Aruba Access Points Reviews

We are using the solution for endpoint connectivity.

The manageability of both on-premise and cloud versions is valuable.

The licensing models lack clarity. Salespeople from Aruba were not able to explain it to me. Different people gave me different opinions. I can see the total bandwidth, but I cannot see the internal bandwidth.

I have been using the solution for the last six months.

The stability is good. I do not find any issues with it. I rate the stability a ten out of ten.

The tool has very good scalability. I rate the scalability a ten out of ten. The number of users depends upon the location. Some locations have 200 access points, while others have 50. The solution is used 24/7.

We also use Meraki. I can control the bandwidth with Meraki, but I can’t do it with Aruba. The choice of the product depends on the existing configurations and requirements. Meraki has advanced features.

I rate the ease of setup a seven to eight out of ten.

The deployment was done with the help of vendors.

The TCO is good. The product works well.

I do not understand the difference between Foundation licenses and Advanced licenses. Aruba is neither cheap nor expensive. The tool is priced the same as its competitors.

I was told I'd receive immediate support if I had an advanced license. Overall, I rate the solution a seven to eight out of ten.

We use Aruba access points for wireless connectivity, like connecting 30 to 40 users' laptops to the office Internet through WiFi access points.

Model 556 is a very stable and good product for users to access the Internet without any interference and disturbance while getting good speed. WiFi technologies are growing day by day. Where we had 2.4GHz and 5GHz earlier, OEMs now give devices that support 6GHz.

Aruba access points protect connectivity, and we don't get interference. The hardware is a throughput point and handles the required number of users. The product's capacity is proper, and we are not facing any challenges.

These days, every OEM gives services on their cloud. We want to move the wireless controller to our cloud. If a company has multiple offices in multiple locations, we need to direct connectivity without depending on any other location. Going with a cloud solution will make dependency no longer a challenge from a connectivity point of view. If you move an account, you get the freedom. You're not dependent on any other locations selling the same product.

I've worked with Aruba Access Points for approximately ten years.

I rate Aruba access points' stability an eight out of ten. We've been using the product for a long time, and it is a very stable product.

If you go with the cloud version, it's a good endpoint for user scalability. In-house you'll need to upgrade or change the hardware if the number of users or company size grows. I rate the scalability an eight out of ten. Approximately 500 users are using Aruba access points 24/7.

I rate the initial setup an eight out of ten because the deployment is easy.

The deployment was a physical deployment that involved cabling parts, physically mounting the product on walls, and installing the AP on a roof. If you set up the product in an office, it will take one to two days.

While we needed one man to deploy the solution, we needed three or four people to handle the physical cabling and mounting. One person is sufficient for maintenance.

We implemented the product in-house.

I rate the pricing a six out of ten because it's not cheap or expensive.

Someone considering using Aruba access points' cloud solution can choose it with WiFi 6 connected. As for the on-prem version, it depends on their requirements. If it's not a large setup, without many APs, they can choose the in-house solution.

I rate Aruba access points an eight out of ten.

We have an academic focus. We are a medical technology company—MedTech, specifically. All of our academic programs operate on the Aruba platform. In addition to our internal systems, all users, whether an enterprise or any other category, use Aruba wireless technology.

We have an open space with no disturbances. Aruba is the right product because additional costs may arise if you opt for alternatives. From a security standpoint, we have adopted it, and each part of the network is secure. Currently, it is comfortable for us.

We have additional security. We are using fabric technology for Extreme switches.

Since we manufacture medical devices, we must adhere to pharmaceutical guidelines. According to these guidelines, our rooms are categorized as 'head type' and thus require network connectivity. However, installing high-end APs in every room may not be feasible. Alternatives such as Cisco Meraki or Ruckus may be suitable for lower-end EPE or in areas where high-end APs aren't necessary. These brands offer smaller, in-system devices that can be installed to cover areas effectively. Installing one to two users per AP is acceptable for administrative purposes.

I have been using Aruba Access Points since 2010.

Technical support is excellent. I need to email them since it is a mandatory requirement. Under the contract, we are entitled to support. First, we need to log a call. Then, within a four-hour timeframe, they will provide a set time for addressing and resolving the issue. We are satisfied with the support.

Positive

We have used Cisco since 2006. We were initially a small company. Now, we have a global presence in software, and every investment in software is connected to a central location via a controller. Everything works fine for remote installations. During 2010-2011, we considered opting for a better product. Therefore, we switched to Aruba Access Points.

The product’s pricing is sustainable.

Ethernet throughput is much better. From a security standpoint, it is good. We face a challenge in wireless connectivity, but we can resolve it by ensuring that every device, including routers, is configured correctly for wireless connectivity. We need to ensure these features are installed everywhere. Additionally, we should review the RRP and other performance metrics for further improvement.

Aruba is easy to manage. UI is good. Endpoints present a bottleneck. We need to be concerned about the AP. We need to insert it into my network and ensure it is updated.

Regarding policy enforcement, we may only need to control the controller. From an operational and maintenance standpoint, we require local support from OEMs. Whether a sensor is connected to a switch or not, it's a one-time setup. We have a mobility controller for centralized management, and the compression provides a really good experience.

Aruba Access points easily integrate with existing network infrastructure.

I recommend the solution.

In India, we're operating on the 5 Ghz band. Additionally, we're looking to use the 6 GHz band as part of a trial bundle. We're confident in our ability to support 2.5 and 5 gigahertz frequencies, but we're closely monitoring the situation. We are a robot manufacturing company whose operations rely on the six gigahertz spectrum. While the Indian government hasn't yet opened up the 6 GHz band, it may change within the next two to three months.

Overall, I rate the solution a 9 out of 10.

The product is quite accessible and reliable. It needs less or no maintenance. Once you install the solution, it keeps working. It needs very few upgrades. Aruba devices are quite reliable. We have found no defaults in the devices so far. The product is easy to use and easy to set up. Its durability is quite good.

The product should provide more coverage. The coverage provided should be equivalent to that of Cisco. It will be good if the product’s device provides coverage of at least 50 to 60 feet. The solution should increase security. The devices need to be more secure. Anyone who wants to hack or access the product can easily do it. The users do not receive any alerts if somebody is trying to access the tool.

I have been using the solution for the last five years.

The stability is quite good. It is excellent. We bought the devices two to three years ago, and they still work constantly without any failure.

The solution’s scalability must be improved. It should cover more number of people and area. I rate the scalability a seven out of ten. It will be great if scalability is increased a little more.

We have not contacted support yet. If we have any problems, our local vendor is capable of supporting us. The product’s support would be great. If a local vendor can support us, then if I contact someone directly from Aruba, they would definitely be able to support us.

Aruba and Ruckus work similarly. Cisco is a bit advanced in terms of security and manageability. We manage Cisco access points through one particular console. If anything goes wrong, then we can identify it easily. Cisco products are a little better in manageability. We frequently receive updates, but we can manage them well in advance through the console.

The initial setup is quite easy. It is not a problem at all. We need not do much. We need an expert to set up Cisco. Deploying Aruba and Ruckus is as easy as plug-and-play.

The deployment doesn’t even take ten minutes.

The pricing is reasonable. The product is also good. I would rate the pricing an eight or nine out of ten. For four devices, we pay around INR 30,000. We only pay for the license and the device. There are no additional costs associated with the tool.

The solution is fairly good. Anyone can use it. I will recommend Aruba. Overall, I rate the product an eight out of ten.

Our customers use the tool in company environments. Only a few private clients who have the funds to afford it use the equipment. Normally, a private user wouldn’t have the funds to do it.

The product has high stability. The Adaptive Radio Management feature is quite good. Aruba’s differentiating factor is the shape of the access point and how it is integrated into the architecture. The security is quite high. I rate the security nine to ten out of ten. If we have a change request as a partner, we have channels to position our change request. We have to integrate the product with other networking solutions. It works very well. We have no issues with integration.

The price could be a bit lower.

I have been using the solution since 2004.

I rate the tool’s stability a ten out of ten.

We have huge amounts of clients. We take care of the remote access of the head offices and their smaller outlets. I rate the tool’s scalability a ten out of ten. Aruba provides Aruba Instant On and a professional version. Aruba Instant On is competitive with Ubiquiti or any household brand. It is for very small outlets. It is very limited in its management. We do not sell it. We only sell big solutions.

The support persons respond quickly. They are very efficient. Sometimes, it takes a bit longer. However, they are hands-on 90% of the time. The quality of support is good. The people are knowledgeable.

The initial setup is very simple. It becomes complicated later. The configuration is complex. The solution is sometimes cloud-based and sometimes deployed in a hybrid environment. It depends on the clients.

The cost is quite high. Just like Cisco, it is quite high.

Technically, Ruckus, Cisco, and Aruba are almost similar. There are minor differences. The only thing that Aruba has, but the others don’t, is Adaptive Radio Management. All are high-quality products. The performance depends on the rollout and what the client expects. It depends on the architecture. Ruckus is not as shiny as Aruba. Ruckus is more on a carrier level. We have a few carrier customers that use Ruckus. The majority of industrial customers use Aruba.

I am an integrator. We use AirWave with Aruba. For Cisco and Ruckus, we use the individual platforms that are available for them. There are no technical issues with the tool. Pricing is the only issue. I will recommend the solution to others. Overall, I rate the product a nine out of ten.

There are problems with Aruba Access Points, and Aruba PoE switches since they are tools that are connected to Aruba Switches. If the port is damaged, then Aruba Access Points don't work properly. Similarly, if Aruba Switches are damaged, then Aruba Access Points don't work properly.

The problems in Aruba Switches are reflected in Aruba Access Points. With Aruba Switches, if a port is damaged, not working very well, or if there is a problem with electricity or power output, then Aruba Access Points don't work well.

If Aruba can include the Arabic language and have a team that conducts surveys with its uses in the Arabic language, then it would be good.

I have experience with Aruba Access Points for nine to ten years. I use Aruba AP-205. My company also has experience with one of the models meant for businesses, known as Aruba AP-215 Access Point with a controller, as it is not safe to just use the standard tool.

There are around 200 users of the product in my company. All the people in my company use Wi-Fi and not cable connections.

The product is expensive if you want it to have a long life. The first time a person uses the product, it comes across as a very expensive product. After five to nine years of using the product, I have seen that it doesn't work very well. With the use of the solution, I have seen that in my company, we are not able to use the controller for the tool. My company can't connect with another site using the tool.

In the future, for our company to use a solution other than Aruba Access Points, we may have to change our infrastructure by starting with the core switches and other switches in our environment. My company plans to replace Aruba Access Points with Cisco. Cisco is a very compatible solution to use.

Aruba Switches work if some ports work or don't work, but Aruba Access Points don't work at all if a port is damaged.

Aruba products are good. The Middle Eastern marketplace is one of the biggest markets where Aruba products are preferred.

I rate Aruba Access Points a five out of ten.

I use Aruba Access Points in my company to support IoT network architecture.

The most valuable feature of the solution is its stability.

The disadvantage of Aruba Access Points is experienced by me when I need it to offer me a long range of coverage. When it comes to some devices, where maximum users connect with Aruba Access Points, the range of coverage area it provides is reduced. When a large number of users join Aruba Access Point, they are provided with a very small range of coverage. The aforementioned aspect related to the product is an area where improvements are required.

In the future, I want Aruba Access Points to provide more scalability options. The scalability part of the solution comes into the picture, especially when considering the product's performance issues. More scalability options are required in the solution, especially during times when my company needs to switch users or shift them to some other area.

From an improvement perspective, Aruba's technical support team should consider providing a faster response to the queries raised by users.

Training for users related to Aruba's upcoming firmware releases should be provided.

Aruba Central is a good product, and users need similar capabilities in Aruba Switches and Aruba Access Points at a very low price point. Aruba provides its users with a lifetime hardware replacement, and I want the same thing in Aruba Central, wherein users get lifetime product support and switches. In short, Aruba should make it possible for users to incur a one-time cost for Aruba Central.

I have been using Aruba Access Points since 2017. I am an end-user of the product.

It is a stable solution. Stability-wise, I rate the solution a out of ten.

Aruba Access Points is a scalable product.

My company has 55 end users of the product.

The support provided by the technical team of Aruba Access Points is neither good nor bad, meaning it lies somewhere in the middle.

I use Cisco and Aruba in my company. I have been using Cisco since 2008. I would describe Cisco and Aruba as products that are very similar to each other.

The product's initial setup phase was easy.

The solution is deployed on the cloud.

The solution can be deployed in less than 30 minutes.

I can take care of the product's deployment phase by myself.

Aruba is cheaper than Cisco.

My company needs to pay yearly for the licensing costs attached to the product. There are no additional payments towards the solution apart from its licensing costs.

Currently, there is no maintenance required for the solution.

I recommend the solution to those who plan to use it.

I rate the overall solution a nine out of ten.

In Oman, I successfully implemented Aruba Access Points for a hospital with nearly two hundred access points. There were around three hundred users, and the deployment, featuring two controllers of the 7200 series, went smoothly. The captive portal solution worked well, and even after I left, it continued to run efficiently. In Egypt, I replicated the same setup for the largest group of hospitals, implementing seventy-five access points in the first phase. The remaining hundred and twenty-five are scheduled for implementation this year. 

Despite positive experiences with the technology, there were challenges with the captive portal solution, ClearPass, due to a significant increase in its license cost, potentially from HP, Aruba, or the local vendor. To address this, we explored an alternative solution called Sancfor, a Chinese product, which proved to be effective and cost nearly one-third of ClearPass. The only downside was the local distribution and customer service in Egypt, particularly with Aruba Egypt, which was non-responsive and lacked satisfactory customer service.

The main strengths of Aruba Access Points lie in their connectivity, range, and straightforward configuration. Setting up the access point is a quick process, taking only seconds. Standard features such as identity access management, captive deploy tools, and VLE are available. Additionally, Aruba offers medical-grade access points like the 400 series, which is well-suited for healthcare or hospital environments.

One noteworthy feature is the impressive handshaking capability, particularly when transitioning between access points. This ensures a seamless experience without disconnection, especially when a well-designed heat map is in place. Aruba Access Points are robust and require minimal maintenance, making them reliable for long-term use.

The support from Aruba, as well as the overall HPE unit, has been lacking. The regional head and hepatic services are nonresponsive, leading to a decline in market share. While Aruba is recognized for its top-notch quality, especially in switching technology, the services and support in the African region need significant improvement. There is a suggestion to focus on enhancing services, support, and presale activities in this region to address the challenges faced by customers, particularly in healthcare. Continued emphasis on research and development, along with addressing regional issues, is recommended for sustained success.

I have been using Aruba Access Points for more than two years at this company and more than four years while I was in Oman.

It is very stable and has no issues related to its functionality.

The scalability of the Aruba Access Points is impressive. It allows for easy expansion, with the capability to add up to two hundred and fifty-four access points using the seven thousand two hundred model. To further extend the capacity, a license is required, allowing for straightforward scalability without complications.

We have multiple hospitals under my jurisdiction, and some of them are currently using Fortinet. Fortinet has proven to be competitive with high service levels, aggressive market strategies, and cost-effectiveness, and in comparison to Aruba Fortinet excels. Additionally, Fortinet's integrated firewall serves as a controller, eliminating the need for a separate controller, which enhances investment and management efficiency. While both Aruba and Fortinet deliver strong performance and functionality, Fortinet stands out in terms of cost savings and simplified management.

The installation and deployment of Aruba Access Points are straightforward The process, from mounting to configuring the access point to the controller, is simple and takes only a few minutes. However, a drawback is highlighted regarding ClearPass, particularly for the captive portal feature called GuestFire. The complexity arises due to ClearPass being a separate solution with additional licensing costs, especially in Egypt, where prices have increased. This has made the solution comparatively expensive, making companies consider alternative options in the market for captive portal functionalities in Wi-Fi, such as VMware.

It can be accomplished by a single person.

The implementation of Aruba Access Points in the previous company showed a positive impact with the return on investment (ROI) achieved within three to five years. The calculation of ROI considered improvements in communication, internet access, and Wi-Fi services, contributing to the overall success of the implementation. While it may be challenging to precisely calculate ROI for certain aspects like service level improvements, the tangible benefits, and cost savings were realized within the calculated timeframe.

The cost of Aruba Access Points has been on the rise, which may be due to market dynamics or regional factors, such as in Egypt. Additionally, the availability of Aruba products is a concern, with a lead time of approximately twelve months. This prolonged waiting period and a lack of responsiveness from HP, the parent company of Aruba, have led to the cancellation of some orders. The supply chain for Aruba appears to face challenges, impacting product delivery timelines.

The key advice is for Aruba to avoid the adamant behavior of acting as the king of market. It is extremely easy to lose relevance due to a lack of market awareness and adaptation. Aruba should continually update itself, stay attuned to customer feedback, and remain vigilant about market trends. The company needs to be proactive in crafting solutions that align with customer preferences and needs. The representatives and resellers in each country should not merely be resources but active contributors, engaging with customers and staying smart in addressing market demands. In essence, the message to Aruba is to stay dynamic, responsive, and customer-focused to avoid becoming obsolete in a rapidly evolving market.