How to Use UniFi Object Networking & Micro Segmentation in 9.4

Introduction: Simplifying Network Management with UniFi 9.4 Object Networking

Network management just got a major upgrade. UniFi Network 9.4 introduces Object Networking, a game-changing feature that transforms how IT professionals handle complex network segmentation and policy management. This revolutionary approach replaces the frustrating complexity of traditional zone-based configurations with an intuitive, visual interface that puts control at your fingertips.

Traditional network management has long plagued administrators with overly complicated zone-based firewall setups that are prone to misconfiguration and difficult to troubleshoot. IT professionals have struggled with fragmented policies, time-consuming configurations, and limited visibility across their network infrastructure. Object Networking eliminates these pain points by introducing a unified policy engine that coordinates micro-segmentation across your entire UniFi hardware stack.

The new Object Networking feature centers around device objects – intelligent representations of your network devices that carry their security policies, routing rules, and traffic management settings with them. This streamlined approach allows administrators to easily route specific devices through VPNs, apply granular security policies, and segment IoT devices without creating complex network architectures.

What sets Object Networking apart is its visual, outcome-driven workflow. Instead of wrestling with abstract zone configurations, you can now see your network devices, understand their relationships, and apply policies with unprecedented clarity. The feature delivers powerful micro-segmentation capabilities that would traditionally require extensive networking expertise, making advanced network security accessible to intermediate users.

For network administrators managing diverse environments – from IoT devices to entertainment systems – Object Networking provides the granular control and automation needed to maintain security without sacrificing usability. This represents a fundamental shift toward intelligent, adaptive network management that scales with your infrastructure needs.

From Experience

In our experience working with small businesses and smart home enthusiasts, transitioning to UniFi’s Object Networking has drastically reduced setup time and troubleshooting compared to traditional zone-based firewalls. Clients we've worked with often express relief at being able to visualize and organize device groups intuitively, allowing them to apply policies and troubleshoot issues with much greater confidence. Real-world results show that isolating IoT devices and managing bandwidth for entertainment systems becomes not only more secure but also less prone to configuration errors when using device objects. This hands-on approach streamlines onboarding for new staff and maintains strong security postures without overwhelming IT resources.

Understanding Object Networking vs Traditional Zone-Based Firewall

Traditional network segmentation requires administrators to manually configure VLANs, assign networks to firewall zones, and create complex matrix rules between zones. This approach often leads to configuration overhead and fragmented management across multiple interfaces. UniFi's traditional zone-based firewall requires understanding zone matrices and traffic direction rules, which can overwhelm intermediate users.

Object Networking in UniFi Network 9.4 revolutionizes this workflow by introducing an intelligent, device-centric approach. Instead of managing abstract zones and VLANs separately, you create device objects that automatically coordinate micro-segmentation across your entire UniFi hardware stack.

Key Advantages of Object Networking:

• Simplified Configuration: Objects eliminate the need to understand complex zone relationships. You simply group devices by purpose (IoT devices, security cameras, guest devices) and apply policies directly to these logical groups.
• Granular Control Without Complexity: Traditional methods require creating multiple VLAN networks and firewall rules. Object Networking's unified Policy Engine streamlines traffic shaping, routing, and security policies from one centralized interface.
• Outcome-Driven Workflow: Rather than configuring technical details like IP ranges and subnet masks, you focus on business outcomes—"allow printers to communicate with workstations" or "isolate IoT devices from critical systems."
• Automated Micro-Segmentation: Objects intelligently coordinate segmentation across switches, access points, and gateways without manual VLAN assignments on each device.

This approach makes advanced network segmentation accessible to administrators who previously found zone-based configurations intimidating, while providing enterprise-grade control for complex environments.

Creating and Managing Device Objects for Micro Segmentation

Creating device objects in UniFi Network 9.4 forms the foundation of effective micro-segmentation. The Object Manager provides a streamlined, outcome-driven workflow that simplifies traditional policy management complexities.

Navigate to Network > Objects in your UniFi console. The Object Manager centralizes device organization and policy assignment, replacing fragmented configuration workflows with a unified interface.

Click Create New Object and select Device. Define objects by:

• MAC Address: For specific devices requiring granular control
• Device Type: Group similar devices like IoT sensors or cameras
• Custom Tags: Apply descriptive labels for easier identification

Configure discovery rules to automatically categorize new devices:

• Create rules based on device fingerprinting
• Set manufacturer-based grouping (e.g., all Samsung TVs)
• Define DHCP option matching for consistent classification

Structure objects logically:

• Parent Groups: Broad categories (IoT, Workstations, Servers)
• Child Objects: Specific devices within categories
• Nested Hierarchies: Scale classifications as your network grows

• Use descriptive naming conventions (e.g., "Kitchen_SmartTV" rather than "Device_001")
• Implement role-based groupings that align with your security policies
• Segregate IoT devices into dedicated subnets during object creation
• Regular auditing ensures objects remain current as devices change

This systematic approach transforms complex network policy management into intuitive object-based control, providing the visibility and real-time management capabilities essential for modern network security.

Applying Automated Policies: QoS, Routing, and Security Rules

UniFi's Object Manager introduces a streamlined, outcome-driven workflow that revolutionizes how network administrators apply automated policies. Unlike traditional fragmented configurations, this centralized approach allows you to attach comprehensive policy sets directly to device objects with unprecedented simplicity.

Start by navigating to Settings > Traffic & Firewall > QoS to create bandwidth profiles that automatically apply to devices. For example, create a "Smart Home" profile limiting IoT devices to 5 Mbps download/2 Mbps upload, preventing bandwidth-hungry security cameras from overwhelming your network. QoS rules can prioritize critical traffic while limiting non-essential applications.

Security policies become effortless through device object assignment. Create an "Entertainment" security profile that blocks access to business resources while allowing streaming services. When you assign a gaming console to your Entertainment device object, these restrictions automatically apply without manual firewall rule creation.

The Object Manager's power shines in automatic policy application. As new devices join your network and are assigned to objects, they inherit pre-configured traffic shaping rules. A "Guest" object might include bandwidth limitations, time-based access restrictions, and blocked internal network access—all applied instantly upon device association.

Consider this workflow: Create a "Work Laptops" device object with high-priority QoS (ensuring video calls get bandwidth), restrictive security policies (blocking entertainment sites), and policy-based routing through a business VPN. When employees connect new laptops, simply assign them to this object, and all policies activate automatically.

This automated approach transforms complex network management into intuitive object-based administration, eliminating the need for repetitive manual configurations while maintaining granular control over your network security and performance.

Real-World Setup: Isolating IoT Devices and Entertainment Systems

UniFi Network 9.4's Object Networking revolutionizes device isolation through intelligent device detection and simplified policy management. Here's how to implement complete segregation for smart home and entertainment equipment.

Navigate to Settings > Object Networking and enable automatic device identification. The system will scan your network and categorize devices based on manufacturer fingerprints, MAC addresses, and traffic patterns. UniFi's enhanced detection algorithms now identify over 1,000 device types automatically.

Go to Network > Object Networking > Device Objects and create groups for "IoT Devices" and "Entertainment Systems." Add detected smart thermostats, security cameras, streaming devices, and gaming consoles to their respective objects. Manual assignment ensures precise categorization for devices the system doesn't auto-detect.

In Network > Firewall Rules, create policies targeting your device objects. For IoT isolation, enable "Block Inter-VLAN Communication" and "Restrict Internet Access" while allowing specific ports for cloud services. For entertainment systems, permit streaming traffic but block access to critical network segments.

Implement network isolation by assigning device objects to dedicated VLANs with automatic firewall rule generation. Enable bandwidth limiting for streaming devices to prevent network congestion during peak usage.

Use the new Object Networking dashboard to track device behavior, bandwidth consumption, and policy violations in real-time. The streamlined interface shows at-a-glance status for all isolated device groups, making ongoing management effortless while maintaining optimal user experience for entertainment systems.

Sources

• UniFi Help Center – Traffic Management in UniFi
• UniFi Help Center – Zone-Based Firewalls in UniFi
• UniFi Blog – Releasing UniFi Network 9.4
• robpickering.com – Ubiquiti: Configure Micro-segmentation for IoT Devices

Written by Alex Barreras, an IT solutions expert and the founder of Barreras IT Corp, a Miami-based managed service provider. With extensive experience in networking, cybersecurity, cloud hosting, and ERP systems like Odoo, he helps businesses streamline operations and strengthen their digital infrastructure. Alex specializes in delivering tailored IT support, web hosting, and automation solutions that balance performance, security, and cost efficiency.