In Tech Install Phase 2, I shared the process of installing a proper network rack. Our smart home nerve center if you will.

So, What's the Problem?

You may recall that my primary frustration with the setup as pictured above is that the ONT isn't plugged directly into the Unifi Dream Machine Pro. It's plugged into the primary access point, a DZS 1664WC. That is managed with the Plume HomePass app. It's a serviceable WiFi network management app. It isn't as fully featured or as smart as I'd like it to be. There's also the fact that we were paying $12/mo to rent the two access points.

UNIFIcation of our WiFi Network

The brains of our home network is the Unifi Dream Machine Pro, supported by a Standard Switch 16 POE. I wanted to replace the rented access points with a Unifi solution as well. I chose the U6 Pro WiFi 6 Access Point. While I wanted to future proof and go with the U7 Pro and U7 Pro Wall (I really wanted the paintable face cover), there's a fair amount of commentary about WiFi 7 not handling IoT devices well. WiFi 6 it is, for now. These can be easily swapped out for the U7 Pro when the time comes.

I started by replacing the main DZS 1664WC Access Point with a U7 Pro. The other access point was already unplugged because I needed to prepare the space for the new media console to be delivered. I installed the U7 Pro right behind the network rack on one of the wall studs. After connecting a CAT6 Ethernet cable to the Standard Switch 16 POE, I started the Unifi device adoption process and in a few minutes was up and running.

You might have noticed the rack is a little cleaner now too. No more messy cables draped over the front of the rack because the ONT connects to the Access Point, then to the Unifi Dream Machine Pro. Now there's space for the next addition to the rack.

Adding Another Switch

I ran the CAT6 cable that was previously connected to the second DZS 1664WC Access Point to a Unifi Lite 8 POE. I then ran a shorter CAT6 cable to a second U6 Pro and adopted the second access point. After updating the WiFi network name to match the old WiFi network name, everything reconnected and we were up and running.

The above view was temporary. I ordered new HDMI 2.1 cables and the Panasonic DP-UB420-K 4K Blu-Ray player to finish out the living room tech. Then I cleaned up the wires. There's access to be able to run wire into the drawers which made for a much cleaner install of the Unifi Lite 8 POE. For now, the U6 Pro is on top of the media console, but I may wall mount it soon.

Home Assistant Install

I'll share more details in a follow up post. One of the main reasons for upgrading the nerve center of our smart home is because I wanted to control everything with Home Assistant. One the Unifi equipment was installed and dialed in the way I wanted it, I started expanding our smart home devices and capabilities. The first step was installing the plug and play Home Assistant Green. Plug in the power adapter, connect it to your network, download the app, follow the setup instructions, and you're up and running in a matter of minutes. My dashboard is a mess because I'm still adding devices and creating automations, but I'll soon delve into the beautification and improved UI of custom dashboards.

Zigbee, Z-Wave, Matter, and Thread, Oh My

Dongle time. I installed a Powered USB Hub 3.0 that I could place on top of my network rack to minimize signal disruption. I added a Home Assistant Connect ZBT-1 that I purchased from TECH.SUPPLY21 on Amazon to control Zigbee and Thread devices and a GoControl CECOMINOD016164 HUSBZB-1 for Z-Wave devices.

Another Smart Home Hub

The last addition to the brains of the system for now is an Aqara Smart Hub M2. It sits alongside the two Philips Hue Hubs. In a future post, I'll share all the sensors I've been adding and some of the automations I'm using it to power. Needless to say I took advantage of some Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales.

That's it for now. There's been lots of activity since these goodies were added. I'll share those in a new smart home series soon.