Convert CRM Point to Cloud Key: A Step-by-Step Guide

Introduction

Are you looking to upgrade your CRM Point to a Cloud Key? Look no further! In this comprehensive guide, we will walk you through the process of converting your CRM Point to a Cloud Key. With easy-to-follow steps and helpful tips, you'll have your Cloud Key up and running in no time. So, let's get started!

Preparing for the Upgrade

Before we dive into the conversion process, there are a few important steps you need to take to ensure a smooth transition. Follow these steps carefully:

Installation of the Latest CRM Point Firmware

To begin, you'll need to install the latest CRM Point firmware. This will ensure that your device is up to date and ready for the conversion process. You can find detailed instructions on how to install the firmware on the Ubiquiti Community website.

Changing the Root/Ubnt Password

Next, it's essential to change the default root/ubnt password. This will help enhance the security of your device and protect it from unauthorized access. Simply log in via SSH and use the "passwd" command to change the password.

passwd

Stopping and Disabling Old Services

To avoid any conflicts during the conversion process, it's crucial to stop and disable old services. This will ensure a clean slate for the Cloud Key installation. Use the provided code to stop and disable services such as aircontrol, postgresql, and infctld.

for SERVICE in aircontrol postgresql infctld; do
    systemctl stop $SERVICE
    systemctl disable $SERVICE
done

• A for loop that iterates through a list of services (aircontrol, postgresql, and infctld) and performs the following actions on each service:
  • systemctl stop $SERVICE: Stops the service.
  • systemctl disable $SERVICE: Disables the service, preventing it from starting automatically on system boot.

Updating Debian 8 Sources and Adding Extended LTS Repositories

Once you have prepared your CRM Point, it's time to update the Debian 8 sources and add the extended LTS repositories. Follow these steps:

Updating Sources List

Start by updating the sources list on your device. This will ensure that you have access to the latest software packages and updates. Use the provided code to update the sources list.

deb https://www.ui.com/downloads/unifi/debian cloudkey-stable ubiquiti

Enabling Freexian Key in APT Configuration

To enable the Freexian key in your APT configuration, you'll need to fetch the key manually. Use the provided code to download the key and move it to the appropriate directory. This step is crucial for accessing the extended LTS repositories.

sudo wget --no-check-certificate https://deb.freexian.com/extended-lts/archive-key.gpg -O elts-archive-key.gpg && sudo mv elts-archive-key.gpg /etc/apt/trusted.gpg.d/freexian-archive-extended-lts.gpg

Adding Extended-LTS Repository

To add the extended-LTS repository to your APT configuration, you'll need to modify the sources list. Use the provided code to add the repository to the list. This will give you access to the necessary packages for the Cloud Key installation.

deb http://deb.freexian.com/extended-lts jessie main contrib non-free

Installing UniFi Network Controller

With the sources and repositories updated, it's time to install the UniFi Network Controller. Follow these steps:

Updating and Installing

Start by updating your device's packages with the latest updates. This will ensure that you have the most recent versions of the required dependencies. Once updated, use the provided code to install the UniFi Network Controller. This will bring your Cloud Key to life!

apt update
apt install unifi

Fixing LEDs and Ensuring Persistence

To ensure that your Cloud Key functions properly, it's important to fix the LEDs and ensure persistence. Follow these steps:

LED Configuration

To fix the LEDs on your Cloud Key, use the provided code to adjust the brightness settings. Additionally, you can add this code to the /etc/rc.local file to ensure that the LED configuration persists through reboots. This will provide a seamless experience with your Cloud Key.

chmod o+rw /sys/class/leds/{blue,white}/brightness

Cleanup and Reboot

Before you can fully enjoy your Cloud Key, it's essential to perform some cleanup and reboot your device. Follow these steps:

Removing Old Services

To clean up your device and remove any remnants of the old services, use the provided code to remove aircontrol and postgres packages. This will ensure a clean environment for your Cloud Key.

apt remove aircontrol postgres\*

Rebooting the Device

Finally, it's time to reboot your device. Once the device reboots and the light turns blue (which may take a few minutes), you can proceed to set up your Cloud Key. Simply access the device's IP address followed by port 8443 in your web browser to begin the setup process.

reboot

note that you can always restore to factory defaults of CRM Point with:

ubnt-systool reset2defaults

Additional Tips and Troubleshooting (Optional)

Troubleshooting UniFi Installation: Managing Disk Space

If you encounter out-of-space errors during the UniFi installation process, this issue is often caused by the limited storage capacity of the RW (Read-Write) partition, typically around 1.1GB. It tends to reach 80-85% capacity from the outset.

Free Up Disk Space

To resolve this problem and ensure a successful UniFi installation, follow these steps:

Clear Package Cache

Start by clearing the package cache to free up valuable space. Run the following command:

apt-get clean

This command removes unnecessary package files, creating more room for the UniFi installation.

Stop UniFi Service

Before proceeding further, stop the UniFi service using the following command:

service unifi stop

This step ensures that you can safely move the UniFi database without any interference.

Relocate the UniFi Database

UniFi databases tend to consume a significant amount of space over time. To address this, we'll move the UniFi database to a location with more available storage, such as the SD card. Here's how:

1. Create a directory for the UniFi database on the SD card, typically mounted on /data:

mkdir /data/unifi

2. Move the UniFi database to the newly created directory:

mv /var/lib/unifi/db /data/unifi/db

3. Create a symlink to ensure UniFi can access the relocated database:

ln -s /data/unifi/db /var/lib/unifi/db

Start UniFi Service

Finally, start the UniFi service to apply the changes:

service start unifi

With these steps, you've not only resolved the disk space issue but also optimized your UniFi installation for smoother operation. Enjoy your UniFi experience without worrying about storage constraints.

Conclusion

Congratulations! You have successfully converted your CRM Point to a Cloud Key. By following the step-by-step guide provided in this article, you have ensured a smooth transition and set yourself up for a seamless experience with your new Cloud Key. Enjoy the enhanced features and capabilities that come with this upgrade. Happy networking!