Ubiquiti UDM UniFi Dream Machine Wi-Fi Access Point

Build your home or office network with the UniFi® Dream Machine, model UDM. Powered by a fast 1.7 GHz quad‑core processor, the UDM combines multiple functions into a single elegant device: 
• High‑Performance 802.11ac 4x4 Wave 2 Access Point (AP) 
• Managed 4-Port Gigabit Switch 
• Advanced Security Gateway 
• UniFi Network Controller 

The UDM is the ideal first UniFi device. It’s easy to use and still offers all the benefits of UniFi for homes and businesses. Easily expand the UDM by adding more UniFi Switches or APs while managing the network with the integrated controller. 
The UniFi Network app and UniFi cloud provide remote access to the controller from anywhere. The entire network can be kept updated and safe with automated software updates, which are free of charge.

Powerful Security 
The UDM offers advanced firewall policies and persistent threat management to act as an Intrusion Prevention System (IPS) and Intrusion Detection System (IDS). 
Automatic QoS 
Top QoS priority is assigned to voice and video traffic for clear calls and lag‑free video streaming. 
Convenient VLAN Support 
The UDM can create virtual network segments for security and network traffic management. 
VPN Server for Secure Communications 
A site-to-site VPN secures and encrypts private data communications traveling over the internet.

Scalable UniFi Network Controller 
Management Capabilities 
The UniFi Network Controller can provision UniFi devices, map out networks, and quickly manage system traffic. Important network details are logically organized for a simplified, yet powerful, interface. 
Network Overview 
From a single pane of glass, view network topology and configuration, real-time statistics, and debugging metrics. Monitor your network’s vitals and make on-the-fly adjustments as needed. 
Deep Packet Inspection 
Ubiquiti’s proprietary Deep Packet Inspection (DPI) engine includes the latest application identification signatures to track which applications (and IP addresses) are using the most bandwidth. 
Detailed Analytics 
The UniFi Network Controller provides configurable reporting and analytics to manage large user populations and expedite troubleshooting. Advanced search and sorting capabilities make network management more efficient. 
RF Environment 
Detect and troubleshoot nearby interference, analyze radio frequencies, and choose optimal AP placement. The auto-optimize feature configures the UDM with best practice settings, and the included radio AI capability optimizes channel selection using a genetic algorithm. 
Advanced RF Performance 
RF performance and configuration features include spectral analysis, airtime fairness, band steering, and cell-size tuning. 
LAN/WLAN Groups 
Create multiple LAN and WLAN groups and assign them to the respective UniFi devices and VLAN tags. 
Predictive Maps 
Upload a map or use Google Maps to represent the areas where your UniFi devices are located. Use the predictive map feature* to get a preview of coverage, and to help you avoid dead spots. 
Wireless Uplink 
Wireless Uplink functionality enables wireless connectivity between APs for extended range, wireless adoption of APs in their default state, and real-time changes to network topology. 
Guest Portal/Hotspot 
Configure custom settings, including authentication, Hotspot setup, and the option to use your own external portal server.

802.11ac Wave 2 has become the de facto Wi-Fi radio standard, no matter what the environment. 
Home use requires extremely high throughput (4x4 MIMO streams) for video streaming; low‑latency gaming; and local video, photo, and file transfers: the UDM delivers the requisite high-performance Wi-Fi and includes integrated Ethernet ports for attaching local media.
The UDM is also ideal for enterprise use: it fits into high‑density environments as part of the overall enterprise network – small, remote corporate offices, retail stores, and hospitality locales. You can also expand Wi-Fi coverage by adding more APs via the built‑in switch.

802.11ac Technology 
Initial 802.11ac Wave 1 SU-MIMO (Single-User, Multiple Input, Multiple Output) technology allows an earlier-generation AP, such as the UniFi AC Pro AP, to communicate with only one client at a time. 
802.11ac Wave 2 MU-MIMO (Multi-User, Multiple Input, Multiple Output) technology allows a Wave 2 AP, such as the UniFi AP Flex HD, to communicate with multiple clients at the same time – significantly increasing multi-user throughput and overall user experience. The following describes a 4-client scenario: 

MU-MIMO 
Assuming the same conditions, a Wave 2 AP provides up to 75% improvement overall over a Wave 1 AP. This improvement increases wireless performance and/or serves more clients at the same performance level.

4x4 Spatial Streams 
At any single time, a Wave 2 AP can communicate with the following MU-MIMO clients: 
• four 1x1 clients 
• two 2x2 clients 
• one 2x2 client and two 1x1 clients 
• one 3x3 client and one 1x1 client 

A 4x4 Wave 2 AP delivers up to 33% greater performance than a Wave 1 AP that is 3x3 in both radio bands.

Real-World Performance 
Combining the performance increases from MU-MIMO technology and the use of 4x4 spatial streams, the UDM delivers up to 125% greater performance¹ than a typical Wave 1 AP. 

Client Compatibility 
For optimal performance, use MU‑MIMO clients. SU‑MIMO clients will also benefit and gain up to 10‑20% greater performance when used with the UDM. 
¹ Actual performance values may vary depending on environmental and installation conditions. 

High-Density Scenarios 
Both Wave 1 and Wave 2 APs offer 28 independent (non-overlapping) channels: three for the 2.4 GHz band and twenty-five for the 5 GHz band, including DFS channels. 
When you use the 2.4 GHz band in a high-density location, you encounter self-interference and channel saturation. 
When you use the 5 GHz band, you can deploy smaller cells (coverage areas), so you can support more clients in any cell that deploys more than one AP. 
With the advantages of MU-MIMO technology and 4x4 spatial streams, the UniFi AP Flex HD can support more than triple the number of users than a typical Wave 1 AP. 
In practice, the maximum number of users the UniFi AP Flex HD can support is limited by radio link airtime. This depends on the amount of traffic each device creates, types of devices, network configuration, and the presence of other APs on the same channel.