Ubiquiti USG-PRO-4 UniFi Security Enterprise Gateway Router with Gigabit Ethernet

Ill start with a few points for the entry level prosumer:Firstly, there is no wireless capability, this is not a modem, router and ap, its is just a router, a good one but just a router. You will need your own access points (all the unifi range work perfectly with it) in order to get a wireless connection and you will want a switch unless you are not connecting more than 2 devices.If you are using the router with ubiquiti switches (Switch 8 150w and above) then make sure to link them (if short enough distance) with SFP, the reduction in latency is frankly impressive, especially with fiber modules.The router is a beast, handling our symmetric gigabit line with ease.Config is easy as always with UniFI's SDN control system (can be run off old pc) i would however reccommend the cloud key gen 2/gen2+ due to the huge power savings over extended lengths of time. These devices can handle upwards of 50 unifi devices so are more than enough for a household, if using for buisness then may be worth utilising unifi application server or a full time server.Having a cloud key is not needed past initial setup however the data collection and retention has helped with troubleshooting and has saved my butt more times than i care to mention.The fans in the unit aren't loud but they aren't silent. Would recommend rack mounting in cabinet with ventilation and sound dampening OR in a cupboard/room that is not slept/worked in. I have one running next to my workstations and got used to the subtle hum after a few days but may depend on your setup.The build quality is perfect, nothing needs to be said but ill run over it quickly; The rack ears are sturdy and able to hold unit well (dont skimp out with 2 mounts, use all 4 provided). the chassis is sturdy, full metal and is slightly thinner than the 1u slot meaning that when mounted it has some space to "breath"overall incredible product, have deployed over 450 of these accross uk, 100% recommended.

Update (20/10/2021)Well 4 years after initial purchase and the UGPro is still my router of choice. It now appears unifi have left it to wither and hasn't had a firmware update since April 2021.But my virgin is now 500 down/36 up and with IPS on it seems the hard wall is at around 385Mbps.I'm now actively looking to replace it, but what with? The UDM Pro still seems to have issues if posts on the unifi forum are correct, unifi also had a fairly major security breach (Google it) but then again so did QNAP. So if you're considering buying new just be aware its likely to become end of line very shortly.Its been a cracking router and its a shame unifi didn't just update the CPU and release a V2 at a reasonable price. But hey ho.Update (28/11/2020)Well after 3 years since my original review, here's the latest. Its still performing well, it still scopes with the fastest Virgin service in my area with DPI and IPS switched on (around 380Mbps down and 38 up). It never locks up or freezes, the software updates from Ubuiqiti have largely ended now, I'm on 4.4.51 and as I said, it's rock solid.The IPS identifies lots of different scans of my network and attempts by the usual suspects to access or use exploits against my QNAP NAS, which IPS blocks.I would still recommend the USG Pro, don't get me wrong I also keep looking at it's replacement the UDM Pro, but the Unifi Forums are still full of complaints that its still really a "beta" product for now and until it gets to the same level of stability, or 1Gb internet is available, the USG P will be there doing its job.Updated Review.Well the USG-P is still doing sterling service, with Deep Packet Inspection and Intrusion Protection System ON, I am getting 380 Mbps Down and 38 Mbps Up. Which is the speed of our Virgin Cable connection. The device itself is extremely stable and has got better with every software/firmware upgrade. The whole Unifi ecosystem is excellent and I am very happy to recommend it.I also discovered that the RAM is upgradeable, and as I had a spare 4GB DIMM of the required specs just sitting on a shelf, I popped it in.This was bought to upgrade the Unifi Security Gateway, which is an outstanding device btw, but I wanted to use DPI and IPS at the same time and on the Unifi, it restricted throughput to around 85Mbps on a 200/20 Virgin cable connection.Adding it to your systemAdoption wise if upgrading from the USG, remove the cables to the USG , plug in the cables to the USG Pro, and reboot your cable modem (if you don't you will not be able to access Internet), then remove the USG from the Controller software, adopt the USG-Pro and it's done.The Noise issue:Not as loud as you may have read, OK you will read people say that this device is loud, its not, the fans just have a slight high pitch (like a mosquito), that can get annoying, its easily fixed with a pair of Nocturna fans that take like 2 minutes to install (undo a total of 7 screws and undo two keyed connectors and plug in the new ones and you're done, theres a Youtube video if you search). Anyway if the fans annoy you, replace the fans (they are available on Amazon) and the problems solved.Temperature wise on the original fansPHY 79cCPU 79cBoard CPU and PHY 48 cWith the new fansPHY 74cCPU 75cBoard CPU and PHY 48cPerformanceI am currently running v4.4.16 dev and its fast with Deep Packet Inspection and Intrusion Protection System both working, and am still getting 222Mbps down and 21Mbps up on Virgin cable.Overall?This is a beast of a Router, the normal USG is fantastic, but the USG provides a 250% increase and you can upgrade the RAM from 2GB supplied, to 4GB. If you have already invested in the Unifi system this is a definitely a worthwhile purchase, the fan upgrade is a worthwhile addition as the router will run cooler and the noise will be less annoying.

While the product is missing some important features, most notably DHCP reservations, it is a good device, easy to setup and gives a good view of your usage. setting it up was simpler that my previous firewall (a firebox) and it worked well. The only downside with it in that respect is that you can only use the controller software on one machine (without unadopting and readopting the device) so if you don't have a single machine you want it on then the cloud key or a rasperberry pi is probably the best host for that.

Same as my USG reviewFantastic security gateway but has 10GB uplinks via SFP if neededIf your using this at home and use BT Fibre (FTTC) and have only a homehub you will need to purchase a separate VDSL modem to connect to the BT network I would suggest either a Draytek Vigor 130 or purchase a second hand open reach modem from eBay for £10 -£20I have installed a lot of these for customers and they are extremely easy to manage from the controller software.Only downside for most will be the initial setup on an existing network.The device ships with a default IP of 192.168.1.1Easiest to to setup on existing network before removing current router is plug it inConnect a laptop or PC to LAN1 portOpen a web browser to 192.168.1.1Change the IP settings to DHCPThen download and use putty to open an SSH session to 192.168.1.1 and login with ubnt/ubntGo to ui.com and find the latest firmware for your model and grab the URLThen run the followingupgrade https://.........Once it has finished you will be able to adopt it using the UniFi controller.I would purchase this again whenever anyone wants a proper home or business WiFi / Network setupFantastic bit of kit