Aruba Switches Reviews

Name: Aruba Switches
Brand: HPE Aruba Networking
Rating: 4.3 (81 reviews)

Vendor: HPE Aruba Networking

4.3 out of 5

81 reviews
98% willing to recommend

414 followers

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What is Aruba Switches?

Aruba Switches is a network creation solution that enables users to easily manage every aspect of their networks.

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Aruba Switches is the #2 ranked solution in top Ethernet Switches. PeerSpot users give Aruba Switches an average rating of 8.6 out of 10. Based on the analysis of the 81 most recent Aruba Switches reviews, the overall sentiment is positive, with a sentiment score of 6.9. Aruba Switches is most commonly compared to Cisco Ethernet Switches: Aruba Switches vs Cisco Ethernet Switches. Aruba Switches is popular among the large enterprise segment, accounting for 50% of users researching this solution on PeerSpot. The top industry researching this solution are professionals from a computer software company, accounting for 14% of all views.

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Featured reviews

Michael-Sugg

President at Sovereign Managed Services

There are some growing pains with Aruba Central. When you first launch the wireless access points or switches, a lot of updates are needed to get Aruba Central ready, especially on the access points, so the initial deployment time could improve. I would hope that I could just turn it on and leave the updates until later on. The switches themselves probably did okay. I'm primarily referring to the wireless access points. There was a lot of back and forth before everything was in sync. It took hours. I can't think of any missing features, but it would be nice if there were a free version of Aruba Central for my small business clients that doesn't have as many features.

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Khaled Shaker

Head Of Technical Department at Modern establishment for supply and trading

If we compare Aruba and Cisco at the data center layer, Cisco has its Nexus switch. Aruba provides the new 10000 series, but it does not compare with the Nexus switch. Aruba is in networks but still not in data centers since their data center switches are not as good as Cisco's. Aruba should enhance its performance and management solution to manage Aruba and non-Aruba switches. Aruba needs better layer management or a software management solution. When we talk about Aruba Central, the integration with the management software is not good enough. When we need to push a configuration in a switch, Aruba Central can manage Aruba access switches only. We work with the Aruba OS for normal management, but the CX switches are for monitoring only. Aruba'a management solution is a weak point. Management solutions are a weak point for other vendors, too, but we need to enhance Aruba to be better than other vendors.

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SunilNair1

AGM - Infrastructure & Information Security at Aster DM Healthcare Limited

We haven't had any scaling issues, so I'd rate it a nine out of ten, with ten being highly scalable. I have 19 people using it. They are network engineers who maintain the switches. The network is our core business, so we use it constantly. It's always configured and running in our hospitals.

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Aruba Switches mindshare

As of November 2024, the mindshare of Aruba Switches in the Ethernet Switches category stands at 13.3%, up from 12.7% compared to the previous year, according to calculations based on PeerSpot user engagement data.

Ethernet Switches

Key learnings from peers

Last updated Nov 14, 2024

Valuable Features

Aruba Switches offer valuable features like cloud management, simplicity in configuration, integration with ClearPass, security, reliability, and stability. The GUI is user-friendly, and the command-line interface is intuitive and similar to Cisco's. They provide lifetime warranties, high availability, and automation capabilities. Their flexibility, cost-effectiveness, and robust documentation make them preferable. They facilitate easy scaling and efficient management with capabilities such as dynamic segmentation and innovative features for network connectivity and performance.

"I rate the stability of Aruba Switches a ten."
"In the hotel sector, IGMP 3 is particularly valuable for IPTV."
"The pricing of Aruba Switches is good compared to Cisco."

Room for Improvement

Aruba Switches need improvements in network access control and security features. Users find the interface confusing with inconsistent part numbers and high pricing. There is a need for better documentation, training, and a more user-friendly experience. Comparisons with competitors reveal a need for enhanced visibility, centralized management, and support for various features. Users request improved integration, easier configurations, and enhanced hardware longevity. Delivery delays and support challenges also require attention.

"There are issues with the distribution side of Aruba Switches."
"There are issues with the distribution side of Aruba Switches."
"The initial setup is not easy."

ROI

Users highlight return through network issue resolution and saved costs on service agreements with Aruba Switches. The platform provides real-time network visibility, helping differentiate network and application issues. Some see stability and simplified management as key benefits. Future cost savings and operational efficiencies are anticipated. However, some find it difficult to quantify the impact clearly. A lifetime warranty offers ease with next-day replacements. Deploying Aruba in non-Aruba environments results in further financial savings.

Pricing

Enterprise buyers have mixed experiences with Aruba Switches pricing. Many describe Aruba as cost-effective compared to Cisco, often noting a 10-30% lower cost. However, licensing can be complex, with some requiring annual fees for services like Aruba Central. Additional features and certifications are not always included, which might lead to higher overall costs for certain projects. Despite varying opinions on affordability, many users find Aruba more competitive than other high-end networking solutions.

"The cost depends on the requirement. An extensive network will expand the budget. The price will be lower if there is a small requirement of one to ten switches. In comparison, Aruba is less costly than Cisco by about 10-20%."
"The price is reasonable."
"The tool is a little expensive for customers from other countries."

Popular Use Cases

Aruba Switches are deployed for network connectivity, centralized monitoring, and troubleshooting, primarily in industries such as hospitality, education, healthcare, and finance. They are used for LAN, WAN, and campus networks, supporting features like VLAN segmentation, access points, core, edge, and distribution switching. They facilitate reliable IT infrastructure, offer competitive pricing, and integrate with cloud management systems, making them suitable for SMEs, SMBs, and large enterprises engaging in digital transformation.

Service and Support

Aruba Switches customer service earns mixed responses. Many appreciate the quick, knowledgeable assistance and fast hardware replacement, praising their proactive response and global contact availability. Others mention delays and challenges with tiered support, especially for complex cases, and lack of local language options. Some rely on distributors or integrators for effective support, while others report slow response times. Satisfaction varies, with ratings ranging from two to ten out of ten.

Deployment

User experiences indicate that the initial setup of Aruba Switches is generally straightforward and easy to manage, especially with previous networking experience. While deployment times vary, most users report quick installations depending on the environment's complexity and switch quantity. Some find it simpler than Cisco, noting ease of configuration and integration. Documentation and external expertise can aid more complex setups, with varying timeframes from minutes to several days based on setup size.

Scalability

Aruba Switches demonstrate excellent scalability, widely appreciated for their adaptability in various environments. They are preferred for upscaling and managing large-scale networks with ease. Users consistently highlight Aruba's ability to integrate with other technologies and manage high user counts while maintaining stability. Many emphasize Aruba's capacity to handle growth requirements efficiently. Ratings typically indicate strong satisfaction, often scoring between seven to ten out of ten in terms of scalability. Challenges are rare, with modular chassis enhancing scaling capabilities.

Stability

Aruba Switches demonstrate high stability, receiving scores from seven to ten on a ten-point scale, often meeting reliability expectations. They are solid, with minimal bugs or glitches reported, rarely crashing even in enterprise settings. Feedback suggests strong performance when properly maintained, especially with complete setups. Some users encounter minor issues, particularly in environments with power fluctuations. Nevertheless, these switches remain dependable, with low failure rates and proven success in rigorous applications.

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

Download our Aruba Switches 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

14%

Manufacturing Company

Government

Educational Organization

Retailer

University

Financial Services Firm

Healthcare Company

Comms Service Provider

Construction Company

Non Profit

Hospitality Company

Media Company

Energy/Utilities Company

Real Estate/Law Firm

Wholesaler/Distributor

Insurance Company

Performing Arts

Legal Firm

Outsourcing Company

Consumer Goods Company

Transportation Company

Recreational Facilities/Services Company

Pharma/Biotech Company

Logistics Company

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Benefits of Aruba Switches

Some of the benefits of using Aruba switches include:

Easily access and manage every aspect of your networks. Aruba Switches give users a way to control their networks from a centralized location. The simplified control center can be accessed through both the cloud and on-premises devices. Intuitively view and manage every portion of your networks. You will be able to both analyze and control every device and client in the network while at the same time conserving resources for the areas of greatest concern.

Troubleshoot and upgrade your networks quickly and efficiently. Aruba Switches give users network visibility in real-time. It combines this with powerful analytics software that allow for the prediction, prevention, and resolution of issues. This allows administrators to act before their systems suffer serious harm. Additionally, Aruba Switches allow systems to maintain a high level of performance even during upgrading.

Automatically enact uniform system-wide changes. Aruba Switches gives users the ability to set their systems to automatically reconfigure when changes are necessary. Users are empowered to ensure that their systems run smoothly without worrying that there are parts of their network that are out of sync, reserving manpower and time for more pressing needs.

Reviews from Real Users

Aruba Switches are cutting-edge network creation tools that stand out among their competitors for a number of reasons. Two major ones are the warranty that guarantees them and the intuitive way in which they are designed. Aruba Switches are protected by lifetime warranties. If a switch malfunctions or is rendered inoperable, it can be quickly replaced. If the line of switches are still available, HPE will send the user the necessary replacement. Aruba Switches are built to be intuitive for users to customize and manipulate. This allows users to make full use of the solution without requiring them to devote a significant level of resources to training.

The head of technical support at a real estate law firm writes, “One valuable feature about HP is the warranty. All switches are very similar when it comes to most functionalities. Most switches provide a one-year warranty, but with HPE switches, if there's a unit that malfunctions, we call them and they replace it the next business day if that line is still available. We had a switch we reported the other day, it was a 25-10, which we procured way back, around 2014, and they replaced it. In general, HP provides a lot of support for its products. We will be doing some tinkering on the VLAN soon, first the layer two, and then connecting the layer three functionalities for some other departments. The advantage of Aruba compared to other switches is their reliability. If the product is trustworthy, I'll continue to use it.”

A network systems engineer at a financial services firm writes, “Their technical support is great. I have used Cisco products, and as compared to Cisco, Aruba's command-line syntax is not as complex. The command-line interface of Aruba switches is quite intuitive. It also has a graphical user interface. With Cisco, using the graphical user interface for configuration can be complex, whereas Aruba simplifies it, and you can easily use the graphical user interface. The configuration is secured. Their graphical user interface is quite robust.”

Aruba Switches was previously known as 8400 Series, 8320 Series, 5400R Series, 3810 Series, 2930M Series, 2930F Series, 2920 Series, 2540 Series, 2530 Series .