Networking
Self-host UniFi Network Server on a VPS
Manage UniFi networking gear from your own server.
Run the UniFi controller yourself to adopt, configure and monitor access points and switches.
Why self-host UniFi Network Server?
Self-hosting the controller keeps your network management data on your own hardware rather than Ubiquiti’s cloud.
How to install UniFi Network Server
- 1
Provision a VPS
Choose a plan with room for your data as well as the app.
- 2
Install the stack
Install Java + MongoDB.
- 3
Deploy the application
Follow the project’s official install guide for your distribution.
- 4
Enable HTTPS
Serve it on your own domain behind a reverse proxy with a certificate.
- 5
Back it up
Schedule a database dump plus a copy of any uploaded files to an off-box location.
Practical tips
- Give UniFi Network Server its own database user with rights only on its own schema.
- Reverse-proxy UniFi Network Server and terminate TLS at the proxy so certificates are managed in one place.
- Take a VPS snapshot before major upgrades so you can roll back cleanly.
- Keep UniFi Network Server patched — most self-hosting incidents are unpatched software.
Frequently asked questions
- How much RAM does UniFi Network Server need?
- Plan on 2–4 GB for typical use; add headroom if you expect many concurrent users.
- What stack does UniFi Network Server run on?
- Java + MongoDB.
- Can I run other things on the same VPS?
- Yes — size the plan so UniFi Network Server plus your other workloads fit in RAM with room to spare.
Looking for something else? Popular alternatives include MikroTik (RouterOS), OpenWrt, TP-Link Omada — browse all app guides.