How to install UniFi Controller on Linux?

Installing the UniFi Controller on a Linux system is a great way to manage your UniFi network with greater flexibility and control. However, it can be quite challenging to get the installation right.

In this post, we'll guide you through the installation steps on a Linux environment.

Before we start, it should be noted that it can be quite the challenge to install your UniFi controller on Azure. If you want to have your network run at peak performance, but without the hassle check UniHosted.

Alright, now without further ado. Lets get started!

Preparing for Installation
Step-by-Step Installation Process
Post-Installation Tips
Final Thoughts

Preparing for Installation

Before you begin, ensure that your Linux system meets the following requirements:

A supported version of Linux (Debian or Ubuntu are commonly used).
A user account with sudo privileges.
An active internet connection.

Step-by-Step Installation Process

Update System Packages

Open a terminal and update your system's package list.
```
sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get upgrade
```

Add the Ubiquiti Repository

Import the Ubiquiti GPG key using the following command:

sudo apt-key adv --keyserver keyserver.ubuntu.com --recv 06E85760C0A52C50

Add the Ubiquiti repository to your system:

echo 'deb http://www.ubnt.com/downloads/unifi/debian stable ubiquiti' | sudo tee /etc/apt/sources.list.d/100-ubnt-unifi.list

Install UniFi Controller Software

Update your package list again:
```
sudo apt-get update
```
Install the UniFi Controller:
```
sudo apt-get install UniFi
```

Start the UniFi Controller

Once the installation is complete, the UniFi Controller should start automatically. You can check the status with:
```
sudo systemctl status UniFi
```

Access the UniFi Controller

Open a web browser and navigate to https://<YourServerIP>:8443. Replace <YourServerIP> with the IP address of your Linux server.
You will be greeted by the UniFi setup wizard.

Complete the Setup Wizard

Follow the on-screen instructions to configure your UniFi Controller.

Post-Installation Tips

Firewall Settings: Ensure that your firewall settings allow traffic on port 8443, which is used by the UniFi Controller.
Regular Updates: Keep your UniFi Controller software updated for the latest features and security enhancements.
Backup Your Configuration: Regularly backup your UniFi Controller configuration to prevent data loss.

Final Thoughts

Installing the UniFi Controller on a Linux server provides a robust and flexible way to manage your UniFi network. For those seeking a more streamlined solution, we offer cloud-hosted UniFi Controller services at UniHosted.

Our cloud solution eliminates the need for local hardware and software management, providing an efficient, secure, and scalable way to control your UniFi networks. (and it's free!)

Feel free to give us a spin! Additionally, I'm happy to walk you through personally. You can schedule a call with me (Founder of UniHosted) here.