We use the solution for basic user authentication, authorization, and accounting purposes.
Consultant - Networking at Plexus Global Pvt Ltd
Scalable solution and has the best-automated profiling feature
Pros and Cons
- "The solution is highly stable."
- "They should include SMP functionalities."
What is our primary use case?
What is most valuable?
The solution has the best-automated profiling feature. It helps us create granular policies based on device category. Also, its API-level integration with third-party systems works well compared to other vendors.
What needs improvement?
They should include features like Radius CoA for IoT and similar devices for the solution. Also, it would be great if they had SMP functionalities as well.
For how long have I used the solution?
I have been using the solution since 2016.
Buyer's Guide
Aruba ClearPass
December 2024
Learn what your peers think about Aruba ClearPass. Get advice and tips from experienced pros sharing their opinions. Updated: December 2024.
824,067 professionals have used our research since 2012.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
The solution is highly stable. I rate its stability a ten.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
The solution is highly scalable. I rate its scalability a ten. We can add as many subscribers as we require. We have at most ten solution users as our customers. They all are enterprise businesses.
How was the initial setup?
The solution's GUI and configuration workflow could be clearer to understand. I rate its setup process a six. It involves analyzing customers' requirements and starting with a POC. Once it is done, we order equipment and a license. Next, we deploy the solution offline and integrate it with the production environment. The entire process takes around two to three months to complete.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
The solution is costly. We have purchased its perpetual license. It is affordable for enterprise businesses. The medium-scale companies find it expensive. I rate its pricing an eight.
What other advice do I have?
I recommend the solution to others. It is an excellent platform. I rate it as a nine.
Disclosure: My company has a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer: partner
Senior konsult at IT-Total Sweden AB
Easy to deploy, integrates well with network equipment, but complex rule building
Pros and Cons
- "The most valuable feature of Aruba ClearPass is the ease of deployment and integration with other equipment in the network."
- "Aruba ClearPass could improve the complexity of the initial usage. It takes some time to be good at it. It's not simple to build and connect the rules to the network you want to deploy them on."
What is our primary use case?
I have a few customers that are using Aruba ClearPass.
What is most valuable?
The most valuable feature of Aruba ClearPass is the ease of deployment and integration with other equipment in the network.
What needs improvement?
Aruba ClearPass could improve the complexity of the initial usage. It takes some time to be good at it. It's not simple to build and connect the rules to the network you want to deploy them on.
In a feature release of Aruba ClearPass, they should add a more graphical way to deploy the rules.
For how long have I used the solution?
I have been using Aruba ClearPass for approximately two years.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
Aruba ClearPass is stable.
I rate the stability of Aruba ClearPass a nine out of ten.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
The scalability of Aruba ClearPass could improve. It is easy to make room but some aspects are difficult.
We have approximately 2,000 to 3,000 users that use Aruba ClearPass.
How are customer service and support?
The response time and the knowledge of the support could improve from Aruba ClearPass.
I rate the support from Aruba ClearPass a three out of five.
How would you rate customer service and support?
Neutral
How was the initial setup?
The initial setup of Aruba ClearPass is straightforward. When you need to activate the rules it becomes difficult.
What about the implementation team?
We have one person that is needed to use to support Aruba ClearPass.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
The price of Aruba ClearPass is expensive. However, Cisco ISE was as expensive when we were comparing.
Which other solutions did I evaluate?
We compared Cisco ISE before choosing Aruba ClearPass. Aruba ClearPass is better to use, especially if you have a mixed environment from different deployers or different hardware, it scales better.
What other advice do I have?
I rate Aruba ClearPass a seven 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
Buyer's Guide
Aruba ClearPass
December 2024
Learn what your peers think about Aruba ClearPass. Get advice and tips from experienced pros sharing their opinions. Updated: December 2024.
824,067 professionals have used our research since 2012.
Network Product Manager/ Senior Presales engineer at Nahil Computers
It's powerful, and it provides a lot of features we're missing.
Pros and Cons
- "ClearPass prevents hackers from accessing the network. No one can get inside without authentication. It provides a lot of features we are missing. It's incredibly powerful and stable."
- "Like most security products, ClearPass is difficult to deploy. You need to use the CLI to implement security products from any vendor, so configuring the authentication is complicated."
What is our primary use case?
We recently implemented ClearPass for a ministerial-level government agency with 2,500 users.
How has it helped my organization?
ClearPass prevents hackers from accessing the network. No one can get inside without authentication. It provides a lot of features we are missing. It's incredibly powerful and stable.
For how long have I used the solution?
I have been using Aruba ClearPass for seven years.
How was the initial setup?
Like most security products, ClearPass is difficult to deploy. You need to use the CLI to implement security products from any vendor, so configuring the authentication is complicated. Some have a GUI, but the CLI is more powerful. However, after you get the authentication protocols set up, you can forget about this device. It's stable.
What other advice do I have?
I rate Aruba ClearPass 10 out of 10. I recommend ClearPass. You'll get a lot of benefits.
Which deployment model are you using for this solution?
On-premises
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
Architecte Système at a tech services company with 1,001-5,000 employees
Excellent for securing local networks, very stable, and easily scalable
Pros and Cons
- "We find that at the end of the projects we manage, all functionalities perform quite well. We've tested it a lot and find it to be overall a very good solution."
- "The solution needs to upgrade its user interface. Right now, it's not so user friendly, and it's an aspect that my clients' wish was improved upon."
What is our primary use case?
My clients primarily use the solution to control access to the network or their sites. If a computer is not recognized by ClearPass, it won't be able to gain access.
What is most valuable?
The solution is extremely stable.
We find that at the end of the projects we manage, all functionalities perform quite well. We've tested it a lot and find it to be overall a very good solution.
It's excellent in terms of securing local networks for our clients.
What needs improvement?
The solution needs to upgrade its user interface. Right now, it's not so user friendly, and it's an aspect that my clients' wish was improved upon.
The solution is quite large and complex in scope. If a person isn't familiar with the solution, they can quickly get overwhelmed with everything.
For how long have I used the solution?
I've been installing the solution for one to two years now. The last project I worked on was around six months ago.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
We have never experienced any bugs, crashes, or glitches. In my opinion, everything is stable. It's excellent. I'd say it's quite reliable in that regard.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
The solution is very scalable. A company will be able to expand the solution to meet their needs as necessary.
How are customer service and technical support?
In the past, we have reached out to technical support. During the implementation process, all the way through the project, we only had just one or two specific instances where their assistance seemed to take a long time. However, overall, I would say we are completely satisfied with their level of support.
How was the initial setup?
While the installation itself is not difficult per se, the process you need to go through before installing the solution is complex. There are a lot of configurations to do on the firewall network and it can take a while, depending on the company.
While it's tedious before the installation, once you come to the actual installation itself, you'll realize it's not too bad.
We're working on a project right now that has ten deployments and that's taken us about four or five months. For this project, there have been five people involved in the deployment process.
What about the implementation team?
We handle aspects of the implementation for our clients.
What other advice do I have?
We've partnered with HPE and Aruba.
I work at a service company. I go and install solutions for customers. I just handle the install for my customers. I don't use the software myself every day or on a regular basis. My role is one of a project technician and director. I'm an architect.
Our organization handles all sizes of companies from small to large enterprises.
If there's a company out there considering the solution, I'd just caution them to be ready. There is a lot of configuration to do on all of the infrastructure. Other than that, it's an excellent solution. It's great for securing a local network. Security, at the end of the day, shouldn't have a cost. It's imperative to protect your business and to not worry so much about price tags, because it's even more expensive when you are unprotected and things go wrong.
I'd rate the solution 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
Senior Network Administrator at a manufacturing company with 1,001-5,000 employees
It helps us to ensure all sites are compliant with a unified set of standards passed down from our corporate headquarters.
Valuable Features
The most valuable feature for us it the granular, logic-based nesting of objects which gives highly customizable control over AAA for TACACS+ and RADIUS.
Device profiling for basic/intermediate NAC is also highly useful.
Improvements to My Organization
Providing granular control over which devices are permitted to join our corporate wireless network, as well as in-depth AAA (accounting, in particular) for TACACS+ sessions, is huge. We can refer back to these logs at any time, which are especially useful when we undergo organization-wide audits.
Having a global business presence, CPPM helps us to ensure all sites are compliant with a unified set of standards passed down from our corporate headquarters.
Room for Improvement
- I'd like to see greater ability to customize backups – locations, transfer protocols (SCP/SFTP, etc).
- Small tweaks like scroll bar distances within large Enforcement Policies. More customization for SNMP traps (types), a well as published MIB files so that we can utilize our network monitoring environment more heavily with polling specific aspects of CPPM.
- Hardware requirements for VM templates we use (CP-VA-5K) are, quite frankly, absurd (very high disk storage requirements).
Use of Solution
I've used it for just over three years.
Deployment Issues
I don't recall any issues with deployment.
Stability Issues
I don't recall any issues with stability.
Scalability Issues
I don't recall any issues with scalability.
Customer Service and Technical Support
Technical support was not all that great, actually. They are responsive, but oftentimes are VERY reluctant to initiate a screen-sharing session or give in-depth answers. URL links to knowledge-base articles are very typical for initial answers, which (1) slows resolution, and (2) increases frustration.
It seems, in general, that technical support is more interested in closing new cases than they are in actually solving the root issues. 90% of the questions I’ve had I’ve had solved (for free, mind you, without any maintenance fees) using Aruba’s Airheads online user-based forums.
Initial Setup
The solution was implemented before I gained ownership of it. I'm not sure of the history behind it.
Implementation Team
A local vendor was used.
Other Advice
Do your due-diligence in understanding how the product works before you deploy. CPPM (and many like it – Cisco ISE and ACS) are very complex in the way they are configured and operate.
If you can design the solution before implementation, you have a much better chance of scaling well, easily, and with little down-time as you grow the product throughout its life cycle in your organization.
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
Networking Architect at Telia Lietuva, AB
Very mature with great functionality; excellent online support
Pros and Cons
- "A mature and functional product."
- "Some functions could be improved."
What is our primary use case?
Our primary use case is providing services for this solution. We've done a big proof of concept for Clearpass in our company. And another recent case I prepared was a proposal for one of our biggest customers regarding a solution for network access control. Clearpass was practically the heart of that solution.
My position in the company is independent. The company sells end products and services from various vendors and Aruba is one of them. We do the implementation.
What is most valuable?
One of the most valuable features of the solution is the maturity of the product and, of course, the functionality is also very good.
What needs improvement?
Possibly some of the functions could be improved, but it's hard to say. Generally, Clearpass is considered the leader in its field and it's a very good product.
For how long have I used the solution?
I've been using this solution for about half a year.
How are customer service and technical support?
We have quite good support from local representatives and we have our own team in the company for maintenance. A lot is available online.
How was the initial setup?
Initial setup of the solution is relatively straightforward. There are a lot of videos and documentation available on the internet.
Which other solutions did I evaluate?
We looked at Pulse Policy Secure as a possible option. In some areas it has more flexibility than Clearpass but Clearpass came out on top in the end. Policy Secure has some ability issues and lack of good support.
What other advice do I have?
I would rate this product a nine out of 10.
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: Reseller
CTO at Kingsway Hospitals
Simple to deploy, good analytics, and usage is transparent to the users
Pros and Cons
- "It's very easy to access support and the documentation is self-explanatory."
- "In the future, I would like to see plugins for AI and machine learning."
What is most valuable?
The most valuable features are planning and analytics.
It is simple to deploy.
It is transparent for the users to come in through ClearPass.
What needs improvement?
In the future, I would like to see plugins for AI and machine learning. If it did pattern analysis then it could help to determine our requirements automatically.
For how long have I used the solution?
We have been using ClearPass for a couple of months.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
ClearPass has been very stable and there are no hiccups or any issues that we are experiencing.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
It is modularly scalable and I don't see any issues with it.
I've got a lot of people connecting to my facility from outside of the organization, and they all connect through ClearPass. The combined external and internal user count is around 500.
How are customer service and technical support?
The support that I have had from Aruba on this solution has been very nice. It's very easy to access support and the documentation is self-explanatory. You won't need much guidance from the Aruba team.
How was the initial setup?
When it comes to the initial setup, as a customer, you need to prepare your own decision matrix. Once the matrices are in place, the rollout of ClearPass is seamless. It is easy. However, if you don't do your introspection and homework then it could be a challenge for an organization.
What other advice do I have?
This is a solution that I would strongly recommend.
We are very happy with the support and the product overall. Although it meets our satisfaction and requirements 100%, you can never give a 100% mark. There is a little bit of room for improvement in all things.
I would rate this solution a nine out of ten.
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
CEO at a tech services company with 51-200 employees
The compatibility is a key valuable feature that sets it above other products
Pros and Cons
- "ClearPass is open to any operating system or mobile app."
- "Licensing cost is extremely high."
What is our primary use case?
The primary use case of ClearPass is for network access control, wireless access and policy enforcement. We use it for authentication, verification and authorization, and then patch it to our users. We are system integrators.
What is most valuable?
The advantage of Aruba is that it is open to any operating system or mobile app. The compatibility of Aruba ClearPass is a key valuable feature and makes it a stronger product than Cisco ISE in this area.
What needs improvement?
The cost of Aruba is very, very high. It's the biggest challenge we have with this product. It would be helpful if Aruba would integrate the SDN controller into the solution. Cisco is moving towards that in order to create one platform.
For how long have I used the solution?
We've been using this solution for 10 years.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
Scalability depends on the design policy. One device has a scalability provision of 20,000 but you might only use 5,000 licenses initially so it really depends on your needs.
How are customer service and support?
The technical support is excellent.
How was the initial setup?
The initial setup is easy and there is no need to install anything whether you buy the virtual platform or the appliance. It's all very open and clear and a matter of configuring for policy enforcement.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
There are licensing options but this is a very expensive product.
Which other solutions did I evaluate?
Forescout and ClearPass are both trying to build their system as an open platform for everyone which is why their reachability is very high. If you're using ClearPass or Forescout, you can use any open switches on the market. Cisco has a limited category that it has developed for its own products and infrastructure. If you use different switches and different Wi-Fi, it doesn't provide the pure solution inside.
What other advice do I have?
I rate this solution 10 out of 10.
Disclosure: My company has a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer: Integrator
Buyer's Guide
Download our free Aruba ClearPass Report and get advice and tips from experienced pros
sharing their opinions.
Updated: December 2024
Product Categories
Network Access Control (NAC)Popular Comparisons
Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE)
Forescout Platform
Fortinet FortiNAC
F5 BIG-IP Access Policy Manager (APM)
ExtremeCloud IQ
Portnox
Sophos Network Access Control
Ruckus Cloudpath
macmon Network Access Control
ExtremeControl
Ivanti NAC
Genian NAC
Impulse Point SafeConnect
Buyer's Guide
Download our free Aruba ClearPass Report and get advice and tips from experienced pros
sharing their opinions.
Quick Links
Learn More: Questions:
- What is the biggest difference between Aruba ClearPass and FortiNAC?
- Comparison of Aruba Clearpass, Bradford Networks and Forescout NACs
- What is the biggest difference between Aruba ClearPass and Cisco ISE?
- What are the differences between FortiAuthenticator and FortiNAC?
- Which is better - Aruba Clearpass or Cisco ISE?
- Which vendors provide POCs for Aruba ClearPass in India?
- PRICING FOR FORESCOUT CT10K APPLIANCE
- When evaluating Network Access Control, what aspect do you think is the most important to look for?
- Which is the best choice of Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA)?
- What is your recommended Network Access Control (NAC) solution for an enterprise?