Ubiquiti Router Configuration

 

As part of the new network build comes the responsibility of configuring new network equipment, but maintaining the same functionality and configuration the current one has.

In this video I QUICKLY lol, run you through the Ubiquiti router configuration.

I basically start from scratch from plugging it in, to configuring VLANS, DHCP and assigning VLANS to ports.

The video is not meant to be a Ubiquiti router configuration tutorial, but rather a peek to the Ubiquiti configuration parameters for those of you who may have not seen this before.

In the next videos I will be covering:

-          Installing and configuring Ubiquiti wireless access points

-          Configuring a Cisco switch with VLANS

-          And anything else that pops up during this project

from the net: Power Over Ethernet and Copper Cabling

 

I know,, its a vendor doc, but this one has a lot of good information

from the PDF

"Increasing usage of Power over Ethernet (PoE) represents one of the most meaningful impacts to enterprise network infrastructure in recent history. This technology reduces installation costs and time by allowing power and data onto a single twisted-pair cable, installed by a single low-voltage contractor and eliminating the need for a separate electrical cable to each device. As the ubiquitous nature of Ethernet has grown, an increasing number of items are being networked together. These new applications, such as digital signage, next generation wireless access points, nurse call systems, and video conferencing systems, have power needs beyond PoE+ standards. The industry has recognized this need and has begun to develop next generation PoE equipment that will supply 51 to 71 watts. This document provides information and guidance on installing Panduit cabling and connectivity with both the existing PoE+ and the new higher power PoE standards."

Get the free pdf here https://www.panduit.com/content/dam/panduit/en/landing-pages/NI-ENT-PoECopperCablesCOTB05.pdf

Free WiFi Design Tool

 When you have to install or troubleshoot Wifi issues, it helps to be able to have a visual coverage map.

Having a tool to give you a prediction of basic coverage is just as important as walking around and running tests.

While looking at Ubiquiti's website, I stumbled upon their FREE UI Design Center https://design.ui.com/ which was pretty helpful when determining estimated coverage area for various bands and how different materials affect coverage as well.

As always, I will keep the write-up short and encourage you to go try it out.

https://design.ui.com/

The Build: Existing Site Reconnaissance

 One of the most critical tasks when upgrading or building a new network is determining what the client has and how the equipment is configured.

In this case, I need to figure out what equipment to propose for them to purchase and if there are any network configuration notes I need to make.

Your site contact is key for this process to go as smoothly as possible. Another thing to keep in mind as a consultant is that you don't want to spend a lot of unnecessary time, since that equates to the client having to pay more money for your time. I want someone who gets involved with technology as well as the inner workings of the office, applications, etc.

Just a note that with the technology available today, you don't have to physically go onsite for this process, but I prefer it when possible because I usually spot all sorts of things that the client might not be aware of.

The meeting was very productive and I made a list of equipment to replace and any configuration notes for the new network.

For example, the office had a typical consumer-grade router, which i will replace since it only has 100Mb ports and the new internet service will be either 300 Mb or 1 GB. After reviewing the router's configuration, I noticed there was a static router to a non-existant network, port forwarding was enabled to devices that no longer exist, a VPN tunnel configuration that went nowhere

The same goes for their unmanaged 100 Mb POE switches. I suggested new enterprise-grade switches that support POE+, have 1 Gb copper, and support multiple VLANs.

I also noticed that the math didn't add up when i took a quick client/phone/printer count and compared it to the number of switch ports in use. After some discussion, I realized that some users plugged their computers into their Voip phone's pass-thru port and others just left their laptops on wifi. This was done because some of the office cabling and specific switch ports were causing issues. I also ran a network scan tool to document how many devices there were present at that time.

As far as WiFi goes, they had similar consumer-grade wifi/routers and access points that only supported older WiFi standards had limited range and did not support Vlan tagging or multiple SSID's.  I then asked if they needed a guest network and the client's face lit right up, so I took that as a yes ;)

I also found out that there is a requirement for VPN/remote access. to date the odd staff member would leverage some of the consumer remote desktop products like Teamviewer, but would like a better solution.

And there were many other things i spotted that you will read about in future articles.

In summary, try to get out in person for these visits, or set up a video conference so you can see, or record what's on site.

The Build: First Steps

 

A client asked me to design, configure, and install network equipment at their new site.

In my typical style, I will keep these write-ups short but hopefully, helpful.

Before I jump into anything; "Being as organized as possible and prepared is key to success".

Here is a bullet list of things that need to get addressed in no particular order:

-          Client interview

-          Current network equipment inventory to determine current configuration and what equipment needs to be upgraded

-          Get a floor plan of the new site and existing site if possible

-          Make a list of new network equipment

-          New site walk-thru to review where the telecom closet is and what gets terminated there

-          New equipment configuration and testing

-          Installation

Of course, there will be a ton of stuff that pops up that I haven’t considered yet.

Client interview

Talked to the client and asked what new services they plan to have at the new site that they do not have currently have. They explained the new place will be much larger, so they will have several conference rooms, an outside courtyard, and a large event room.

I asked when they wanted to be moved in at the new site and the answer was June 1st, which isn’t a lot of time when you factor in the time required for site visits, equipment, service orders, change orders, testing, installation, etc…

I then reviewed what technical services they currently have and determined they obviously need internet access, wifi, typical file server/print services, phones/voip, and VPN access.

Next step is to schedule a visit to the current location to get a physical inventory and inventory what equipment is there.