Aruba Switches Reviews

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

Vendor: Hewlett Packard Enterprise

4.3 out of 5

83 reviews
98% willing to recommend

417 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.

Get the Aruba Switches Buyer's Guide and find out what your peers are saying about Aruba Switches, Cisco Ethernet Switches, MikroTik Routers and Switches and more!

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. 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 51% 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.

Helped 832,138 peers since 2012

Featured reviews

Eunice Thirikwa

Chief Executive Officer at Talinda East Africa

We primarily deploy Aruba Switches in hotels for services such as Wi-Fi, IPTV, telephone, and guest room automation The features of Aruba Switches are stable. This stability has provided a significant return on investment over time. Additionally, the longevity of the solution contributes to…

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Charl Cronje

CTO at a tech services company with 1,001-5,000 employees

The solution is well suited for any business, really. For my company, it's easier to use because our warranty structure in South Africa is much better. That's basically the only reason why we use Aruba instead of Cisco. Cisco is more expensive, and while Aruba is still expensive, it's not as costly…

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Michael-Sugg

President at Sovereign Managed Services

The scalability is fine. I've got two 6200 24-port switches, so 48 ports total. I Aruba switches are capable of putting trunk groups in between. It's a chiropractic office, so we've got 32 network tables all plugged in between servers and all of the devices, and then there are all the computers hanging on the walls and stuff like that. However, in reality, it's typically only four people working at the office at any given time, but they run around from room to room using x-rays, computers, and all that other stuff, so there are a lot of different devices. In total, there are 32 ethernet cables plugged into these two switches. Some people define a user as a person typing on the keyboard, but In a chiropractic office, you have customers who walk into the adjusting room and scan their little cards. Meanwhile, the doctor kind of walks from room to room. It's really only one doctor. We'll be bringing additional computers online over the next couple of years as they ramp up that office, so there will be increased utilization of the switches even inside that office. I will also be adding switches for each of my clients. I mean as I'm going in and taking over managed service provider relationships with these clients, I'll be looking at putting those same switches, so I have complete visibility.

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Aruba Switches mindshare

As of February 2025, the mindshare of Aruba Switches in the Ethernet Switches category stands at 12.1%, down from 12.1% compared to the previous year, according to calculations based on PeerSpot user engagement data.

Ethernet Switches

PeerAnalyst reports

Type	Title	Date
Category	Ethernet Switches	Feb 1, 2025	Download
Product	Reviews, tips, and advice from real users	Feb 1, 2025	Download
Comparison	Aruba Switches vs Cisco Ethernet Switches	Feb 1, 2025	Download
Comparison	Aruba Switches vs NETGEAR Switches	Feb 1, 2025	Download
Comparison	Aruba Switches vs Ubiquiti UniFi Switches	Feb 1, 2025	Download

Title	Rating	Mindshare	Recommending
Cisco Ethernet Switches	4.3	16.8%	96%	133 interviews Add to research
MikroTik Routers and Switches	3.9	5.5%	89%	65 interviews Add to research

Valuable Features

Aruba Switches offer cloud management, easy configuration, and seamless integration with ClearPass. They provide a user-friendly interface, stability, and superior performance. Flexibility with on-premises and cloud management enhances usability. Notable features include Smart Rate Port, stackable options, reliable security, a comprehensive API, and lifetime warranty. Users benefit from rapid replacement, intuitive GUI, robust command-line interface, and high availability. Compatibility with existing systems and the modular operating system is valued, along with cost-effectiveness and extensive documentation.

"The solution is widely applicable to businesses like mine, thanks to its flexibility and compatibility with our warranty structure in South Africa."
"I use Aruba Switches in Sri Lanka for their flexibility and reliability."
"The features I find most valuable in Aruba Switches are their flexibility, reliability, and affordability."

Room for Improvement

Aruba Switches require improvements in network access control, visibility, and user-friendly interface. The dashboard needs simplification, and the firmware requires stability enhancements. Simplifying part numbers and improving documentation is necessary. Cost reduction and better technical support could increase competitiveness. There are concerns about heat management, delivery delays, and regional distribution. Strengthening compatibility and centralizing management in Aruba Central are needed. Longer lifespan and enhanced data center capabilities would help in competing with established brands like Cisco.

"A more granular breakdown in debugging would be beneficial."
"I do not have any significant suggestions for improvement from my use."
"There are issues with the distribution side of Aruba Switches."

ROI

Users find the Aruba Switches valuable primarily for preemptively addressing network issues by providing thorough visibility, thus preventing misattributed blame. Although initial investments are significant, the limited lifetime warranty ensures hassle-free replacements, minimizing future costs. Stability and ease of management reduce the necessity for frequent replacements and service agreements, leading to estimated cost savings and improved operational efficiency. Over time, adopting Aruba in diverse environments results in further cost benefits.

Pricing

Enterprise buyers typically find Aruba Switches to be competitively priced, generally more affordable than Cisco with a cost-effective licensing model. While some perceive it as expensive, Aruba's pricing offers savings compared to Cisco by 10-30%. The switches often come without the need for additional licensing, except for specific management solutions like Aruba Central. Overall, their cost is seen as reasonable, providing good value with flexible licensing options.

"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 widely used for network connectivity, including on-premises and cloud-based environments. They serve various purposes like core and access switching, VLAN setups, and wireless access point integration. Businesses from education, hospitality, healthcare, and government sectors employ them for data center networking, monitoring, and PoE requirements. These switches are favored for their cost-effectiveness compared to Cisco, offering high availability and management flexibility through cloud or local network management systems.

Service and Support

Customers report mixed experiences with Aruba Switches' customer service and support. Some find the support responsive and knowledgeable, offering quick solutions, especially during warranty periods. Others mention slow response times and needing escalation for complex issues. The support is available in English and Italian, but response times vary by region. Some customers rely on local resources or partners for assistance. Many express a preference for enhanced engagement and faster resolutions. Overall satisfaction levels vary significantly.

Deployment

Users find Aruba Switches easy to set up, often comparing it favorably to Cisco. Deployment time varies based on scale and environment, ranging from minutes to months. Many emphasize the straightforward configuration, aided by documentation. Those with prior networking knowledge find it even simpler. While some encountered setup challenges, particularly with advanced features, the experience is mostly positive, with efficient setups achievable in a short time when prepared.

Scalability

Aruba Switches are highly scalable, with many users finding them easy to expand within network environments. They support integration with other technologies like ClearPass and Cisco ICE. Users highlight ease of configuration, modularity, and stacking capabilities. They are rated highly for scalability and suit enterprise applications. There are instances where some users mention challenges with certain versions, but Aruba generally provides better scalability options compared to similar products.

Stability

Aruba Switches are praised for their high stability and reliability, often rated between eight to ten out of ten. Users mention solid performance, minimal bugs or glitches, and consistent uptime. Proper configuration and management enhance stability. Some users report occasional issues, particularly with virtual stacks. However, proper power protection helps maintain stability. Users emphasize that Aruba Switches function well in various environments, providing steady performance even in challenging conditions, leading to high satisfaction.

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

Educational Organization

Government

University

Financial Services Firm

Retailer

Comms Service Provider

Healthcare Company

Construction Company

Hospitality Company

Non Profit

Media Company

Real Estate/Law Firm

Energy/Utilities Company

Wholesaler/Distributor

Performing Arts

Insurance Company

Outsourcing Company

Legal Firm

Pharma/Biotech Company

Recreational Facilities/Services Company

Consumer Goods Company

Transportation Company

Aerospace/Defense Firm

Logistics Company

Compare Aruba Switches with alternative products

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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 .