# Tested Network Hardware For Running a Competition
TIP
This guidance is helpful mostly for large events (e.g. national championships) and situations where a scoring network needs be stood up. Please see the section on the scoring network to determine if this is necessary.
This list collects some of the equipment groups nave used successfully to run competitions. Some of this equipment might required preparation and testing by people knowledgeable with this kind of equipment.
# Network Gear
Over time, additional equipment may be added here if it has been successfully used by tournament operators.
# Ubiquiti Networks Unifi
Ubiquiti Networks makes reliable, powerful and reasonably-priced commercial network gear. This configuration combines the wired and wireless components to build a complete network. It also greatly simplifies setup by using powering the WiFi Access Points through standard network cables.
This configuration is scalable from a single Access Point to many Access Points covering a large competition/working areas. A 3-Access Point version of of this configuration is similar to how WJRF ran its World Championships in large venues.
| Part | Model | Number Required | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unifi AP Lite | UAP-AC-LITE | 1+ | These are the wireless network access devices the client devices connect to. They create a radius of WiFI coverage wherever they are placed. They are connected and powered via a long network cable (not included). |
| Unifi RouterX 5-Port POE | ERPOE-5 | 1 | This is the wired central devices that connects to an existing wired network and shares that access with 4 wired devices. These can be Unifi APs or computers. This model can provide power to three wired devices attached to it. |
| Unifi Cloud Key | UCK-G2 | 0 or 1 | This is optional but useful if using multiple Access Points. It centrally configures and monitors the WiFi Access Points. Otherwise the Access Points need to be configured one-at-a-time via Ubiquiti's mobile app. |
| Network Cables | Cat 5E or 6 | ? | Buy wired Ethernet cable to connect the Router to the wired uplink jack and all client Access Points and Computers to the router. |
The Router, Cloud Key (if used) and Access Points should all be configured and tested before the competition to ensure they work correctly. Once configured, most of the on-site work is just running cables and connecting everything together.
# Configuring the Devices
The Router should be set up in Router mode with a wired uplink port as a DHCP client and the rest of the ports as a private LAN. The router should run NAT for outbound connections and run a DHCP server. No special DHCP settings are required.
The Cloud Key, if used, should be configured with the desired network SSID and password. Once the Cloud Key is configured, use Cloud Key web portal to 'adopt' each Access Points onto the network. Ubiquiti has handy mobile app that can be used to monitor the performance of the network and the signal strength of client devices. This is useful during setup to test network coverage and during a competition to watch for problems.
It is possible to use a wireless relay between Access Points if it's impossible or impractical to run cables, but a wired uplink is always best if possible.
If not using a Cloud Key, follow Ubiquiti's instructions for configuring the Access Point via their mobile app. Note that without a Cloud Key, there is no central monitoring or control feature.
# Ubiquiti Networks Dream Machine
The Uniquiti Dream Machine and Dream Machine Professional have been tested for use in scoring competitions. One of these would typically be used along-side Unifi Access Points and the appropriate cables to provide network access (although the Dream Machine non-Pro model has built-in Wifi if just covering a small area).