blumeops/docs/reference/infrastructure/unifi.md
Erich Blume 74c8ef7209 Switch unpoller to API key auth from 1Password item 'unpoller'
Co-Authored-By: Claude Opus 4.6 (1M context) <noreply@anthropic.com>
2026-03-16 14:42:03 -07:00

2.9 KiB

title modified tags
UniFi 2026-03-16
infrastructure
networking

UniFi

Home WiFi router and network controller, managed via the UX7 web UI.

Quick Reference

Property Value
Model UniFi Express 7 (UX7)
LAN IP 192.168.1.1
Management URL https://192.168.1.1
Management Web UI only (no IaC)
Power Battery-backed via UPS (see power)

What It Does

The UX7 is the home WiFi access point and network gateway. It provides:

  • WiFi (main, guest, IoT networks)
  • DHCP for all network subnets
  • Built-in UniFi controller for managing adopted devices (switches)
  • Zone-based firewall and traffic management

Networks

Network VLAN Subnet Purpose
Main 1 (default) 192.168.1.0/24 Trusted devices (indri, sifaka, gilbert, mouse)
Guest 2 192.168.2.0/24 Visitors, internet-only
IoT 3 192.168.3.0/24 Smart devices (Frame TV, appliances)

Three-network segmentation configured manually via UX7 web UI (Feb 2026).

Network Topology

ISP Modem
  └── UniFi Express 7 [WAN]
       └── [LAN port] ──→ Switch A (by router/sifaka)
            ├── sifaka (Synology NAS)
            └── ~12ft Cat6 ──→ Switch B (on desk)
                                 ├── indri (Mac Mini, primary server)
                                 └── gilbert (USB-C adapter)

All wired devices share the default VLAN (192.168.1.0/24). The two daisy-chained UniFi Switch Flex Minis provide enough ports for all devices while using the UX7's single LAN port.

Operations

Task Method
Manage networks/WiFi/firewall https://192.168.1.1 web UI
Backup configuration Settings → System → Backup
Restore from backup Settings → System → Backup → Restore

Authentication

Local admin account on the UX7. Credentials stored in 1Password (vault blumeops). WiFi passphrase stored in 1Password item "Radio New Vegas" (Wireless Router type) in vault blumeops.

Why Not IaC?

Attempted Feb 2026 with the ubiquiti-community/unifi Terraform provider via Pulumi. A "no-op" update on the default LAN network reset undeclared properties, bricking the network and requiring a factory reset. The provider ecosystem is too immature for single-device infrastructure.

Monitoring

UniFi metrics are exported to Prometheus via UnPoller, running as a k8s deployment in the monitoring namespace on indri. UnPoller polls the UX7 controller API using an API key and exposes metrics on port 9130.

  • Prometheus job: unpoller
  • Metrics prefix: unifi_
  • Credentials: 1Password item unpoller (vault blumeops, API key)
  • hosts — Device inventory
  • power — UPS power chain
  • indri — Primary server (wired connection)
  • tailscale — Tailnet networking