Hey everyone,
I’m looking for some advice and a bit stuck on what setup to go with. I need to install a full system at a friend’s house — that includes a firewall, access points, and security cameras.
The plan is to have a max of 2 access points and about 4–5 security cameras (2K should be plenty). I’m open to either Unifi cameras or third-party ones, as long as they work well with the Unifi system.
I’m trying to decide between:
UDM-SE (180W)
Cloud Gateway Max and a PoE switch.
Or going with a UniFi Express 7, a UNVR, and a PoE switch.
It’s a residential setup, and the internet is fast — around 3Gbps from the ISP. I’m planning to set up multiple VLANs: one for personal devices, one for IoT, one for security devices, and one for guest Wi-Fi. I also want to enable ad blocking and apply some basic content filtering on a couple of the VLANs.
For the cameras, the idea is to cover the backyard, garage door, inside the garage, and have one extra. He doesn’t need anything over the top — just good, clear footage — and wants to keep recordings for about 15–20 days.
I’m a bit unsure which hardware path makes the most sense here. Has anyone done a similar setup at home? I’d love to hear what worked for you. Also, I want to avoid the cheap no-name camera brands and go with something more reliable and secure.
Appreciate any suggestions — thanks!