UBIQUITI UniFi® AP AC SHD 802.11ac Wave 2 Security Radio Dual Band WiFi System

Overview

Scalable Enterprise Wi-Fi Management

The UniFi® Ecosystem enables the system integrator to effectively and efficiently create wireless network designs of any size, from small to large, with the potential for unlimited scalability.

The built-in, dedicated security and monitoring radios of the UniFi AC SHD (Secure High Density) AP provides visibility into site performance, channel planning, and local interferers, allowing the integrator to properly evaluate performance and quickly respond to changing interference and security threat landscapes.

Easily accessible through any standard web browser and the UniFi mobile app (iOS or Android), the UniFi Controller software is a powerful software engine ideal for high-density client deployments requiring low latency and high uptime performance.

Features

Powerful Hardware The UniFi AC SHD AP features the latest in Wi-Fi 802.11ac Wave 2 MU‑MIMO technology combined with dedicated security and Bluetooth radios.

Intuitive UniFi Controller Software The system integrator can leverage the controller to easily configure and administer an enterprise Wi-Fi network.

Expandable The system integrator can start with one (or upgrade to a multi‑pack) and expand to thousands while maintaining a single unified management system.

Save Money and Save Time UniFi comes bundled with a software controller that can be deployed on an on-site PC, Mac, or Linux machine; in a private cloud; or using a public cloud service. For more information about UniFi Cloud or UniFi Elite service, visit: unifi.ubnt.com

Save money and save time UniFi comes bundled with a non-dedicated software controller that can be deployed on an on-site PC, Mac, or Linux machine; in a private cloud; or using a public cloud service. You also have the option of deploying the compact UniFi Cloud Key with built-in software.

Powerful Hardware The UniFi AC HD AP features the latest in Wi-Fi 802.11ac Wave 2 MU-MIMO technology.

Intuitive UniFi Controller Software Configure and manage your APs with the easy-to-learn user interface.

Expandable Unlimited scalability: build wireless networks as big or small as needed. Start with one (or upgrade to a five‑pack) and expand to thousands while maintaining a single unified management system.

UniFi Controller

Packed with Features

Use the UniFi Controller to provision thousands of UniFi APs, map out networks, quickly manage system traffic, and add more UniFi APs.

View Your RF Environment

Use the RF environment functionality of the UniFi AC SHD AP to detect and troubleshoot nearby interference, analyze radio frequencies, choose optimal AP placement, and configure settings.

Powerful RF Performance Features

Advanced RF performance and configuration features include spectral analysis, airtime fairness, and band steering.

Detailed Analytics

The UniFi Controller provides configurable reporting and analytics to manage large user populations and expedite troubleshooting by the system integrator.

WLAN Groups

Manage flexible configurations of large deployments. Create multiple WLAN groups and assign them to an AP’s radio. Each WLAN can be VLAN tagged. Dynamic VLAN tagging per Wi-Fi station (or RADIUS VLAN) is also supported.

Wireless Uplink

Wireless Uplink functionality enables wireless connectivity between APs for extended range. One wired UniFi AP uplink supports up to four wireless downlinks on a single operating band, allowing wireless adoption of devices in their default state and real-time changes to network topology.

Multi-Site Management

A single UniFi Controller running in the cloud can manage multiple sites: multiple, distributed deployments and multi-tenancy for managed service providers. Each site is logically separated and has its own configuration, maps, statistics, guest portal, and administrator accounts.

Guest Portal/Hotspot Support

Use the UniFi Controller to quickly customize the configuration for Guest Portals, including authentication, Hotspot setup, and the option to use your own external portal server.

For your Guest Portal/Hotspot package offerings, take advantage of UniFi's rate limiting capabilities. Apply different bandwidth rates (download/ upload), limit total data usage, and limit duration of use. 

All UniFi APs include Hotspot functionality:

• Built-in support for billing integration using major credit cards.

• Built-in support for voucher-based authentication.

• Built-in Hotspot Manager for voucher creation, guest management, and payment refund.

• Full customization and branding of Hotspot portal pages.

Multi-Site Management

A single UniFi Controller running in the cloud can manage multiple sites: multiple, distributed deployments and multi-tenancy for managed service providers. Each site is logically separated and has its own configuration, maps, statistics, guest portal, and administrator read/write and read-only accounts.

Guest Portal/Hotspot Support

Use the UniFi Controller to quickly customize the configuration for Guest Portals, including authentication, Hotspot setup, and the option to use your own external portal server.

For your Guest Portal/Hotspot package offerings, take advantage of UniFi's rate limiting capabilities. Apply different bandwidth rates (download/ upload), limit total data usage, and limit duration of use.

All UniFi APs include Hotspot functionality:

• Built-in support for billing integration using major credit cards.

• Built-in support for voucher‑based authentication, including the ability to generate voucher codes.

• Built-in Hotspot Manager for voucher creation, guest management, and payment refunds.

• Full customization and branding of Hotspot portal pages, including use of your own logo.

802.11ac Technology

Initial 802.11ac Wave 1 SU-MIMO (Single-User, Multiple Input, Multiple Output) technology allows an earlier‑generation AP, such as the UniFi AC Pro AP, to communicate with only one client at a time.

802.11ac Wave 2 MU‑MIMO (Multi-User, Multiple Input, Multiple Output) technology allows a Wave 2 AP, such as the UniFi SHD AP, to communicate with multiple clients at the same time – significantly increasing multi‑user throughput and overall user experience.

The following describes a 5-client scenario:

MU-MIMO Assuming the same conditions, a Wave 2 AP provides up to 75% improvement1 overall over a Wave 1 AP. This improvement increases wireless performance and/or serves more clients at the same performance level.

4x4 Spatial Streams At any single time, a Wave 2 AP can communicate with the following MU-MIMO clients:

• four 1x1 clients

• two 2x2 clients

• one 2x2 client and two 1x1 clients

• one 3x3 client and one 1x1 client

A 4x4 Wave 2 AP delivers up to 33% greater performance1 than a Wave 1 AP that is 3x3 in both radio bands. 

Real-World Performance The UniFi SHD AP is the first UniFi 802.11ac Wave 2 AP with a dedicated security radio. Combining the performance increases from MU‑MIMO technology and the use of 4x4 spatial streams, the UniFi SHD AP delivers up to 125% greater performance1 than a typical Wave 1 AP.

Client Compatibility For optimal performance, use MU‑MIMO clients. SU‑MIMO clients will also benefit and gain up to 10‑20% greater performance when used with the UniFi SHD AP.

1 Actual performance values may vary depending on environmental and installation conditions. 

High-Density Scenarios

For high-density environments, such as a concert venue or outdoor fair where there are numerous clients in a relatively small space, we recommend the UniFi SHD AP.

2.4 GHz versus 5 GHz Band

When you use the 2.4 GHz band in a high‑density location, you encounter self-interference and channel saturation.

When you use the 5 GHz band, you can deploy smaller cells (coverage areas), so you can support more clients in any cell that deploys more than one AP.

With the advantages of MU-MIMO technology and 4x4 spatial streams, the UniFi SHD AP can support more than triple the number of users2 than a typical Wave 1 AP can.

2 Actual numbers may vary depending on environmental and installation conditions.

Hardware Overview

Deploy the UniFi AC SHD AP in high-density environments requiring maximum wireless performance. The UniFi AC SHD AP features simultaneous, dual-band, 4x4 MU-MIMO technology and convenient 802.3at PoE+ compatibility. Available in single- and five‑packs.

Easy Mounting Its sleek design seamlessly integrates into any environment (all accessories included) and is compatible with existing UAP-AC-PRO mounts.

LED Unique LED provisioning ring provides administrator location tracking and alerts for each device.

Dual Gigabit Ethernet The UniFi AC SHD AP offers a secondary port available for bridging.

Superior Processing Power The UniFi AC SHD AP is capable of complex operations (guest control, filtering, and other resource-intensive tasks) that may slow down a lesser-equipped AP.

Power over Ethernet (PoE) Standard  The UniFi AC SHD AP is compatible with an 802.3at PoE+ compliant switch. We recommend powering your UniFi devices with a UniFi PoE Switch (sold separately).

UniFi PoE Switch Available in 8*, 16, 24, and 48‑port versions with multiple power output options, the UniFi PoE Switch conveniently offers auto‑sensing IEEE 802.3af PoE/802.3at PoE+ and configurable 24V passive PoE.

* The US-8 and US-8-60W do not support 802.3at PoE+.