Introduction
Below are the key settings that I apply my UniFi installation for optimal performance.
While this guide makes some opinionated assumptions, I have observed these settings improving reliability and performance across a large number of customer sites and hardware.
My personal environment includes the following parameters:
- Regulatory Domain: Australia
- Hardware: 4x U6-Lite Access Points
- Software: UniFi Network: 7.2.92
- Clients: Mostly Apple & IoT devices with HomeKit capabilities.
The hardware in my personal environment have been positioned using the UniFi Design Center to target -67dBm
or greater signal to all clients when the access points are configured at a High
power level.
Settings
WiFi
Global AP Settings
- Ensure
Channel Width
is configured appropriately:- Ensure
2.4GHz
is set to20MHz
. - Ensure
5GHz
is set based to80MHz
.
- Ensure
- Ensure
Transmit Power
is configured appropriately:- Ensure
2.4GHz
is set toMedium
. - Ensure
5GHz
is set toHigh
.
- Ensure
- Ensure
AP Exclusions
is empty. - Ensure
Wireless Meshing
isdisabled
. - Ensure
New Device Auto-Link
isenabled
.
Nightly Channel Optimization
- Ensure
Channel Optimization
isdisabled
.
Save and apply the below settings for each configured WiFi network.
$YOUR_SSID_HERE > Advanced Configuration
- Ensure
Advanced Configuration
is set toManual
. - Ensure
WiFi Band
is set to2.4GHz
and5GHz
. - Ensure
WiFi Type
is set toStandard
. - Ensure
Band Steering
isenabled
.
This setting was previously called Connects high performance clients to 5GHz only
and is a software-based implementation of the band steering technology built into many wireless chipsets.
While I personally had success with this, others who have tried these settings did not. I would recommend disabling this first if you experience drop-outs from IoT-class devices.
- Ensure
Multicast Enhancement
isdisabled
. - Ensure
Multicast and Broadcast Control
isdisabled
. - Ensure
Client Device Isolation
isdisabled
. - Ensure
Proxy ARP
isdisabled
. - Ensure
BSS Transition
isenabled
. - Ensure
UAPSD
isdisabled
. - Ensure
Fast Roaming
isdisabled
.
Fast Roaming has caused my Logitech Circle View security camera(s) to experience regular drop-outs from the moment it was enabled on my network. I would like to re-visit this in the future.
- Ensure
802.11 DTIM Period
is set toAuto
. - Ensure
Minimum Data Rate Control
is set toAuto
.
$YOUR_SSID_HERE > Security
- Ensure
Security Protocol
is set toWPA2
.
Ideally I would select WPA2/WPA3
here or even WPA3
only, but I have seen connectivity issues with my SolarEdge Inverter when WPA3
is enabled at all. I would like to re-visit this in the future.
- Ensure
PMF
is set toDisabled
. - Ensure
Group Rekey Interval
isdisabled
. - Ensure
Hide WiFi Name
isdisabled
.
Networks
Global Network Settings
- Ensure
Multicast DNS
isenabled
. - Ensure
IGMP Snooping
isenabled
. - Ensure
Jumbo Frames
isdisabled
. - Ensure
Flow Control
isdisabled
. - Ensure
Spanning Tree
isdisabled
.
Spanning Tree prevents networks from crashing if you create a 'loop' (i.e. plugging both ends of a cable into the same switch, or even if there are multiple switches connected together in a circle/ring). It does this by shutting down the duplicate/redundant ports. It's not necessary to disable it, but it is one less protocol 'in play' if you know you don't need it - like I know I don't.
- Ensure
802.1X Control
isdisabled
. - Ensure
Switch Exclusions
is empty.
Global Switch Settings
System
Updates
- Ensure
Device Auto Updates
is set toOn
. - Ensure
Daily Check
is set to6 AM
.
Backup
- Ensure
Auto Backup
isenabled
. - Ensure
Schedule
is set toWeekly
. - Ensure
Maximum Number of Files
is set to7
. - Ensure
Data Retention Days
is set toSettings only
.
UniFi Devices
Save and apply the below settings for each access point configured in your network.
Settings
Radios
Ensure the 2.4GHz Radio is configured appropriately:
- Ensure
Channel
is set to1
,6
, or11
. - Ensure
Enable Minimum RSSI
isdisabled
.
- Ensure
Ensure the 5GHz Radio is configured appropriately:
- Ensure
Channel
is set to36
,52
,100
, or149
. - Ensure
Enable Minimum RSSI
is set to-70dBm
.
- Ensure
Band Steering
- Ensure
Band Steering
is set todisabled
.