Power Redundancy: Maximizing Uptime with UniFi SmartPower Technology
Published by Juan David Ramirez on 26th Mar 2025
Hey, fellow network enthusiasts! It’s Juan David here, your go-to Tech Support Lead at Flytec and UniFi Certified Trainer. Today, we’re diving into something that every IT specialist, networking engineer, and geek like us should prioritize power redundancy. Because let’s be honest, there’s nothing worse than a critical network going down due to a sudden power failure.
Enter UniFi SmartPower technology, the ultimate solution for keeping your network up and running even when power supply units (PSUs) decide to take an unplanned vacation. Let’s break down how this tech works and why you need it.
What Is UniFi SmartPower?
UniFi SmartPower (USP) is Ubiquiti’s power redundancy solution designed to eliminate network downtime caused by PSU failures. It includes:
- UniFi SmartPower RPS (USP-RPS) – A redundant power system that provides backup power to UniFi devices experiencing PSU failure.
- UniFi Mission Critical (USW-Mission-Critical) – A switch with an integrated battery backup, ensuring continuous operation of essential PoE devices.
These solutions provide seamless failover when primary power sources fail, keeping your gateways, switches, and security devices online.
Why Power Redundancy Matters
In a world where uptime is everything, power redundancy isn’t a luxury, it’s a necessity. Here’s why:
- Prevents Downtime – Whether you’re running an enterprise network, an ISP, or a home lab, power redundancy ensures that unexpected failures don’t take your system offline.
- Protects Mission-Critical Devices – Think about your UniFi gateways, network video recorders (NVRs), and professional switches, losing power to these devices could mean lost connectivity, data, or security footage.
- Seamless Failover – No need to manually switch over to a backup system; UniFi SmartPower automatically detects failures and takes action in real-time.
A Closer Look at the UniFi SmartPower RPS
The Basics
The USP-RPS is a 950W redundant power system designed to keep your UniFi equipment running when a device’s internal PSU fails. It supports up to six devices simultaneously, making it a powerful tool for network resilience.
How It Works
- The RPS continuously monitors connected UniFi devices.
- If it detects a PSU failure, it automatically provides backup power to the affected device.
- Your network stays operational with zero interruptions.
Compatible UniFi Devices
The USP-RPS supports rack-mounted gateways, NVRs, and switches with a SmartPower port. Some key compatible devices include:
- UniFi Dream Machines (UDM-PRO-MAX / UDM-SE / UDM-Pro)
- UniFi Network Video Recorders (UNVR, UNVR-Pro)
- UniFi Professional and Enterprise Switches (USW-Enterprise-24-PoE, USW-EnterpriseXG-24, USW-Enterprise-48-PoE, USW-Enterprise-8-PoE, and many more).
Understanding Power Backup States
The UniFi SmartPower RPS has different operational states depending on power availability and demand:
- Normal State – All connected devices receive power from their primary PSU.
- Failover State – If a device’s PSU fails, the RPS provides backup power immediately.
- Overload State – If multiple devices fail simultaneously and their combined power demand exceeds 950W, the system follows a priority hierarchy:
This ensures that your most essential networking components stay powered first.
Uninterruptible PoE: The Role of USW-Mission-Critical
For those of us managing PoE-dependent networks, the USW-Mission-Critical is a game-changer. It features:
- 368Wh lithium-ion battery backup – Keeps key PoE devices running during outages.
- (4) PoE++ and (4) PoE+ ports – Ideal for keeping security cameras, intercoms, and Wi-Fi APs powered.
- (2) 110V AC outlets – Perfect for providing redundancy to your ISP modem and gateway.
Final Thoughts
Power redundancy is not just about preventing downtime, it’s about ensuring a reliable, resilient, and stress-free network. Whether you’re securing a business infrastructure, running an ISP, or setting up an advanced home network, UniFi SmartPower technology has your back.
Want to future-proof your setup? Flytec Computers has the latest UniFi power solutions available now!
Stay connected, stay powered, and as always, happy networking!