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Aruba Switches vs HPE Ethernet Switches comparison

 

Comparison Buyer's Guide

Executive SummaryUpdated on Nov 3, 2024

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 Switches
Ranking in Ethernet Switches
2nd
Average Rating
8.6
Reviews Sentiment
6.9
Number of Reviews
83
Ranking in other categories
No ranking in other categories
HPE Ethernet Switches
Ranking in Ethernet Switches
9th
Average Rating
8.2
Reviews Sentiment
7.3
Number of Reviews
102
Ranking in other categories
No ranking in other categories
 

Mindshare comparison

As of January 2025, in the Ethernet Switches category, the mindshare of Aruba Switches is 13.5%, up from 12.8% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of HPE Ethernet Switches is 2.6%, down from 2.7% compared to the previous year. It is calculated based on PeerSpot user engagement data.
Ethernet Switches
 

Featured Reviews

Eunice Thirikwa - PeerSpot reviewer
Stable hotel networking enhances return on investment with valuable modular features
There are issues with the distribution side of Aruba Switches. For instance, the distributor in our country cannot sell to neighboring countries, creating complications in project execution. Improving the distribution network across regions would be beneficial. Also, the SFP modules are significantly more expensive than industry peers, which affects cost-effectiveness.
LuisSilva6 - PeerSpot reviewer
Provides ease of management and has an easy initial setup process
Primarily, we use the product for network and VLAN segmentation across our hospitality property. It forms the backbone of our network, providing connectivity to devices like TVs, phones, access points, and even electrical switches within guest rooms The product's most valuable feature is the ease…

Quotes from Members

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

Pros

"The features I find most valuable in Aruba Switches are their flexibility, reliability, and affordability."
"We like that it is very easy to manage the product through the cloud."
"The most valuable feature is the Aruba Smart Rate Port."
"This solution is easy to use."
"We have found that the command line interface is very useful and very similar to Cisco devices."
"The solution is easy to use and quick to deploy."
"I like the Aruba Central platform. It makes a lot of sense. The switches have a lot of great capabilities. Central can lockdown VLANs and control the apps and protocols. There are several built-in security features that I'm not utilizing. However, those capabilities are part of the reason I'm using enterprise switches in a small office. I like knowing that I can do these things when necessary."
"The most valuable feature is that it's very easy to configure."
"The initial setup of this solution is easy."
"The switches are very important in our hospitals, which is a critical environment for our patients. They provide time-effective management and meet our needs."
"We get a lifetime warranty for the solution so whenever the switches get faulty, you can get a replacement."
"We were able to onboard HPE Ethernet Switches easily to the cloud. It was fast and took only five minutes to complete."
"It's stable and performing well."
"We use HPE Ethernet Switches to provide solutions for the hotel, their guests, and IPTV."
"The most valuable feature is that they all have PoE. It's one of the most important things that we need in the EdgeSwitch."
"The product's stacking technology is stable and works well."
 

Cons

"I don't think there is much to improve. I have seen that Aruba releases the patches on time, and it keeps upgrading the firmware. I have configured this device on an active basis. I don't think I have any bad reviews about the device's overall performance. In the next release, I would like Aruba to incorporate wireless controllers and build them into the chassis.If we can integrate a wireless module, we can have a segment dedicated to wireless infrastructure."
"There are issues with the distribution side of Aruba Switches."
"A more granular breakdown in debugging would be beneficial."
"The dashboard could be improved, especially for the CX Switches. It would help to push scripts and configurations via an easy to use dashboard, one which would give us complete visibility of all of our switches in one place. Right now, we have more than one dashboard for Aruba. It would be nice if it was centralized."
"There are issues with the distribution side of Aruba Switches."
"There’s always space for improvement. Improvements are mainly minor in handling, like the web interface."
"It's an expensive product."
"It's a little less convenient for more simplified management needs."
"Installation could be made more secure."
"Authentication and other security features are not easily satisfied using the lower-end switches."
"It would be better if they improve the implementation of SD-WAN."
"They should have more control tools for controlling the bandwidth."
"There could be features for ransomware attack detection and enhanced anomaly detection to identify and mitigate anonymous traffic."
"In the next release, I would like to see them include more features like the Aruba solution, to have more possibilities concerning the software design."
"We have some problems with the performance of our HPE Ethernet Switches because they are old."
"The pricing could be lowered."
 

Pricing and Cost Advice

"Comparing with Cisco, and some other solutions, it's a cheap product."
"Aruba Switches has a lifetime warranty on the solution and after five years the solution will be at its end of life."
"The pricing for Aruba Switches is definitely expensive."
"I am paying for the hardware and Aruba Central licenses, but I would like a version of Aruba Central to come out with a light version with a few features turned off. Ubiquiti and other vendors have free tools. I believe they're looking at that, but it's not out yet. I hope they will release that to make it competitive because I'm using an enterprise-class switch for small businesses. We're looking for some of those capabilities, but not all of them."
"Pricing for this product is reasonable."
"Aruba switches cost between $500 and $600 more than similar products by Huawei, as well as many other brands."
"Aruba Switches are quite cost-effective."
"There is a license to use the solution."
"The cost is a bit high."
"The price is fair."
"Licensing fees are on a yearly basis."
"The pricing is very good."
"I like HPE switches because you get a perpetual license with the hardware. The initial cost is about the same as other switches, but it starts beating the competitors after three or four years because you don't have to pay for additional annual licensing costs."
"We have to see only the security part when considering licenses because the licenses upgrade."
"It is a more expensive solution."
"The licensing cost is yearly, and there aren't any additional costs on top of the standard fee."
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Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews
Computer Software Company
14%
Manufacturing Company
9%
Government
7%
Educational Organization
7%
Computer Software Company
16%
Government
7%
Financial Services Firm
7%
Educational Organization
7%
 

Company Size

By reviewers
Large Enterprise
Midsize Enterprise
Small Business
 

Questions from the Community

What do you like most about Aruba Switches?
Aruba lives up to the expectations of the tech giant hewlett packard enterprise providing excellent networking capabilities at a very affordable price compared to the equivalent from another tech g...
What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for Aruba Switches?
From my experience, the pricing of Aruba Switches is competitive.
What needs improvement with Aruba Switches?
The switches are quite good. The main competition in the market is Cisco, and to date, I do not have any significant suggestions for improvement from my use.
What do you like most about HPE Ethernet Switches?
The solution is very stable and easy to use.
What needs improvement with HPE Ethernet Switches?
Based on my experience, I am quite happy with the switches at the moment and do not see any immediate room for improvement.
 

Also Known As

8400 Series, 8320 Series, 5400R Series, 3810 Series, 2930M Series, 2930F Series, 2920 Series, 2540 Series, 2530 Series
HP Ethernet Switches
 

Overview

 

Sample Customers

Purdue University
Emirates Palace Hotel
Find out what your peers are saying about Aruba Switches vs. HPE Ethernet Switches and other solutions. Updated: January 2025.
831,265 professionals have used our research since 2012.