End User Devices for deployment in units:
The new equipment used in the building backbone upgrade is made by a company called Ubiquiti. All this hardware is easily remotely monitored and managed, which is also the motivation to install Ubiquiti devices inside units. This will allow us to monitor and fix more issues remotely (and more quickly) than with other branded equipment.
There are 5 models of Ubiquiti hardware to choose from in the new system. All of them (except for the FLEX Mini) contain high speed multiband WiFi transceivers. Links (to the Ubiquiti site) are provided to describe each device in detail. Other links define technical terms.
This is a POE device and is RESTRICTED to the point of ingress (whether one mounts it to the wall or not). The other option is an internal ethernet cable run straight form the point of ingress to the point of deployment. It has 2 LAN ports (one of which is POE as well, so it could power yet another POE device). This means either running an internal ethernet cable or the use of a power modem pair (DOWNSTREAM of the U7 In Wall) for the signal to be able to reach another location for another device via a LAN port (perhaps a switch.). WiFi 7 standard. Bands: 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz.
These (as POE devices) are restricted to point of ingress (or else the end of an internal ethernet cable). These devices are optionally wall or ceiling mountable. Although the modern WiFi transceiver is considerably better than older devices of this type, a very large unit or one with an inconvenient geometry might require a wireless repeater of some type. Most types of repeater will function with these devices, but Ubiquiti does make a (slightly expense) mesh-style repeater for absolutely optimal experience. These are for wireless access only and do not have ethernet LAN ports. WiFi 7 standard. Bands: 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz.
(Deluxe Model- extra cost = $56)
These are not POE devices. This device runs on USB-C power and therefore comes with a USB-C power supply device which can be plugged into any ordinary electrical socket. They have only one LAN port (which should be just fine for users who only use just one LAN port, or those who don’t normally use any wired connection (not generally recommended). In fact, if you’re certain you don’t ever want wired access, the U7 Lite would serve. If you need more than one LAN port, you’ll need to connect its LAN port to a multiport switch. WiFi 7 standard. Bands: 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, 6 GHz.
The fact that these are not POE devices means the signal must travel from the point of ingress to the device by means of either an internal ethernet cable (they are very inexpensive) or else a power modem pair.
(Deluxe Model- extra cost = $147)
These are not POE devices. They must be powered by a wall socket. They have 3 LAN sockets. Their WiFi capabilities are top of the line. WiFi 7 standard. Bands: 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, 6 GHz. They also support ultra high transmission speeds (over 2.5 Gbps) which are unlikely to be available at Marlborough for a few years.
The fact that these are not POE devices means the signal must travel from the point of ingress to the device by means of either an internal ethernet cable (they are very inexpensive) or else a power modem pair.
This is a switch!
These devices have no WiFi capabilities and support 4 LAN ports. They are supplied by POE, however, the LAN ports are not POE. If you want (your own device) some other model of WiFi transceiver, want no WiFi transceiver, or really want to keep your old Netgear black 3 antenna router (not advised), this choice is optimal. Additionally, it does come with a USB-C power supply device which can be plugged into any ordinary electrical socket allowing you to dodge POE operation. However, it would need to be at the end of a power modem chain to for data to reach the device in this mode, and it might simply make more sense to just use an internal ethernet cable and run POE.
ADDITIONAL HARDWARE (Additional charges to unit owner apply)
Power Modem Pair (Powerline Ethernet Adapters) (link to manufacturer)
extra cost = $78
A pair of power modem (link to definition) devices transfer the ethernet signal to ride along the electrical wiring. You plug in one power modem to the incoming ethernet cable at the signal point of ingress. This turns any wall socket (on the same circuit breaker) into a potential ethernet port. Plug in the second device and run an ethernet cable out of it.
extra cost = $178
Is a wireless repeater designed to work optimally with other WiFi Ubiquiti devices. These things are quite powerful and smoothly integrate (mesh connection type) seamlessly to other Ubiquiti hardware. WiFi 6 standard. Bands: 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz.
Ethernet Switch
The ethernet analog of an electrical extension cord. Only have one LAN port? Need lots more? Plug in a switch. There are easy to find switches that provide either 4-ports or 7-ports.
extra cost = $20 (4 port) or $32 (7 port)
A Full Glossary with additional comments is available that summarizes all the definitional hyperlinks above.
If you have questions about these devices or wish advice on an optimal choice, please call either William Murray at 847-207-6317 or Richard Cross at 773-457-7238.