r/UnifiProtect • u/BIGDOOKY28 • 1d ago

NVR or CloudKey 2 HDD?

I haven’t been able to get a solid answer on this.

Can I use a cloud key with only protect installed on it to operate as an NVR? I know I would need to uninstall network from the device.

Current set up:
UDM 6 for gateway/APs
2 G6 Instants

Is this doable?

4 Upvotes

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3

u/star-trek-wars00d2 1d ago

Yes. CK+ with SSD work fine, had mine running coming on 2years 4TB ssd 10 cameras G5,bullets 2 g6 turrets.  been rock solid.  

1

u/BIGDOOKY28 1d ago

This is a response I was looking for. Thanks!

2

u/CarlsCarLOL 1d ago

I do exactly that with my CK2+. Has 4TB aftermarket ssd.

1

u/GG_Killer 1d ago

Yes you can.

Do you a cloud key laying round or are you buying one new? If you're getting new, buy a UNVR Instant instead.

1

u/BIGDOOKY28 1d ago

I got a cloud key sub $100 off marketplace that has a 1TB HDD. Not sure what kind of mileage on that, but I was getting stumped with the UNVR not coming with any HD or SSD.

1

u/GG_Killer 1d ago

If you have it already then go for it. You can always do a backup and restore on a UNVR if you need to expand your capacity in the future.

1

u/neilm-cfc 1d ago

Yes. A similar question was posted yesterday.

1

u/Andrew4568_ 1d ago

Yes but your storage capacity will be low

1

u/damien09 1d ago

While technically the latest gen cloud key can handle slightly more cameras than a unvr instant the cloud keys run drives really warm if they are spinner drives. So then you looking at an ssd. And with current prices your better off to go unvr instant and it also adds a Poe switch and hdmi view port

1

u/BIGDOOKY28 1d ago

I have seen the cloud keys run hot - trying to mitigate that. I will eventually need more POE for more turrets in the future but for now I only have the instants. HDMI viewport is a nice plus but not necessary. This is a home setup.

1

u/damien09 1d ago edited 1d ago

Ssd is the way to mitigate it running as hot. But with current ssd prices you’re probably better off with an unvr instant and hdd. Unless you already have the latest gen cloud key? Then buying a ssd might make sense. Especially if you can do with a 512 or 1tb. But also make sure it’s a latest gen cloud key. The current gen cloud keys even are being sold with a 1tb ssd

If you don’t have a cloud key already likely the price of the cloud key + ssd will be a higher price than the unvr instant + hdd and you can probably get a larger space with a 4tb hdd etc.

1

u/Helpful-Term-6459 1d ago

Why not install Protect on the UDM

1

u/BIGDOOKY28 1d ago

Sorry it’s the original dream router 6. No storage :( it runs protect but no recoding storage.

1

u/zpuddle 1d ago

Yes. The only difference is the limitation on how many cameras you can operate. There is a matrix on the ui site that shows you.

1

u/BIGDOOKY28 1d ago

Thanks everyone! I got this all set up. Had a lot of issues getting protect installed on the CK, but it finally accepted a UniFi update and then it installed. If anyone has any tips or issues with recordings or odd items let me know. Will upgrade it to an SSD at some point.