Aruba ClearPass Reviews

Name: Aruba ClearPass
Brand: Hewlett Packard Enterprise
Rating: 4.3 (83 reviews)

Vendor: Hewlett Packard Enterprise

4.3 out of 5

83 reviews
95% willing to recommend

3,227 followers

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What is Aruba ClearPass?

Aruba ClearPass is a network access control (NAC) solution that provides a range of security and access management capabilities for wired, wireless, and VPN networks. ClearPass enables organizations to secure their networks and devices, enforce security policies, and provide secure access to network resources.

Get the Aruba ClearPass Buyer's Guide and find out what your peers are saying about Aruba ClearPass, Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE), Forescout Platform and more!

Aruba ClearPass is the #2 ranked solution in top Network Access Control (NAC) solutions. PeerSpot users give Aruba ClearPass an average rating of 8.6 out of 10. Based on the analysis of the 83 most recent Aruba ClearPass reviews, the overall sentiment is positive, with a sentiment score of 6.9. Aruba ClearPass is most commonly compared to Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE): Aruba ClearPass vs Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE). Aruba ClearPass is popular among the large enterprise segment, accounting for 58% of users researching this solution on PeerSpot. The top industry researching this solution are professionals from a computer software company, accounting for 16% of all views.

Helped 824,067 peers since 2012

Featured reviews

SvenVenables

Senior Technical Engineer at EOH

The most valuable thing about Aruba ClearPass is ease of use for security policies, as it has a much better granular configuration on policies for security. It also allows us to do certain functions which we would not be able to do without Aruba ClearPass, particularly with mobile devices and security. The platform has helped us in a lot of ways where there are aspects that we are limited to, and can't be done in our environment without the server.

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ShivaPrasad

Senior Technical Lead at HCL Technologies

Before implementing the solution, it is important to understand the system, develop plans, and determine what needs to be integrated. Learn what the solution does and how it will work with your use case. For example, some people choose the work kit without knowing what they need. Some require only the resource manager. Some don't know their gradual requirements for monitoring or management. Some don't understand that the solution is also provides network security. I rate the solution an eight out of ten.

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Lulzim Islami

IT Network Operations Manager at a energy/utilities company with 1,001-5,000 employees

We have network access control in our field and a contract with a local company that supports many implementations and makes changes, not that we start from scratch. Having local support makes it much easier They are really good. Whatever we have thought can be done, they have done it. And we had…

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Aruba ClearPass mindshare

As of December 2024, the mindshare of Aruba ClearPass in the Network Access Control (NAC) category stands at 25.0%, down from 26.1% compared to the previous year, according to calculations based on PeerSpot user engagement data.

Network Access Control (NAC)

PeerAnalyst reports

Type	Title	Date
Category	Network Access Control (NAC)	Dec 22, 2024	Download
Product	Reviews, tips, and advice from real users	Dec 22, 2024	Download
Comparison	Aruba ClearPass vs Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE)	Dec 22, 2024	Download
Comparison	Aruba ClearPass vs Fortinet FortiNAC	Dec 22, 2024	Download
Comparison	Aruba ClearPass vs Forescout Platform	Dec 22, 2024	Download

Title	Rating	Mindshare	Recommending
Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE)	4.1	28.8%	87%	141 interviews Add to research
Forescout Platform	4.2	13.9%	88%	75 interviews Add to research

Valuable Features

Aruba ClearPass stands out for its robust network security features, guest onboarding, BYOD management, AAA functions, and advanced policy enforcement. Its modularity and support for multi-vendor integration, ease of deployment, user-friendly dashboard, and authentication capabilities are highly valued. Users appreciate the customizable network access controls, visibility reporting, seamless API integration, and dynamic segmentation. The platform's flexibility and comprehensive policy management offer strong authentication mechanisms and support multiple protocols, making it a preferred choice for secure and efficient network management.

"You have a good return on investment with Aruba, which is the best overall solution compared to competitors like Cisco, Forescout, and others."
"Aruba prefers the cloud deployment, yet you could also have it on your private cloud environment."
"I'd rate the solution ten out of ten."

Room for Improvement

Aruba ClearPass could benefit from improved vendor independence and smoother setup processes. Licensing, UI, and reporting modules need attention, with a focus on increased flexibility and user-friendliness. Appliance sizing options should be expanded, technical support should be more responsive, and better integration with third-party solutions is necessary. Simplification of the administration process and enhanced documentation are recommended, alongside more intuitive policy management and cost-effective licensing options.

"The policies are quite complex to set up. Aruba's modular and staggered commercial model requires separate licenses."
"The policies are quite complex to set up."
"ClearPass from Aruba is easier to understand compared to Cisco, which has more features but is more complicated. Cisco also has much more expensive prices, based on my checks."

ROI

Organizations experience varying ROI with Aruba ClearPass. Many find solid ROI from data security and management ease, while licensing challenges often arise due to unclear models impacting deployment. Investment in ClearPass aims to increase user capacity, with expected ROI over two or three years. The security benefits are notable, reducing downtime risks and engineering efforts. ROI varies by industry, particularly in retail through enhanced customer engagement, although some organizations find less ROI compared to competitors like Cisco.

Pricing

Aruba ClearPass pricing and licensing can be expensive and complex, with high initial deployment costs but favorable long-term operational costs. Options include perpetual and subscription-based licenses, priced per device or user, with additional costs for support and cloud environments. Clarity in the licensing model is crucial to avoid underestimating needs. While ClearPass is competitively priced against offerings like Cisco, discounts and pricing terms depend on vendor relationships. Medium enterprises may find it less affordable.

"In terms of your fixed cost, it is much less than a lot of other solutions in the market. The initial cost is very high."
"The product is quite expensive. I rate its pricing a seven out of ten."
"The product is very costly."

Popular Use Cases

Organizations primarily use Aruba ClearPass for network access control, wireless authentication, and security policy enforcement. It facilitates device onboarding, manages BYOD initiatives, and integrates with identity stores for user verification. With capabilities like guest management and role-based access, companies ensure secure network access for employees and guests. ClearPass is also utilized in educational institutions, hospitality projects, and integrates with third-party systems, improving network visibility and automating security actions.

Service and Support

Aruba ClearPass customer service is highly rated, praised for being top-notch and responsive. Their technical support is generally good, with some users finding it excellent and others suggesting room for improvement. Support teams are knowledgeable and helpful, although some users report delays and reliance on online resources. While many users express satisfaction, there are concerns regarding response times and issue escalation. Nonetheless, Aruba's support is appreciated by a majority for its effectiveness and quick assistance.

Deployment

Aruba ClearPass's initial setup varies in complexity. Some found it straightforward, especially when using pre-configurations or following the wizard with proper preparation, while others faced challenges due to complex requirements or lacking documentation. Experience levels and clear project definitions significantly impact ease. For larger environments or when customization is required, setup can become more intricate and time-consuming, though experienced implementers often find it manageable once initial hurdles are overcome.

Scalability

Aruba ClearPass is considered highly scalable by users, providing the ability to handle large user volumes without issues. It adapts modularly to meet growing organizational needs, and its virtualization capabilities allow resource expansion. Users appreciate the ease of scaling through licensing adjustments, with many finding its capacity superior to competitors. Positive feedback highlights its effortless expansion for diverse environments, from small-scale deployments to extensive networks, ensuring continued performance as needs evolve.

Stability

Aruba ClearPass is frequently described as stable, with many users experiencing no stability issues. Some did mention occasional bugs or challenges during version upgrades, but these were not user-impacting. Generally, ClearPass performed well even in high-demand environments, supporting over 500,000 authentications per day without problems. Users praised its reliability, robustness, and absence of crashes or glitches. Most rated its stability highly, with scores often ranging from eight to ten out of ten.

These insights are based on the in-depth reviews provided by peers to help you make a better buying decision.

Download our Aruba ClearPass Buyer's Guide for additional reliable information.

Review data by company size

By reviewers

By visitors reading reviews

Top industries

By visitors reading reviews

Computer Software Company

16%

Government

Manufacturing Company

Educational Organization

Financial Services Firm

University

Healthcare Company

Comms Service Provider

Retailer

Energy/Utilities Company

Construction Company

Non Profit

Insurance Company

Real Estate/Law Firm

Wholesaler/Distributor

Media Company

Transportation Company

Legal Firm

Hospitality Company

Outsourcing Company

Recreational Facilities/Services Company

Performing Arts

Logistics Company

Aerospace/Defense Firm

Consumer Goods Company

Pharma/Biotech Company

Compare Aruba ClearPass with alternative products

Learn more about Aruba ClearPass

Aruba ClearPass Features

Aruba ClearPass has many valuable key features. Some of the most useful ones include:

Device profiling: Aruba ClearPass automatically profiles and classifies network devices based on type, manufacturer, operating system, and more, to help organizations secure their networks.

Guest management: The solution provides a secure and easy-to-use guest management system for organizations to provide guest access to their networks.

User-friendly interface: The Aruba ClearPass includes a user-friendly interface, enabling administrators to easily manage and enforce security policies, monitor network activity, and respond to security threats.

Policy enforcement: Users can enforce security policies based on device type, user role, and other factors, to help secure their networks and devices.

Threat detection and response: With its real-time monitoring and threat detection capabilities, organizations are able to quickly identify and respond to security threats.

Authentication and authorization: Aruba ClearPass offers a range of authentication and authorization methods, including certificate-based authentication and 802.1X, to provide secure access to network resources.

Reporting and analytics: The solution Includes real-time reporting and analytics capabilities, enabling administrators to monitor network activity, track security incidents, and improve security over time.

Aruba ClearPass Benefits

There are many benefits to implementing Aruba ClearPass. Some of the biggest advantages the solution offers include:

Comprehensive solution: Aruba ClearPass integrates with a range of network security technologies, including firewalls, intrusion detection and prevention systems, and VPN gateways, to provide a comprehensive security solution.

Scalability: Designed to scale from small to large organizations, ClearPass provides a solution that can grow with an organization's needs.

Increased visibility: By implementing Aruba ClearPass, administrators can monitor network activity, track security incidents, and improve security over time.

Improved user productivity: The solution’s secure and seamless access to network resources helps users be more productive and access the resources they need, when they need them.

Better business agility: With the solution, organizations can quickly respond to security threats and enforce security policies, improving overall business agility.

Reviews from Real Users

Aruba ClearPass is a solution that stands out when compared to many of its competitors. Some of its major advantages are that it’s easy to use, has a valuable Guest Captive Portal and virtual security enforcement, and has a good web dashboard and policy manager.

“It is easy to use and more integrated with the Aruba wireless networks,” says Muhammad N., Network & Information Security Engineer at a healthcare company.

Ammar F., Head of IT at Hubtech, explains, “What I like most about Aruba ClearPass is that it has the best enforcement feature for the network. I also like its Guest Captive Portal and virtual security enforcement features, but the virtual security enforcement feature is still under testing by my company. Aruba ClearPass also has a wonderful UI which I find valuable."

Another PeerSpot reviewer mentions, "The web dashboard and the policy manager are very intuitive and very easy for the engineers to use."

Aruba ClearPass was previously known as Avenda eTIPS.

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Aruba ClearPass customers

Consulate Health Care, Los Angeles Unified School District, Science Applications International Corp (SAIC), San Diego State University, KFC, ACTS Retirement-Life Communities