28 May 2020

UDM FaceTime Issues

I have a habit, for better or worse, of spending [possibly too much] time on Reddit. It’s so easy to get lost scrolling through articles and comments on just about every topic.

I’ve recently started to follow the r/Ubiquiti sub-reddit and this was something that I found there. Some people report having issues using Apple’s FaceTime over their UDM based Unifi environment, whereas others seems to have no such issues. So take this suggestion at face value and use it if you need it…


Open your UDM’s controller in your browser.

Navigate to: Settings -> Wi-Fi -> Wi-Fi Networks -> Edit each of your network(s).

Scroll down to 802.11 RATE AND BEACON CONTROLS.

Set each network to use these settings:

  • Enable Override DTIM Period.
  • Set DTIM 2G Period to 3.
  • Set DTIM 5G Period to 3.
  • Save your changes.
  • Enable Auto Optimize Network.

Your iOS devices should now work and stay on 5G.

26 May 2020

DuckDNS on UDM

Updated on 4/09/2022: There was a change in the way the DuckDNS settings get entered in the UDM.


I have set up my Ubiquiti Dream Machine (UDM) and I am loving it. I’m diving into all of the settings that I can configure on my home network and one of the first things I’m setting up is Dynamic DNS (DDNS). This will allow me to reach my device/network remotely, regardless of the IP address that it has been assigned by my ISP.

The UDM can work with lots of different DDNS providers to accomplish this. Some DDNS services are free, whereas many are paid services. A quick google search will show you all the various sites that offer DDNS services. In this article, I am only going to cover how to use DuckDNS which is a free DDNS provider. Note: If you do use their service, I encourage you to support and donate to DuckDNS through any of the links at the bottom of their site.


Open your web browser and go to: https://www.duckdns.org/

Log into their site using your credentials from one of these sites: Twitter, GitHub, Reddit, or Google.

In the center of the page there is a spot to create a DuckDNS subdomain. This is where you will enter the unique name that you would like to use for your network, then click the green “add domain” button.

You will see your subdomain listed below.

In the upper part of the DuckDNS page, you should see a token listed.
Copy this token for later.

In your browser, open up your Unifi Contoller.

On your controller go to “Settings” -> “Advanced Features” -> “Advanced Gateway Settings” -> “Dynamic DNS”

UDM Dynamic DNS

Click on the button to “Create New Dynamic DNS”.
Enter the following settings:

  • interface: WAN
  • service: dyndns
  • hostname: <YourSubdomain>
  • username: nouser
  • password: nopassword
  • server: www.duckdns.org/update?domains=%h&token=<YourDuckDNStoken>

–For hostname, it is just going to be the subdomain name you created on DuckDNS. This field will not include the ‘.duckdns.org’ part at the end.
–For server, replace <YourDuckDNStoken> with your own token from your DuckDNS page.

Then click on “Done” button to save your settings.

UDM Dynamic DNS settings
26 May 2020

My Ubiquiti Network

Ubiquiti makes some interesting gear and they are quite well known for their disrupting the status quo by offering top-notch grade network and wifi devices. Their gear ranges from prosumer to enterprise-grade. Depending on how far down the rabbit hole you go, it can become a bit of an expensive eco-system that you are buying into. On the plus side, if you ever decide to leave any Ubiquiti, it shouldn’t be hard to resell the gear as they have a large community of followers.

I was leaving one job and starting another and decided that it was time to upgrade my home network to allow for some more diverse home-lab options. I decided to jump on the Ubiquiti bandwagon and set-up on their Unifi product line. Being new to Ubiquiti and Unifi I have a lot to learn!

I’m starting off my Unifi environment with a Ubiquiti Dream Machine (UDM), a Unifi 8-port POE switch (US-8-60W), and a Unifi AP (UAP-AC-Lite). I’m starting small. 😂 But who knows how large it’ll grow!


Here are some things I’ve setup in my Unifi environment….