A wireless network management software solution from Ubiquiti

UniFi Network Server

UniFi Network Server

  -  195 MB  -  Trial
  • Latest Version

    UniFi Network Server 9.0.114 LATEST

  • Review by

    Daniel Leblanc

  • Operating System

    Windows 7 / Windows 7 64 / Windows 8 / Windows 8 64 / Windows 10 / Windows 10 64

  • User Rating

    Click to vote
  • Author / Product

    Ubiquiti Inc. / External Link

  • Filename

    UniFi-installer.exe

UniFi Network Server (formerly UniFi Network Controller) is a professional device manager tool that enables owners of Ubiquiti hardware devices to easily manage them remotely and access a wide array of diagnostic and visualization tools.

UniFi Network Server Screenshot 1

UniFi Network is a powerful network management software developed by Ubiquiti Networks. It serves as a centralized platform for configuring, monitoring, and managing UniFi devices such as access points, switches, gateways, and cameras.

With its intuitive interface and comprehensive feature set, it simplifies network administration for both small-scale deployments and large enterprise environments.

Built from the ground up by Ubiquiti Networks, a large manufacturer of wireless data communication and wireless broadband products, this single app can be used for the complete management of a wide array of devices found inside your home, business, or organization.

Because of its focus on larger enterprise products and networks, this app is fully ready to handle an incredibly large number of devices with top-of-the-line services for data monitoring, security, analytics, reports, and more.

After installing UniFi Network Server on your Windows PC and logging into the Ubiquity online service using your username and password, you will find out that this network management suite does not have its own standalone app window, but is instead accessible via your web browser.

The interface is sleek, modern, and intuitive, with six main tab icons located on the left, and a large data listing, diagnostic, and configuration area taking the majority of the app area. The entire visual style of the app is focused on dark background and light-grey text and visual elements, with bright green colors highlighting some of the most important “glanceable” information.

Even though this app is not best suited for complete novices of networking management, its intuitive interface can help easily be used for handling many different parameters of the network. The app is well-suited for larger networks and has in-depth support for administration settings, domain management, and all the tools needed to extract maximum performance from your network and Ubiquity devices.

Extraction of every possible percent of performance is made easier with a comprehensive Statistic tab, that showcases all your network traffic, details for every device, client, domain, and more.

Ubiquiti UniFi Server can be used for FREE via an initial trial service, after which users will be required to pay for a permanent license. The app is optimized for Windows 11, 10, 8.1, and 7 and has built-in support for several international languages.

Main Features
  • Centralized Management: Control all UniFi devices from a single interface.
  • Device Configuration: Easily configure network settings, SSIDs, VLANs, and more.
  • Monitoring and Analytics: Real-time monitoring of network performance and device health.
  • Guest Portal: Create customizable guest portals with authentication and voucher support.
  • Multi-Site Management: Manage multiple sites or locations from one dashboard.
  • Security: Implement firewall rules, VPNs, and Intrusion Detection Systems (IDS).
  • Automated Firmware Updates: Keep devices up-to-date with scheduled firmware updates.
  • Scalability: Designed to scale with growing network infrastructure.
What`s New in latest version 9
  • Added notice regarding WPA3 encryption when enabling MLO.
  • Improved memory usage in specific environments.
  • Improved Route distribution behavior for SD-WAN Hub & Spoke.
  • Improved the default Guest Hotspot Policies for Zone-Based Firewall.
  • Improved the Policy Based Routes behavior when users pause VPN Clients.
  • It will now act the same as when the VPN Client is down.
  • Improved backup restore from sites using Zone-Based Firewall on Sites that don't have a gateway adopted.
  • Updated the order of Default Policies in Zone-Based Firewall.
  • "Allow Return Traffic" is now positioned before Network Isolation.
User Interface

The user interface of UniFi Network Server is clean, intuitive, and well-organized. The dashboard provides a comprehensive overview of the network, with easy access to key features and settings.

UniFi Network Server Screenshot 2

Navigation is straightforward, making it simple for users to find what they need without extensive training.

Installation and Setup

Installing this program is straightforward. Users can download the software from the Ubiquiti Networks website and follow the step-by-step installation wizard.

The setup process involves configuring basic network settings and creating an administrator account. Once installed, users can access the software through a web browser.

How to Use
  • Initial Setup: Install the app and complete the setup wizard.
  • Device Adoption: Adopt UniFi devices to the network by connecting them and adopting them through the software interface.
  • Configuration: Configure network settings, SSIDs, VLANs, and other parameters according to your requirements.
  • Monitoring: Monitor network performance, device status, and client activity in real-time.
  • Maintenance: Perform routine maintenance tasks such as firmware updates and device backups.
FAQ

Can I manage multiple sites with UniFi Network Server?
Yes, it supports multi-site management, allowing users to oversee multiple locations from a single dashboard.

What devices are compatible with UniFi Network Server?
UniFi Network Server for PC is compatible with a wide range of UniFi devices including access points, switches, gateways, and cameras.

Does UniFi Network Server support guest networking?
Yes, it includes a guest portal feature that enables the creation of customizable guest networks with authentication options.

Can I set up VPNs and firewall rules with UniFi Network Server?
Yes, it provides tools for configuring VPNs, firewall rules, and Intrusion Detection Systems (IDS) to enhance network security.

Is UniFi Network Server suitable for small businesses?
Yes, the tool is suitable for small businesses, offering scalable solutions that can grow with your network infrastructure.

System Requirements
  • Operating System: Windows 11/10
  • Processor: Intel or AMD Dual-Core CPU
  • RAM: 2GB or higher
  • Storage: 10GB of available disk space
  • Network Interface: Ethernet adapter for connecting to UniFi devices
PROS
  • Intuitive user interface
  • Comprehensive feature set
  • Scalable for small-scale to enterprise-level deployments
  • Active development and frequent updates
  • Free to download and use
CONS
  • Some advanced features may require additional licenses or subscriptions
  • Steeper learning curve for complex configurations
  • Limited support for non-UniFi devices
Conclusion

UniFi Network Server stands out as a robust and user-friendly network management software, offering a comprehensive set of features for configuring, monitoring, and managing UniFi devices. With its intuitive interface, scalability, and active development, it caters to the needs of both small businesses and large enterprises.

While some advanced features may require additional investment, its overall value and performance make it a top choice for network administrators seeking seamless network management solutions.

Also Available: Download UniFi Network Server for Mac

  • UniFi Network Server 9.0.114 Screenshots

    The images below have been resized. Click on them to view the screenshots in full size.

    UniFi Network Server 9.0.114 Screenshot 1
  • UniFi Network Server 9.0.114 Screenshot 2

What's new in this version:

Improvements:
- Added notice regarding WPA3 encryption when enabling MLO.
- Improved memory usage in specific environments.
- Improved Route distribution behavior for SD-WAN Hub & Spoke.
- Improved the default Guest Hotspot Policies for Zone-Based Firewall.
- Improved the Policy Based Routes behavior when users pause VPN Clients. It will now act the same as when the VPN Client is down.
- Improved backup restore from sites using Zone-Based Firewall on Sites that don't have a gateway adopted.
- Updated the order of Default Policies in Zone-Based Firewall. "Allow Return Traffic" is now positioned before Network Isolation.

Bugfixes:
- Fixed an issue where U-LTE failover didn't work after readopting the device.
- Fixed an issue where incorrect sources were listed for incoming threats.
- Fixed an issue where SD-WAN Hub & Spoke setups could have DNS storms in rare cases.
- Fixed the inability to delete sites on multi-site setups.
- Fixed NetFlow networks not updating after deleting VLANs.
- Fixed an issue where Tagged VLAN management "Allow All" didn't work correctly on In-Wall APs.
- Fixed the inability to create Firewall rules with a MAC address as the Source in rare cases.
- Fixed the inability to edit Networks in rare cases.
- Fixed an issue where SD-WAN Site Magic was incorrectly showing internal VPN tunnels.
- Fixed an issue where the Free Trial option for Payment authentication didn't work for Guest Hotspots.
- Fixed an issue where L3 Static Routes weren't working in rare cases.
- Fixed an issue where IP ACLs without specified ports weren't working.
- Fixed an issue where saving changes in Radio Manager could fail in rare cases.
- Fixed an issue where the WireGuard VPN config file didn't work with the latest Windows update.
- Fixed an issue where the InterVLAN network for L3 Switches was not placed in the Internal Zone for Zone-Based Firewall.
- Fixed an issue where users could configure MLO with Open Security.