Installation Guide

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Installation Guide

Phase 1: The Core (Home Office)

1. Placement: Install the UniFi gateway, managed PoE switch, and UPS on a shelf or in a small rack with airflow. Avoid closed drawers.
2. Order of Operations:
   • Wall Fiber Jack → Modem/ONT
   • Modem → UniFi Gateway (WAN Port)
   • UniFi Gateway (LAN Port) → Managed PoE Switch (Port 1)
   • All other devices (Workstation, Plex, Printer, wall jacks to other rooms) → Managed Switch
3. Controller + Plex Config: Adopt the gateway in the UniFi Network controller (it runs on the UDM-SE). Reserve a fixed IP (DHCP reservation) for the Plex machine so internal routing stays stable. Create the VLANs (Main / IoT / Cameras / Guest) and the SSID-to-VLAN mappings here.

Phase 2: The Cabling (Infrastructure)

1. Run Cat6a from the Office 16-Port switch to the:
   • Living Room Media Center
   • Master Bedroom TV wall
   • Garage (near an exterior wall facing the driveway)
2. Terminate all ends to T568B standard (industry standard color code).
3. Test every line. A simple $15 cable tester saves hours of debugging later.

Phase 3: Bedroom & Living Room Setup

1. Connect the wall jack to the local 5-port or 8-port switch.
2. Hardwire Everything: Connect the TV, Google TV Streamer, and Console to the switch.
3. Access Point: Connect the UniFi AP to the switch (PoE from the core switch, or a PoE injector).
   • Note: The UniFi controller shows the AP on a wired uplink once cabled. This is the key configuration for full-speed wired backhaul, replacing the temporary wireless uplink.

Phase 4: The Driveway Bridge (The Hard Part)

1. Transmitter (House): Mount the NanoStation on the garage exterior. It must have Line of Sight (LOS) to the gate. Run ethernet from the Garage Switch → PoE Injector → NanoStation.
2. Receiver (Gate): Mount the second NanoStation at the gate.
3. Alignment: These are directional. You can't just point them "roughly." Use the LED indicators on the back or the UISP mobile app to fine-tune the alignment until signal strength is between -50dBm and -60dBm.
4. Configuration:
   • Set Wireless Mode to PtP (Point-to-Point)
   • Set Channel Width to 40MHz
   • Select a static Frequency in the UNII-3 Band (e.g., 5800 MHz) to avoid fighting your home Wi-Fi

Phase 5: The Gate Enclosure

1. Mount the NEMA 4X box on the gate post.
2. Inside the box, mount the Industrial Switch and the PoE injectors for the Camera and Outdoor AP.
3. Seal it: Use "drip loops" on cables entering the box to prevent water from running down the wire into the electronics.

Tools Required

• Cable crimper and RJ45 ends
• Cable tester
• Drill with appropriate bits
• Cable fish tape or pull rods
• Cable ties and velcro straps
• Label maker
• Screwdrivers and basic hand tools

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