Ubiquiti UDM-SE router and security gateway, 8 × RJ-45 up to 2.5G, SFP+, rack

The UDM-SE combines two roles that small networks often split across separate devices. As a router, it directs traffic between the internet and the internal network and shares the connection with every device. As a security gateway, it sits at the network edge and decides which traffic may enter and leave. One central device means fewer cables, fewer power supplies and a single place to manage network rules.

The eight RJ-45 ports support 10, 100, 1000 and 2500 Mbit/s. A 2.5 gigabit link is two and a half times faster than standard gigabit and runs over ordinary Cat5e or better cabling, so existing wiring does not need replacing. The ports suit direct connections to computers, a NAS, switches and access points; the manufacturer lists the speeds for the LAN ports as a group.

The SFP+ cage takes an interchangeable module chosen to match the connection: a fiber optic module for longer distances or a direct attach cable to a nearby switch. The SFP+ standard supports speeds of up to 10 Gbit/s, so the port works both as the input for fiber internet and as a fast link to the core switch without occupying any of the RJ-45 ports.

The rack mountable chassis goes into a server cabinet next to switches and other network gear, keeping cabling tidy and the device out of reach of accidental bumps. It weighs 4.26 kg and is meant for continuous operation in a cabinet rather than on a desk. A cabinet also makes it easier to organize cooling and backup power for the whole network.

Because the UDM-SE has no radio, it also has no mesh support or MU-MIMO; those features belong to access points. A server cabinet usually sits in a basement or utility room where wireless coverage would be poor anyway. Separate access points mount on the ceiling or wall right where people work, and more can be added as the building grows.

Small and mid-sized offices whose network is built around a server rack; homes and apartment associations with structured cabling and several access points; and IT installers who want one central device for routing and network protection, a fast SFP+ uplink and eight 2.5 gigabit ports.