UniFi Cloud Key Gen2 (UCK-G2)

Don't bother with the original cloud key. Only use the G2's or Dream Machines. The dream machines are easiest. This is a commercial/enterprise product, but it's inexpensive and works well in homes as well. I install these products in small and massive homes alike, because it's very reliable, and it scales easily. If you have a UniFi network without a G2 cloud key, you are missing the point of UniFi. When you pair the cloud key with the security gateway (USG), you will sometimes run into problems with the adoption. DO NOT download the PC controller software for any reason, even if the USG tells you to. ALWAYS use the UniFi app. If you have issues adopting the USG, then factory default that unit. Occasionally you may need to access the web GUI of the cloud key and do a manual adoption of the USG. This is rare, but frustrating when it happens. It does not mean that the equipment is defective, just that there's probably a firmware discrepancy or something. Sometimes after setting up the cloud key initially, you need to power cycle the unit for it to register that it needs a firmware update. For DIY users without networking experience, use the Dream Machine instead, or a non-Ubiquiti product. Once the Ubiquiti network is set up, it just works. Getting it set up is usually straightforward if you understand the order of operations for ubiquiti devices. Basically, do the bare minimum with the USG for internet connectivity. Set up the cloud key and adopt ONLY THE USG. FW update the cloud key, then update the controller software. Then FW update the USG. Then adopt the other network devices. FW update the POE switches first, then the WAPs. IF YOU USE A CLOUD KEY WITHOUT A USG, BE SURE TO DISABLE THE DHCP SERVER WITHIN THE CLOUD KEY. IF YOU ARE NOT USING A USG, YOU SHOULD RECONSIDER AND USE ONE. YOU WILL GET A MUCH BETTER SYSTEM MONITORING EXPERIENCE, AS WELL AS MUCH GREATER REMOTE ACCESS TO YOUR NETWORK - If you need to log into anything on the network remotely that has any sort of web GUI, you can easily port forward port 80 temporarily to that devices address (if it doesn't have a static IP address, the UniFi app will still allow you to easily determine what the client address is for that device) and remote into it from your web browser as needed. If the network is a residential network without a static IP, it's easy to determine the public IP address and use that for remote access from the browser to the port-forwarded device. UNDERSTAND THAT WITH UBIQUITI, YOU PAY A VERY LOW PRICE FOR REALLY GOOD NETWORK EQUIPMENT, BUT TECH SUPPORT IS NONEXISTENT, SO MAKE SURE YOU KNOW WHAT YOU'RE DOING.

Works very well. Runs cooler than the old Gen 1 Cloudkey and the UI is far more responsive. Supports the newer generation of UniFi Wireless Access Points (WiFi 6 etc.).

Bought this to replace a cloud key gen1. This gen 2 version is a real upgrade. Ubiquity thought of everything in terms of improving from the original. This one has a built in battery and the server can now gracefully shut down when it senses power outage. The LCD display is useful and really high Quality. You can tell the status of the server at a glance. The body of the controller is Aluminum and is well built and looks great. The designers must be previously from Apple? The only negative, I have is the cost and availability. Highly recommended.

A great way to locally manage yourUniFi network and have access to it via the app! This was a great deal and an excellent replacement to my Gen 1 key that died suddenly. The size is the same as the Gen 1 key and easily hangs off of POE port of your network switch.

I like having this so much more than not. I'll explain. I had horrible issues connecting to the controller when it was on my computer. I found my computer can't be off or in sleep mode when I want to access the controller from my phone, which makes perfect sense. I just found that really annoyed me personally and thus made getting this a necessity. It's much quicker to connect from the app than from the controller when it was hosted on my computer. Plus it's nice because you're dealing with the same settings on every computer you access it from. Whereas if I'd try to access the controller from my Surface, it would act like I'm setting it up from scratch. This cloud key just worked and with a young child running around, I don't have time to tinker and get it hosted on something like a Pi even though I'm aware that option exists. This worked great for my life and use case and if anything I say resonated with you, it'll work for you too.

I purchased this item because I wanted to (on a friend's recommendation) create a more permanent solution to my 3 story townhouse needing AP's and extenders on each floor. I bought this along with the standard AP for the Unifi system and a USG. About $500 in total, but I was told it was needed. I'll admit it's great from the standpoint of storing data it's collecting and managing the network for you to some extent but I have not been able to get it to function properly for more than a week without it causing some issue and leading me to spend the whole day trouble shooting. It's a great product, but don't buy it unless you are managing the network remotely or really understand all the nuances of network configuration. Never in my life did I think it would be so hard to get one AP to work with some other equipment that is supposed to be seemless in working together. The AP can be configured on its own and it will just run on its own without this, just save your money. Again, I think it's a solid and we'll featured product that will last it but until I fully figure out that and the USG out (useless don't buy it) I'll be busy hacking away at this. I should have stuck with powerline adapters.

Compared to the Gen 1, this is definitely a more solid and up-to-date design. The big plus is how it manages its shut-down if there's a power interruption. The information on the front display is also handy. It doesn't come with the small short & stiff cable the first gen used. There's a noticeable difference in the waste heat and operating temps as well as the processing times... it's much faster. There are hints that support is moving away from the CK1, so be prepared to move into CK2 if you have a critical operation. Also be sure that your firmware level is identical in order to do the configuration migration from a backup file. If not, you will be doing alignment with SSH and it's far more tedious.

Easy to set up and install. You can get this functionality outside of this device, but it is nice to have this display the network status and number is devices connected. Additionally, uses little energy and has a higher uptime since it is a dedicated device.