Aruba Airwave vs Huawei eSight comparison

Hewlett Packard Enterprise and Huawei are both solutions in the Network Management Applications category. Hewlett Packard Enterprise is ranked #4 with an average rating of 8.1, while Huawei is ranked #10 with an average rating of 9.0. Hewlett Packard Enterprise holds a 3.7% mindshare in NMA, compared to Huawei’s 3.8% mindshare. Additionally, 92% of Hewlett Packard Enterprise users are willing to recommend the solution, compared to 72% of Huawei users who would recommend it.

Aruba Airwave

Read 26 Aruba Airwave reviews

1,893 Views
1,685 Comparison Views

92% willing to recommend

Huawei eSight

Read 10 Huawei eSight reviews

3,240 Views
1,102 Comparison Views

72% willing to recommend

Aruba Airwave

Huawei eSight

Comparison Buyer's Guide

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Executive SummaryUpdated on Jan 2, 2025

Aruba Airwave and Huawei eSight compete in network management solutions. Aruba Airwave seems to have the upper hand due to its wider vendor support and enhanced network visibility features.

Features: Aruba Airwave includes multi-vendor support, robust monitoring, and the Clarity and Visual RF features for optimized troubleshooting and network visibility. Huawei eSight integrates management tasks efficiently for Huawei devices, provides strong monitoring and reporting features, and is noted for its user-friendly simplicity.

Room for Improvement: Aruba Airwave could improve seamless integration with other platforms and enhance transparency in troubleshooting errors, also addressing licensing cost concerns. Huawei eSight needs more automation features, better integration with third-party devices, especially non-Huawei systems, and improvements in user experience and device compatibility.

Ease of Deployment and Customer Service: Both primarily support on-premises deployment, with Aruba also offering a private cloud option. Aruba's technical support is efficient but slower than competitors, while Huawei is praised for effective support, though its documentation could be improved. Aruba's cloud capability may present more flexibility.

Pricing and ROI: Aruba Airwave is considered expensive compared to Huawei eSight, despite being more cost-effective than Cisco. Users highlight concerns over Aruba's rising costs, though its ROI is significant due to reduced troubleshooting time. Huawei eSight offers competitive pricing and reasonable licensing but can be complex. Both products show solid ROI, with Aruba's efficiency justifying its higher cost.

To learn more, read our detailed Aruba Airwave vs. Huawei eSight Report (Updated: April 2026).

Buyer's Guide

Aruba Airwave vs. Huawei eSight

April 2026

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Review summaries and opinions

We asked business professionals to review the solutions they use. Here are some excerpts of what they said:

Categories and Ranking

Aruba Airwave

Ranking in Network Management Applications

4th

Average Rating

8.2

Reviews Sentiment

6.1

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

No ranking in other categories

Huawei eSight

Ranking in Network Management Applications

10th

Average Rating

7.4

Reviews Sentiment

6.9

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

IT Infrastructure Monitoring (35th)

Mindshare comparison

As of May 2026, in the Network Management Applications category, the mindshare of Aruba Airwave is 3.7%, down from 6.4% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of Huawei eSight is 3.8%, down from 5.0% compared to the previous year. It is calculated based on PeerSpot user engagement data.

Network Management Applications Mindshare Distribution
Product	Mindshare (%)
Aruba Airwave	3.7%
Huawei eSight	3.8%
Other	92.5%

Network Management Applications

Featured Reviews

Edward Zeng

Senior Network Engineer at Auckland University of Technology

Troubleshooting obstacles occur but technical support excels

My general opinion on Aruba Airwave is that it's acceptable, but it's not ideal because we are accustomed to Cisco. We didn't use Aruba much, but once you set it up, you probably don't need to worry about it too much. The version we are using is quite old now, probably around version four. I can't remember the version exactly because a lot of the products require Aruba Central, but we haven't used Aruba Central yet. I face challenges with Aruba Airwave, particularly with troubleshooting. When someone has a problem, we try troubleshooting, but the end-to-end users' messages show some details that are not always up-to-date, and sometimes the information from the GUI is not exactly aligned with what's on the website. If Aruba Airwave can apply AI capabilities, that would be even more perfect. I'd appreciate integration with Aruba Central; it would be great if they could incorporate it into Airwave.

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Gary Strydom

Desktop Analyst at Transnet

Used to monitor devices and provides the hardware alarms feature

Huawei eSight has helped me overcome many monitoring aspects of the hardware. From a single view, I can monitor all the hardware. Instead of logging on to each piece of hardware and monitoring it individually, I can monitor them from one single point. I would recommend the solution to other users because it provides a single point of view of the hardware. Overall, I rate the solution a nine out of ten.

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Quotes from Members

We asked business professionals to review the solutions they use. Here are some excerpts of what they said:

Pros

"Aruba Airwave provides a robust solution for monitoring and configuring Wi-Fi networks."

"It contains valuable features for engineers to C-level executives, who want visibility, performance, statistics, and a platform which can take action for them without manual intervention, saving time and money."

"AirWave definitely helps us troubleshoot and get to the root cause of the issues. It gives you an excellent indication of what's going on within your network at different locations. You can get to the area, take a look at the AirWave analysis, and make informed decisions."

"This solution is definitely stable."

"I think everybody needs this solution; it helps a lot with technical troubleshooting and no matter what end products you have, Airwave is a good solution for everybody."

"All the technical support goes through our contractor. It is a local support, and it is perfect."

"ROI is good, and the technology has a good life span."

"The most valuable features are the error log and intrusion log. It also provides an overview of your assets. It gives a good database for wireless coverage."

More Aruba Airwave pros

"We can scale the solution."

"I like the real-time location monitor or RTLS feature. It is similar to the monitoring feature in Cisco Prime."

"eSight allows me to monitor and solve any problem in the backbone and any switch in real-time."

"Since we have a central monitoring system, we can proactively monitor those devices, easily capture any abnormalities before major downtime, and quickly address the issues before they become a bigger problem in the future."

"The most important features are alarm management and the visualization of the health of our network devices."

"We use Huawei eSight to monitor devices like Wi-Fi controllers, LAN switches, and routers."

"One of the most beneficial features of Huawei eSight is its simplicity and ease of use."

"The product is stable."

More Huawei eSight pros

Cons

"Pricing for Aruba Airwave could be cheaper, which is an area for improvement in the solution."

"When attempting to copy a floor plan, it does not copy well, so I often have to redraw the walls. It's somewhat annoying since other Wi-Fi design software we use is easier for drawing walls and including floor plans."

"More devices or vendors should be onboarded to Aruba Airwave."

"I would like to see is “AAS”. Not only Aruba APs with central, but NAC/ClearPass, AirWave, and everything licensed as a Service."

"Whenever you get an error it doesn't immediately tell you what the thing is that is causing the error. You have to sit down and research it. If it could say what error is causing the issue, it would make my troubleshooting a lot quicker."

"The main challenge we've faced with Aruba Airwave is its high cost, especially regarding high availability and failover licenses, which can be relatively expensive for customers. As for recommendations for improvement, considering that Aruba is planning to retire Airwave soon and introduce a new solution, it's crucial that the new product meets or exceeds the current Airwave's feature set. Customers expect a seamless transition without losing any functionality, so Aruba needs to ensure that the new solution is ready with all the essential features and capabilities from day one to avoid any gaps or dissatisfaction among users and partners."

"When upgrading hardware, there were technical issues with network interfaces and Red Hat, which required escalation to developers."

"I want a management solution to manage and monitor everything from a single dashboard. This is not there with Airwave."

More Aruba Airwave cons

"The price could be less costly."

"The price is very expensive."

"This solution could be improved by offering monitoring for all devices and not only Huawei devices."

"The variety of license types should be made simpler as, at present, it is complex."

"eSight has many features and options, but sometimes, we feel that it should be more advanced, like Cisco. It would be good if they can enable some automation part in eSight. Most of our customers want automation in their network. They don't want a dependency on everything. That's why the automation part must be improved in Huawei. It will be beneficial for customers. Cisco has different products, and there are multiple products for monitoring, automation, etc. In the software-defined network, Cisco has ACI, and VMware has NSX. Such options must be there in Huawei to move to a software-defined network. Unlike Cisco, in the case of eSight, there is only one product. I am not aware of any other product. It would be good to enhance it with at least some automation options so that we can use it effectively in the campus network or big data center environment. When I implemented this Huawei solution, I faced some limitations in particular areas like wireless scanning. This is another part that they can improve. Wireless reporting option is not as effective as other monitoring solutions. For a particular use case, if a customer is asking for some reports, sometimes they are not 100% satisfactory. The reporting structure must be improved."

"The solution and the operating system come separately. It would be easier if we did not have to deploy anything. A bundle feature would be better."

"It will be better if they can make the simple network topology part more presentable. It would also be better if they had API integration and integration with third-party devices."

"The solution needs to improve it's user interface to make it more modern and stylish. They need to design proper menu positions, features, etc. Right now the layout is complicated."

More Huawei eSight cons

Pricing and Cost Advice

"Run a 90 day free Proof of Concept (PoC) for each product by implementing and using it fully in your environment. This way you will be educated on its features, functionality, and manageability."

"AirWave is a very expensive solution. If you implement it in a wide range network, it will cost a lot. There is no option to sell it outside that price segment, which is a problem."

"I rate the product’s pricing a five out of ten."

"We must buy a new license to connect more devices to scale up the solution."

"The cost is perfect because the devices have a lifetime warranty, and the licensing is good as well."

"It is an expensive solution."

"The licensing cost for Aruba Airwave increased from $72 to $210 within a few months. It would be better if the pricing for the solution were cheaper."

"Licensing and pricing are extremely straightforward."

More Aruba Airwave pricing and cost advice

"Its pricing is better than any other Huawei product. Some products are cheaper in Huawei, and some products are cheaper in Cisco. Cisco has more benefits and options than Huawei if you consider different network environments."

"The price is very expensive."

"The solution’s pricing is reasonable."

"Pricing depends on the competition. If your competitor is like Cisco, then Huawei is much more competitive when it comes to pricing."

"The pricing for Huawei eSight is reasonable, especially with the base license and incremental licenses for additional devices. However, the variety of license types can be a bit complex. We used to sell eSight but switched to another solution, so we're not actively trading it anymore."

"I would rate this solution a nine out of ten for pricing. The pricing depends on which features you use and can become expensive."

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Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews

Government

10%

Educational Organization

Transportation Company

Construction Company

Financial Services Firm

15%

Comms Service Provider

10%

Manufacturing Company

Construction Company

Company Size

By reviewers

Large Enterprise

Midsize Enterprise

Small Business

By reviewers
Company Size	Count
Small Business	11
Midsize Enterprise	4
Large Enterprise	14

By reviewers
Company Size	Count
Small Business	5
Midsize Enterprise	5
Large Enterprise	1

Questions from the Community

What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for Aruba Airwave?

I think the solution is quite affordable.

See all answers

What needs improvement with Aruba Airwave?

They have other sensors which can manage and control all the sites. There is an IoT component where we can restrict internet services such as Facebook and YouTube. These things can also be managed....

See all answers

What is your primary use case for Aruba Airwave?

For Aruba Airwave, I am using the wireless devices for the Wi-Fi for the full company with access points. This is the top product I feel, and I see in the Gartner also. It is a good product and eas...

See all answers

What needs improvement with Huawei eSight?

Huawei eSight should work on the option to have the email notification working on Office 365 Exchange.

See all answers

What is your primary use case for Huawei eSight?

We use the solution to monitor the hardware environment of our data center. We mainly use Huawei eSight to monitor the devices. It assists in monitoring our devices in terms of utilization and moni...

See all answers

What advice do you have for others considering Huawei eSight?

See all answers

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Compared 8% of the time

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Compared 7% of the time

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Compared 7% of the time

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Compared 5% of the time

PRTG Network Monitor vs Huawei eSight

Compared 5% of the time

SolarWinds NPM vs Huawei eSight

Compared 4% of the time

Hillstone Security Manager vs Huawei eSight

Compared 4% of the time

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Product Reports

Buyer's Guide

Aruba Airwave

May 2026

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Buyer's Guide

Network Management Applications

May 2026

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Overview

Aruba Airwave is a comprehensive network management tool known for its multivendor support and robust monitoring capabilities. It provides centralized control, cloud management, real-time monitoring, error logs, and visualization tools, making it a preferred choice for managing complex network environments.

Aruba Airwave offers an intuitive interface that simplifies network management and monitoring. Its ability to integrate with major vendors like Cisco enhances its functionality, making it adept at handling large-scale, high-density networks in challenging environments. Users can effectively manage and configure Wi-Fi networks while gaining detailed insight into performance and connectivity issues through efficient troubleshooting tools. Although some desire improvements in interface stability and error reporting clarity, Airwave's features like Clarity, VisualRF, and centralized access make it an asset in network operations. Challenges include pricing, scalability, and device compatibility, with users also seeking better integration with systems like IMC.

What are the key features of Aruba Airwave?

Multivendor Support: Seamless integration with various network vendors like Cisco.
Effective Monitoring: Real-time performance insights and network health checks.
Management and Reporting: Simplified configuration, management, and report creation.
VisualRF: Comprehensive visualization of the network layout and performance.
Clarity and Live Heat Map: Enhanced visibility for troubleshooting connectivity issues.
Cloud Management: Facilitates centralized control and network orchestration.

What benefits and ROI can users expect with Airwave?

Network Visibility: Comprehensive insights for proactive management and optimization.
Improved Performance: Rapid identification and resolution of network issues.
Vendor Integration: Simplifies management across diverse network environments.
Scalability: Supports large-scale deployments in institutions with vast networks.

Entities such as hospitals, universities, and financial institutions typically deploy Aruba Airwave to manage their extensive network infrastructures. The platform is crucial for overseeing access points in high-density areas, leveraging detailed performance metrics for enhanced decision-making. Its capabilities for SNMP device management and access to a unified interface facilitate efficient operation across different network brands, supporting the rigorous demands of industry-specific applications.

Hewlett Packard Enterprise

Huawei eSight provides efficient network and infrastructure management, known for supporting all Huawei devices. With features like alarm management and device health visualization, it remains a stable, scalable tool for Huawei partners seeking effective monitoring and control.

Huawei eSight offers detailed monitoring, supporting Huawei devices seamlessly, praised for its simplicity and integration with Windows servers. Users appreciate its Network Traffic Analyzer and dashboard, which includes storage and resource monitoring. It is cost-effective and scales well for Huawei users. However, interface and menu design updates are needed, alongside better automation and third-party device integration like Cisco switches. Improvements in wireless reporting and licensing options would enhance usability. Excessive alerts and flexibility issues should be addressed, as should support and deployment processes.

What key features does Huawei eSight provide?

Alarm Management: Provides timely notifications for potential issues.
Device Health Visualization: Offers clear insights into device status and performance.
Real-Time Location Monitor: Tracks device locations efficiently.
Network Traffic Analyzer: Analyzes traffic for better decision making.
Resource Monitoring: Monitors resources ensuring optimal usage.

What benefits should users consider in reviews?

Cost-Effectiveness: Provides value suitable for Huawei devices.
Stability: Ensures reliable performance.
Scalability: Adapts to growing network demands.
Efficiency: Simplifies management tasks.

Huawei eSight is widely adopted in industries for managing network infrastructure. Organizations use it to monitor switches, routers, and access points, often in data centers or enterprise networks. It aids in device configuration, management, and support, tailored to networks built on Huawei's product ecosystem.

Huawei

Sample Customers

Henkel, University of Findlay, University of Minnesota Duluth, University of Iowa

Marina Bay, CITIC Pacific Mining

Buyer's Guide

Aruba Airwave vs. Huawei eSight

April 2026

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