For us, the most valuable feature is the ability to access our office's network. Once you are authorized to gain access, it's a solution that makes doing so a seamless process. Connecting to wifi at our office is something we should be taking for granted.
Development manager - Networks at a retailer with 1,001-5,000 employees
For us, the most valuable feature is the ability to access our office's network. Once you are authorized to gain access, it's a solution that makes doing so a seamless process.
What is most valuable?
What needs improvement?
It's too pricey, to be honest. There's not really much difference between the wireless vendors and competition is tight. Aruba would have a bigger advantage if it weren't so pricey.
What was my experience with deployment of the solution?
They deploy without issues.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
Stability is really good and something we're very happy about. We just install it and they last until they die, which is a really long time.
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Aruba Wireless
January 2025
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What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
They can go from short range to long range, and there are many new features for connecting additional users.
Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?
We chose HP because of the price. It's a good solution and best-suited for us.
How was the initial setup?
The initial setup was very straightforward.
What about the implementation team?
We used a vendor team for implementation.
Which other solutions did I evaluate?
We always evaluate other options when considering IT solutions. We looked at Cisco and Juniper, but HP/Aruba is better.
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
Founder & CTO at a tech services company with 51-200 employees
They provide the flexibility to choose different models depending on, for example, the number of APs you want to deploy.
Valuable Features:
The most valuable features of these wireless controllers for us are the advanced security and management features. They're excellent and provide our users with protection over-the-air.
Improvements to My Organization:
They've improved our clients' organizations by providing the flexibility to choose different models depending on, for example, the number of APs they want to deploy and other criteria.
They're also easily upgradeable to higher versions and the licenses can be transferred easily.
Room for Improvement:
Aruba adds more and more features to them all the time, but having to buy additional licenses for new features can get pretty expensive, especially when a client wants to stay up-to-date.
Deployment Issues:
They deploy well without issues.
Stability Issues:
It's a very stable product. Right now, we have several deployments and we'll know whether there are problems with these controllers.
Scalability Issues:
The 7000 is highly scalable. You can start with a lower controller model, and as a client's requirement increases, you can always migrate to a newer model. They'll still have all the licenses that they previously purchased.
Initial Setup:
The initial setup for the 7000 is straightforward for us. We're trained and certified engineers. But for someone who isn't, it's very complex.
Other Solutions Considered:
We've done several migrations from competitive products, but Aruba is better because of the technology and the price. They also integrate well with other Aruba applications, such as ClearPass.
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
Buyer's Guide
Aruba Wireless
January 2025
Learn what your peers think about Aruba Wireless. Get advice and tips from experienced pros sharing their opinions. Updated: January 2025.
831,265 professionals have used our research since 2012.
Network Engineer at a university with 501-1,000 employees
We don't need to visit each AP locations for a code upgrade or troubleshooting but some went bad over time.
What is most valuable?
Central controller and ARM function on Access Points.
How has it helped my organization?
We don't need to visit each AP locations for a code upgrade or troubleshooting.
What needs improvement?
More stable cide
For how long have I used the solution?
6 years.
What was my experience with deployment of the solution?
Some of them have cable limitations.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
Yes, we did. Some model of APs went bad over time.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
No, we don't as long as we purchase the license.
How are customer service and technical support?
Customer Service:
Almost excellent.
Technical Support:Almost excellent.
Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?
Yes, we did. It was Cisco Autonomous APs, but we replaced them as we wanted a centralized system.
How was the initial setup?
It was pretty straightforward.
What about the implementation team?
We used a vendor and they were very knowledgeable.
Which other solutions did I evaluate?
Yes we also evaluated Cisco Lightweight APs.
What other advice do I have?
You should start implementing the latest and greatest access points which are 801.11 AC.
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
Helpful support, and good Instant On features, but the pricing needs to be better
Pros and Cons
- "The most valuable features are the Instant On capabilities, including the controller."
- "They should have more support for implementing Aruba Wireless in Smart Cities and outdoor applications."
What is our primary use case?
We are a solution provider and Aruba Wireless is one of the products that we implement for our clients. It provides wireless network access to local users.
One of our implementations is in a hospital, and we have also installed it in a few government offices.
What is most valuable?
The most valuable features are the Instant On capabilities, including the controller. You don't need to have a separate controller.
What needs improvement?
They should have more support for implementing Aruba Wireless in Smart Cities and outdoor applications.
The price of this product could be improved.
For how long have I used the solution?
I have been working with Aruba Wireless products for more than five years.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
Aruba Wireless is a stable product.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
This solution scales easily.
How are customer service and support?
The technical support is helpful.
How was the initial setup?
The initial setup was not difficult. We had an issue during the implementation, but we fixed it when we contacted support.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
My main concern about this product is the price. The cost is causing me to look at other vendors and competing products.
Which other solutions did I evaluate?
I am currently looking into dealing with similar products from Huawei. In our market, we are competing with other implementors.
What other advice do I have?
I would rate this solution a seven out of ten.
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.
Converged Services Project Manager at a tech services company with 11-50 employees
Stable, good support, and scales well
Pros and Cons
- "Aruba Wireless is stable and we plan to continue using it in the future."
- "Better integration with equipment from other vendors would ease the deployment process in some cases."
What is our primary use case?
We are a solution provider and Aruba Wireless is one of the network products that we implement for our customers. We offer it to our clients to provide wireless and cloud services.
What needs improvement?
Better integration with equipment from other vendors would ease the deployment process in some cases. It is also helpful because certain vendors concentrate more heavily on a certain side of the industry. For example, one may focus on security but neglect availability. Being able to integrate gives a better overall solution.
Security is something that can be improved.
For how long have I used the solution?
I have been working with Aruba Wireless for about two years. The company has more than 10 years of experience.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
Aruba Wireless is stable and we plan to continue using it in the future.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
This is a scalable solution.
How are customer service and technical support?
The technical support is good, although it sometimes depends on who it is that handles the case.
Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?
We deal with several wireless networking products from Aruba, Ruckus, and Brocade.
How was the initial setup?
Sometimes, the initial setup is complex. For example, if I need to integrate with other vendors then there can be issues and we have to do a lot of work to solve these kinds of problems.
The length of time required for deployment depends on the size and density of the network. There are a lot of parameters that dictate how much time it takes, but the average for us is a three to four-day deployment.
What about the implementation team?
We have a design team and a technical team who take care of the implementation and deployment. Most of the time, they consult with me if there's an issue with the design or they need more details. We provide a consulting service for this.
What other advice do I have?
My advice for anybody who is implementing Aruba Wireless concerns the design stage. I suggest trying to design everything using a single vendor. Do not use a multivendor approach because you will have issues with integrating systems together.
Overall, this is a good product and I recommend it.
I would rate this 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: Partner
Specialist Design and Solutions at orben comunicaciones
Clear pass helps a lot with admin, though its analytics and big data requires improvement
What is our primary use case?
Implementing wireless networks.
How has it helped my organization?
It seems a little bit more difficult to implement than Meraki.
What is most valuable?
Clear pass, it helps a lot with admin.
What needs improvement?
Analytics and big data.
For how long have I used the solution?
Three to five years.
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
Organization Civil Engineer with 1-10 employees
Provides us with a scalable Wi-Fi solution
What is our primary use case?
Wi-Fi. The performance is okay.
What is most valuable?
Scalability.
What needs improvement?
I would like to see more security features. Also, it should have more than one, maybe five, access points. Wherever we go, we should get the same speed continuously, without disconnecting.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
I am satisfied with the stability.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
I am satisfied with the scalability.
How is customer service and technical support?
Their services are okay, satisfactory.
How was the initial setup?
It is straightforward.
What other advice do I have?
It's a good product, you can go ahead with it.
When selecting a vendor, the most important criteria are a stable product, the cost, and security features.
I rate Aruba Wireless at nine out of 10 because it is reliable, and all the features are okay.
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
Field Service at a comms service provider with 501-1,000 employees
Allows a student or teacher to be able to roam freely from classroom to classroom without dropping a signal
Pros and Cons
- "Ability for a student or teacher to be able to roam freely from classroom to classroom, no matter the floor, without dropping a signal."
- "I wish the APs had the ability to enter in notes about a specific AP."
What is our primary use case?
Provide WiFi access for an elementary school pre-kindergarten to eighth grade. Serving about 350 students with mobility Internet connection. The building infrastructure is a solid, old school, preventing your regular AP from being able to penetrate through walls.
How has it helped my organization?
Teachers and students have access to technology within the classroom which is used daily side-by-side complementing their education.
What is most valuable?
Most valuable feature of the solution is the ability for a student or teacher to be able to roam freely from classroom to classroom, no matter the floor, without dropping a signal.
What needs improvement?
The ability for newer devices to easily communicate with older style APs. I wish the APs had the ability to enter in notes about a specific AP. For example, AP Mac address goes to classroom 123.
For how long have I used the solution?
More than five years.
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
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