Ubiquiti EdgeRouter 6P (ER-6P): ports, PoE and routing explained

The Ubiquiti EdgeRouter 6P (ER-6P) is a compact wired router from the EdgeMAX platform. It has five Gigabit RJ45 ports with configurable 24V passive PoE and one Gigabit SFP port for fibre. It is meant for small offices, networks with wireless links and anyone who wants detailed control over how traffic is routed.

Ports and layout

The router has five Gigabit RJ45 routing ports and one Gigabit SFP port. Each port functions as an independent interface, so you can assign each its own addressing and role instead of treating the ports as one switch. The SFP slot takes a fibre or copper module, useful where the connection from the internet provider or another building arrives over fibre.

Ubiquiti notes that the EdgeRouter 4 and 6P both provide an SFP port, while larger models offer two or more.

PoE on the RJ45 ports

The 6P can supply 24V PoE on its RJ45 ports. Ubiquiti says the 6P, PoE and 12P models include configurable PoE ports to power airMAX products, its outdoor wireless line. This is passive PoE at 24V, which is not the same as the 802.3af/at standard used by many cameras and access points, so a device needs to accept 24V passive PoE. Connecting an incompatible device to a PoE port can damage it, so check before plugging in.

Routing performance

Ubiquiti lists 3.4 million packets per second for 64-byte packets and 6 Gbps for packets of 256 bytes or larger. The 4, 6P, 12 and 12P models share the 3.4 million packets per second figure. Packet rate is the demanding test for a router because tiny packets create the most work, while large packets show the headline throughput. Real-world speed depends on which features are enabled; firewall rules and NAT add processing load.

Software features

The EdgeMAX software offers features usually found in business routers:

• DHCP server: multiple servers handing out address ranges on different subnets.
• Firewall policies and groups: ordered rules applied to groups filtered by IP address, network or port.
• NAT rules: custom source and destination address translation.
• VLAN interfaces: network segmentation on the same physical ports.
• Routing: static routes and dynamic routing protocols.
• Monitoring tools: ping, trace, discover, packet capture and log monitor.

These tools reward some networking knowledge. A basic home router has a simplified interface, whereas this one expects you to configure addressing and rules yourself.

Build

The case is compact and made of metal, and the operation is fanless and silent. Without a fan, there is no moving part and no fan noise, which suits an office or a living space. The unit measures about 5.4 x 9.0 x 1.2 inches and weighs around 1.6 lb.

Who it suits

It suits people comfortable configuring a router, such as small-business setups, home labs, and installs that power outdoor wireless equipment through PoE. It does not include Wi-Fi, so you need separate access points. It is less suited to someone wanting a plug-and-play wireless router.

What to check before you buy

• PoE compatibility: confirm your devices accept 24V passive PoE.
• Wi-Fi: plan for separate access points.
• Uplink: check whether your internet connection arrives on copper or fibre.
• Speeds: compare the routing figures with your connection speed and the features you will enable.
• Setup: be ready to configure it by following Ubiquiti's documentation.

The short version

• A fanless metal router with five Gigabit RJ45 ports and one Gigabit SFP port.
• 24V PoE on the RJ45 ports for airMAX-type equipment.
• Listed at 3.4 million packets per second and 6 Gbps for larger packets.
• EdgeMAX firewall, NAT, VLAN, DHCP and routing tools; no built-in Wi-Fi.

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