identify devices and their roles within the network.

Monitor network performance regularly

Leverage the UniFi Controller’s built-in analytics and reporting tools to monitor network performance and identify potential issues before they impact users. Set up alerts for critical events to ensure prompt response to network incidents.

Document your network

Maintaining up-to-date documentation of your network configuration, including network diagrams, device settings, and IP address allocations. Again this is especially helpful if you manager multiple networks and are looking to scale.

Might seem a bit over the top, but documentation is invaluable for troubleshooting, planning network changes, and onboarding new team members.

Optimize wireless coverage

Ensure optimal wireless coverage by carefully planning access point placement and adjusting transmit power and channel settings to minimize interference. Conduct site surveys to identify coverage gaps and adjust the deployment accordingly.

Engage in proactive maintenance

Schedule regular maintenance windows to perform system checks, update device firmware, and optimize network configurations.

Proactive maintenance can prevent downtime and ensure that the network operates smoothly. It also something that you can outsource and professionalize to managed-hosting providers such as UniHosted.

Train your team

Ensure that anyone involved in managing the UniFi network is trained on UniFi products and the UniFi Controller. Keeping your team informed about the latest Ubiquiti technologies and best practices is essential for effective network management.

Final Thoughts

Adopting these best practices for managing UniFi devices should be a requirement for any MSP that is looking to scale. It an easy route to improve the performance, security, and manageability of your network.

At UniHosted, we understand the challenges of managing complex networks. We can help you set up these best practices and take this of your plate, so you can focus on your business. Our cloud-hosted UniFi Controller services are designed to support scalable networks if the most reliable and efficient possible way. That's our job really! If you would like me to personally walk you through UniHosted, you can schedule a call with me here.