JL WiFi and Network Solutions

05/06/2026

27/05/2026

We’ve just completed a full Unifi network and Protect installation at this beautiful home in Worcestershire. The AI capabilities within the G6 cameras are genuinely brilliant, providing a level of detail and smart detection that really stands out. We’re also really impressed with the Protect app, as its clean and intuitive interface makes it incredibly easy for the homeowners to keep an eye on things from anywhere.

For the Wi-Fi, a single centrally mounted U7 Pro is doing the heavy lifting, delivering 6GHz Wi-Fi to every corner of the property.

We also made sure to link the separate double garage with a physical CAT6 cable, so the connection there is just as fast and reliable as it is in the house. It’s a great bit of future-proofing, especially since the space is set to become a dedicated cinema room and gym. We also provided the fibre circuit for this installation via our sister ISP company, Orbicomm, delivering a whopping 1Gbps connection. This allows us to offer a fully managed, personalised, and high-end service that ensures the broadband is just as robust as the internal network. It's all about providing a seamless experience from the point the fibre enters the building to the devices in your hand.

The equipment installed in the garage is 'temporary correct'. We will eventually house the equipment in a cabinet or cupboard. I just wanted to photograph the choice of equipment used and get the install functional.

23/05/2026

We've just finished installing a UniFi Intercom at our own front door because we were tired of missing visitors with standard smart doorbells. While most systems rely entirely on app notifications that often fail in patchy signal areas, the UniFi Intercom actually rings your phone as a direct call. It’s a game-changer for those moments when you're out and about with a slow 4G connection; you'll still get that call even if your data is struggling.

The real beauty of this setup is the seamless integration into our daily lives, especially when we are behind the wheel. Being able to answer a doorbell call safely while driving means we never miss a delivery or a guest. Plus, because we've paired it with a UniFi Access Hub, we can remotely open the garage door for couriers from anywhere in the world. It is a premium solution, especially if you aren't already using Ubiquiti kit, but it is as close to bulletproof as you can get.

There is nothing more frustrating than knowing someone is at the door but being unable to communicate because of a poor signal or a delayed notification. By moving away from consumer-grade doorbells to this more robust intercom system, we've eliminated that guesswork entirely. It provides a level of reliability that standard Wi-Fi doorbells simply can't match, ensuring our home stays connected and accessible regardless of where we happen to be.

To make things even better, we've utilised the UniFi Access OS to link the entire system with Home Assistant. This has allowed us to connect the intercom directly to our Sonos speakers, so we get a clear audible alert throughout the whole house whenever someone is at the door. It’s these kinds of high-end, personalised integrations that really show the power of a fully managed UniFi ecosystem.

Obviously, a bit of mortar repair required, here. I had to drill with a 1m long drill bit at a very steep angle to get the location I wanted.

20/05/2026

We’ve recently finished an install of the new Gen 4 Starlink kit at a farm that had been struggling with woeful fixed-line broadband for years. While the lead times for the kit have increased considerably lately, with this particular order taking nearly a month to arrive, the jump in performance made the wait well worth it. It’s always satisfying to see such a dramatic change in connectivity for a client who has been held back by slow speeds for so long.

To make the most of the new connection, we coupled the Starlink with a Unifi network solution. This allowed us to distribute the high-speed signal reliably across the farmhouse and into several neighbouring buildings. The customer was completely blown away by the results, especially after years of enduring download speeds below 15Mbps and uploads of just 2Mbps.

Our work at the farm isn't quite finished yet, as we’ll be heading back early next month to expand the coverage further. The next phase involves installing an external access point to provide seamless Wi-Fi and Wi-Fi calling across the external farmyard space. It’s a great example of how modern satellite technology and robust networking can completely transform a rural business.

14/05/2026

We’ve just completed another wall-to-wall Wi-Fi installation that covers the entire property, including the garden. Previously, the Virgin broadband router was tucked away in a corner of the front room, which meant the signal was struggling to reach the opposite side of the house, particularly the upstairs bedrooms. To fix this, we relocated the feed and installed a centrally mounted Wi-Fi 7 Unifi access point to ensure a strong, reliable connection throughout every single room.

For the brain of the network, we switched the Virgin router into modem mode and connected it to a Unifi Dream Machine. This setup is significantly more powerful and feature-rich than a standard ISP router, offering advanced security and a built-in VPN for secure remote access. As our client is quite a tech enthusiast, we knew they’d appreciate the detailed dashboard that provides deep insights and plenty of powerful features to play with.

The coverage didn’t stop at the back door. We also installed a U7 outdoor access point in the garden, which now provides seamless connectivity across the lawn and into the garden room. It is the perfect solution for working from home or streaming music while enjoying the outdoor space, ensuring there are no more frustrating dead zones regardless of where you are on the property. 🏡

09/05/2026

Lots of our clients ask how we hide our cabling if our Wi-Fi access points are cabled. There are lots of methods that we use. For this install, we hid some cabling behind a down pipe on the gable end of a property. Hardly noticeable unless you were looking for it.

CableManagement

08/05/2026

We’ve just wrapped up another UniFi Protect installation, and this time we opted for the UNVR to manage the system. It’s a brilliant piece of kit that provides dedicated storage and processing power, ensuring that high-definition footage is handled smoothly without putting strain on the wider network. The reliability it offers for long-term recording is exactly why we recommend it for clients who need a dependable security solution.

The UniFi Protect app remains a standout feature for us and our clients. The interface is incredibly clean and intuitive, making it a breeze to scroll through the timeline and playback specific events almost instantly. On this particular project, which was a beautiful new build, we spent a significant amount of time on the cabling to ensure the entire install was as discreet and sympathetic to the property's design as possible.

However, it hasn't been without its frustrations, as UniFi stock levels in the UK continue to be a bit of a headache. Being restricted to ordering just a single G6 Turret Ultra from the official store is far from ideal when you're trying to kitting out a full site. We’ve also decided to move away from the official back boxes due to the eye-watering pricing; instead, we’re trialling some aftermarket alternatives. The build quality feels solid, so we’re confident they’ll do the job perfectly.

06/05/2026

Moving and dabbling with some single mode fibre termination points at a farm, being developed, in Warwickshire. Love the little Excel fibre breakout boxes.

03/05/2026

As an installer, I’m often asked what the most complex network I work on is. To be honest, the most complicated network I have the pleasure of working on is actually my own! It can catch me out sometimes because I honestly can’t remember half the experiments I’ve started or the specific policies I’ve put in place until I run into them myself. 😖

Currently, I’m running about 5 VLANs with firewall rules strictly controlling communication between them. I host several remotely accessible servers, use a WireGuard VPN to tunnel back into the house, and have implemented Intrusion Detection and Prevention Systems (IDS/IPS) to keep an eye on any "bad actors" trying to poke at those open ports. I also do quite a bit of content filtering for the kids and use Quality of Service (QoS) rules to make sure my business calls don't get dropped when someone else starts a heavy download. On the hardware side, I’ve got Link Aggregation (LAG) running between my switches, local DNS records for faster internal navigation, and a full failover system for my internet so that if my primary fibre goes down, the backup kicks in instantly.

My home and business setup is essentially my lab and my playground. To be fair, the only reason it’s this complex is so that I can experiment and ensure I can fulfil the requirements of different customer requests. We get a lot of unique requests regarding networking capabilities, and it is vital that we know we can deliver a rock-solid solution before we invest a client’s money into it. My home lab was also a huge help when I was studying for my networking certs, and it continues to be the place where I break things so that I don't break them on-site!

Its a state, I know. This is just some of the kit in my loft space.

24/04/2026

We’ve just come to the end of another substantial UniFi installation, and there is something incredibly satisfying about seeing a 48-port POE switch lit up and ready for action. While we won't be around to see the final cabinet dressing completed, the foundation is solid and the infrastructure is built to handle heavy traffic without breaking a sweat. It’s always a pleasure to see these racks come together, knowing they’ll be the backbone of a reliable network for years to come.

The connectivity for this site was provided by our sister company, Orbicomm, who supplied the incoming line. By leveraging Orbicomm’s fully managed and personalised high-end broadband service, we’ve ensured this client has a seamless transition from the street to the server room. It’s this tight integration between high-speed connectivity and robust hardware that allows us to deliver such consistent results for our clients.

We also deployed several UniFi access points across the site, using specialised skins to help them blend perfectly into the dark ceilings. The aesthetic is sleek and unobtrusive, but the performance is as powerful as ever. Because we work within the UniFi ecosystem, we have the peace of mind that we can support this company remotely whenever required, providing proactive management and troubleshooting without needing to be on-site.