Ubiquiti’s AmpliFi is more than a common home router, it’s the ultimate Wi-Fi system. With turbocharged 802.11ac Wi-Fi, AmpliFi utilises multiple self-configuring radios and advanced antenna technology to bring ubiquitous Wi-Fi coverage to any home.
The AmpliFi Wi-Fi solution links to your smartphone using Bluetooth LE, making the setup of your Wi-Fi router quick and intuitive through the smartphone app. Your Wi-Fi router is no longer something to hide as its sleek design, thanks to the input of a renowned industrial designer, allows it to readily fit into and complement any office or home environment.
The AmpliFi series consists of a base router with a WAN port and four LAN ports, and an attractive touchscreen LED display. The addition of an AmpliFi App for Apple and Android devices adds to its ease of use, by allowing users to set up and manage the router and all attached devices remotely. The app also allows administrators to track ISP and system performance, obtained throughput readings and test ISP speeds at any time.
Furthermore, the MeshPoint HD technology allows the user to add mesh repeaters on to the base router to provide extended signal in larger houses or small offices. The result is enhanced signal integrity, regardless of whether one is using a connected device close to the router source or at a reasonable distance away from the router, within the same building.
“Mesh networking allows the router to maintain long-range performance without the addition of the bulky and unsightly antennas on all sides of the unit, normally required to achieve a strong signal. This results in the unit retaining a compact footprint slightly larger than a few packs of playing cards stacked on top of one another, while the heavy lifting is relegated to up to 10 plug-in mesh repeaters that can be distributed throughout a small building in the areas where one uses the network the most,” says Marco de Ru, Chief Technical Officer at MiRO.
He points out that not only does the Ubiquiti AmpliFi unit have 1.750 Gbps throughput but it also includes the latest 80.211AC Wi-Fi technology. This produces high throughput and with internet fibre speeds for home users constantly increasing, this router exceeds those requirements.
Du Ru explains that the AmpliFi is a 3x3 MIMO unit, with multiple antennas, thereby providing a superior range and increased speed of throughput. The unit seamlessly plugs into any common power outlet, thus eliminating the need for messy wires.
When the router is used in a home or small office environment, a number of devices can be connected, monitored and managed via the AmpliFi app. This means that one no longer needs to log into that specific device via the web. A user’s connection to the router can also be suspended at any time if required by the system administrator.
The administrator can set up user profiles or groups and place other user groups into quiet mode by assignment. Guest access, in for example bed and breakfast establishments, is available and allows the administrator to assign an unlimited number of users to a device, without the guest having access to sensitive information, thereby enhancing security of the system. Specified time periods can be set to ensure that guests remain connected for the duration of their stay but are automatically disconnected form the system once they are due for checkout.
The AmpliFi supports up to 10 extra antennas on a single network. However, it is interesting to note that the HD model can cover up to 1 800 m2 using only two mesh repeaters.