If you are connecting a hosted UniFi controller to LiquidEdge, use this checklist before you begin. It is designed for installers, MSPs and venue operators preparing UniFi guest WiFi for an external portal and guest-marketing workflow.
Before you start
You need:
- A hosted, publicly reachable UniFi controller.
- Administrator access to the relevant UniFi Network application.
- At least one UniFi site and access point available for connection.
- A guest WiFi network or SSID that you can configure safely.
- Permission to review controller, firewall and guest-network settings.
LiquidEdge currently offers a permanent free account for one site and one access point, with limited email/contact collection. No payment card is required. Create an account only when your controller meets the eligibility requirements above.
1. Confirm controller reachability
Verify that the controller is reachable from the network location used for the integration. If the controller is self-hosted or behind a gateway, review routing, NAT and firewall rules before troubleshooting the application connection.
For some UniFi remote-adoption configurations, Ubiquiti documents TCP port 8080 as required between the device and UniFi Network application. Your exact requirements depend on the controller, gateway and UniFi Network version, so confirm the current configuration in Ubiquiti’s documentation before opening or forwarding ports.
2. Confirm administrator access
Sign in to the UniFi Network application and confirm that your account can view the target site, devices and Network settings. Avoid sharing controller passwords or API keys with anyone who does not need access.
Ubiquiti’s official API documentation directs administrators to UniFi Network > Integrations for version-specific Network API information. The available options can vary by UniFi Network version and deployment model.
3. Check the site and access point
Before connecting LiquidEdge:
- Confirm the intended site is present.
- Confirm the access point is adopted and online.
- Confirm the guest SSID is assigned to the intended access point or AP group.
- Record the site and SSID names so you can select the correct resources during setup.
Do not make production network changes solely to complete a checklist. If this is a customer network, schedule changes through your normal change process.
4. Prepare guest WiFi safely
Use a dedicated guest network or VLAN where appropriate. Ubiquiti recommends network isolation and client isolation practices for public guest WiFi so guests cannot reach internal networks or communicate unnecessarily with one another.
If you use a captive portal, confirm that the guest SSID is configured for Hotspot Portal or Captive Portal in UniFi Network. Ubiquiti also supports external portal-server integrations for advanced deployments.
5. Check DNS, firewall and redirect conditions
Captive portals depend on more than the SSID being visible. Check for:
- DNS resolution from a guest device.
- Firewall rules that allow the intended portal flow.
- Correct VLAN assignment and DHCP operation.
- No upstream security policy blocking the portal hostname.
- A test device that is not already authenticated or cached on the guest network.
Use a separate test device or clear the device’s network state when validating configuration changes.
6. Connect LiquidEdge
When the controller is hosted and publicly reachable, create or sign in to your LiquidEdge account and follow the connection flow. Select the intended UniFi site and access point carefully, then review the imported configuration before continuing.
The free account is intended to help you evaluate one site and one access point. Limited email/contact collection is included. No payment card is required.
Troubleshooting quick checks
The controller cannot be reached
Recheck the controller hostname, public reachability, DNS, NAT and firewall rules. If the deployment uses remote adoption or a self-hosted UniFi Network application, verify the required communication paths for that deployment.
The wrong site or access point appears
Confirm that the administrator account has access to the intended site and that the access point is adopted and online in UniFi Network. Check that you are working in the correct UniFi application and controller.
Guests reach WiFi but not the portal
Check the guest VLAN, DHCP, DNS, firewall and captive-portal settings. Test with a fresh client session and confirm that the SSID is configured for the intended Hotspot Portal or external portal workflow.
You are unsure whether a setting is safe to change
Pause and document the current configuration. For a customer deployment, involve the network owner or responsible installer before changing production firewall, VLAN or SSID settings.
Start with LiquidEdge
Ready to connect a qualifying UniFi environment? Create your permanent free LiquidEdge account and use this checklist while preparing your hosted, publicly reachable controller.
LiquidEdge helps turn UniFi guest WiFi into a guest-marketing and analytics workflow, starting with one site and one access point.