Aruba Remote Access Points Reviews

My relationship with Aruba Remote Access Points is that if the consultant specifies the HP Aruba one, then the customer goes with that specification and recommendation. Based on my experience as a technical expert, both Cisco and Aruba Remote Access Points deliver the same results.

There are a few differentiations, but in my opinion, as a technical professional, only the name and physical size differ. Both are meeting customer expectations, especially under firewall management and broadband management systems, with an emphasis on high-security applications. Normal access control doesn't limit or block any traffic; all these tasks are managed by firewalls. In Sri Lanka, we use access points below 23 dB indoors, while over 23 dB is for telecommunications providers.

When planning implementation, we have to consider surrounding equipment, as wireless means dealing with EMF signals. Knowing the behavior of EMF signals is crucial instead of just having high-end access points; placement and installation are key to maximizing the effectiveness of these devices. Otherwise, increasing the power level might not provide the proper signal and can create interference.

There are no bad features in Aruba Remote Access Points. Every feature is customized to meet customer requirements according to their limitations, and we can make use of all features to benefit us as needed.

In terms of areas for improvement in Aruba Remote Access Points, when planning for the customer's end, you need to highlight the precautions against EMF emissions and environmental emissions, as well as power management limitations.

If the user is in one direction and you're transmitting everywhere, that's not good power management. Currently, all access points provide the same power requirement to the client, but we should explore what extra mile we can go. We are facing energy crises and climate issues, along with GHG and SDGs protocols. If we highlight the alignment with these protocols, it can enhance the product quality as an environmentally friendly option.

Apart from that, service-wise, every unit is the same. Users can only distinguish those requirements using spectrum analyzers; otherwise, minor data delays of one or two seconds do not matter, but for high-security or high-speed needs, it becomes significant.

I have worked with Aruba Remote Access Points for around two to three years.

The Aruba Remote Access Points are a stable solution. Every system is stable within its operational limits. If installed beyond its range or under unsuitable conditions, it will not maintain stability.

Aruba Remote Access Points are a scalable solution.

Technical support from Aruba Remote Access Points is good; they are doing excellent work. If I were to rate them numerically, I would give them around eight, though I cannot provide an exact figure. If marketed, it could be advertised as eight or nine.

Positive

Regarding the initial setup of Aruba Remote Access Points, if the user knows how to manage it, it's simple; if they don't, it will be complex.

I would rate Aruba Remote Access Points overall around eight or nine; it's not the best solution. Each customer's requirement differs, and since this is a passive device while we are using active devices, there will be definite limitations in matching them. My overall rating for this solution is 8 out of 10.

We have a solution that is completely Aruba, including the controller, access point, and switch. We deploy ClearPass from Aruba in our company on VMware, which integrates well and works without issues. Aruba Remote Access Points are critical for our construction company because we have many sites that are not near our branches or headquarters.

We run the remote solution or VPN solution because of the need for fingerprinting, cameras, and connecting to our various ERP systems.

Aruba Remote Access Points, along with RDP, Sophos, and Cisco, are part of our technology stack. The built-in security features of Aruba Remote Access Points, such as hashing and VPNs, are very secure for access points.

The device requires reconfiguration if we use a standalone setup because the battery fault leads to all configurations resetting. This is a significant area for improvement, especially when the device is standalone and not deployed in the network, because all configurations reset, which is problematic.

I have been using Aruba Remote Access Points for around fifteen years.

The problem with Aruba Remote Access Points relates to the internal battery of the access point being short-term, which causes all configurations to reset if we use a standalone configuration.

I rate the technical support of Aruba at approximately nine.

Positive

Implementing Aruba Remote Access Points is very easy for us because we are familiar with Cisco, and although Aruba is slightly different with commands, through trial and error, we have learned Aruba solution and technology effectively. We do not have any problems.

The implementation of Aruba Remote Access Points requires just a few hours because Aruba allows making an access point operate as a controller with configuration deployment needing minimal time, but if there is a problem, it can take longer.

One professional is enough to implement Aruba Remote Access Points effectively.

We do not use Zero Touch Provisioning with Aruba Remote Access Points because the Aruba device being expensive compared to cheaper Cisco options holds us back.

We are using the controller, and it is according to the controller, switch, or router that we are using in our company. We use Aruba on-premises, not cloud, and primarily work with the on-premises version. I rate this product an eight overall.

Positive

We have an access point in pretty much every room, servicing about twelve thousand people. We are utilizing just switches and access points, as well as ClearPass and Mobility Master.

Aruba Remote Access Points have not required a lot of adjustment. Once we got things set up properly, we just need to do updates, and it just runs. Their ability to perform without frequent adjustments or interruptions has been valuable.

Unfortunately, I don't really have any critiques at this time.

We have been using Aruba Remote Access Points in the district for about three or four years.

We haven't had too many outages. Occasionally, we run into issues with interference, but for the most part, they have been fairly stable.

We are able to add more access points without issues. The scalability seems fine.

Aruba support has always been able to assist me and answer my questions, so I would probably give them an eight or nine out of ten.

Positive

Before this, in my previous company, we used Ruckus. The Ruckus AP seemed a little bit more higher-end, but they were more expensive and had a really neat cloud support, which Aruba also offers, though we aren't paying for it.

The initial setup is very straightforward. I just have to connect the points to our network, and Mobility Master will pick it up and can run the configuration and updates from there.

The stability and performance of Aruba Remote Access Points with minimal issues in an IT environment are worth a recommendation. 

Overall, I would rate the Remote Access Points as an eight out of ten. 

Positive

With Aruba Remote Access Points, I can create my own private office. I don't have to go to the office to have my extension and all the resources that I have in the office. I can use the solution from my home or any remote office to access printers, servers, etc. I can use Aruba Remote Access Points by plugging the internet cable into it.

Remote Access Points (RAP) is not one particular model. All Aruba access points can be an RAP because the access points or the unified access points can be converted to an RAP. It can be a controller-based solution or without a controller. So, any access point can act as a RAP. Aruba Remote Access Points is an out-of-the-box solution.

The security side of Aruba Remote Access Points could be improved.

I have been using Aruba Remote Access Points for a few years.

Aruba Remote Access Points is a scalable solution. Around 40 to 50 customers are using the solution.

Aruba Remote Access Points is a controller-based solution that can be set up by having a gateway network and creating some policies on it.

Since controller configurations, gateways, and firewalls are involved, it takes half an hour to 45 minutes to configure everything.

To deploy the solution, you have to configure the gateways, firewalls, and controllers so that your IP addresses are properly tunneled to a controller. Then, you have to create SSIDs and publish the global configuration of the wireless. Configuration-wise, it's not much difficult, but the devices take time.

Users have to pay for the controller license or access point license. You require no separate licensing to convert an access point to RAP.

All the access points can be converted to a RAP. You can choose smaller access points that fit your budget based on your requirements. You can go with the higher access points if you have a higher requirement. Converting a particular access point to RAP cannot be considered cheap or expensive.

Before choosing Aruba Remote Access Points, we evaluated Cisco and Ruckus.

Aruba Remote Access Points is the right solution for people with a use case to have remote offices or remote workers. Centralized design and centralized control for corporate policies can be applied to the solution.

Overall, I rate Aruba Remote Access Points a nine out of ten.

Neutral

My company uses Aruba Remote Access Points for those office users who work from home, which can be categorized into VIP users who regularly work from home. In general, my company provides Aruba Remote Access Points for those who work from home. One can have Aruba Remote Access Points connected to their home internet and get connected to our corporate network.

The most valuable feature of the solution is experienced by those working at home since they get a secure Wi-Fi connection. The solution also provides a feature known as VoIP, where one can also get connected via phone. With the solution, one can get the corporate network in their home for wired ports, printers, and all the static devices, making it a kind of mini switch. The VIP and executive users of the solution in my company expect the aforementioned features to be included since they expect the features they would have received had they been working from the office.

Since Aruba Remote Access Points is an on-premises tool, my company must deploy the VPN gateway everywhere. It would have been helpful to manage multiple gateways on the solution if Aruba Remote Access Points introduced a cloud or SaaS-based version. The solution's AI capabilities need improvement since many manual things are involved presently. Automation in the solution can happen with more AI capabilities.

The solution's technical support has some shortcomings that need improvement.

I have been using Aruba Remote Access Points for two years. My company is a customer of Aruba.

Aruba Remote Access Points is a stable product because there are no major complaints our company has received from any clients. The software bugs will be there, and Aruba usually fixes bug-related issues in the following version release of the product. Overall, it's a good and stable solution that we have kept in our company for more than five years.

Scalability-wise, there are some problems since it's all a manual process. It is not possible to go for auto-scaling. From a hardware perspective, even if the product is purchased with the proper license, there are no auto-scaling options provided to the user. In our company, we have to scale the solution manually, especially when it comes to the licensing and hardware part where an upgrade is required. Suppose the current gateway supports around 500 clients or access points, and you wish to upgrade, then it is not provided in the solution as part of a scaling option with some simple license update. In our company, we have to upgrade the whole hardware itself.

I rate the technical support a seven out of ten.

Neutral

The initial setup of the product is not complex, but it is not a simplified solution either since we still need to follow the traditional setup phase process in our company. The solution comes up with more manual intervention during the setup phase.

The product is good, but Aruba still follows a more traditional approach at a time when a transformation should happen. A lot of transformation has to happen to complete the product.

I rate the overall solution a seven out of ten.

The typical use case for Aruba Remote Access Points is for the bigger solutions we have in the field, often outdoors.

My clients are usually enterprise-sized businesses for Aruba Remote Access Points.

The most valuable features of Aruba Remote Access Points are the easy configuration, straightforward installation, and secure security features.

To make the solution better, the cloud solution should be more integrated as it has too many different menus, and it would be preferable to have it more cohesive in one solution.

The automated network optimization is acceptable but could be improved in terms of configuration ease.

I have experience with remote access points for about two to twelve years.

The stability of Aruba Remote Access Points is rated an eight out of ten.

The scalability of this solution rates an eight out of ten.

The technical support rates an eight out of ten.

Positive

I do not have experience with other Cisco solutions such as Secure Firewall, Catalyst SD-WAN, or MDR, as we are currently expanding on different systems and exploring the possibility of Comodo.

We are orienting towards the Comodo access points and the whole ecosystem.

We are exploring hands-on experience with this solution and have different models for proof of concepts. We have tested different features and are exploring the SD-WAN solution and cameras.

We are investigating Comodo because it is cost-effective and well-regarded in the market, having special abilities for both consumer and professional markets.

I have experience with Aruba Remote Access Points and Ruckus, and we are currently exploring opportunities with Comodo.

My relationship with HPE is that I am an implementer.

We are exploring hands-on experience with this solution and have different models for proof of concepts. We have tested different features and are exploring the SD-WAN solution and cameras. We are investigating because it is cost-effective and well-regarded in the market, having special abilities for both consumer and professional markets.

Based on my experience, I would recommend Aruba Remote Access Points to others for enterprise solutions, though it is not suitable for small to medium businesses. Overall, I would rate Aruba Remote Access Points an eight out of ten.

The tool's most valuable features are its ease of configuration and deployment.

The product is not user-friendly. 

For scalability, I'd rate it eight or nine out of ten. Adding a few devices is easy.

The support wasn't very good. The support team was from India and couldn't solve our problem. They only gave us a factory reset on about ten devices, and they didn't provide any other options to fix the issue. I would rate their initial support a six out of ten. 

Positive

The product's deployment is easy. 

Aruba Remote Access Points' pricing is good and affordable. 

I use Aruba Remote Access Points in offices but not in crowded spaces with a high density of devices. For those, I recommend Ruckus. I had one disappointing case four years ago, but it was solved with a firmware update and hasn't happened since.

I haven't tried the tool's enterprise line in high-density scenarios, so I still recommend Ruckus for those based on my experience. Overall, I'd rate Aruba Remote Access Points nine out of ten. The reason it's not ten is because they only had one or two Wi-Fi 7 access points available when I was looking for a solution recently.