Adopting Your UniFi Devices: A Step-by-Step Guide to Using set-inform

Welcome to our latest blog post, where we will be diving into the powerful set-inform command and how it can be used to easily adopt your UniFi devices to the controller. Adopting your devices to the controller allows you to manage and monitor them through the controller's web interface. But first, we recommend that you assign a static IP to your UniFi controller on your router to ensure stable communication between the devices and the controller.

In this post, we will be guiding you through the process of finding the SSH information for connecting to your UniFi devices, and how to use the set-inform command to adopt them to the controller. We will also be discussing best practices for assigning a static IP to the controller and troubleshooting any issues that may arise. So, let's get started and take a closer look at how to effectively adopt your UniFi devices to the controller.

How to SSH into your devices

To find the SSH information for connecting to a UniFi device, you will need to locate the device's IP address and login credentials. Here are the steps to follow:

1. Open the UniFi controller web interface by navigating to the IP address of the controller in a web browser.
2. Click on the "Devices" button in the bottom left corner of the screen. This will display a list of all the UniFi devices that have been adopted by the controller.
3. Locate the device you wish to connect to in the list, and click on it to open its properties.
4. In the device's properties, you will find the device's IP address and login credentials. The default username is "ubnt" and the default password is "ubnt".
5. If you have changed the SSH Login credentials than you need to go to Settings > System > Advanced > Device Authentication.
6. Open up a terminal and run ssh [Username]@[Device IP].
7. Once you're in there run

/usr/bin/mca-cli-op set-inform http://[IP of unifi controller]:8080/inform.

1. Go to the unifi controller dashboard and choose devices. You should notice the device adopting and then being ready. This may take some time to complete.

Note: If you can't find the device in the list of devices, make sure the device is connected to the network, and it's power on. Also, you can check the device's LED, to make sure it's in provisioning state.

How to assign a IP Reservation on Your Router

These are general steps to follow. For specific instructions, check your router's manual or online tutorials for information on how to assign a static IP.

Assigning a static IP to a device on your router involves reserving a specific IP address for that device, so that it always receives the same IP address when it connects to the network. Here are the general steps to follow when assigning a static IP to a device on your router:

1. Log in to the web interface of your router. This can usually be done by entering the router's IP address in a web browser.
2. Look for the DHCP settings or LAN settings of the router, where you will find a list of connected devices.
3. Locate the device that you want to assign a static IP to, and make a note of its MAC address.
4. Look for a section labeled "DHCP reservation" or "IP reservation" and add a new entry.
5. Enter the device's MAC address and assign a static IP address to it.
6. Save the changes and reboot the router.

It's important to note that the specific steps to assign a static IP may vary depending on the router's model, firmware version and the interface. Some routers may have a different name for the DHCP reservation option, or may have different navigation menus. In that case, you may want to check your router's manual or look for online tutorials specific to your router's model.

In conclusion, the set-inform command is a powerful tool that can be used to easily adopt and manage your UniFi devices on your network. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you should now be able to connect to your devices using SSH, run the set-inform command, and successfully adopt them to the UniFi controller. Additionally, by assigning a static IP to the controller on your router, you can ensure stable communication between the devices and the controller, resulting in optimal performance and ease of management.

With the knowledge and skills acquired in this guide, you should now be able to take control of your UniFi network and manage it with confidence. Remember to always troubleshoot if you encounter any issues, and consult the UniFi documentation for further assistance.