OmniAccess Stellar AP1230 Series is better than CISCO highest model Aironet 3800i AP in terms of quality, user capacity, coverage, performance and price. Moreover, there's no Hardware Controller, it's totally managed by a software defined on-premises Controller which is easy very to handle.
CEO/Consultant at CIL
It's totally managed by Software defined on-premises Controller and this controller is easy very to handle.
What is most valuable?
How has it helped my organization?
Owner is highly satisfied based on OmniAccess WLAN and they are getting more performance than expected.
What needs improvement?
OmniVista 2500 managed Software defined Controller with OmniAccess Stellar AP1230 Series AP cost is very cheap compared to Cisco HW Controller or Cloud Controller or Virtual controller with Aironet 3800i AP. Besides, OmniVista 2500 manageability and AP performance is wonderful.
For how long have I used the solution?
Six months.
Buyer's Guide
Alcatel-Lucent OmniAccess Stellar
November 2024
Learn what your peers think about Alcatel-Lucent OmniAccess Stellar. Get advice and tips from experienced pros sharing their opinions. Updated: November 2024.
816,406 professionals have used our research since 2012.
What was my experience with deployment of the solution?
No. Very simple configuration that anyone can configure who doesn't have wireless experience.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
No. stable firmware.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
OmniAccess WLAN's main advantage is its scalability which is better than CISCO.
How are customer service and support?
Customer Service:
Wonderful response and 24/7 service makes you happy.
Technical Support:10 out of 10.
Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?
We used CISCO AP but client was not happy with the number of client connections per AP. OmniAccess WLAN Stellar AP1230 Support for up to 768 associated clients per AP. Up to 512 APs when managed by OmniVista 2500 managed but no limit on the number of AP groups.
How was the initial setup?
Simple, straightforward and easy to understand.
What about the implementation team?
An in-house, as this configuration is very simple.
What was our ROI?
200% profit within three years full warranty.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
Earlier I wouldn't give a reference to another vendor except CISCO. Now I would prefer OmniAccess WLAN Stellar AP1230.
SEE AP1230: http://enterprise.alcatel-luce...
SEE Aironet 3800i AP: http://www.cisco.com/c/dam/ass...
Which other solutions did I evaluate?
Compare: a) performance b) capacity c) coverage d) controller cost e) number of users/clients per AP f) location tracking g) QoS h) security I) quality j) VoLAN.
What other advice do I have?
Thanks.
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
Infrastructure Specialist at a tech services company with 10,001+ employees
I like the voice-over WLAN QoS features but some features could be made for mobile WLAN corporate access
What is most valuable?
- AAA with Radius and digital certificates
- Voice-over WLAN QoS Features
- Built-in WLAN site-survey and planning tool
- Built-in Guess Access feature
How has it helped my organization?
We deployed them in two hospitals, they benefit from the access of users via Guest Portal and the use of VoWLAN Phones for mobile internal communication.
What needs improvement?
Maybe some features could be made for mobile WLAN corporate access and Access Point survivability when issues with the WLAN Controller and/or communication link issues.
For how long have I used the solution?
I used this solution for three years, I deployed it for several customers.
What was my experience with deployment of the solution?
Yes, some issues are related to firmware bugs or firmware instability.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
Yes, some of them are related to VoWLAN QoS and voice stability.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
No, when we need to scale up, we follow the vendor instructions and directions for adding more devices of same type and some configurations in CLI.
How are customer service and technical support?
Customer Service:
9/10 and we have a great relationship with Alcatel-Lucent,
Technical Support:Great 10. They are very commited and helpful.
Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?
No, we studied others solutions but none of them were deployed by us.
How was the initial setup?
A little bit complex, because the devices have a big set of caveats that are mandatory to deploy.
Which other solutions did I evaluate?
No other options evaluated.
What other advice do I have?
Because of the long list of technical caveats, I would strongly advise people to take the official OmmniAcces WLAN course before deployment.
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
Buyer's Guide
Alcatel-Lucent OmniAccess Stellar
November 2024
Learn what your peers think about Alcatel-Lucent OmniAccess Stellar. Get advice and tips from experienced pros sharing their opinions. Updated: November 2024.
816,406 professionals have used our research since 2012.
Sr. Tech-support network at ABS India
Excellent BYOD features, user network profiles, and unified communication capabilities
Pros and Cons
- "The initial setup is pretty straightforward."
- "There are occasional OS bugs."
What is our primary use case?
We are installing this solution for our enterprise customers for access, applications, mail, and CRM. The product can also be used to provide access for remote workers.
What is most valuable?
The solution's most valuable aspects include its BYOD features, user network profiles, and unified communication.
The initial setup is pretty straightforward.
What needs improvement?
The solution needs to improve access for Mac and iOS devices.
There are occasional OS bugs.
For how long have I used the solution?
I've been using the solution over the last three or so years. I've used it for a while now.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
The product is 80% is stable. The only real issue is when there is an OS bug. Only then will there be an issue. The OEM is doing the OS bugs fixing.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
The solution is scalable. It works for any size of company, no matter if it's a small business, enterprise, government, education, hospitality, or any other type of customer.
It's also easy to scale, as it's a soft controller. You just have to add on the licenses. It can scale up to 4,000 access points.
How are customer service and technical support?
Our company tends to provide technical support to our clients if they need our help.
That said, if there is an OS bug or there is a vulnerability, then OEM needs to be aware the bug needs to be fixed. With regard to that, we contact technical support.
Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?
We also use Aruba. We use both simultaneously.
How was the initial setup?
The solution offers a pretty simple setup. It's not overly complex or difficult. A company shouldn't have any issues with the process. However, it does depend on the organizational requirements.
The time it takes to deploy the solution also varies. A smaller setup, for example, may only take about two days. However, a larger setup could take longer.
What other advice do I have?
We are a premium partner of Alcatel-Lucent.
Overall, I would recommend this solution to other users and companies.
I'd rate the solution at a nine out of ten.
Which deployment model are you using for this solution?
On-premises
Disclosure: My company has a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer: Partner
CTO/COO at a comms service provider with 11-50 employees
Can be set up using a web browser; provides a stable solution
What is our primary use case?
We use this solution in hotels, hospitals, SMB enterprises, large enterprises, gyms, and also in our company. Every scenario is different and requires a different type of WLAN configuration.
How has it helped my organization?
Our company is a premium reseller in Portugal of Alcatel-Lucent (in all areas). With the improvement in the range of all Alcatel-Lucent products, our business has grown and we have the ability to acquire small enterprise projects where they have lower IT budgets.
What is most valuable?
This product can be divided in 3 types of WLAN.
- OmniAccess WLAN (requires a physical controller)
- IAP WLAN (same as OAW but with a virtual controller, and the VC is exactly the same as OAW – limited by the number of APs)
- AP1101 (with a virtual controller, very simple and easy to use – intended for SMB, also limited to the number of APs).
With these three types, Alcatel-Lucent can give the client a range of solutions within budget of each, and still guarantee the quality of the solution.
What needs improvement?
The only area this product can grow is the web interface. It could be nicer and easier to use.
For how long have I used the solution?
More than five years.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
I haven’t had any problems with stability with OmniAccess WLAN, only in the new AP1101 with 5Ghz equipment. Alcatel released new firmware correcting this issue.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
When you choose the best WLAN option you won’t have problems.
How are customer service and technical support?
Alcatel has two kinds of support. The first will be from the official partner in your country. The second will be the international service. In the latter case, if a joint intervention is required, it can take some time and be out of operation for hours because this support is in Asia.
Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?
Before Alcatel had the new, cheaper solutions, we used D-Link, Tp-Link. Today there is no need for those solutions.
How was the initial setup?
Today the setup is very easy, you can use a web browser and just follow the steps. I remember that in 2009, it was a little complex, but not too hard. You had to start the AP by CLI and choose the language for use (only English, German, and French were available) and select the country where you were using the system. Then all configurations were done by CLI.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
The price is in the range of other brands like Cisco, maybe a little cheaper but you get the same features, facilities, and security.
Licensing is something Alcatel is making changes to. A few years ago you would buy a WLAN solution from Alcatel for half the price of Cisco, but you would spend the same amount on licensing. Today this is different and the licensing is cheaper.
What other advice do I have?
I’d rate this product as an eight out of 10 because it is not accessible to everyone to take 100% advantage of the product. Only those with certification and high-tech experience can get 100% out of it, not the average IT person.
Look at the needs of the client, or your own needs as an IT administrator, and look for an Alcatel reseller or partner with experience to help you with the solution.
Disclosure: My company has a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer: Reseller.
IT Engineer / Teacher with 51-200 employees
Some very difficult radio issues can be solved with very little effort but the GUI is a little bit slow.
Valuable Features:
I like the Captive Portal and the Spectrum Monitor features. The CLI is also very good.
Improvements to My Organization:
With the Captive portal to manage the Guest access is very easy, and with the Spectrum Analysis some very difficult radio issues can be solved with very little effort from my side. The CLI is good, it is similar to other vendor's CLI but with enhanced features.
Room for Improvement:
The GUI is a little bit slow.
Use of Solution:
Two years
Deployment Issues:
No issues encountered.
Stability Issues:
No issues encountered.
Scalability Issues:
No issues encountered.
Initial Setup:
Straightforward but very simple possibilities.
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
Network Administrator at a government with 51-200 employees
I switched to OmniAccess as it is centralized, and has great scalability but they need to simplify the config process
What is most valuable?
- Scalability,
- Centralization
- Redundancy.
These features allows us to control and deploy configuration for all remote OAW allowing centralized management.
How has it helped my organization?
We needed a solution to provide internet access for the majority of 317,68 KM square site and assure authentication, authorization and accountability compliance of users. OmniAccess has enabled us to do so.
What needs improvement?
Simplification of the configuration processes and improvement of the maintenance software OmniVista 3600.
For how long have I used the solution?
4 years.
What was my experience with deployment of the solution?
Yes, I had bugs when deploying with different Internet Browsers.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
No issues encountered.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
No. We currently have >100 users and increasing.
How are customer service and technical support?
Customer Service:
5/10
Technical Support:7/10
Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?
Yes, I used solutions based on different Access Points, with independent management. I switched to OmniAccess because it is centralized, and has great scalability.
How was the initial setup?
We used the wizard for initial configuration and it was straightforward.
What about the implementation team?
I implemented it myself after doing training with Alcatel.
What was our ROI?
Our RO`i isn't money related, since it is used to a community service.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
We don't have any costs related to this product.
Which other solutions did I evaluate?
Yes, one solution based on Cisco.
What other advice do I have?
Good planning, before implementing this solution.
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
Buyer's Guide
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Updated: November 2024
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