In the relentless pursuit of a perfectly connected world, one of the most persistent challenges for network installers and tech enthusiasts has been the "last-meter" problem: how to get a robust, high-speed network connection to a device in a location where running an Ethernet cable is impractical, expensive, or outright impossible. Ubiquiti Networks, a leader in professional networking gear, has just unveiled a powerful solution that aims to make this headache a thing of the past.
Meet the new Ubiquiti UDB Switch, a versatile and rugged networking device that acts as a high-performance wireless bridge for your wired equipment. This isn't just a simple dongle; it's a fully-featured, weather-resistant switch designed to bring both power and data to the farthest reaches of your network.
More Than a Bridge: Power and Data, Delivered Wirelessly
At its core, the UDB Switch's primary mission is to connect wired-only devices to your main network over Wi-Fi. Imagine security cameras, access points, or industrial controllers installed on a detached garage, at the far end of a warehouse, or high up on a light pole. The UDB Switch eliminates the need for complex trenching or long cable runs by leveraging a powerful built-in Wi-Fi radio.
But Ubiquiti didn't stop there. Understanding that many of these remote devices also require power, they built in a robust Power over Ethernet (PoE) system. The switch can deliver up to 185 watts of total power budget to connected devices across its eight RJ45 ports, supporting both standard PoE and the more powerful PoE+ (IEEE 802.3at) standard with up to 30 watts per port. This means you can directly power cameras, phones, and other PoE-enabled devices without needing a separate power injector or outlet at the remote location.
A crucial note for power users: While the switch's capabilities are impressive, Ubiquiti includes only a 60-watt power supply in the box. This limits the available power for connected devices to just 35 watts (after accounting for the switch's own 25-watt consumption). For anyone planning to max out the PoE capabilities, investing in the optional 210-watt power supply ($79) is essential.
High-Speed Connectivity for Demanding Applications
The UDB Switch is built for speed, ensuring that your wirelessly connected devices don't become a bottleneck. It features a strategic mix of ports to handle various bandwidth needs:
- One 10GbE Port: This high-speed port can serve as a powerful uplink to your main network switch or be used for a single device requiring immense bandwidth.
- Seven 2.5GbE Ports: The remaining ports comply with the IEEE 802.3bz standard, providing multi-gigabit speeds that are more than sufficient for most modern cameras, access points, and workstations.
This tiered approach future-proofs your installation, allowing you to prioritize speed where it's needed most without overspending on ports you don't require.
Cutting-Edge Wi-Fi 7 for a Rock-Solid Backhaul
The magic of the wireless bridge happens thanks to the UDB's integrated Wi-Fi unit, which is ready for the next generation of wireless technology. It supports the latest Wi-Fi 7 standard (802.11be), alongside backward compatibility with 802.11a/n/ac/ax. It operates across the 6 GHz, 5 GHz, and 2.4 GHz bands (noting that legacy 802.11b/g is not supported), providing flexibility and a reliable, high-throughput connection back to your network core.
For advanced security, it also includes support for the modern WPA3 protocol, ensuring your wireless bridge is not a weak link in your network's defense.
Built for the Real World
Ubiquiti has designed the UDB Switch with deployment in mind. It features a small, non-touch status display for quick, on-site diagnostics without needing to connect to a software controller. Most notably, its operating temperature range of -30 to +40°C makes it uniquely suited for harsh environments, from unheated warehouses in the winter to industrial settings. (A small caveat: the optional 210W power supply is only rated for temperatures above freezing.)
Ready to eliminate your network's dead zones? You can find more details and purchase the Ubiquiti UDB Switch directly from their store for just over $299.
Get the Ubiquiti UDB Switch here (EU Store)
Get the Ubiquiti UDB Switch here (US Store)
The Final Verdict
The Ubiquiti UDB Switch is a highly specialized tool that solves a very specific set of problems with remarkable elegance and power. By combining a multi-gigabit switch, a high-wattage PoE power source, and a Wi-Fi 7 bridge into a single, environmentally hardened unit, Ubiquiti has created an indispensable solution for network professionals tackling challenging installations. While the need for an optional power supply to unlock its full potential is a minor drawback, the overall package offers incredible value and flexibility for anyone looking to cut the cord without compromising on performance.