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it_user214254 - PeerSpot reviewer
Senior Network Administrator at a manufacturing company with 1,001-5,000 employees
Vendor
It helps us to ensure all sites are compliant with a unified set of standards passed down from our corporate headquarters.

What is most valuable?

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.

How has it helped 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.

What needs 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).

For how long have I used the solution?

I've used it for just over three years.

Buyer's Guide
Aruba ClearPass
March 2025
Learn what your peers think about Aruba ClearPass. Get advice and tips from experienced pros sharing their opinions. Updated: March 2025.
842,672 professionals have used our research since 2012.

What was my experience with deployment of the solution?

I don't recall any issues with deployment.

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

I don't recall any issues with stability.

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

I don't recall any issues with scalability.

How are customer service and 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.

How was the initial setup?

The solution was implemented before I gained ownership of it. I'm not sure of the history behind it.

What about the implementation team?

A local vendor was used.

What other advice do I have?

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.
PeerSpot user
reviewer2319423 - PeerSpot reviewer
Network engineer / owner at a photography company with 11-50 employees
Real User
Top 5
Offers ability to authenticate using not just certificates but also MAC addresses
Pros and Cons
  • "I would rate the stability a nine out of ten."
  • "There is room for improvement in terms of scalability."

What is our primary use case?

We mainly use it for 802.1X authentication.

What is most valuable?

Our customers like its ability to authenticate using not just certificates but also MAC addresses is very helpful in mitigating unauthenticated access on networks and switches.

What needs improvement?

There is room for improvement in terms of scalability. 

For how long have I used the solution?

I have experience with Aruba ClearPass for five to six years.

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

I would rate the stability a nine out of ten.

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

I would rate the scalability an eight out of ten. Our customers are mostly medium-sized businesses.

Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?

I have some years of experience with FortiGate, Fortinet Firewalls, and Fortinet switches. Mostly with FortiSwitch models 6450, 548, and 124F.

What about the implementation team?

I didn't set it up myself. I'm involved in operating the system.

What other advice do I have?

Overall, I would rate the solution an eight 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: Implementer
PeerSpot user
Buyer's Guide
Aruba ClearPass
March 2025
Learn what your peers think about Aruba ClearPass. Get advice and tips from experienced pros sharing their opinions. Updated: March 2025.
842,672 professionals have used our research since 2012.
reviewer1401510 - PeerSpot reviewer
Team leader technical support at a manufacturing company with 201-500 employees
Real User
Provides integration options with a multitude of other vendors and Aruba applications
Pros and Cons
  • "I like the integration options with a multitude of other vendors and Aruba applications."
  • "The user interface could be more polished and modern. It would be useful to have more options for automation."

What is our primary use case?

I use this solution for securing company-wide logs.

I'm using the latest version. It's deployed on the public cloud. Microsoft Azure is the cloud provider.

Everyone in our organization uses this solution. It's about 300 people. There are four people who specifically operate the solution, do daily checks, check for errors, and help users who are having trouble with their login sessions.

What is most valuable?

I like that it's usable in both an on-premise and hybrid and cloud native environment. I like the integration options with a multitude of other vendors and Aruba applications.

What needs improvement?

The user interface could be more polished and modern. It would be useful to have more options for automation.

I would like to have more collaboration between different security platforms. For instance, the Fortinet portfolio, which we also use extensively.

For how long have I used the solution?

I have used this solution for about one year.

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

It's very stable. We did have some issues with under provisioning the underlying resources, so that needs to be taken into account. If you do, then it is very stable.

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

The scalability is very high. You just need to add extra nodes. I would rate the scalability as eight out of ten.

How are customer service and support?

Technical support is only approached by our third party network service provider.

How was the initial setup?

Deployment took one day.

What about the implementation team?

Implementation was done through a third party. We outsourced the deployment to our network vendor.

Maintenance is also outsourced. For the application itself, maintenance takes about four hours a month. For the actual usage of the applications on a day-to-day basis, we do that ourselves.

What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?

Compared to the functionality, the pricing is very favorable. It's affordable and provides good value for the money.

I would rate the pricing as three out of ten.

Which other solutions did I evaluate?

We evaluated other on-premises solutions, but they aren't very comparable to Aruba.

What other advice do I have?

I would rate this solution as nine out of ten.

I would recommend Aruba ClearPass to others.

Which deployment model are you using for this solution?

Public Cloud

If public cloud, private cloud, or hybrid cloud, which cloud provider do you use?

Microsoft Azure
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
PeerSpot user
Senior Manager Network Design at MEEZA, Managed IT Services Provider
Real User
Top 5Leaderboard
Beneficial protocol support, helpful technical assistance, and reliable
Pros and Cons
  • "A lot of the issues in Forescout are mitigated in Aruba ClearPass, it supports all the expected protocols."
  • "Aruba ClearPass has fewer deployment scenarios and flexibility than Forescout."

What is our primary use case?

Aruba ClearPass is used for enforcing certain security policies all around the organization, it covers certain security policies, which is in turn, is deducted from the business requirements. You start with a security policy, then you need technology to enforce it, this is where Aruba ClearPass is used.

What is most valuable?

A lot of the issues in Forescout are mitigated in Aruba ClearPass, it supports all the expected protocols.

What needs improvement?

Aruba ClearPass has fewer deployment scenarios and flexibility than Forescout.

For how long have I used the solution?

I have been using Aruba ClearPass for five years.

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

Aruba ClearPass is reliable.

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

I have found Aruba ClearPass to be scalable.

I have approximately two clients with 400 users each, giving a total of 800 users using the solution.

How are customer service and support?

Aruba ClearPass has a very good technical support team. Whenever we need the vendor to be involved, we find a good deal of technical support.

Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?

I have used Forescout and I would rate Aruba ClearPass second best.

How was the initial setup?

The initial installation is simple. The deployment could be better since it has fewer capabilities than other solutions, it could be more flexible.

What about the implementation team?

We have a dedicated engineer for Aruba ClearPass when it comes to deploying and support of the solution. One engineer is enough for my client's environment.

What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?

The licensing model is very straightforward. There are two types of licensing for Aruba ClearPass, a perpetual license, and a subscription. Both of them are straightforward. We don't need to read an ordering guide, it's very clear.

What other advice do I have?

I would recommend this solution to others if they have a certain use case. If there is a lot of Cisco environments that need to be implied under the security policy, then ClearPass is the right solution for them. It supports a wide range of Cisco technologies and Cisco protocols.

I rate Aruba ClearPass an eight 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
PeerSpot user
Networking Architect at Telia Lietuva, AB
Real User
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
PeerSpot user
it_user424623 - PeerSpot reviewer
Manager, IT Operations at a real estate/law firm with 1,001-5,000 employees
Vendor
Reliable solution for our guest network access as well as mobile device registration.

What is most valuable?

It's a reliable solution for our guest network access as well as mobile device registration.

How has it helped my organization?

The key functionality we're using is Active Directory in unison with device authentication, so every 45 days a user has to log in their password on their mobile phone so that you can use WiFi services in the office. We're going to be looking at ClearPass to do device authentication, which means the users will only have to register the device once and never have to re-enter the password again.

What needs improvement?

It was a complex solution to set up because of its newness. We needed a third-party implementor to help us.

For how long have I used the solution?

It's a brand new installation for us, and we've only had it for a month.

What was my experience with deployment of the solution?

So far, we haven't had any issues with deployment.

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

From what we've seen it's been pretty stable.

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

Right now, it's scaled. We're using it for guest internet services and it seems to be working pretty well. Our next phase with that would be to roll in for device registration as we roll out to our mobile device strategy.

How are customer service and technical support?

Customer Service:

10/10 for HP and 8/10 for the third-party.

Technical Support:

We haven't really run into any support issues yet. On the integration side, there's obviously some expertise with the vendor, which is going to help us take care of some issues in the future, but it hasn't really been a difficult product to support.

Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?

We decommissioned other options. We had another, but we've since decoupled it and are now using ClearPass to do that.

How was the initial setup?

Because of its newness it was complex, but the end result was pretty straightforward.

What about the implementation team?

We did need a third party to come in and help us do the implementation. We had some initial help from an HP engineer on the Aruba side who spent some time with us, showing us an evaluation version of it, but when we went into production we had to get a third party to help us.

What was our ROI?

We're not really calculating ROI for the service. It's a necessary service delivered by IT to the corporation.

What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?

We're currently doing an entire refresh of our access point network, which is approximately 80 access points across the country. We've recently acquired all new hardware. We're refreshing the entire footprint.

Which other solutions did I evaluate?

Because Aruba was our primary vendor for our access points, it just made more sense for us to try to consolidate more services towards the new strategy.

What other advice do I have?

It's only providing a very small service to us right now. It's not like we're looking at ClearPass on a very full-blown basis. My advice would be to just make sure to do a proper spectrum analysis, and each of your properties are areas that you intend to put WiFi, because it will be critical to where you put APs and how closely you put them together.

Disclosure: PeerSpot contacted the reviewer to collect the review and to validate authenticity. The reviewer was referred by the vendor, but the review is not subject to editing or approval by the vendor.
PeerSpot user
Business Develop Manager at Cosmos Business Systems
Real User
It isn't hard to learn the tool, and it has a lot of features
Pros and Cons
  • "ClearPass is effortless to use and configure. It's not hard to learn the tool, and it has lots of features."
  • "ClearPass' interface could be more user-friendly."

What is our primary use case?

ClearPass provides authentication solutions for endpoints. 

What is most valuable?

ClearPass is effortless to use and configure. It's not hard to learn the tool, and it has lots of features.

What needs improvement?

ClearPass' interface could be more user-friendly. 

For how long have I used the solution?

I've used ClearPass for more than four years.

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

ClearPass is stable. In my opinion, it's the best solution of its kind.

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

ClearPass is highly scalable.

How are customer service and support?

ClearPass support is fine because we have a good relationship with the vendor, so we can call them whenever we have questions. 

How was the initial setup?

Deploying ClearPass is very straightforward. We are an Aruba integrator, and we've installed ClearPass for more than 10 clients. You can deploy it with two or three engineers, and the time needed for deployment depends on the client. Installing ClearPass for a larger client will take about one week, but a smaller client takes only about three days. 

What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?

We pay a yearly subscription.

What other advice do I have?

I rate Aruba ClearPass eight 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: Integrator
PeerSpot user
Varun Bhati - PeerSpot reviewer
Network and Security Specialist at New Balance
Real User
Policy and access management solution that has a user friendly interface and is easy to set up
Pros and Cons
  • "Document authentications allows us to decide which users can connect to an office VLAN and this has been the most valuable feature."
  • "This solution could be improved by making it possible to use it across different territories. Currently, if a user moves from the US to the UK, their usage and access will be restricted."

What is our primary use case?

If for example, a user in my office received a particular VLAN for the USA and relocated to the UK, they will not get the same access. This is the challenge that we are trying to achieve through the CPPM. 

What is most valuable?

Document authentications allows us to decide which users can connect to an office VLAN and this has been the most valuable feature. It is dependent upon the policies that we have created on CPPM. If a domain laptop needs a Windows update, the device is updated. 

What needs improvement?

This solution could be improved by making it possible to use it across different territories. Currently, if a user moves from the US to the UK, their usage and access will be restricted. 

For how long have I used the solution?

I have been using this solution for one year. 

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

This is a stable solution.

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

This is a scalable solution. 

How was the initial setup?

The initial setup is straightforward. 

What other advice do I have?

The suitability of this solution is dependent upon the requirements of the business. You need to consider if you want authentications for every network devices like switch, routers, firewalls and wireless. This can depend on the type of projects you are running. 

We needed the enterprise authentication because we needed the wifi dot certification. Using this, we can access network devices and policies. 

I would rate this solution a seven out of ten because the Aruba dashboard is quite simple compared to other solutions.

Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
PeerSpot user
Buyer's Guide
Download our free Aruba ClearPass Report and get advice and tips from experienced pros sharing their opinions.
Updated: March 2025
Buyer's Guide
Download our free Aruba ClearPass Report and get advice and tips from experienced pros sharing their opinions.