Ubiquiti Unifi Nano HD - Worthy successor to UAP-AC-PRO?

UbiQuiti Click to enlarge!
UbiQuiti

Ubiquiti Unifi Nano HD

One of the most popular access points Ubiquiti is definitely reliable UAP-AC-PRO. The device has already had its successor Ubiquiti NanoHD some time ago, about which we can say in a nutshell that it had a fatal start. Why did this happen?

Ubiquiti has resigned from the existing Qualcomm chip in favour of its Taiwanese competitor MediaTek. This essentially had a real impact on the functionality of the device on the day of its launch. Initially, some features were missing and there were a number of errors that made it difficult to use. However, it must be admitted that the manufacturer reacted very quickly to the problems encountered and the device was immediately updated. We will therefore check whether today after all the fixes Ubiquiti NanoHD is actually as reliable as its predecessors.

Nano HD Click to enlarge!
Nano HD

Ubiquiti UniFi Nano HD specification

Ubiquiti UniFi Nano HD is characterized by 4x4 MU-MIMO technology and dual-band operation (Dual-Band), so it works simultaneously in two bands 5GHz and 2.4GHz. The device is compatible with 802.3af PoE and has the latest 802.11ac Wi-FI Wave 2 MU-MIMO standard (Multi-User, Multiple Input, Multiple Output), which allows to communicate with many clients at the same time.

Main features:

  • Operating frequency - Dual Band (2.4GHz, 5GHz)
  • Number of LAN ports - 1x [10/100/1000M (RJ45)]
  • Device power type - PoE 802.3af/at
  • MIMO type - MU-MIMO 4x4
  • nano hd Click to enlarge!
    nano hd

    Construction of Ubiquiti UniFi Nano HD

    The device retained the same minimalist look and design as UAP-AC-PRO,, which stood out from the competition of access points. NanoHD, like its predecessor, was also equipped with a saucer-shaped housing, so that the accessory can be seamlessly integrated into the wall or ceiling. NanoHD has dimensions 160 x 32.65 x 32.65 mm, and the whole unit is covered with a white matt finish. The upper part is made of plastic and the lower cover is made of zinc alloy, which helps to dissipate heat better.
    Ubiquiti UniFi Nano HD is also equipped with LEDs:
  • White Diode - The device has not yet been configured and is waiting for pairing.
  • Blue Led - The device has been successfully added to the network and is working properly.
  • Blue LED blinking blue - The UniFi OS Console is trying to locate the access point.
  • Slow flashing blue LED - NanoHD is in isolation - is not receiving Internet from the router.
  • NanoHD and AP-AC-PRO comparison Click to enlarge!
    NanoHD and AP-AC-PRO comparison

    Main components

    The device operates on dual-core Mediatek MT7621AT T937-AMTH MIPS processor with 880 MHz clock. Two Windbond and MXIC companies are responsible for delivering the memory, which provided SDRAM DD3 128MB and NOR FLASH 32MB. Ubiquiti bet on Mediatek ARM MT7615N 4x4:4 for 5GHz band (802.11ac) and Mediatek MT7603EN for 2.4GHz band (802.11b/g/n). Thanks to that UAP-NanoHD is characterized by maximum theoretical data transfer rate up to 300MB/s on 2.4GHz band and maximum data transfer rate up to 1733 Mb/s on 5GHz band.

    Ubiquiti UniFi Nano HD features

    The UAP-NANO HD device has retained most of the UAP-AC-PRO functions and sometimes even extended them. Using multiple points in a larger space is possible using grid technology. Starting with one NanoHD access point connected to the router, where the remaining points are scattered over a larger area and are able to communicate with each other wirelessly. This way you can expand your network indefinitely, while maintaining a unified management system.

    Fast Roaming, support, which allows devices connected to the WiFi network to switch between APs (stations) faster, depending on the quality of the WiFi signal. However, older devices may have connectivity problems due to lack of support or compatibility on the 802.11r.

    client side.
    UAP NANO HD scheme Click to enlarge!
    UAP NANO HD scheme

    Configuration and Installation

    The configuration process is virtually identical to that of any other access point from Ubiquiti. You must first download and start installing a UniFi OS Console on your network, then log on to the Ubiquiti controller to start the configuration process. Once the process has started, you must give a name for the controller to enable automatic backups and let the device optimize the settings. If NanoHD is on the same network, it will immediately be detected and adapted.

    Ubiquiti Unifi Nano HD performance test

    The purpose of the tests is to verify the network coverage in Mesh topology both in terms of signal coverage of all rooms and real speeds available in the building.

    For 2.4GHz connections we have assumed the maximum channel width of 40MHz, and for 5GHz the channel width of 80MHz. Ubiquiti Unifi Nano HD can work in 5GHz band with 160MHz channel width, but due to still limited number of terminal devices (phones/laptops) we have omitted these tests now.

    The testing device was the MacBook Pro A1502 equipped with a built-in AirPort Extreme wireless card (Broadcom BCM4360 3x3, 1.3 Gbps PHY) working under 802.11a/b/g/n/ac.

    standards. Network diagram:
    UAP NANO HD network diagram Click to enlarge!
    UAP NANO HD network diagram

    Before the speed tests we verified the maximum performance of the LAN and iperf3 server. The aforementioned laptop was connected with a 10/100/1000Mbps network card to the switch. We obtained the following maximum speeds for a single TCP.

    stream
  • Download:894Mbps
  • Send:958Mbps
  • AccessPoints AP-1 and AP-2 have been connected to each other in Mesh mode only, i.e. only wirelessly.

    1. Measurement by analyzer

    The radio spectrum analyzer measurement of the transmitter's performance characteristics came out very well. The upper part of the frequency has a very low interference factor, and in the low frequency range we can see small interferences on the graph. The ideal characteristics are interfered with by a transmission shift of about 1MHz down, which can have a minimal impact on the maximum radio performance of the NanoHD.

    UAP NANO HD network analyzer diagram Click to enlarge!
    UAP NANO HD network analyzer diagram

    2. Signal map

    The AirSurvey software was used to map the signal. For correct reading of signal levels please pay attention to the color legend at the bottom of the picture. The location of AccesPoints was marked with an appropriate icon and the device on the ground floor was connected to the switch via Ethernet port 1Gbps.

    Click to enlarge!

    Speed test

    • measuring point No. 1
    Download 598Mbps
    nanoHD speed test Click to enlarge!
    nanoHD speed test
    Upload 618Mbps
    nanoHD speed test Click to enlarge!
    nanoHD speed test
    • measuring point No. 2
    Download 568Mbps
    NanoHD speed test Click to enlarge!
    NanoHD speed test
    Upload 601Mbps
    NANO HD speed test Click to enlarge!
    NANO HD speed test
    • measuring point No. 3
    Download 459Mbps
    NANOHD speed test Click to enlarge!
    NANOHD speed test
    Upload 429Mbps
    Click to enlarge!
    • measuring point No. 4
    Download 354Mbps
    Click to enlarge!
    Upload 275Mbps
    UAP-NANOHD speed test Click to enlarge!
    UAP-NANOHD speed test
    • measuring point No. 5
    Download 28Mbps
    nanohd speed test Click to enlarge!
    nanohd speed test
    Upload 41Mbps
    nanohd speed test Click to enlarge!
    nanohd speed test
    • measuring point No. 6
    Download 45Mbps
    Click to enlarge!
    Upload 66Mbps
    speed test Click to enlarge!
    speed test

    At measurement point no. 5, the connection was set up with the device marked on the AP-2 diagram, which operated in MESH mode, i.e. the signal from AP-1 was retransmitted by the AP-2. The measurement in all rooms on the first floor through the AP-2 was limited by the low performance of the Mesh connection, between the AP-1 and AP2. Despite the close distance between the AP-1 and AP2 of about 5m, they are separated by a thick supporting wall and thick ceiling of about 25cm and additionally placed at a sharp angle, which increases the real thickness of the obstacle.

    Conclusions and summary

    Is NanoHD really okay? We can say. - Yes. Despite a poor start Ubiquiti Unifi Nano HD, is definitely a worthy successor to UAP-AC-PRO. The device not only offers us better wireless performance via MU-MIMO 4x4, but also a more compact casing and a bundled PoE adapter. It is also worth mentioning the fundamental changes in the graphical interface of the UniFi OS Console, which definitely influenced the quality. Of course, more and more often and bolder is talking about the new revolutionary Wi-Fi 6 standard, which is just around the corner, but even after the launch of the new NanoHD technology will be a great choice for small and medium businesses for at least the next few years.

    Disadvantages:

  • Every time you change your radio settings, whether they are 5GHz or only 2.4GHz, it forces you to wait "DFS Waiting" again.
  • The characteristics of the built-in antenna in practice do not ensure that it is radiated to all sides, and the metal brackets used influence the formation of the radio beam. At the same time creating a screen narrowing the radio beam and increasing the radiating power.
  • With many wireless networks, adoption via Mesh connection does not always work properly, in which case you should first connect wirelessly, adopt.
  • Positions:

  • High radio performance
  • A simple UniFI ecosystem usage interface
  • AP wall or ceiling mounting bracket
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