Building the ULTIMATE Unifi Homelab in an Apartment

September 5th, 2024
Building the ULTIMATE Unifi Homelab in an Apartment

Check Out Our Ultimate Portable Home Lab Setup in Colorado!

In our latest YouTube video, we're taking you on a journey far from Jacksonville! You may notice by the surroundings; we’re spending the month of August in beautiful Colorado. This change of scenery gave us an exciting opportunity to try something new: creating a high-quality home lab setup that’s just as powerful as what we have back home—all while staying in a VRBO!

The Challenge: A Portable, High-Quality Network Setup

We wanted to see if it was possible to set up a top-tier Ubiquiti network without drilling holes, running cables, or making any permanent changes—perfect for anyone living in an apartment, vacation home, or rental property. So, we dove right into it, approaching the project from three perspectives:

1. Apartment Setup: A portable and powerful network that can be easily moved when you leave.
2. Vacation Home Setup: A high-quality, non-invasive network for those temporary getaways.
3. Rental Property Setup (Airbnb): A smart, manageable solution for vacation rentals without compromising on quality.

The Gear: A Deep Dive into Our Setup

Our video breaks down the entire setup, starting with the Cloud Gateway Max, which we love for its similarity to the UDM Pro but in a more compact and versatile package. This device allowed us to run the complete suite of apps, including Protect, for our surveillance needs.

We set up two cameras—a G4 Instant and a G5 Flex—covering both indoor and outdoor spaces, which is perfect for anyone looking to keep an eye on things without overcomplicating the setup. Plus, with the Enterprise 8 PoE switch, we ensured the network was powerful and reliable, even if it might be overkill for some.

For those looking to avoid the higher cost of the Enterprise 8 PoE, we discuss alternatives, including the USW-Flex-XG, which offers great value for anyone needing ten gigabit ports without the hefty price tag.

Why This Setup is a Game Changer

One of the standout features is the ease of use with UniFi’s site management tools. The ability to set up and manage a VPN with just a few clicks makes this system ideal for vacation homes or rental properties where remote management and security are key.

Even with all this tech, the setup remains non-invasive, and everything can be packed up and moved whenever needed. No drilling, no complex installations—just plug, play, and enjoy the same high-speed, high-quality network you’d have at home!

Watch the Full Video Now!

Click here to purchase any of your UniFi needs!

Head over to our YouTube channel to see the full breakdown of this incredible portable home lab setup. Whether you’re living in an apartment, managing a vacation home, or setting up an Airbnb, this video will show you how to create a high-performance network that’s easy to set up and take with you wherever you go.