When looking to migrate from a UniFi Dream Machine (UDM, UDM Pro, UDM SE, UDR or any other UniFi OS Console) the process isn't as simple as restoring a backup anymore. There are quite a few complexities with a lack of multi-site support on UDM devices and direct .unf backup files overwriting existing UniFi OS Server installations.

This guide aims to explain each migration approach and which one is right for your deployment.

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Understanding the backup files

When exporting a backup file from a UDM, UDM Pro, UDM SE, UDR or any other UniFi OS Console, the file you get can either .unifi or .unf and these are very different.

• A .unifi file is a full UniFi OS backup and contains UniFi OS settings, data for Installed applications and any other console settings. This is used for migrating from a UDM to another UDM model.
• A .unf file is a UniFi Network application backup and contains everything such as VLANs, SSID data, client information and more. This is used for migrating from a UDM to UniFi OS Server or from the legacy UniFi Network Application to UniFi OS Server.

Important: A .unf backup from a Dream Machine is not equivalent to a traditional site export. Importing a .unf file directly into an existing multi-site UniFi OS Server can overwrite the entire configuration on the server and is therefore not recommended for production multi-tenant environments.

Migration options

There are three possible methods to migrate an existing UDM, UDM Pro, UDM SE, UDR or any other UniFi OS Console to a HostiFi UniFi OS Server.

Backup file restore

When to use:

• If you are migrating from an UniFi OS Console to a brand new UniFi OS Server that has no other sites on it yet

Advantages:

• Best for new UniFi OS Server deployments and empty controllers
• Minimal manual configuration

Considerations:

• Not recommended for existing multi-site servers
• Importing the .unf file will overwrite the entire existing configuration on the UniFi OS Server, so only use on brand new installations

Continue to: How to restore a UniFi OS Console backup to a new HostiFi UniFi OS Server

Temporary UniFi OS Server Migration

When to use:

• If you have a very large and complicated site that isn't feasible to rebuild

Advantages:

• Minimises risk to existing sites
• Preserves production server configuration

Considerations:

• Temporary infrastructure needed
• Additional migration steps required

Continue to: How to migrate a UniFi OS Console to an existing HostiFi UniFi OS Server using a temporary server

Manual Inform Host Override Migration

This approach uses the built in Inform Host Override function within UniFi. A new site is created on the new UniFi OS Server and devices are manually moved over.

When to use:

• If you have a small site with a simple configuration
• You don't mind rebuilding the configuration from scratch
• You can't use a temporary server to act as a middle man

Advantages:

• Opportunity to redesign networks and check all settings
• Eliminates inherited configuration issues
• Cleanest migration approach

Considerations:

• Highest effort to move devices
• Requires a rebuild of every aspect of the network, such as SSIDs, VLANs, Firewall Rules and all settings

Continue to: How to migrate UniFi devices using Inform Host Override

Next steps

Once you have selected the most appropriate migration method for your specific deployment, more detailed step-by-step guides are published below:

• How to restore a UniFi OS Console backup to a new HostiFi UniFi OS Server‍
• How to migrate a UniFi OS Console to an existing HostiFi UniFi OS Server using a temporary server‍
• How to migrate UniFi devices using Inform Host Override

HostiFi

HostiFi provides hosting for Ubiquiti software platforms, with servers for UniFi and UISP. We also offer network consulting, with HostiFi Professional Services.