UniFi AP POE (Model # UniFiAP) Questions....
I took over a job at a local company and they have 3 UniFi AP's placed all over the building. All which over last few years have fallen off the network or the people ahead of me didn't care enough to keep them running.
My questions are a little more about setup. The AP's themselves are older and no QR codes. The M/N: UniFiAP.
I have a power supply with 2 ports POE and the other is LAN that are in the server room. There is one Ethernet wire running to the AP in the ceiling. I was able to trace the Ethernet wire to the patch panel and I have it plugged into the proper port. I also have LAN plugged into the switch.
The AP is in the ceiling with a solid green light now. I downloaded the software from unifi website but think i'm doing something wrong. I'm running UniFi Controller 5.5.20 and when I try to scan for the AP it wont show me it recognizes it. I also have the unifi app on my iphone and unable to enter the MAC ID Manually because my mac has no hyphens.
I'm pretty sure these AP's are at least 3-4 years old, I'm assuming that's why my iphone isn't working properly with them.
Do I have to use the unifi controller? Also how else can i access the AP? on my router or switch would they be labeled Unifi or Ubiquiti. Any help or direction is appreciated.
My questions are a little more about setup. The AP's themselves are older and no QR codes. The M/N: UniFiAP.
I have a power supply with 2 ports POE and the other is LAN that are in the server room. There is one Ethernet wire running to the AP in the ceiling. I was able to trace the Ethernet wire to the patch panel and I have it plugged into the proper port. I also have LAN plugged into the switch.
The AP is in the ceiling with a solid green light now. I downloaded the software from unifi website but think i'm doing something wrong. I'm running UniFi Controller 5.5.20 and when I try to scan for the AP it wont show me it recognizes it. I also have the unifi app on my iphone and unable to enter the MAC ID Manually because my mac has no hyphens.
I'm pretty sure these AP's are at least 3-4 years old, I'm assuming that's why my iphone isn't working properly with them.
Do I have to use the unifi controller? Also how else can i access the AP? on my router or switch would they be labeled Unifi or Ubiquiti. Any help or direction is appreciated.
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Jane Updegraff
I used to have a whole network of those things... and I think that you do have to use their management software to control them or "adopt" them for control. I don't recall there being any other way, although William's idea of hooking up to one directly is a good idea to try. But in my experience you can't get them working without the ubiquiti unifi software and the controller machine has to be in the same subnet as the wifis, at least for the setup part, after which you can disconnect the controller and the WAPs will continue working as configured... but because you have to have the controller in the same subnet, that means that if you can't see them, they may be in a different vlan. Also, you might look around your network to see if you can find where the old ubiquiti controller was installed ... it may already be on an old server or workstation (it can install anywhere) and it's possible that the one WAP you were talking about is showing solid green because it has resumed reporting to that device.
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I had to run to a different site at the moment. I will try these out. I never thought about going directly into the AP with ethernet cable and settings up that way.
With the light on solid green a scan with my iphone did show a few new networks. An Admin and Staff and Member all are showing up locked. I may have to hard reset the AP?
I was going to start fresh with the AP's I don't have any of the old info. I'm running the controller off of my workstation at the moment but I'm going to move it to the server once I get it working properly.
I'll resume this on Tuesday and reply with my progress. TY all for the quick responses. If I didn't have to leave id be trying to configure them...
With the light on solid green a scan with my iphone did show a few new networks. An Admin and Staff and Member all are showing up locked. I may have to hard reset the AP?
I was going to start fresh with the AP's I don't have any of the old info. I'm running the controller off of my workstation at the moment but I'm going to move it to the server once I get it working properly.
I'll resume this on Tuesday and reply with my progress. TY all for the quick responses. If I didn't have to leave id be trying to configure them...
I've set up a few APs similar to this in the past and I always turn to the individual AP first just to see if there's a separate interface to configure with. If there isn't, then you may need to reset the APs to connect them to the new installation of the management software. In which case, you'll likely need the machine you're going to use in the end instead of a test case because you'll have to repeat the process otherwise. There shouldn't be a downtime with something like this if you're worried about the server. Things happen, but they always can.
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To login to the AP's I need to have the POE all setup on the power adapter. I have all these ubiquitis power adapters with two ports one is Poe and another LAN.
I would need the POE one working and then use the LAN cable to my laptop to try to reach the interface of the AP. I have a few I took off the ceiling I was going to see about them. Well try the one for testing.
I'll also get the UNIFI Software setup on the server today.
I would need the POE one working and then use the LAN cable to my laptop to try to reach the interface of the AP. I have a few I took off the ceiling I was going to see about them. Well try the one for testing.
I'll also get the UNIFI Software setup on the server today.
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I'm unable to access Default IP: 192.168.1.20 via ethernet cable.
On the network or off. I did a hard reset also for 30 seconds. Lights were changing all over the place.
On the network or off. I did a hard reset also for 30 seconds. Lights were changing all over the place.
The hard reset should bring everything back to default. If so, then turn to the controller if you can't get in individually and see if it will now find the device. These devices should default grab a DHCP address if they require the controller for initial setup.
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Give me a few to reply.
I didn't think of firewall or labeling my NIC with a static. I'm running FiOS > Router > Switch
I know I wont but I defiantly don't see the AP in the router logs.
I was also going LAN from the power adapter to my laptop, I will check into a few of these suggestions and be back. TY
I didn't think of firewall or labeling my NIC with a static. I'm running FiOS > Router > Switch
I know I wont but I defiantly don't see the AP in the router logs.
I was also going LAN from the power adapter to my laptop, I will check into a few of these suggestions and be back. TY
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It's actually Fios > Netgear > Rosewill > the switch with all my Ethernet cables wired behind it. I can't think of the name
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I was able to get it connected to the UNIFI Controller and now it shows via my unifi interface. I setup the SSID and pass and it said it needed an upgrade so I let it run the upgrade and it says adaption failed?
I'm still closer then I was yesterday. I'm going to see if I can run the update again and maybe do some research.
I'm still closer then I was yesterday. I'm going to see if I can run the update again and maybe do some research.
Try factor resets of the AP again
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running version 3.8.66.50
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The power adapter also has a reset switch. I'll reset again for 30 seconds.
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Did one reset and was unable to find the AP, trying another reset.
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Adoption is still failing.
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After FW update it is just showing disconnected now. I will do a reboot of the AP. the circle is solid orange
We you able to adopt after the updates were all finished? I think Orange means it can be adopted.
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Either the updates are still happening or it didn't like the FW. It just keep showing disconnected now but after I did reboot it does show a new time rather then the old time.
The FW updates on these are fairly quick I'm guessing similar to a router?
The FW updates on these are fairly quick I'm guessing similar to a router?
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When I try to update with a newer FW it says update in progress but still shows disconnected
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Alright, I'll post back results soon hopefully...
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Now its showing connected. I have 3 more of these to setup/install and trace.
I was able to get the first one working with all your help.
I'm going to link it to the wifi network itll be using. Would a static or dhcp be better for the performance of these units?
I was able to get the first one working with all your help.
I'm going to link it to the wifi network itll be using. Would a static or dhcp be better for the performance of these units?
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Static could potentially alleviate some connection hiccups down the road, but even when you use DHCP each device will pull a pseudo-static IP in the form of a "Preferred IP". Every now and then you can run into situations where a device might grab the IP that another has preferred, which in some cases can confuse the device to the point of not connecting. However, this kind of situation is so rare that configuring static is more hassle than it's worth to avoid the problem.
I never assigned my UniFi WAPs statics but I do see your point William. "Preferred" is a nice idea but the device that's handing out DHCP doesn't have to honor the endpoint's request for it's "preferred" address. Might be a bit safer to go static on the endpoint or at least tell the DHCP device to reserve the address for the WAP.
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I'll keep using DHCP then...
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I just traced out another wire, reset AP and waiting to see if it'll adopt. I need to run a FW upgrade with these being so old and offline for a while.
The one I had setup and connected yesterday I moved it to the place it needed to be and it lost a connection. I had to readopt because I moved it? Is that a general thing, like if they are moved to a new location they will need to be re-adopted?
The one I had setup and connected yesterday I moved it to the place it needed to be and it lost a connection. I had to readopt because I moved it? Is that a general thing, like if they are moved to a new location they will need to be re-adopted?
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You shouldn't have to readopt based on moving the units. Once adopted, you're good. Maybe another issue is at play?
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Seeing they have a internal ip, they both are showing links. I just unplugged the POE and itll let them reboot...
Second Floor by IT office was connected yesterday and I seen it was pushing data before I moved it to its current home.
I also rebooted the controller.
When you do the adobt and it asks for user/pass do I use my account user/pass or ubnt/ubnt?
Second Floor by IT office was connected yesterday and I seen it was pushing data before I moved it to its current home.
I also rebooted the controller.
When you do the adobt and it asks for user/pass do I use my account user/pass or ubnt/ubnt?
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Yes I disabled Windows Firewall when before I relaunched the controller software.
I agree on the readopting, what a headache that would be if you always had to do that.
These are older AP's they do support wireless N. I found one more. I want to get these two connected and working and I'll deal with the last two.
I work for a non profit and they are tuff about spending or upgrading. They would shoot me down on new AP's even given the benefits. I figured I'd learn these ones so I can at least know for myself and in the future...
I agree on the readopting, what a headache that would be if you always had to do that.
These are older AP's they do support wireless N. I found one more. I want to get these two connected and working and I'll deal with the last two.
I work for a non profit and they are tuff about spending or upgrading. They would shoot me down on new AP's even given the benefits. I figured I'd learn these ones so I can at least know for myself and in the future...
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it was doing a rolling update on the new AP I just did and my controller failed out. I restarted and I'm running controller SW 5.4.19
Before I got back to the computer I walked by both units and they were solid green.
Before I got back to the computer I walked by both units and they were solid green.
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The new one is showing connected now and it appears to be all set. I need to setup the wireless but it shows connected.
I just cut the cold booted the other AP that all the sudden will not want to work.
After the cold boot when I refresh the admin screen its now shows provisioning. it had another ip after that and went back to the one its had since yesterday.
I just cut the cold booted the other AP that all the sudden will not want to work.
After the cold boot when I refresh the admin screen its now shows provisioning. it had another ip after that and went back to the one its had since yesterday.
Latest controller is 5.5.24 ... ideally that will help you. However, let's try to make sure the firmware is updated on all of the AP units you are working with.
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now it just shows in red isolated
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climbed into the ceiling to check the LAN cable and reseat it. Also rebooted the power adapter again. it is provisioning again.
trying a different port on the switch but it keeps isolating itself.
Update: i'm out of ideas. I'm running the latest FW update on that AP.
trying a different port on the switch but it keeps isolating itself.
Update: i'm out of ideas. I'm running the latest FW update on that AP.
Is it a managed switch? Sounds like you have VLANs and/or port security going.
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ISP > Nighthawk > Rosewill 25 port switch...
This was working last night when we left.. UGH
I tried a new LAN port and it shows connected with the light but keep isolating. I tried the FW upgrade and it didn't complete and went back to isolated mode....
This was working last night when we left.. UGH
I tried a new LAN port and it shows connected with the light but keep isolating. I tried the FW upgrade and it didn't complete and went back to isolated mode....
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somehow it just ran an upgrade of itself and now all the sudden out of no where its connected.
I still have two more to trace and setup....
been learning a bunch although.
TY all and Ty masnrock, I'm going to leave this open another day or two. I mean the other two AP's should be as easy as these in other words.
I still have two more to trace and setup....
been learning a bunch although.
TY all and Ty masnrock, I'm going to leave this open another day or two. I mean the other two AP's should be as easy as these in other words.
No problem. And yes, the others should be easy enough. Make sure to let the upgrades finish before adoption.
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I just Remote in and it seems when I lock the server and leave the unifi controller software running it shuts down. Well fails to restart. 2 of the APs show connected and the last one is disco. I'll deal with it at work tomorrow but I forgot to mention the controller software. It was also like that when I logged into the server this afternoon when I got to work?
I'm going to update the controller tomorrow but any ideas? Make sure service is set to always be running?
I'm going to update the controller tomorrow but any ideas? Make sure service is set to always be running?
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I'm going to uninstall and install the newest controllers. The controller failed upon login to Windows Server 2012. I restarted and no issues. It is also showing my 2/3 AP are online and connected with 1 client so at least i know one is working properly.
No problem. Please just update us.
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alright, I'm going to close this out shortly.
Windows Server and the newest controller don't like running together. The controller works fine when i'm logged onto the server but when I go to lock it the controller software still fails. I'm going to move the AP's to a dedicated windows 7 machine and see how they work from there. I'm assuming all will work well with Win 7 for the AP's.
Overall, with everyone's help I was able to solve and get the AP's adopted and functioning. This should be a good thread for anyone in the future who may have an issue with these AP's. If they don't work well on Win 7 I'll just take them down. I wish I could pitch for them to buy new ones but no one wants to spend so I'm trying to work with what I have at the moment. Eventually they will have to upgrade.
Windows Server and the newest controller don't like running together. The controller works fine when i'm logged onto the server but when I go to lock it the controller software still fails. I'm going to move the AP's to a dedicated windows 7 machine and see how they work from there. I'm assuming all will work well with Win 7 for the AP's.
Overall, with everyone's help I was able to solve and get the AP's adopted and functioning. This should be a good thread for anyone in the future who may have an issue with these AP's. If they don't work well on Win 7 I'll just take them down. I wish I could pitch for them to buy new ones but no one wants to spend so I'm trying to work with what I have at the moment. Eventually they will have to upgrade.
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Will post back here soon. Going to be closing in next 24 hours. I have my IT job rest of the week. Work too much as im sure everyone does.
The unifis were allowing to be updated to the latest FW but these are the first model. It would be sweet if I could just get them operating because I learned something I never really did much off along with this phone system I been picking away at.
I'll post here soon but this question once again with all your help covers alot of useful knowledge. I'm just going to dedicate a windows 7 desktop to the AP's tomorrow.
The unifis were allowing to be updated to the latest FW but these are the first model. It would be sweet if I could just get them operating because I learned something I never really did much off along with this phone system I been picking away at.
I'll post here soon but this question once again with all your help covers alot of useful knowledge. I'm just going to dedicate a windows 7 desktop to the AP's tomorrow.
Sounds good. Like William, I'm surprised you're having so many issues, but that is the downside of having such old units.
However, there might be one way to justify the newer UnIFi APs: the cost of trying to force them to work (which would of course would be in terms of your labor that could've been utilized to tackle other challenges) in comparison to the one time cost of just getting upgraded ones.
However, there might be one way to justify the newer UnIFi APs: the cost of trying to force them to work (which would of course would be in terms of your labor that could've been utilized to tackle other challenges) in comparison to the one time cost of just getting upgraded ones.
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It would be awesome if they upgraded. I should be able to manage to get them installed on this widows 7 dedicated computer I setup. I'm going to leave this open but this will be useful for anyone down the road. I did learn a bunch here and TY everyone who contributed. I couldn't of done it without you. I would of just lost my marbles slowly.
Standby but we should be all set.
I just opened a new questions in regards to Avaya IP Office 500.
Standby but we should be all set.
I just opened a new questions in regards to Avaya IP Office 500.
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These are all great ideas and solutions. Thank you everyone who contributed and ThankYou Masnrock! I really appreciate everyone help. The AP’s will get there own dedicated Win 7 machine which I’m assuming the controller will run on when locked. I setup the computer earlier today. I’ll link all the AP’s this coming week. I learned a lot and am way further then I was before this post!