Unifi Network Server no longer supports Windows Server?!

[chazzy2501]

A little mis-leading, but the Unifi as a windows service is no longer supported on Windows Server, only windows desktop 10/11...

 

You can still run it in the foreground as an app.... So every reboot, you have to login, run the app and exit BUT not sign out.... This is why I didn't post this as an enterprise software issue..

 

Running the software from a user account profile is awful enough but as a foreground app.. FFS.

 

https://help.ui.com/hc/en-us/articles/205144550-Self-Hosting-a-UniFi-Network-Server-as-a-Windows-Service-Advanced-

[Michael]

I would recommend Cloud Key Gen 2 over Windows/Windows Server installations. Definitely worth the investment.

[localzuk]

Other option is to run a Linux VM with it in. That's what we do.

[Davit2005]

Or run it on Linux, I'd prefer a VM if running a Captive Portal on Unifi as then you have a bit more flexibility and it is easy to backup and copy to another host jus incase. But yep using a Cloud Key at home albeit jus for Unifi Protect at the moment as I have no other Unifi gear in use. Edited October 13, 2023 by Davit2005

[MatthewL]

It runs far better on Linux, I moved our servers over a few years ago now after inheriting a windows setup that gave me nothing but issues.

[chazzy2501]

damn, I just am not familiar with linux.. Don't suppose they have a VM appliance, I've missed

 

Cloud Key 2, is the easy option then, just use a backup of the current windows system on it

[DalekSec]

Linux isn't that scary, plenty of easy guides to follow out there!

 

Cloud keys are great but wouldnt run a large school off of one!

[localzuk]

Setting it up on a Linux VM is quite easy.

 

Basically, install Ubuntu Server - the install process is straightforward.

 

Then follow these:

 

https://help.ui.com/hc/en-us/articles/220066768-Updating-and-Installing-Self-Hosted-UniFi-Network-Servers-Linux-

 

Copy paste a bunch of commands and it does it for you.

 

Then periodically run "sudo apt update; sudo apt dist-upgrade" to get updates for the OS and all installed packages.

[chazzy2501]

bought a cloud key 2+, will see how it goes.

 

EDIT: I swear if they EOL this thing next week, eeeerrrrr.

Edited October 13, 2023 by chazzy2501

[Davit2005]

Removed the battery out of mine. The PoE function failed but it still works with the USB power.

 

Maybe they have improved it, the thing gets quite hot though and is passively cooled.

Edited October 13, 2023 by Davit2005

[MatthewL]

Debian and the Glennr scripts make things easy if you don't know Linux well.

 

Updating the application is so easy to with another script.

[AB_IT]

Setting it up on a Linux VM is quite easy.

 

Basically, install Ubuntu Server - the install process is straightforward.

 

Then follow these:

 

https://help.ui.com/hc/en-us/articles/220066768-Updating-and-Installing-Self-Hosted-UniFi-Network-Servers-Linux-

 

Copy paste a bunch of commands and it does it for you.

 

Then periodically run "sudo apt update; sudo apt dist-upgrade" to get updates for the OS and all installed packages.

We have an Ubuntu server running it at my place. Super easy to install.

 

I'm still a linux noob though so periodically run "sudo apt-get update" "sudo apt-get upgrade"

 

Is this the same command as your "sudo apt dist-upgrade" as I've noticed the Unifi controller isn't upgrading when I do it via my method?

[dmj]

Debian and the Glennr scripts make things easy if you don't know Linux well.

 

Updating the application is so easy to with another script.

 

I fully support configuration as code, but I would be inclined to use a more standardised method than custom bash scripts for installation (they are pretty gnarly !)

 

There's an ansible role for this: https://github.com/kdpuvvadi/unifi

and, more importantly Docker images: https://hub.docker.com/r/linuxserver/unifi-controller

[CrootUK]

Lovely, anyone tried this does it still work? UniFi barely offer support anyway so does it matter lol? Our current controllers are still running fine as services without having to sign in or anything. Edited October 13, 2023 by CrootUK

[XiJ]

I Run it as a docker image (in a Linux Azure VM for customers and at home on a Linux server box)

[localzuk]

Is this the same command as your "sudo apt dist-upgrade" as I've noticed the Unifi controller isn't upgrading when I do it via my method?

The difference between the 2 is that dist-upgrade will install new dependencies and remove old ones if needed for a new version of something. You'd see the difference with new kernels IIRC. When you run apt upgrade you'll often see "The following packages have been kept back" listed - these are things that it can't install as it would involve installing new stuff and/or removing old stuff.

 

Its basically a more thorough upgrade process.

[jthompson]

Isn't dist-upgrade what you'd use to upgrade the OS to the next release (i.e. distro upgrade).

 

I tend to use apt update and apt upgrade rather than apt-get. Can't remember what the difference is but I did find that it works better.

 

The unifi repo sometimes needs to be adjusted when a newer version of the controller gets released, and I think apt update will catch that whereas apt-get update doesn't necessarily.