UniFi mesh Wi-Fi setup for large networks

Setting up a UniFi Mesh Wi-Fi network for large environments can seem like a daunting task, but it doesn’t have to be. Whether you’re managing Wi-Fi for a sprawling office, multi-story building, or a vast outdoor venue, UniFi's mesh system has got you covered.

Let's dive in!

Table of Contents

• Why use a UniFi mesh system?
• What do you need to set up a UniFi mesh network?
• Planning your UniFi mesh network
• Step-by-step setup for UniFi mesh Wi-Fi
  • 1. Set up your UniFi controller
  • 2. Adopt your UniFi access points (APs)
  • 3. Configure your Wi-Fi network
  • 4. Optimize the network
  • 5. Test and troubleshoot
• Tips for large network success
• Why use a UniFi cloud controller?
• Final Thoughts

Why use a UniFi mesh system?

Large networks often face challenges like signal dead zones, slow speeds, and connection drops. A UniFi mesh Wi-Fi system eliminates these issues by creating a web of interconnected access points (APs) that blanket the entire area with seamless Wi-Fi coverage. Here’s why it’s a popular choice:

• Scalability: Add new APs without reconfiguring the whole network.
• Reliability: If one AP goes down, the others can pick up the slack.
• Roaming: Users stay connected as they move around without switching networks.
• Easy Management: Use a central UniFi Controller to manage the entire network from one dashboard.

What do you need to set up a UniFi mesh network?

Before starting the setup, ensure you have the right equipment and tools. Here’s what you’ll need:

1. UniFi Access Points (APs)

   • Popular choices for large networks include the UniFi U6-LR, U6-Pro, and U6-Mesh.
   • Outdoor areas may require Ubiquiti's outdoor-rated APs (like the UAP-AC-M or UAP-AC-M-Pro).

2. UniFi Controller

   • This can be a hardware device like the Cloud Key or Dream Machine (UDM).
   • Alternatively, you can opt for UniHosted, a cloud-based controller option that eliminates the need for on-site hardware.

3. Power Source

   • Use Power over Ethernet (PoE) switches to power the APs.
   • If you don’t have a PoE switch, use a PoE injector for each access point.

4. Ethernet Cables

   • Use Cat6 or Cat6a cables for high-speed wired connections.

5. A Reliable Internet Connection

   • Internet speed will directly impact Wi-Fi performance, especially for large networks.

6. Mounting Tools

   • Wall or ceiling mounts are included with most UniFi APs, but you might need screws, drills, or tie wraps.

Planning your UniFi mesh network

Before you start plugging in hardware, planning is crucial. Here’s a basic process:

1. Site Survey:

   • Map out where you’ll place your APs. Check for high-traffic areas, potential obstructions (walls, metal objects, etc.), and distance between APs.

2. Wi-Fi Coverage Map:

   • Use tools like Ekahau or Ubiquiti’s WiFiman app to visualize your Wi-Fi coverage and identify weak areas.

3. Select AP Types:

   • Choose between indoor APs for offices and outdoor APs for parking lots, stadiums, or large outdoor areas.

4. Ethernet or Wireless Uplinks?

   • If possible, use Ethernet backhaul to connect APs for the best speed and reliability.
   • If Ethernet isn’t feasible, enable wireless meshing, but ensure APs are within range of each other.

Step-by-step setup for UniFi mesh Wi-Fi

Follow these steps to build and manage a robust UniFi mesh network for your large environment.

1. Set up your UniFi controller

1. Install UniFi Controller

   • Use a UniFi Cloud Key, Dream Machine, or Cloud-hosted controller like UniHosted.
   • If you’re using a Cloud Key, plug it into your router and wait for the LED to turn solid.

2. Access the Controller

   • Visit "https://unifi.ui.com/" or the local IP of your controller.
   • Log in with your UniFi credentials.

3. Follow the Setup Wizard

   • Name your controller and choose your region.
   • Enable "Remote Access" so you can manage your network from anywhere.

2. Adopt your UniFi access points (APs)

1. Connect APs to PoE Switch

   • Use an Ethernet cable to connect each AP to a PoE port.
   • The AP should light up and show a flashing white LED (indicating it's ready for adoption).

2. Adopt APs via the UniFi Controller

   • Go to the Devices tab in the controller dashboard.
   • Click Adopt for each AP.
   • The LED will turn blue, signaling successful adoption.

3. Configure your Wi-Fi network

1. Create a Wi-Fi SSID

   • In the controller, go to Settings > Wi-Fi.
   • Click Create New Wi-Fi Network.
   • Enter an SSID name and password.
   • Select the security type (WPA2 or WPA3).

2. Enable Mesh Functionality

   • Go to Settings > Wi-Fi.
   • Toggle Enable Wireless Uplinks to allow mesh connections.
   • Allow Allow Wireless Downlink for devices like security cameras or IoT devices that connect to APs.

3. Channel and Power Settings

   • Set channels to 1, 6, or 11 for 2.4GHz and automatic for 5GHz.
   • Reduce transmission power to avoid interference.
   • For large areas, you may want to manually assign non-overlapping channels to prevent co-channel interference.

4. Optimize the network

1. Enable Band Steering

   • Force 5GHz-capable devices to connect to 5GHz (faster and less congested) instead of 2.4GHz.

2. Guest Network

   • Create a Guest Wi-Fi and limit bandwidth per guest.
   • Use Guest Isolation to protect internal network resources.

3. Advanced Security

   • Enable Threat Management on the UniFi Controller to block malicious traffic.
   • Enable Private Pre-Shared Key (PPSK) for high-security environments. PPSK allows each device to have a unique password.

4. Monitoring

   • Use the UniFi Insights dashboard to monitor device health, traffic usage, and potential issues.

5. Test and troubleshoot

1. Run Speed Tests

   • Use WiFiman to test speeds in different areas.
   • If speeds drop significantly, check for bottlenecks (like interference or signal range issues).

2. Check Signal Strength

   • Adjust AP placement for better coverage.
   • Look for areas with weak or dead spots and add additional APs if needed.

3. Update Firmware

   • Keep firmware up to date for better security and performance.

Tips for large network success

• Use Wired Uplinks: If you can wire APs, do it. It’s more reliable and faster than wireless backhaul.
• VLANs for Network Isolation: Separate IoT devices, guest users, and employee devices using VLANs.
• Backups: Set up automatic backups of your UniFi Controller so you can restore configurations if anything goes wrong.
• Advanced Traffic Rules: Use UniFi’s Traffic Shaping to set bandwidth limits for specific users or devices.

Why use a UniFi cloud controller?

Managing large networks manually can be stressful. Cloud controllers like UniHosted simplify everything. Here’s why:

• Remote Management: View, control, and update your entire network from anywhere.
• Automatic Backups: No need to worry about losing configuration files.
• Predictable Costs: Pay as you go for the devices you actually use.

If you’re considering a cloud controller, check out UniHosted for its cost-effective, easy-to-deploy system. With UniHosted, you can focus on managing the network, not the controller.

Final Thoughts

Setting up a UniFi mesh Wi-Fi system for large networks requires careful planning, proper device selection, and effective configuration. A well-designed mesh network provides seamless roaming, better coverage, and enhanced reliability.

If you want to avoid the hassle of managing an on-site controller, consider using UniHosted. We offer reliable cloud-hosted controllers at UniFi Controller with automatic updates, daily backups, and a simple pay-as-you-go model. If you would like me to personally walk you through UniHosted, you can schedule a call with me here.