I am hoping some Unifi experts on here can help direct me as the best way to start to integrate my new gear.
As of last week I got a Unifi Cloud Gateway Max and a U6+ AP to replace my aging 3 puck original Google Wifi gear. It was AC Wave 1 and I had 70+ connected devices with a large portion (60+) of that being Wifi. I was waited until now mainly because I wanted to see a significant upgrade in terms of lan and wireless speed and I think with current tech we are there. The Cloud Gateway Max supports 2.5gbe on all of it's ports and and do multigig wan connectivity if I ever need it. It also supports several of the Unifi applications like protect, access, connect, ect.
So right now it is just doing wifi and handling it well. I am also planning on having it replace the cameras I have at home. These consist mainly of Arlo, and a few Eufy cameras.
So the question becomes where to start to integrate all of this with Hubitat. I guess the first question is can it be done and if so, is it worth it. Then assuming the answer to that question is positive what are the go to integrations right now to perform the integration. I searched and found a few different integrations, but from my glances it was hard to tell how complete they were or if they were even current. It seemed the most complete options were from @snell , but that was hard to tell for sure.
Mainly I am just looking for a little help to get started on the best starting path as things are right now.
Just a question what would you expect from integration in Hubitat to Unifi? I tend to think that my network layer should be secure and anything that isn't part of that platform would open up an attack surface or introduce unexpected consequences.
Great question and great point, and that is part of what I am not sure about. I just know there are some integrations out there so finding out what they can and can't do is part of what i am trying to figure out. Probably just as important is if it is even a good option to do it.
I guess just off the cuff maybe something like getting stats into a device in Hubitat to externalize statistical data. Or maybe the ability to control POE ports for devices. The key here is I really don't know what the abilities or options are. I just know there are integrations out there. There is also Unifi protect which i will certainly be using once I get cameras to replace the Arlos. How well does it work and what functions does a integration for Unifi Protect give.
To specifically respond to your point above though I think my expectation is that data would come from the Unifi system to Hubitat. I can't see many occasions were Hubitat would send requests back to the Unifi system to do things.
POE control is a good use case as long as security can be maintained. As for logging data from my Unifi controller I send it to InfluxDB so I can graph it out in Grafana.
General rule is to use the right platform for the right purpose. Hubitat may be able to collect data but in my home its primary purpose is to run automations, and I output anything analytical to InfluxDB/Grafana.
Totally understood and I tend to agree to use the right tool for the job. But I still would like to know what the integrations for Unifi provide. I use Grafana and InfluxDB myself for that reason as well.
It is just hard to know what is the right tool if you don't know what is available in the first place.
I have a simple Unifi system with one AP and the controller app on a Linux server, so I guess I am also interested in what Hubitat integration can do for me. I can't really think of anything I want to accomplish but maybe there's a cool opportunity I had not considered.
The Protect integration(s) are useful for home automation. I use mine mostly for doorbell notifications. The network stuff is probably less useful. Presence is a good potential use. Most other tasks IMO are probably done better more directly in the Network app, which is pretty good these days. Both @snell and @tomw are responsive to requests/support questions.
I use the Protect integration from tomw to get doorbell notifications when my G4 doorbell is pressed. Via the integration, the doorbell shows as a button in Hubitat. Given that, I have a notification in the Notifications app that plays "Someone is at the Front Door!!" on my Echo devices (via an Echo Speaks zone) when the doorbell is pressed.
Other than that, I don't really find the need for any other UniFi integrations.
I finally bit the bullet and installed @snell s driver packs. I got it working and got the presence working. I agree there is allot there that isn't likely to be that useful for home automation
Are there any pros/cons to either of them there seems to be a fair amount of overlap.
I also went and looked at the repo for the very top option on that page by JoKneeMo and it appears to be based on @tomw drivers and such, but wrapped in a app. I just can't find anything about it other than the fact it is in HPM
I did not realize there were so many integrations now... Then again I do not use HPM. I can really only talk to my drivers (obviously) but there are a lot of features. Most I needed or have been asked to add.
To give a quick sample for my Network drivers:
Presence Detection - which you already got, but for others reading it let's you detect the network status (and thus, for wifi devices likely whether they are on the network) of any device on the network (wired or wireless)
Client Check - was a request so users could check if networked devices were "live" or not, but did not need to be as often as presence
PoE Port Control - I have a bunch of diy devices that get power by PoE supplies. It gives me a way to POPO them if I need to.
Outlet Control - Ubiquiti has a pretty decent plug and 6 outlet power strip, as well as some rack mount power strips. You can turn them on/off.
General Status - I can check my network devices on the same dashboard with my Hubitat. Temperature, power usage, alerts, whatever.
For the Protect drivers:
Sensors/Alerts - All the sensor/alert information can be used, including cameras that do motion detection.
Images - Can see images in my Hubitat dashboard.
PTZ control - Can control my PTZ camera, as an example of a Hubitat-connected sensor detects something I can turn the camera to it's location
General control - basic taking pictures from cameras, controlling the on/off for the floodlight, etc....
General Status - Like the Network drivers.
I also have Unifi Connect drivers... But the Network and Protect are the main ones people use.
I've only used @snell's and @tomw's. Both worked for me and both developers are active in support of the drivers. Protect has a lot of changes in EA, I think both drivers need to be updated.
I have 5 unifi ap's in the house and run control center from a container on my NAS. Personally I'm not a fan of the gateway (not disparaging it, simply not for me). I use a Watchguard for my primary firewall. That said, I really don't find a need to to integrate the lan security with hubitat. I have several types of dashboards that are native to Watchguard that give me live running updates if I want them (really I only do that if there is a problem).
I have yet to come up with much of a reason to integrate Hubitat with my UniFi network devices (no protect cameras for me).
I did try using WiFi presence detection at one point, but was surprised to see there was a lag in the arrival triggering so I didn’t end up continuing to use it.
I have all my UniFI network gear on my hub. I haven't found any benefit from the integration.
The one thing I do have is POE powering my hub from a UniFI POE switch. That switch is on an UPS, so my hub is UPS protected.
