When standalone, their web and command line interfaces offer more control than what's available within Omada. On the fully managed switches, they add DHCP server, QoS, storm control, TACACS+/RADIUS authentication, DoS protection, port mirroring, sFlow, and other features. In standalone mode they're more like Ubiquiti's EdgeSwitches than UniFi switches. It's nice they have this flexibility, but it would be even nicer if these features were all present in the Omada controller. Frequently asked questions of Omada SDN solution related to upgrading and management 07-20-2021 59246 Despite the few issues I've run into, overall Omada competes pretty well. It’s cheaper than the alternatives, and mostly keeps up on features. The controller, access points, and switches all work well. If you go for an Omada router, be aware of it's limitations and be ready to accept them or work around them. If you use Omada switches and wireless access points with a 3rd party firewall, I think you get the best of both worlds. That lines up with my feelings about UniFi and Instant On, which doesn’t even offer a router.

Omada is aimed at users who want more than an all-in-one router provides, or aren't satisfied with the limited options and features of most mesh Wi-Fi systems. Omada is also aimed at IT professionals, MSPs, and businesses. Omada is a good option for most basic needs, but it doesn't cover the level of features you get on expensive enterprise equipment with pricy licensing or support contracts. It lives in the middle ground.How to manage EAPs in different subnets using Omada controller (via EAP Discover Utility) (Old UI) 06-28-2022 86124 The UniFi Network Application is mostly intuitive and setting up the basics is easy, but building a UniFi network requires research. You'll probably end up searching their community forums or subreddit for help at some point. If you don't like to tinker, Instant On is the better option. If you do like to tinker or you're an MSP or small business, UniFi networks cover a wide variety of needs. If you're interested in more detail on UniFi, see all of my posts in my Ubiquiti Guide. How to install LDAP server on Windows and work with Omada Router to achieve unified account management 02-02-2023 17202

Design wise, all Omada APs are made of white plastic, with minimal branding and an LED status light. The new EAP615-Wall looks and feels nice, making it a good fit for a hotel room or a place in your house which needs better Wi-Fi coverage and a few Ethernet ports. The outdoor model I tested was the EAP225-Outdoor, which looks suspiciously like the UniFi AC-Mesh. Where Omada falls down in the design department is with their new omnidirectional APs like the EAP610 or EAP660HD. These are truly massive in every dimension, and filled with a lot of empty space. I can't say I'm a fan of the new design, especially compared to the unique style they had for the 100 and 200 series.Instant On uses a simple numbering scheme, where AP22 offers more than AP12, and a 1960 series switch offers more than an 1830. UniFi mostly uses names and structures things into tiers. The UniFi Switch Enterprise 24 PoE has more features than the Switch 24 PoE.There are a lot of models in those ecosystems, but it's mostly straightforward to understand what they are and how they relate to each other. There are many areas where Omada is strong, but also many areas which need some improvement. You'll occasionally run into features which only do the bare minimum, and either can't be configured how you need them to be, or simply don't work. That's not unique to Omada, and it's common in this tier of networking device. Guidance and precautions for the upgrade and data migration of Omada Controller/OC200 08-03-2021 48012 Omada is a software-defined networking ecosystem of routers, switches, and wireless access points. The Omada Controller is software that controls all Omada devices, allowing for a single place to configure them all. The software can run on one of TP-Link's dedicated hardware appliances, and TP-Link is about to release a cloud-based option, removing the need for local hardware. The software is also available for free, and can be installed on any Windows or Linux PC or server. Under the hood it runs on Java and MongoDB, just like UniFi. The Instant On cloud management software doesn't offer a ton of settings or customization, but it offers enough to cover most networks. For some, the cloud-only management is a feature, for some it is a bug. I have no problem recommending Instant On if you’re OK with it’s limitations. If you're interested in more detail, see my Aruba Instant On Overview from last year. Ubiquiti UniFi

Omada devices can be added to your CBC in factory reset mode, and make sure they have access to the Internet. How to configure the WLAN Group function on Omada Controller (V3 or below version) 03-04-2022 52564API and Code Sample for RADIUS Server with External Web Portal (Omada Controller 3.1.4 to 3.2.17) 07-06-2023 38011

Unlike UniFi and Instant On, Omada equipment can operate on their own. All Omada equipment can be setup without the Omada Controller software, using their own web or command line interfaces. TP-Link calls this standalone mode. Some of their equipment has features that are only available in standalone mode, but for the most part, all the devices are fully featured with or without the Omada software running. The main exception is some layer 3 features on their JetStream switches, more on those later. You can use this method if you have a small number of devices, or if you have devices already running in the standalone mode. After licenses are assigned, CBC will continue to adopt the devices, and after a period of time, the devices’ status will eventually become Connected. During this time, your devices may reboot, or you may lose Internet connection, which is normal. What is the function we can configure when the switch is managed by Omada SDN Controller? 03-17-2022 51262 What's the difference between the Master Administrator, Administrator and Viewer accounts in the Omada Controller? 04-12-2023 16285

What to do if The Omada Controller Will Not Start in a Windows System (Controller 4.1.5 or above) 07-06-2023 63402