Cisco Embedded Wireless Controller vs Ubiquiti WLAN

Likelihood to Recommend

Unless you're a mega corporation, most mid size to large companies could use a few of these guys around to balance the wireless load a bit. I could recommend it to someone looking for a relatively cheap set of devices that can alleviate some of the strain on the network backbone that services your wireless systems.

Read full review

Verified User

Administrator in Information Technology

Government Administration Company, 501-1000 employees

View all 3 answers on this topic

Ubiquiti is well suited to not just indoor WLAN access, but also outdoors. In fact, the range of the outdoor applications, while maintaining throughput is astonishing. I would say this is not a solution for a 1-5 person small office, due to the costs.

Read full review

Hunter Bonner

Chief Editor

TechEdge - BlogInformation Technology & Services, 11-50 employees

View all 15 answers on this topic

Pros

They seem solid and well built, hardly ever fail
Once you get a hand of the setup they're easy to add/remove
Automatic failover is seamless and super helpful

Read full review

Verified User

Administrator in Information Technology

Government Administration Company, 501-1000 employees

View all 3 answers on this topic

The access points are rock solid for uptime. Once configured, they don't skip a beat and you'll forget they're there.
Excellent range and signal strength.
Very comprehensive configuration and administration via the UniFi Controller software.
The Ubiquiti access points look great! Whether wall or ceiling mounted, they are discrete and neutral enough to just blend in with the building.
Being powered via PoE, it's easier to place the access points where they're most useful.

Read full review

Verified User

Employee in Information Technology

Information Technology & Services Company, 1-10 employees

View all 15 answers on this topic

Cons

Some bugs in the interface.
Issues with licensing and Cisco DNA integration.
Frequent software patches needed,

Read full review

Verified User

Engineer in Information Technology

Government Administration Company, 501-1000 employees

View all 3 answers on this topic

Management of devices has become much simpler with the UNMS application, but personally, I would like to see some AirMax-like devices from their Unifi line where everything could be managed from an Unifi controller.
Most Ubiquiti devices are 24V PoE, which is the bane of my existence. I have had several devices fried when staff plugged into standard 48V PoE. They generally don't fail catastrophically, either. You just get strange issues that are difficult to diagnose and eventually need to replace them.
Devices seem to have trouble with many patch cables/switches. Make sure you certify any patch cables you make and don't over crimp.
Sending devices from the factory with same 192.168.1.20 IP instead of DHCP makes it a pain to bulk-setup devices.

Read full review

Patrick Plaisance

CTO (Chief Technical Officer)

Pachyderm ConsultingInformation Technology and Services, 1-10 employees

View all 15 answers on this topic

Usability

No score

No answers yet

No answers on this topic

Ubiquiti WLAN 10.0

Based on 1 answer

Ubiquiti makes great Access points at various tiers provided far better coverage and throughput than consumer-grade wireless repeaters and routers. We have not had any performance complaints from guests or from the administration who use the wifi on a daily basis.

Read full review

Verified User

Administrator in Information Technology

Insurance Company, 11-50 employees

View all 1 answers on this topic

Support Rating

No score

No answers yet

No answers on this topic

Ubiquiti WLAN 1.0

Based on 1 answer

Ubiquiti's support is basically non-existent by design. However, their forums are a great resource if you are willing to do the research and ask questions. Keep in mind Ubiquiti sells hardware, not support so the responses will be from the community of professionals also using Ubiquiti just like you.

Read full review

Verified User

Administrator in Information Technology

Insurance Company, 11-50 employees

View all 1 answers on this topic

Alternatives Considered

No answers on this topic

We have used products from Netgear, ZyXEL, Cloudmesh, Datto, Mereki, and EnGenius previously often choosing products based on a specific situation, since starting with Ubiquiti [WLAN] we have pretty much stopped [usage] of all other vendors in the networking field and standardized which better allows us to stock spare equipment. Best part is if you need to replace equipment it is easy to swap it out quickly as the controller also acts as a live configuration backup.

Read full review

Brian Cook

Senior Technology Specialist - VP

Unified Technology Solutions, Inc.Information Technology & Services, 1-10 employees

View all 15 answers on this topic

Return on Investment

Intelligent configuring cuts out much time required to deploy access points
Mobile app has given us more (and faster) control over each departments devices
Having a well functioning wireless network encourages departments to keep adding devices!

Read full review

Verified User

Administrator in Information Technology

Government Administration Company, 501-1000 employees

View all 3 answers on this topic

it has improved our warehouse's abilities to pick, pack and dispatch faster and more accurate
Office wide wi-fi signal allows users to work off their laptops almost anywhere in on site.
The wi-fi has allowed us to reduce mobile data usage on company mobiles as well, as everyone is on the wireless lan instead on 4G

Read full review

Verified User

Manager in Information Technology

Retail Company, 501-1000 employees

View all 15 answers on this topic

Pricing Details

General

Free Trial

—

Free/Freemium Version

—

Premium Consulting/Integration Services

—

Entry-level set up fee?

No

General

Free Trial

—

Free/Freemium Version

—

Premium Consulting/Integration Services

—

Entry-level set up fee?

No