Ubiquiti Networking Products Buying Guide

Best Ubiquiti Networking Products for Sale in Nairobi, Kenya

Introduction

Ubiquiti Inc. (formerly Ubiquiti Networks Inc.) is a well-known American technology company founded in 2003 in San Jose, California by Robert Per. Its current headquarters are in New York City. Ubiquiti Inc. provides a wide range of products for both wireless and wired solutions, with products tailored to enterprises, homes, and ISP operators. The product lines are divided into the following brands: UniFi, Amplifi, EdgeMax, UISP, LTU, AirMax, AirFiber, and UFiber.

Ubiquiti Networking Products Buying Guide 2023
Ubiquiti INC Brands

Of course, the most popular is the UniFi line, which focuses on business and home wired and wireless networks. EdgeMax is a product line dedicated to wired networks that only includes switches and routers. UISP is a new product line aimed at ISPs. AirMax is a product line designed for point-to-point (PTP) and point-to-multipoint (PTMP) connections. Wireless Internet Service Providers (WISPs) and Internet Service Providers (ISPs) use AirFiber and UFiber, respectively.

In this article, we will assist anyone who wants to purchase a Ubiquiti Inc. solution but is unsure of which products are required for a specific network topology, as well as which products are simply “old” and not worth purchasing. We will describe all product groups of Ubiquiti Inc. below, with a detailed division into security gateways and routers, UniFi switches, UniFi access points, EdgeMAX series of devices and UISP, airMAX, airFiber, and LTU, and finally VoIP solutions and DVRs. Of course, individual product groups contain both new and old products, which will be discussed in detail below. This will most likely aid in selecting the best ones for your requirements.

Point-to-Point Guide Wireless Communications and Guide

Ubiquiti networking products enable you to set up Point-to-Point (PtP) and Point-to-Multipoint (PtMP) wireless communications or Links (PtMP). Networks
  • Point-to-Point (PtP): Connects two Ubnt devices at different points along the line of sight, usually at a distance of several kilometers, essentially forming a wireless Ethernet bridge.
  • Point-to-Multipoint (PtMP) links connect three or more locations by utilizing a single Base Station (or Access Point) and multiple CPE devices (Stations) connected to the Access Point.

 

Point-to-Point (PtP Wireless Communication
Point-to-Point (PtP) Wireless Communication Illustration

Point-to-Point (PtP) Connections

The recommendations below are based on reference distances. Real-world outcomes are affected by environmental interference, Line of Sight, EIRP limits, and other factors. The following products are ordered by distance, from shortest to longest.

Short Distance Connections (0-5 Kilometers)

Item Illustration Features
Ubiquiti NanoBeam 5AC Ubiquiti Networks NBE-5AC-GEN2 NanoBeam ac Gen2 airMAX ac CPE with Dedicated Management Radio
  • Access Point PtMP airMAX Mixed Mode
  • airMAX ac Protocol Support
  • Long-Range Point-to-Point (PtP) Link Mode
  • Selectable Channel Width
  • PtP: 10/20/30/40/50/60/80 MHz
  • PtMP: 10/20/30/40 MHz
  • Automatic Channel Selection
  • Transmit Power Control: Automatic/Manual
  • Automatic Distance Selection (ACK Timing)
  • Strongest WPA2 Security
NanoStation 5AC Loco Ubiquiti NanoStation 5AC loco
  •  Access Point PtMP airMAX mixed mode
  • airMAX ac protocol support
  • Long-Range Point-to-Point (PtP) link mode
  • Selectable channel width
  • PtP: 10/20/30/40/50/60/80 MHz
  • PtMP: 10/20/30/40 MHz
  • Automatic channel selection
  • Transmit Power Control: Automatic/manual
  • Automatic distance selection (ACK timing)
  • Strong WPA2 security
NanoStation M2 Ubiquiti NanosStation M2 @Rapidtech Digital Solutions in Kenya
  • 2.4 GHz Operating Frequency
  • 2 x 10/100 BASE-TX Ethernet Ports
  • 10.4 to 11.2 dBi Antenna Gain
  • Supports Point-to-MultiPoint Setup
  • 400 MHz Atheros Processor
  • 32MB RAM | 8MB Flash Memory
  • PoE Adapter Included
  • Outdoor UV Stabilized Plastic Enclosure
  • Includes Pole Mount
AirFiber5X-FXHD Ubiquiti AirFiber AF-5XHD 5 GHz Carrier Radio
  • Range: up to 62 mi
  • Up to 1.34 Gb/s Maximum Throughput
  • Full Band Certification including DFS
  • 4.8 to 6.2 GHz Frequency Range
  • Hybrid Division Duplexing (HDD)
  • Low Latency
  • Enhanced Spectral Efficiency
  • Operation in Unlicensed Bands
  • Co-Location
  • GPS Sync & Clean Power Output

Medium Distance Connections (5-15 Kilometers)

Item Illustration Features
LiteBeam 5AC-23-G2 LiteBeam 5AC-23-G2 For sale in Nairobi, Kenya @Rapidtech Digital Solutions
  • 5 GHz Operating Frequency
  • 23 dBi Gain
  • Gigabit Ethernet Network Interface
  • MIPS 74Kc Processor
  • 64 MB DDR2 RAM
  • Power & Ethernet LEDs
  • Plastic Reflector Enclosure
  • 125 mph Wind Loading / Survivability
  • ± 24 kV ESD/EMP Protection
  • Includes Pole-Mounting Kit
PowerBeam 5AC-G2 PowerBeam 5AC-G2 in Kenya at the best Prices
  • Access Point PtMP airMAX Mixed Mode
  • airMAX ac Protocol Support
  • Long-Range Point-to-Point (PtP) Link Mode
  • Selectable Channel Width
  • PtP: 10/20/30/40/50/60/80 MHz
  • PtMP: 10/20/30/40 MHz
  • Automatic Channel Selection
  • Transmit Power Control: Automatic/Manual
  • Automatic Distance Selection (ACK Timing)
  • Strongest WPA2 Security
PowerBeam 5AC ISO PowerBeam 5AC ISO For sale in Kenya at the best Prices
  • Access Point PtMP airMAX Mixed Mode
  • airMAX ac Protocol Support
  • Long-Range Point-to-Point (PtP) Link Mode
  • Selectable Channel Width
  • PtP: 10/20/30/40/50/60/80 MHz
  • PtMP: 10/20/30/40 MHz
  • Automatic Channel Selection
  • Transmit Power Control: Automatic/Manual
  • Automatic Distance Selection (ACK Timing)
  • Strongest WPA2 Security
airFiber5X + AF-5G30-S45
  • Hardware is designed to securely mount and maintain the position of the dish during harsh outdoor conditions
  • Precision elevation adjustment for quickly fine-tuning and adjusting the elevation
  • Mounting hardware is made of galvanized steel that is powder-coated for superior corrosion resistance
  • Fasteners are GEOMET-coated for improved corrosion resistance when compared with zinc-plated fasteners
  • Housed in a compact form factor, the antenna offers 30 dBi of gain
  • Lightweight yet robust components lessen the load
  • The extended depth of the dish reflector rejects noise interference in co-location deployments
  • The design of the mounting bracket allows for ease of installation on a pole or tower
  • Shroud protects the cables and connectors from nature’s elements
  • Powerful performance for long-range links
  • Seamless integration with airFiber radio
airFiber5 airFiber5 For sale in Nairobi Kenya at the best Prices
  • Point-to-point wireless platform
  • Housed in a compact, highly efficient form factor
  • Delivers wireless gigabit+ performance with low latency
  • xRT feature uses an adaptive multi-channel coding scheme to enhance radio transceiver performance, while still maintaining regulatory compliance
  • Supports long-range communication up to 62+ miles
  • Operates in license-free, mid-band 5 GHz frequencies
  • Worldwide license-free operation
  • Delivers gigabit performance at 1.0+ Gb/s
  • Suitable for carrier backhaul, building-to-building enterprise use, or public safety applications
airFiber5U airFiber5U For sale in Kenya at the best Prices
  • 5 GHz High-Band Frequency Coverage
  • Over 1.2 Gb/s Throughput
  • Over 62-Mile Range
  • 1 x Gigabit Ethernet PoE Port
  • 40W Max Power Consumption
  • Includes PoE Adapter
  • Pole Mount Kit Included
  • Up to 125 mph Wind Survivability

Long Distance Connections (Over 15 Kilometers)

  • Rocket 5AC + RocketDish LW: A great combination for long-distance, high-performance links. TCP/IP throughput of up to 450Mbps at 80MHz. Distances of more than 100 kilometers.
  • 5GHz band with airFiber5X and AF-5G34-S45. Ideal for high-performance links with aggregated throughput of up to 500Mbps using only 50MHz, a processing power of up to 1 million pps, and latency of around 2ms. Jumbo frames are supported.
  • airFiber11FX+Antenna: 11GHz Licensed band. Ideal for high-performance links with aggregated throughput of up to 1.3Gbps (680Mbps Full-Duplex), a processing power of up to 1 million pps, and latency of less than 1ms. Jumbo frames are supported. Band with a permit.

High-Performance Backhaul

  • The airFiber 24HD can deliver up to 2Gbps of actual throughput at distances of 2+ km in the 24GHz band, and up to 1.4Gbps in links less than 9KM. However, under certain conditions, you can use it for up to 20 km.
  • airFiber 24: The airFiber 24 delivers up to 1.4Gbps of actual throughput at distances of 5+ km in the 24GHz band for superior performance. However, under certain conditions, you can use it for up to 13 km.
  • The airFiber 5 and 5U provide ideal superior performance in the 5GHz band, delivering up to 1.2Gbps. It can be used for links of up to 100 kilometers in certain circumstances.
  • Antennas: 5GHz band, airFiber5XHD. Ideal for high-performance links with aggregated throughput of up to 1Gbps, a processing power of up to 2 million pps, and latency of less than 2ms. Jumbo frames are supported.
  • airFiber2X+Antennas:4GHz band. Ideal for high-performance links with aggregated throughput of up to 500Mbps using only 50MHz, a processing power of up to 1 million pps, and a latency of around 2ms. Jumbo frames are supported.
  • airFiber3X+Antennas: XGHz band. Ideal for high-performance links with aggregated throughput of up to 500Mbps using only 50MHz, a processing power of up to 1 million pps, and a latency of around 2ms. Jumbo frames are supported.
  • airFiber4X+Antennas:7-4.9GHz Licensed band. Ideal for high-performance links with aggregated throughput of up to 500Mbps using only 50MHz, a processing power of up to 1 million pps, and a latency of around 2ms. Jumbo frames are supported. Because it operates in the 4.7-4.9GHz band, it is ideal for public safety.
  • airFiber11FX+Antenna: 11GHz Licensed band. Ideal for high-performance links with aggregated throughput of up to 1.3Gbps (680Mbps Full-Duplex), processing power of up to 1 million pps, and latency of less than 1 ms. Jumbo frames are supported. Authorized band

Point-to-MultiPoint (PtMP) Links Guide Wireless Communications and Guide

PtMP performance is dependent on both sides of the link, so if long distances are desired, it is critical to select the appropriate Base Station and CPE for each case. With the release of airOS 6 (for M devices) and airOS 8 (for AC devices), you can now upgrade your entire M sector by simply swapping out the M Access Point for an airMAX AC Access Point.

Point-to-Multipoint (PtMP) Links Guide
Point-to-MultiPoint (PtMP) Links Illustration
Usually found at the top of a tower, building, or mast. Maximum coverage will be determined by the height. When planning the Base Station, it is usually best to plan for an antenna with the smallest coverage that still covers the desired area. Antennas with a wider beamwidth may be more susceptible to interference, resulting in decreased scalability and performance.
  • Rocket M + airMAX OMNI antenna: up to 60+ concurrent stations when all devices are airMAX capable. Highly susceptible to interference and is only recommended for very rural areas. (Only M clients can connect.)

High Capacity & High-Performance Base Stations

  • Rocket 5AC PRISM G1/G2 + airMAX AC Sector Antenna: Carrier-grade system for the most powerful Base Stations. For 360° coverage, eight 45° antennas are used. Utilizes airPRISM technology, which significantly reduces co-adjacent noise.
  • Rocket 5AC Lite with Titanium Sector Antennas: A high-performance solution for medium-to-high-density areas. Antennas with variable beamwidth (60-120°) for scalable growth. The most recent airMAX AC technology is used.
  • LiteAP AC: An ultra-lightweight airMAX AC sector + radio with exceptional performance and market-leading pricing. Coverage of 120°.
  • IsoStation5AC: Horn sector with high isolation. Ideal for high-density urban installations or micro-POPs. It includes a 45°/15dBi horn sector as well as options for 30°, 60°, and 90° horn sectors.
  • PRISMStation5AC: High isolation horn with active PRISM RF Filtering and GPS for improved co-location, noise rejection, and data rates of up to 500Mbps.
  • The NanoBeam 5AC-G2 has a slightly greater range and is more directive than the NanoBeam 5AC-19 M.

Medium distance (3-7 km)

Item Illustration Features
LiteBeam 5AC-23-G2 LiteBeam 5AC-23-G2 For sale in Nairobi, Kenya @Rapidtech Digital Solutions
  • 5 GHz Operating Frequency
  • 23 dBi Gain
  • Gigabit Ethernet Network Interface
  • MIPS 74Kc Processor
  • 64 MB DDR2 RAM
  • Power & Ethernet LEDs
  • Plastic Reflector Enclosure
  • 125 mph Wind Loading / Survivability
  • ± 24 kV ESD/EMP Protection
  • Includes Pole-Mounting Kit
PowerBeam 5AC-G2 PowerBeam 5AC-G2 in Kenya at the best Prices
  • Access Point PtMP airMAX Mixed Mode
  • airMAX ac Protocol Support
  • Long-Range Point-to-Point (PtP) Link Mode
  • Selectable Channel Width
  • PtP: 10/20/30/40/50/60/80 MHz
  • PtMP: 10/20/30/40 MHz
  • Automatic Channel Selection
  • Transmit Power Control: Automatic/Manual
  • Automatic Distance Selection (ACK Timing)
  • Strongest WPA2 Security

Long Distance (7 Kilometers and Above)

  • PowerBeam 5AC-500/620: Higher power device with super directive antenna, better range and lower noise, and more aesthetically pleasing than bulky dishes.
  • Rocket 5AC-Lite + RocketDish LW: Best performing option, more expensive than integrated designs, can be unsightly as a CPE, and supports Iso-Beam accessory for improved isolation, which includes RF chokes.

Types of Ubiquiti Antennas

High-gain antennas are essential in high-performance outdoor wireless for two reasons. They provide high-gain signal power amplification, resulting in higher signals and better link quality. They are also highly directional, giving them spatial filtering properties that can help to block noise. This is especially true in loud environments.
Antennas are classified as follows:
  • Yagi: A directive antenna used in PTP and CPE applications. Because of its small size, it is frequently used at low frequencies such as 900MHz.
  • Grid: A directive that is used in PTP and CPE applications. Excellent wind-loading properties. This type, however, only works in one polarity (11) and thus has lower performance than 22 antennas (Dish, Panel, etc.)
  • Panel: A directive that is used in PTP and CPE applications. In situations where dishes are not preferred, a compact design is very appealing.
  • Dish: The most precise and high-performance airMAX antennas for PTP applications. Typically bigger and heavier.
  • Omni: Offers 360-degree horizontal coverage (Omni-directional). Ideal for low-capacity and broad-coverage AP / Base Station applications)
  • Sector: Excellent option for high-performance base stations. Omnidirectional antennas have lower gain and directivity. Typically available in 45, 60, 90, or 120 degree angles.

Contact Rapidtech DIgital Solutions Ubiquiti Shop in Kenya to place your order of Ubiquiti products and get expert advice. We have a huge range of Ubiquiti Products for sale in Nairobi, Kenya at the best Ubiquiti Prices in Kenya.