Network Controllers #

Purpose #

Network controllers provide centralized management for switches and access points. They enable VLAN configuration, firmware updates, and API-based automation across all managed network devices.

graph LR
    A[Bootstrap Node
hosts controller] <--> B[Network Controller
Omada/UniFi] <--> C[Switches & APs
managed devices]

Both controllers run on the bootstrap node as containerized services, providing management capability during initial network configuration.

Software Platforms #

dvntm — Omada SDN

Site: dvntm (mobile)

The Omada SDN Controller manages all TP-Link Omada devices in the mobile site, including the SG2218 switch and EAP650-Outdoor access point.

Software #

Attribute	Value
Software	Omada SDN Controller
Deployment	Podman container on bootstrap node
Web UI	Port 8043 (HTTPS)
Discovery	L2 discovery or manual adoption

Managed Devices #

Device	Type
SG2218	Access Switch
EAP650-Outdoor	Access Point

Capabilities #

Feature	Description
VLAN Management	Create VLANs, assign ports, configure trunks
SSID Configuration	Create SSIDs, map to VLANs, set security
Firmware Updates	Centralized firmware management
REST API	Automation via `deevnet.net` Ansible collection
Zero-touch Provisioning	Devices auto-discover and adopt

Automation #

The Omada controller provides a REST API used by the deevnet.net Ansible collection:

Component	Module/Role
Switch ports	`omada_switch_port`
VLANs	`omada_vlan`
SSIDs	`omada_ssid`

dvnt — UniFi Network

Site: dvnt (home)

The UniFi Network Application manages all Ubiquiti UniFi devices in the home site, including the USW-24-G2 and US-8 switches, and both UAP-AC-M access points.

Software #

Attribute	Value
Software	UniFi Network Application
Deployment	Podman container on bootstrap node
Web UI	Port 8443 (HTTPS)
Discovery	L2 discovery or manual adoption

Managed Devices #

Device	Type	Quantity
USW-24-G2	Access Switch (primary)	1
US-8	Access Switch (secondary)	1
UAP-AC-M	Access Point	2

Capabilities #

Feature	Description
VLAN Management	Create networks, assign port profiles
SSID Configuration	Create WLANs, map to networks, set security
Firmware Updates	Centralized firmware management
REST API	Automation via UniFi API
Zero-touch Provisioning	Devices auto-discover and adopt

Automation #

The UniFi controller provides a REST API. Automation is currently manual but planned:

Component	Status
Switch ports	Manual (API available)
VLANs/Networks	Manual (API available)
WLANs	Manual (API available)

Controller Comparison #

Feature	Omada SDN (dvntm)	UniFi Network (dvnt)
Managed switches	SG2218	USW-24-G2, US-8
Managed APs	EAP650-Outdoor	UAP-AC-M (x2)
Web UI port	8043	8443
API	REST	REST
Ansible support	`deevnet.net` collection	Planned
Container runtime	Podman	Podman