How to configure Ubiquiti mPower PRO outlet names without an mFi controller

Unfortunately, the mFi line got to the end of the road back in 2017, see is MFI dead?. That doesn't mean it doesn't mean it stopped working, but support sure is gone. This is unfortunate, and the Ubiquiti name is still generally beloved, it's just that this particular product line has run out of support. I quite liked the ethernet connection and built-in simple web UI, no need for complexity when I brought this on the road with me a few dozen times at user groups, starting in 2016 and 2017. Works great, across any brand of device that's plugged into it, and it's now a power surge protector, so it's ok to plug into my CyberPower PFCLCD UPS too, seen here. Nice!

That means I don't necessarily want to bother with keeping up to date with old mFi controller software, VM or physical. I'd much rather just SSH in over Ethernet to change outlet names.

Step-by-step

Warning:

1. You will lose any power monitoring over time logging when you reset your settings to factory defaults, as I mention in the walk-through video below.

2. Unfortunately, it seems you can't make any changes to just one outlet at a later time. This causes the watt usage read-out to drop to zero after some hours. Therefore, you'll have to go to factory defaults again then paste in your new names to regain watt measurement readout.

3. Keep in mind that this text file starts with port.0 but the corresponding outlet is actually labeled 1, so keep this ofsset in mind when coming up with your naming scheme.

4. Before you get started document the list of outlets that you have currently, and use a copy of that last to build your new list, for the SSH commands you'll be using in step 5 below.

5. Rest to factory defaults, then reconnect over SSH using something like PuTTY.

6. Enter the new list using vi editor. I've got step-by-step written instructions that have been adapted from the Ubiquiti Community forums here, and if you don't know VI very well, just watch my video first:

   touch /etc/persistent/cfg/config_file
   vi /etc/persistent/cfg/config_file
   i
   [COPY-AND-PASTE YOUR BLOCK OF OUTLET LABELS, THIS IS JUST MY EXAMPLE BELOW:]
   port.0.label=xd-1541-5028d 8C
   port.1.label=xd-2123it-mb51ps0 4C
   port.2.label=xd-1541-prototype 8C
   port.6.label=Ubiquiti EdgeRouter Lite
   port.7.label=Network Switch
   [END OF COPY-AND-PASTE BLOCK.)
   [esc]
   :wq
   save
   reboot

Screenshot

Video

See also at TinkerTry

• The Xeon D Supermicro SuperServer "Bundle 2" of joy, a complete home datacenter virtualization solution that really flies
  Dec 7 2016

• First look at Ubiquiti mPower Pro power strip, home lab pricing, enterprise features, uncertain future
  Aug 17 2016

See also

• mpower - how to change port name without mfi controler?
  Dec 02 2015 by jarredm at Ubiquiti Community

  emmarichardson is also correct that the file /etc/persistant/cfg/config_file does not exist out of the box. So the answer is you have to create it! after ssh'ing into the mFi, relavant commands would be:

  touch /etc/persistent/cfg/config_file
  vi /etc/persistent/cfg/config_file
  i
  port.0.label=Backyard Flood Lights
  [esc]
  :wq
  save
  reboot