Four years ago, our network was incapable of handling our anticipated throughput. We knew we had issues in our network, so we made sure our switches and infrastructure were OpenFlow-enabled. We originally planned for three devices per student, but now we're seeing four or five and sometimes more with wearable devices. Now, with Aruba Wireless, we're SDN-enabled with networking thrust re-route or pick-ups at the switch edges.
Deputy Director Infrastructure Delivery (acting) at a university with 1,001-5,000 employees
It's allowed us to be SDN-enabled with networking thrust re-route or pick-ups at the switch edges.
What is most valuable?
How has it helped my organization?
Aruba Wireless allows us to integrate our network with different HP technologies. We want to have a single vendor with a rapid-enough life-cycle. HP isn't held back by the workload or lowest common denominator, or by the fact that we have locations in Australia, Vietnam, and other places on that side of the globe. We can use Aruba Wireless everywhere and manage it effectively. It is doing everything we need it to do and it's giving me the flexibility to go where I want to go.
What needs improvement?
It could always be improved to be a better risk-related investment. We need to maximum our investment and to have it work to its fullest potential for us. I'd like to see it get to the point where SDN works well with HP Net Protector.
What was my experience with deployment of the solution?
We've had no issues with deployment.
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.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
We had lots of issues on the network routers until about 12 months ago, having to do with the architecture. We had too much load at the core by allowing too many wireless users.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
We run two-and-a-half gigabytes through the wireless system. We're looking for even greater throughput, and I think it'll scale to accommodate this.
How are customer service and support?
Technical support has been good. We have a support contract with HP and access to the right people when we need them. However, HP's presence in Australia is a little light.
What other advice do I have?
Definitely look at SDN to take some costs out of your network. If you can, go with HP ConvergedSystem because it's the simplest, fastest way to virtualize your networks.
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
Executive Director of Innovation at a hospitality company with 501-1,000 employees
The remote access through RAPS is a feature that simplifies access for our providers at home, and provides continuity of security, but the configuration is detailed and can be complex.
What is most valuable?
The most valuable features for me are:
- Built-in firewall
- Security
- Authentication
- Remote access
- Stability
How has it helped my organization?
Providing wireless to our clinicians and providers allows them to be mobile within the facility and still maintain connectivity to valuable information, like our Electronic Health Record. The remote access through RAPS is a feature that simplifies access for our providers at home, and provides continuity of security. In addition we provide guest wireless to our patients and families which improves satisfaction.
What needs improvement?
The configuration is extremely detailed and can be quite complex. For a small IT staff, it is difficult to make changes without outside consulting or Aruba Support.
For how long have I used the solution?
We've used it for two years. We're using a 3400 controller with AP105 Access Points. The software version is 6.3.1.9_44832.
What was my experience with deployment of the solution?
There were no issues with deployment.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
This product has been very stable.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
No. We have added Access Points and Remote Access Points as needed. We also expanded to a redundant controller which allows High Availability.
How are customer service and technical support?
Customer Service:
Service has been good - 8/10.
Technical Support:8/10
Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?
We switched to Aruba because of the advanced security. In healthcare we have HIPAA compliance to achieve and maintain. Security is a priority.
How was the initial setup?
Setting up the controller is complex. The SSIDs, Authentication methodology, Access, is all quite complex to set up. Not for a novice.
What about the implementation team?
We used a vendor team to implement. We used a third party consulting firm to assist with setting up the redundant controller. Both were very good.
What was our ROI?
This product is considered infrastructure. It is a cost of doing business. It allows our business to be more flexible and mobile. But there is no direct ROI.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
Aruba has made changes to their licensing to make it more cost effective. Work with a partner that is familiar with all of the features in this product so that you get the licensing you need. Not all features are available with basic licensing. You need to determine the feature set you want, and then look at pricing for that feature set.
Which other solutions did I evaluate?
HP and Cisco. HP was not secure enough. We had HP in house already. We looked at Cisco but did not do a demo or work with a partner. We do not have any Cisco in house. From my own research, Cisco was too expensive and did not have a solution that was a single appliance that could do all of the things that Aruba can do. Their solution required firewalls, controllers, and routers to accomplish the same thing. This may no longer be the case.
What other advice do I have?
Get a good partner. Not just the local IT shop that has wireless experience. Not all wireless vendors are created equal. To get the real bang for the buck, you need an expert to help you decide what you want and to implement it.
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.
EDP Supervisor at a real estate/law firm with 51-200 employees
A stable and scalable product that is a bit complex to use and operate
Pros and Cons
- "The product has been pretty stable...The product is scalable."
- "Aruba Wireless is a little bit complex to use and operate."
What needs improvement?
Aruba Wireless is a little bit complex to use and operate. So, it can be an area for improvement.
For how long have I used the solution?
I have been using Aruba Wireless for three to four years. Also, I don't remember the version of the solution I am using. I am a customer of the solution.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
The product has been pretty stable.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
The product is scalable. Around 150 people in my company are using the solution. We need only one administrator for the solution.
How are customer service and support?
I haven't faced any problems with customer support.
How was the initial setup?
Regarding the deployment process, it keeps showing updates.
What about the implementation team?
A third party did the implementation. I'm not familiar with the setting. So, I got help from a consultant.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
We have some licenses for the solution, and we need not renew licenses. But we need to pay a hundred thousand if you want to renew our subscription and renew the hardware. But if we switched to another solution like Ruckus, I think maybe it is just a similar amount even if we don't have the license. So we are considering this, but have not reached a decision yet. Also, we need to make additional payments for support.
Which other solutions did I evaluate?
Based on our evaluations, we are considering Ruckus and Ubiquiti over Aruba since Ruckus' and Ubiquiti's functions and settings are okay, making them easy to use.
What other advice do I have?
Aruba Wireless will phase out. We are actually phasing out and looking at other solutions. We are switching because it's a bit expensive, so we are looking for a cheaper solution.
Because of the price and ease of use, I rate the overall solution a seven out of ten.
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
Head - Managed Connectivity Services at Rogers Capital
A wireless networking solution with a useful analytics feature, but the price could be better
Pros and Cons
- "I like the analytics feature."
- "The price could be better. In the next release, I would like to have more analytics features."
What is our primary use case?
We are part of a conglomerate on the island. We provide this solution to all our different divisions, including the shopping malls. We are the technology division of the group. So, we've been assisting the group in their implementation across sectors.
What is most valuable?
I like the analytics feature.
What needs improvement?
The price could be better. In the next release, I would like to have more analytics features.
For how long have I used the solution?
We have been using Aruba Wireless for the past five years.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
Aruba Wireless is a stable solution.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
Scalability depends on the model.
What about the implementation team?
Our in-house team did the implementation.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
The price could be better. Competitors offer more features for a similar cost.
What other advice do I have?
On a scale from one to ten, I would give Aruba Wireless a six.
I rated Aruba Wireless six because the analytics part seems to depend on third-party software applications and because of their pricing.
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
Director of Information Technology at a university with 51-200 employees
Cloud networking solution that offers good communication and insights into the company's roadmap
Pros and Cons
- "This is the second time I've implemented and installed this solution and I think it is outstanding. The support is excellent and so is the hardware. We don't need much support because nothing really goes wrong."
- "We needed the help of network consultants to complete the setup for us."
What is our primary use case?
We operate in the education sector and we use it for our staff and students to access our cloud-based application. This includes our learning management system, Canvas and a few systems. We also use it for our guests on site.
What is most valuable?
This is the second time I've implemented and installed this solution and I think it is outstanding. The support is excellent and so is the hardware. We don't need much support because nothing really goes wrong.
For how long have I used the solution?
We have been using this solution for 10 years.
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. We have 3,500 users in our organisation supported by Aruba.
How are customer service and support?
The customer service and support for this solution is excellent.
How would you rate customer service and support?
Positive
Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?
We previously used Cisco. We were contacted by Aruba and had some fantastic demonstrations from them. We talked to other schools that had already implemented the solution. We looked at Gartner reports and where they sat in terms of their support, their product and their reputation in the market. We did extensive research on Aruba before switching.
How was the initial setup?
The initial setup is straightforward.
What about the implementation team?
We did enlist the help of network consultants to complete the setup for us. Three consultants were involved in the deployment and it took three days.
What other advice do I have?
What I really like about the company is they stay in touch with us and let us know what their roadmap is and what developments are coming. They are not just a company that sells you their solution and then disappears.
Aruba is a sound business investment because we hardly ever experience any issues. On one occasion when we had a failure, their support team helped us immediately.
I would rate this solution a ten out of ten.
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
Sales Manager at ITWin Technology Sdn. Bhd.
Reasonably priced, reliable, and straightforward to set up
Pros and Cons
- "The cost is pretty good. It's what draws in the clients."
- "The solution is now taking eight to 12 months to deliver the product."
What is our primary use case?
We have many clients and therefore many use cases. It's used in manufacturing, hospitality, hospitals, commercial buildings, and shopping centers.
What is most valuable?
The cost is pretty good. It's what draws in the clients.
It has a straightforward initial setup.
The solution can scale.
It's a stable product.
Technical support is good.
What needs improvement?
The solution is now taking eight to 12 months to deliver the product. It takes too long to receive it right now.
Depending on how you design the setup, it can get complicated.
For how long have I used the solution?
I've been dealing with the solution for ten or more years.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
It's a stable solution. We haven't had any issues. It's reliable and the performance is good.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
You can scale the solution quite well. It's a good option for enterprises or large rollouts.
How are customer service and support?
It's been so far, so good with technical support. We're satisfied with it overall.
Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?
We also use Ruckus Wireless.
How was the initial setup?
The initial setup's level of difficulty depends on how we design the network. It can be very complicated if we're talking on a campus level and there are a thousand touch points.
What about the implementation team?
I'm a systems integrator. I can implement the product for clients.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
The price is reasonable.
What other advice do I have?
We are a system integrator, an IT company.
We are still selling the latest version.
I'd rate the solution eight out of ten. The customers for the most part are happy with it.
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.
IT Supervisor at TPC VINA Plastic and Chemical Corp., Ltd.
Priced well, stable, and good support
Pros and Cons
- "Aruba Wireless has been straightforward to set up."
- "The user interface could be improved in Aruba Wireless. This would make the setup easier."
What is our primary use case?
We are using Aruba Wireless to connect our internal network.
What needs improvement?
The user interface could be improved in Aruba Wireless. This would make the setup easier.
For how long have I used the solution?
I have been using Aruba Wireless for approximately three years.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
Aruba Wireless is a stable solution.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
We have approximately 200 people using this solution in my organization.
How are customer service and support?
I have used the support from Aruba Wireless.
I rate the support from Aruba Wireless a four out of five.
Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?
I was previously using Cisco small business. We switched to Aruba Wireless because the capacity was better and was more stable. I wanted to switch to SQL Enterprise but the price was very high compared to Aruba Wireless.
How was the initial setup?
Aruba Wireless has been straightforward to set up.
I rate the initial setup of Aruba Wireless a four out of five.
What was our ROI?
I have received a return on investment while using Aruba Wireless.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
The price of Aruba Wireless has a more competitive price than other solutions.
I rate the price of Aruba Wireless a four of five.
What other advice do I have?
I rate Aruba Wireless an eight 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.
R&D Engineer IC Design at inLab Ltd
Stable, scalable, and flexible featured with helpful customer service
Pros and Cons
- "It has very flexible features."
- "I believe more security options are needed."
What is our primary use case?
We use the product predominately for beacons and peer devices.
What is most valuable?
It has very flexible features.
What needs improvement?
I believe more security options are needed.
For how long have I used the solution?
I have been using the product for seven or eight years.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
We have not had any problems with the stability of the product.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
It is a scalable solution.
How are customer service and technical support?
When we have had to use support, everything from the service was helpful.
Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?
We have used Cisco products in the past.
How was the initial setup?
The setup is not a problem, it only took five minutes or so.
What about the implementation team?
We used five technicians for the deployment of the product.
What other advice do I have?
I rate Aruba Wireless a nine out of ten.
Which deployment model are you using for this solution?
Hybrid Cloud
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
Buyer's Guide
Download our free Aruba Wireless Report and get advice and tips from experienced pros
sharing their opinions.
Updated: January 2025
Product Categories
Wireless LANPopular Comparisons
Cisco Meraki Wireless LAN
Cisco Wireless
Juniper Mist Wireless Access Points
Ruckus Wireless
Ubiquiti WLAN
Huawei Wireless
Mist AI and Cloud
Omada Access Points
D-Link Wireless
Fortinet FortiWLM
Aruba Instant
ExtremeWireless
NETGEAR Insight Access Points
Fortinet FortiAP
Aruba Instant On Access Points
Buyer's Guide
Download our free Aruba Wireless Report and get advice and tips from experienced pros
sharing their opinions.
Quick Links
Learn More: Questions:
- Which would you recommend to your boss, Aruba Wireless or Ubiquiti WLAN?
- What is the best high-performance Wireless LAN device?
- What is the biggest difference between Aruba Wireless and Ruckus Wireless?
- What Is The Biggest Difference Between Aruba And Cisco Wireless?
- What are pros and cons of Aruba 515 Series AP vs. Cisco Meraki or Extreme Networks?
- What are the biggest differences between Ruckus Wireless, Aruba Wireless, and Cisco Wireless?
- How different are the pricing and costs of Aruba Wireless and Cisco Meraki Wireless LAN?
- What are the biggest differences between Aruba Wireless and ExtremeWireless?
- How does Cisco Wireless compare with Aruba Wireless?
- Aruba Wireless or Ruckus Wireless?
Aruba is the only vendor besides Cisco with the level of granularity to fine-tune RF with such granularity.