Try our new research platform with insights from 80,000+ expert users
Sriman L - PeerSpot reviewer
Senior Network Engineer at Nipun Net Solutions
Real User
Top 5
Easy to setup and acts as a replica of a controller, providing nearly all the features
Pros and Cons
  • "I would rate the stability of this solution a ten out of ten."
  • "It is suitable for smaller organizations, but it may not be the best choice for large enterprises."

What is our primary use case?

We have several good use cases where we don't have the need for a controller in a couple of locations or for small office areas. 

In those situations, Aruba Instant is a good solution. It provides similar mobility access advantages as Cisco, so we have a similar experience with the Instant AP. This is particularly useful when we don't require a controller. 

In such cases, the APIs are very helpful for small wireless deployments, managing around six to eight access points, and providing all the necessary wireless capabilities. It's a cost-effective solution, similar to Cisco, for supporting small deployments.

How has it helped my organization?

Aruba Instant On Access Points have greatly enhanced our organization's operations. These access points provide most of the setup functionalities that we typically use at the enterprise level. 

While a controller offers various integration options and enables features like the guest portal, the Instant AP is designed in a similar way. Although it doesn't offer the full range of controller functionalities, it acts as a replica and provides nearly all the features available on a controller. This is particularly beneficial for customers who have budget constraints and cannot invest in a full-fledged controller. 

In terms of cost and deployment, Aruba Instant On Access Points are a suitable and cost-effective solution. They are also easier to manage. 

It's a good option to propose to customers who have limited budgets or lack advanced technical skills. Additionally, for users with basic home router settings, they can easily set up the Aruba Instant On Access Points in a similar manner.

What is most valuable?

The most valuable feature is the ease of setup, which includes the full set of features. When you turn on the Access Point (AP), it automatically broadcasts a setup SSID, allowing you to easily connect to it using your mobile device and configure it according to your needs. 

You can set up the desired SSID, configure security settings, and even enable an internal guest portal. This guest portal is particularly useful in the Instant AP. Additionally, we can integrate the APs with our existing AAA servers. These are the key features of the Instant APs.

So, the valuable features include setup capabilities, security, and integration.

What needs improvement?

I sincerely think that the focus should be on improving monitoring capabilities. Currently, we have to integrate these APs into the APAP as a management platform for configuration and other tasks. However, Aruba enhances the monitoring aspect by providing more analytical views and troubleshooting capabilities; it would be beneficial if Aruba prioritize these areas.

We faced an issue when trying to integrate this Instant AP with other tools. The functionalities are limited, and I couldn't find proper documentation regarding this matter. If they could provide more integrations, such as APIs to integrate with our existing monitoring platforms or other systems, it would be a valuable addition. That's what I think the next release should focus on, from my point of view in IT. 

Buyer's Guide
Aruba Instant On Access Points
June 2025
Learn what your peers think about Aruba Instant On Access Points. Get advice and tips from experienced pros sharing their opinions. Updated: June 2025.
856,873 professionals have used our research since 2012.

For how long have I used the solution?

I have been using this solution for more than a year. We currently use version 8.10. 

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

I would rate the stability of this solution a ten out of ten. 

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

In terms of scalability, I would rate it as a five out of ten, which means it's medium. It is suitable for smaller organizations, but it may not be the best choice for large enterprises.

If an organization is larger and needs to manage a significant number of APs, a different solution might be more suitable.

Around 50 users are currently using Aruba Instant On Access Points in our company. The users have various job roles. They handle tasks such as programming, software, and networking. 

We utilize it to its maximum potential. It is used 24/7, every day.

How are customer service and support?

Customer service and support are not up to mark. The response time depends on the type of support or service contract we have. Currently, we have 5B and 30 support contracts. 

When we raise a ticket, it takes about 48 hours to resolve. They connect with us, gather the required information, and start troubleshooting. 

How would you rate customer service and support?

Neutral

How was the initial setup?

The initial setup is very easy. I would rate my experience with it a nine out of ten. The deployment took hardly ten minutes. 

However, like any other APs, maintenance is required. We typically perform maintenance at least once a year to check the AP conditions and address any software updates or related tasks.

Usually, one person is sufficient for maintenance. It's usually the same person who handles both the deployment and maintenance.

What about the implementation team?

We handled the deployment ourselves. We didn't involve any third party.

The setup guide and installation documentation are well-prepared and helpful for the deployment process. Along with the APs, we receive a simple documentation link. By following the guidelines provided in that documentation, it becomes very easy to set up the APs. 

The steps for turning on the APs and connecting the cables are mentioned in the documentation. If you follow the setup guide, the configuration process becomes very easy.

You can start with just one person for the initial configuration. But for proper deployment, if you have around five to six APs, it would be fine to have two people managing the installation and cable connections. Otherwise, one person can handle the installation process.

If we are in remote size, the person responsible for deployment verifies the AP positions, installs the necessary cables, and ensures the power requirements are met for each specific location where the APs need to be mounted. They also perform the initial configuration.

What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?

It's a cost-effective solution, similar to Cisco, for supporting small deployments.

If I compare it to other vendors, I would say the pricing is low. You can rate it as a six out of ten, with one being expensive and ten being cheap.

Moreover, there are no additional costs apart from the standard license fees. 

What other advice do I have?

You can consider the Aruba 515 and 5315 series. They are good in terms of the overall installation.

Overall, it's the best solution because I have personally worked with other vendors before, and Aruba Instant provides a good cost-wise and solution-wise experience. 

It's also easy to set up and manage, making it suitable for customers looking for small-scale, stable network deployments. 

Overall, I would rate the solution a nine out of ten because of its overall performance.

Which deployment model are you using for this solution?

On-premises
Disclosure: My company does not have a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer.
PeerSpot user
Network Admin at a healthcare company with 201-500 employees
Real User
User-friendly, reasonably priced, and license-free
Pros and Cons
  • "It's super user-friendly."
  • "Software-wise, I would like to have a way of moving APs from site to site and wish there would be a way to add more APs to one site. I know the limit is 25 APs per site and I wish there were more."

What is our primary use case?

We use this solution for our wireless employee network and the wireless guest network for our clients. We have it for personal devices as well. It runs the wireless network for the company.

How has it helped my organization?

It improved our organization by lowering the cost of APs. Cisco is more expensive, and we're saving money. It helps us to utilize our funds elsewhere. It gives our employees and our clients easy-to-use internet access which makes them happy. It's a win-win all around.

The app allows me to see that we transferred 137-Gigs in the last 24 hours. I haven't had any complaints, and we can see insights into what people use the most. The metrics on the app are pretty good. We can see who uses utilities versus instant messaging, who browsed the web, streaming, and productivity, which is cool.

What is most valuable?

From start to finish, the setup is pretty simple. I've set up Ubiquiti, SonicWall, SonicPoint, and more, and this seems to be pretty much plug-and-play. For the most part, it's fairly straightforward and pretty simple to use.

I currently have it in half of our corporate offices, and I haven't heard any complaints about coverage. People can access it much more quickly. I hear positive feedback and I haven't heard any downsides. The coverage is better than expected.

We don't use the mesh, everything is hardwired directly. Each AP is directly hardwired to the switch which provides another signal. I haven't gotten into the mesh yet. That said, I don't see it being an issue.

Currently, I've seen about 75 to 80 users on 12 access points. I'm not sure exactly how many are on each access point, however, I would assume that about 10 to 12 users are on an access point. I’ve had up to 17 users at one point on one access point, and it seemed to be fine. I haven't reached its max limit of users quite yet. I'm also adding more and I haven't tested it with the max number of users.

I haven't seen a decrease in bandwidth. We went from Cisco to Aruba and we haven't seen a downgrade. As far as I know, the bandwidth is still the same.

It's super user-friendly.

If you need to remove or reset one to factory settings, you can do so if it is either online or offline. Once it gets back online, it hits the cloud and resets itself. I don't see a reason to have buttons on the APs. They're out in the open. Anybody could reach up and grab it, so it is less likely for something to happen there.

What needs improvement?

The only downside is that there are some bugs that I see. 

Hardware-wise, the product is fine. Software-wise, I would like to have a way of moving APs from site to site and wish there would be a way to add more APs to one site. I know the limit is 25 APs per site and I wish there were more. I wish I could have all of my APs in one pane, rather than have multiple sites. For now, it'll do. Maybe there'll be an update in the future.

In addition, I wish I could add more admins to sites.

For how long have I used the solution?

We just implemented the solution. So far, we finished half of the implementation. We ordered 115 access points and we have about 30 in place.

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

For now, it seems pretty stable. I am not running into any issues right now. The only issue I've found is the AP lights. The AP told me that the codes and everything ran out of DHCP and I didn't have enough IPs. It's stable enough to let me know what the issue is with my network and that is pretty helpful.

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

It's scalable, yet limited to how you scale it. The APs are limited to 25 per site, and I have 70 APs. I'm going to have at least three sites, but I wish they would all be in one. That way, I could see it and not have to manage different sites. When I set up a network, I have to set it up on each site manually and that is a downside of this solution. I don't know of a way to set up or copy a site. 

There are a lot of users. There are about eight IT employees that will be managing and helping with the product. Our company numbers about 1,000 people and is growing, so there will be more than 1,000 users. That's not including the clients that come in.

How are customer service and support?

The solution comes with a one-year warranty and 90 days of phone support. I didn't realize it would come with that and I was already sold on the concept of ease of use and simplicity of it. It's a plus to know that it comes with a one-year warranty.

I haven't had any experience with technical support yet.

Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?

We used Cisco Aironet. The other side of the company did not have any wireless network, so this is the first wireless access point they installed. We're one big company and we merged with another company, so we're bringing them up to speed. They didn't have any wireless network in their building. This is better for them and is quite new.

How was the initial setup?

In the beginning, the setup wasn't what I thought it was. After looking into it and focusing on it, it was pretty straightforward. Once I got one going, it was pretty much plug-and-play for the rest. The initial part might be challenging if you don't know much about networking. That said, anyone could figure it out even with a lack of IT knowledge. As long as you know your basic terminology in networking, know what your goal is, and how you want your network structured or wireless network structured, I'd say it's pretty simple.

The deployment is still ongoing. We're placing it in more than one county. I had 12 set up in a day or two. It didn't take long at all once I got the first going.

Right now, out of eight people, only two of us use it, set it up, and manage it. We don't need a lot of people for the setup or to manage it. Once set up, it's pretty much left alone.

What about the implementation team?

The solution was received straight from the reseller, and I installed it and set it up. I meshed it and I didn't need outside assistance.

What was our ROI?

Right now, I can't say for sure that there is an ROI. I assume it will be seen soon, as long as the product lasts. If it only lasts us three years and they don't give us any problems, then I would assume we'll see an ROI. We haven't had that many problems with APs before, until recently. When we started to switch over, our APs were going out, however, they were already out of service life and out of date.

What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?

There is no licensing fee. There is a one-time purchase. There is no support after a certain amount of time, however, you could probably buy more support.

The price is $165 an AP. Even if something goes wrong, another $165 for a replacement wouldn't be a pain. It was a win in that sense. Plus, we don't need a license to make it work.

The cost of the solution includes everything we need to manage and upgrade our WIFI network, including the mobile management app.

The cost weighed a lot on the decision to go with this solution. It was nice not to worry about the need for a license in order for the units to work, as we had with Cisco. If you didn't have a license, then they were just a paperweight. Pricing and licensing were really big factors, and Aruba pretty much hit it out of the park.

Which other solutions did I evaluate?

We looked at Ruckus, WatchGuard, and Ubiquiti. Between simplicity, price point, and my sales rep, who was the one that said he had a good experience with Aruba, I was sold. I also liked their accessibility. All of the other APs seemed to be out of stock and on back order. We needed something fairly quick, and they had them in stock.

What other advice do I have?

I'd advise potential users to just buy the product. I do other consultant work, and I look forward to putting it in other places, due to its ease of use. It's up there with the name-brand APs, and I don't see it having an issue running with the other APs that cost three or ten times as much.

It doesn't have to be complex to run a wireless system. You've got three buttons on your app and that's what you really need.

I'd rate it an eight out of ten. I took a few points off due to the fact that the solution lacks some software.

Which deployment model are you using for this solution?

Public Cloud
Disclosure: PeerSpot contacted the reviewer to collect the review and to validate authenticity. The reviewer was referred by the vendor, but the review is not subject to editing or approval by the vendor.
PeerSpot user
Buyer's Guide
Aruba Instant On Access Points
June 2025
Learn what your peers think about Aruba Instant On Access Points. Get advice and tips from experienced pros sharing their opinions. Updated: June 2025.
856,873 professionals have used our research since 2012.
Network Engineer at a government with 1,001-5,000 employees
Real User
All-inclusive pricing, great for small offices, and simple to deploy and manage
Pros and Cons
  • "The app and the provisioning are the best features of the product. It was really impressive that I was able to just provision it remotely. I didn't have to be on-site with my friend, and we were just able to get everything up and operational. So, the app is great. It sends me notifications when things are down, and it tells me how everything is doing."
  • "When I first deployed the solution, I couldn't use a tagged VLAN for the management. It might already have been fixed in a recent firmware upgrade."

What is our primary use case?

There are a couple of different use cases. The first one is that I bought it for my home because I needed a dedicated Wi-Fi access point, and I was intrigued with the way it sets up. I enjoyed the performance of it, and I recommended it to a friend of mine who was totally non-tech savvy. The thing that was super cool about it was that he was able to plug it in at home, give me a phone call, read me the serial number, and I was able to provision it remotely.

I also use it at work. It is something that's convenient for other engineers to hop on real quick and do unhindered testing.

I'm using AP12, and I'm using the 1900 switch series. It is 1930 or something like that.

How has it helped my organization?

In my organization, our use case for the solution was end-to-end connectivity. In our office, we basically had wall jacks that were dedicated to out-of-band access. In terms of ease of use, I was able to drop this solution in and get it up and running very quickly. It brought deployment times to almost zero because it sets up in about five minutes.

Its physical coverage is good. I've got about a 1600-square-foot home, and I find that it covers all of the insides of my home fine. If I go out outdoors, then it starts to fall off, but it is totally acceptable for my use case.

The maximum number of devices that I've ever connected is about 30. The unit is rated for 64 or 128 users, which is beyond the scope of what I need. So, it falls within my parameters perfectly.

It meets my specification perfectly in terms of the reliability of the coverage when multiple user devices are simultaneously accessing the solution for bandwidth-intensive use.

What is most valuable?

The app and the provisioning are the best features of the product. It was really impressive that I was able to just provision it remotely. I didn't have to be on-site with my friend, and we were just able to get everything up and operational. So, the app is great. It sends me notifications when things are down, and it tells me how everything is doing.

Its mobile management app or the cloud-based web management app is easy to use, easy to read, and easy to navigate. I would classify it as a prosumer-type product. It is very well placed to compete in the Ubiquiti UniFi market. For someone who is non-technical or someone like myself who is quite technical, being able to drop in and just get it up and running quickly is valuable. It is positioned in a good spot where the functionality and ease of use are in a sweet spot.

What needs improvement?

When I first deployed the solution, I couldn't use a tagged VLAN for the management. It might already have been fixed in a recent firmware upgrade. 

They should increase the number of devices that can be located at a site.

I would really like it if they added a dedicated router to the lineup. They've got dedicated access points and dedicated switches. Having a dedicated router would be the icing on the cake for the big picture of the whole solution.

For how long have I used the solution?

It has probably been about a year.

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

I haven't seen any downtime specific to the solution. It is 100% stable. I am removing other factors that aren't related to the product.

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

Its scalability needs improvement. You can only put 32 pieces per site. So, there is a limit on scalability. 

Currently, we have between 30 and 40 users of this solution. They are home office users, and there is also the engineering staff to do all sorts of network testing. 

Its use case is pretty isolated. We purchased it to fulfill a very niche scenario, and we don't have any plan to expand its usage beyond what it currently is. 

How are customer service and support?

I've never had to utilize that.

Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?

We did not have anything in place previously. We were just using dedicated wired connections.

How was the initial setup?

It was straightforward and easy. We just popped it out of the box. There were about five steps in the instructions. They were straightforward.

There was some infrastructure work, but that wasn't specific to the product. I had to pull infrastructure to the location where the access point was going to be ultimately installed, but that would've been required for any solution. Popping it up on the ceiling and getting the unit online took about 15 minutes.

Once it is set up, it is super easy to manage. I don't even think about it. The updates are scheduled automatically, and I'm only really notified if there is a problem. It is simple.

What about the implementation team?

We didn't use an integrator or reseller for the deployment. For its deployment and maintenance, we don't have any dedicated staff.

For setting it up and managing it, very little knowledge is needed. It would be more than your average consumer, which is why I label the product as a prosumer product. Someone who's a little bit better than the average consumer would be able to pick this product up and get it operational.

What was our ROI?

I don't know how to quantify that.

What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?

It is competitively priced. It was at a price point that made sense for me to put in my home, and that says something. 

The cost of the solution includes everything we need to manage and upgrade our Wi-Fi network, including the mobile management app. Having the licensing and all the functionality built into the base price of the product is really important for me.

There are no extra costs for the security feature or automatic software/firmware updates, which is really important to me. In enterprise-type environments, the biggest thing that's always pushed down is the recurring cost in terms of support licensing, etc. In a small office or home office solution, a lot of times, those recurring costs don't fit the budget. So, being able to drop a solution and have it all baked in really sells the product.

Which other solutions did I evaluate?

We didn't evaluate other solutions. We were using Aruba Controller, the enterprise solution. It just made sense for us to try the Instant On product. We just jumped right into it.

What other advice do I have?

It comes with a one-year warranty and 90 days of phone support, which is a
pretty standard thing.

For small office or home office type scenarios, I would recommend going for it. It is a great solution. For large-scale enterprise deployments, it is probably not the right solution.

I would rate it a solid eight out of ten.

Which deployment model are you using for this solution?

On-premises
Disclosure: PeerSpot contacted the reviewer to collect the review and to validate authenticity. The reviewer was referred by the vendor, but the review is not subject to editing or approval by the vendor.
PeerSpot user
IT Manager at Caritas Baby Hosptial
Real User
Top 10
Offers good speed and important tool for reliable connection
Pros and Cons
  • "The mobile app is good. We have many things that are connected through mobile. Most users use mobile to connect to the Wi-Fi."
  • "The setup is not very easy. It requires some experience with Wi-Fi, especially with cloud connection and security."

What is our primary use case?

We use this product in our hospital.  We use them for our medical computers connected to the Wi-Fi, our guests and patients on their mobile devices, and even for the small children. 

We also use them for internal support within the hospital. 

It's a very important tool for reliable connection, and we're happy with the Wi-Fi system.

What is most valuable?

It gives us a good speed for clients who connect to the wifi system.  It's mainly for our patients, medical doctors, and nurses. That was the most important thing we wanted to own.

The mobile app is good. We have many things that are connected through mobile. Most users use mobile to connect to the Wi-Fi. They are very happy and satisfied with this helpful tool.

What needs improvement?

The licensing model could be improved. It needs more clarity. 

For how long have I used the solution?

I have been using it for six months. 

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

It is very stable. I would rate the stability a nine out of ten.

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

There are around 250 end users. The usage depends on the devices that come to our hospital. There are different devices and users, including mobile, iPad, and medical studies. These are the major things that can be used in our offices.

If we need to expand and add things, we have to ask IT support. But they are very helpful. Really, the support from HPE has been great since we started working with them to install the access points.

How are customer service and support?

During the last six months, we didn't have any special or complicated cases to solve. We have been able to solve all issues ourselves without needing to contact support.

How was the initial setup?

The setup is not very easy. It requires some experience with Wi-Fi, especially with cloud connection and security. 

We received support from HPE, who were very helpful in configuring Instant On Access Points. It's not very easy, but it requires more information and initial support from HPE Aruba for configuration.

Customization on it needs experience. If we need any customization on the system, we have to ask support to help us.

What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?

It needs a license. I have complained about the license. The cost is not simple. Each access point needs a license, and you have to pay a yearly license for the Aruba Central Management Cloud.

What other advice do I have?

It is a good product. I would rate it a nine out of ten. 

Disclosure: My company does not have a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer.
PeerSpot user
reviewer2395809 - PeerSpot reviewer
Presale engineer at a wireless company with 51-200 employees
Real User
Top 5
Easily deployed with RADIUS and dot1x, for providing efficient enterprise-class security
Pros and Cons
  • "Aruba Instant On Access Points are almost enterprise-level equipment but designed for end users who might not have an IT specialist on staff. They can be used in scenarios similar to those in enterprises. The security features, like easily deploying with RADIUS and dot1x, are efficient and satisfactory, providing enterprise-class security. The solution is future-proof and adapts well to changing connectivity needs. It is easy to extend the network, although there are some limitations. For large buildings, you can separate the network into floors or areas, each containing up to fifty access points, and give them one SSID and password. There might be a small gap when switching between sites, but overall, it can be extended effectively."
  • "It would be good to integrate some marketing features into Aruba Instant On Access Points, like heat maps. This would allow deployment in warehouses or malls to see how people move from one point to another, helping to locate the original fit."

What is our primary use case?

Aruba Instant On Access Points are primarily used for small offices, private houses, or apartments. The ease of installation and deployment is valuable. The user-friendly interface allows you to manage the equipment easily via smartphone, laptop, or tablet, and you can access it instantly over the internet.

What is most valuable?

Aruba Instant On Access Points are almost enterprise-level equipment but designed for end users who might not have an IT specialist on staff. They can be used in scenarios similar to those in enterprises. The security features, like easily deploying with RADIUS and dot1x, are efficient and satisfactory, providing enterprise-class security. The solution is future-proof and adapts well to changing connectivity needs. It is easy to extend the network, although there are some limitations. For large buildings, you can separate the network into floors or areas, each containing up to fifty access points, and give them one SSID and password. There might be a small gap when switching between sites, but overall, it can be extended effectively.

What needs improvement?

It would be good to integrate some marketing features into Aruba Instant On Access Points, like heat maps. This would allow deployment in warehouses or malls to see how people move from one point to another, helping to locate the original fit.

For how long have I used the solution?

I have experience with Aruba Instant On Access Points. 

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

We haven't had many performance or stability issues, but with the AP17, which is an outdoor access point, it has only available channels above one hundred. In Ukraine, almost all channels are available to use from thirty-six to one hundred fifty-eight.

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

Scalability issue arises with obsolete equipment using five gigahertz but lower channels like thirty-six or forty, as they cannot connect to the access point because it turns on channels above one hundred.

How are customer service and support?

The technical support for Aruba Instant On Access Points answers quite fast, approximately within five to six hours, considering the time difference. I think that's great time management since not everyone can answer within that timeframe.

How would you rate customer service and support?

Positive

Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?

Apart from Aruba, I've also worked with Ruckus. The main pro of Ruckus is its better performance of beamforming, as it has more antenna patterns than Aruba, Cisco, or any other vendors. For Aruba Instant On Access Points, the pros are stable work, stable performance, and high predictability. When using tools like radio frequency planners such as Ekahau and AirMagnet, you can see a good pattern on your screen, which makes it easy to predict signal transmission. This level of predictability is not as strong with Ruckus.

How was the initial setup?

The initial setup process for Aruba Instant On Access Points is quite easy as you just scan the barcode of the access point, and it’s already on your portal, so you can manage the SSID. It's very easy, and one person is enough to do the full deployment. Maintenance is also not difficult as it has a very user-friendly interface. 

What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?

Aruba Instant On Access Points are license-free. It's a very good and cheap solution for wireless networks. It can be compared with solutions from Ubiquiti and TP-Link, but it is in a different class. Aruba Instant On Access Points are cheaper than those from Cisco, Ruckus, and Motorola. It's perhaps the cheapest one. They do not use licenses, so it is a solution from the box. You don't need to pay extra money or deal with hidden payments.

What other advice do I have?

I strongly recommend it because it is not expensive, quite robust, and provides a network for a very low price. It can be deployed very fast and contains every single need. I rate Aruba Instant On Access Points a nine out of ten because there are some flaws with outdoor access points.

Disclosure: My company has a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer: Implementer
PeerSpot user
Khaled Shaker - PeerSpot reviewer
Head Of Technical Department at Modern establishment for supply and trading
Real User
Top 5
Provides seamless connectivity for large public venues, as well as pop-up sites and loading docks
Pros and Cons
  • "Regarding access points, the customer typically considers low-cost plans, and Ruckus Unleashed Access Points are commonly used. These access points are managed through the Microsoft console and can be accessed either with or without ports. The management is done through a controller. The main benefits customers see include cost-effectiveness, especially for those with budget constraints. Aruba, in particular, provides a good user experience. Some customers might choose Huawei, but enterprise access points are also considered. Additionally, the unified access point capabilities are valuable, allowing management from the same account. However, there is a limitation of twenty-five access points, and if a customer requires more, they need to create another site or account. If the customer exceeds twenty-five access points, they need to generate another site or virtual business to manage additional access points, as the external number is limited to twenty-five."
  • "I believe there's room for improvement in the validation process, especially for customers facing compliance issues when managing access points from the cloud. It would be beneficial if the access points could also be managed from an on-premises controller. Regarding additional features, customers express interest in enhancing the controller, specifically improving the capability to manage a higher number of access points from the same controller. This feature is crucial for better scalability. Another feature that customers would appreciate is the ability to increase the number of access points. However, the current process for obtaining this permission can be time-consuming, and customers would like to see improvements in this regard."

What is our primary use case?

I've provided support for around five or six customers. One notable use case involves a customer with a small branch looking to cover their building. Due to budget constraints, we recommended Ruckus Unleashed for its cost-effectiveness, and it proved suitable for small offices. Another customer engaged in a proof of concept for access points to cover a specific site. I've offered support for approximately five or six customers. This year, I collaborated with around five customers, and I'm uncertain about the number from last year. In one instance, a customer with a limited budget opted for Ruckus Unleashed, especially suitable for small offices due to its cost-effectiveness. Another customer engaged in a proof of concept for access points to cover a specific site.

What is most valuable?

Regarding access points, the customer typically considers low-cost plans, and Ruckus Unleashed Access Points are commonly used. These access points are managed through the Microsoft console and can be accessed either with or without ports. The management is done through a controller.

The main benefits customers see include cost-effectiveness, especially for those with budget constraints. Aruba, in particular, provides a good user experience. Some customers might choose Huawei, but enterprise access points are also considered. Additionally, the unified access point capabilities are valuable, allowing management from the same account. However, there is a limitation of twenty-five access points, and if a customer requires more, they need to create another site or account.

If the customer exceeds twenty-five access points, they need to generate another site or virtual business to manage additional access points, as the external number is limited to twenty-five.

What needs improvement?

I believe there's room for improvement in the validation process, especially for customers facing compliance issues when managing access points from the cloud. It would be beneficial if the access points could also be managed from an on-premises controller.

Regarding additional features, customers express interest in enhancing the controller, specifically improving the capability to manage a higher number of access points from the same controller. This feature is crucial for better scalability. Another feature that customers would appreciate is the ability to increase the number of access points. However, the current process for obtaining this permission can be time-consuming, and customers would like to see improvements in this regard.

For how long have I used the solution?

I have been using Aruba Instant On Access Points for past two years.

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

It is stable. 

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?


The scalability is restricted to twenty-five access points. To manage additional access points, a new site ID needs to be created, and each site ID accommodates up to twenty-five access points. This approach is followed to onboard and manage access points within the specified limitations.

How are customer service and support?

I've got a technical support case.

How would you rate customer service and support?

Positive

Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?

I'm familiar with the solution, and I believe it's widely used in the business sector. However, I think the organization is involved in much more. But I don't recall having the analytical details on that solution.

How was the initial setup?

It is necessary to connect the instant access points with NGINX. The serial number is a standard identifier, and it's considered more standard than an enterprise access point. Regarding the deployment, the controller is in the cloud, and the appliances are on-premises.For the deployment of instant access points, as a partner, our engineers handle the implementation. Customers typically provide information about the environment, such as the location of access points. Documentation is not frequently requested, and the deployment time varies based on factors like the number of access points. The initial configuration of the controller takes about 30 minutes, and adding access points afterward typically takes 2 to 5 minutes each.

What about the implementation team?

There is a challenge related to resetting access points, especially when dealing with repeated access points. The process involves obtaining the access point from PeerSpot or another source and performing a hard reset. This issue is a common aspect in various solutions.

What was our ROI?

Prior to the inquiry, we had a substantial customer who exclusively preferred Aruba's solution for their extensive file-sharing needs. The customer insisted on sticking to Aruba and didn't consider alternative solutions from other vendors. Consequently, we recommended the Enterprise Access Point. However, upon realizing the high cost associated with this option, we engaged in discussions with the IT manager to explore ways to reduce costs. 

What other advice do I have?

Prior to recommending Aruba as our distribution partner, I engaged in discussions with various teams, including the business team, to understand the diverse needs of our customers. Our customers span across different industries, including HVAC, performance, and enterprise security. Each customer segment has its unique set of requirements and questions. Some are focused on home security, while others are concerned with enterprise-level solutions.

In particular, Aruba's cloud offerings have features and technologies that set them apart. The vendor landscape is competitive, and Aruba stands out in terms of the unique features it offers. One notable feature is the integration of sensors in access points, which enhances the solution's capabilities. However, I also inquired about Aruba's compatibility with external devices and sensors, such as those used for Central Scale Effect. This information is crucial for understanding the overall performance and integration capabilities of Aruba's solutions.

For medium and small businesses, the rating would be eight out of ten for Ruben Incident Intelligence. The consideration is based on the fact that each customer, particularly those with small branches, may require approximately eight or nine devices from Verizon. It's important to note that this evaluation pertains to the pricing solution, not Ruben software specifically.

Disclosure: My company has a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer: Integrator
PeerSpot user
Advisor at Flex Office 365
Real User
Top 5
Easy to set up, stable and you don't have to pay for the cloud solution
Pros and Cons
  • "It's really easy to set up. And, you don't have to pay for the cloud solution. That's really interesting for our clients. And the other thing is, the roaming is also quite good."
  • "When there are a lot of people connected, especially during video streaming demonstrations, the connection can get a bit choppy."

What is our primary use case?

Most of my clients use them for indoor Wi-Fi access, but I also have some experience with outdoor deployments and public-facing setups. We've also worked with Cisco Meraki for similar scenarios.

What is most valuable?

It's really easy to set up. And, you don't have to pay for the cloud solution. That's really interesting for our clients. And the other thing is, the roaming is also quite good.

And I personally like the setup process. It's incredibly easy, even without a router. You can directly connect to an ISP, which is a big plus for small businesses. For larger companies, using a firewall is still preferred. Setting up the SSID was a breeze, too.

What needs improvement?

When there are a lot of people connected, especially during video streaming demonstrations, the connection can get a bit choppy. We've also encountered some issues with narrowcasting systems.

For how long have I used the solution?

I do have some experience with Aruba Instant On Acess Points. It's quite user-friendly.

I have been working with this product for four years now. 

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

I would rate the stability a nine out of ten. 

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

I would rate the scalability a nine out of ten. 

Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?

I also have outdoor appliances and uses for outdoor access points. It's mostly Wi-Fi access points indoors, but few are outdoor. Few of them are public-facing experts. We have some experience with Cisco Meraki and Fortinet.

How was the initial setup?

The initial setup is truly straightforward. 

The solution can be deployed both on-premises and cloud. I prefer cloud deployments for the management advantages.

What about the implementation team?

The deployment time depends on the company size. For smaller setups with 20-40 workstations, it takes about 2-3 hours. 

Larger ones might take a day with pre-configured access points. But it's still very quick, and we've even had a small client done in just one hour.

What was our ROI?

The lack of subscription fees and ease of setup contribute significantly to the value proposition. We're still evaluating Ruckus to compare, but so far, Aruba Instant On seems to offer a good return on investment.

What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?

We don't have to pay subscription fees for the cloud solution, which is a major advantage.

I would rate the pricing an eight out of ten, where one is cheap, and ten is expensive.

What other advice do I have?

Overall, I would rate the solution an eight out of ten. 

Disclosure: My company has a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer: Reseller
PeerSpot user
reviewer2538939 - PeerSpot reviewer
Technical Solution Management at a tech services company with 1-10 employees
Real User
Top 20
Improves the overall wireless connection experience, easy to install and manage
Pros and Cons
  • "It's a good solution and a good technology."
  • "The customer service and support are terrible."

What is our primary use case?

We have a lot of examples of use cases, but the greatest project is with the Sao Paulo government and the Brazilian government. It’s the biggest project using this kind.

What is most valuable?

It's easy to manage and install. For the customer, it improves connectivity, the wireless experience, and speed. It improves the overall wireless connection experience.

What needs improvement?

The radio frequency coverage area is not good. The number of users that can connect at the same time and the user density on a single AP is not good in Aruba. 

Also, Aruba has a lot of switch solutions, and they use a lot of CLI (Command-Line Interface) language. One type of switch might use one language, while another might use an older language. Even within the same product line, you have different languages.

It's not easy to manage everything because even though all the products are within the same system, everything is different.

For how long have I used the solution?

I have been working with it for two years.

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

The scalability with Aruba Central, we have a limited capacity. 

Instant On is very limited. There's a limit of 2,000 users and 120 APs in the same cluster. This is very difficult. I don't know how to resolve this. I think the only way is to change to a cloud solution.

How are customer service and support?

The customer service and support are terrible. The global technical support is really bad. It's not good.

How would you rate customer service and support?

Negative

How was the initial setup?

From the partner's perspective, it's easy to install and manage. It's a good solution, a good technology to improve the partner's experience.

It takes three minutes to set it up and deploy it from start to finish. It is pretty easy. 

The deployment model can be both on-premises and cloud. We use Aruba Central in the cloud, and also Instant On app. The most difficult is when they use the Mobility Controller, the on-premises controller solution from Aruba.

The maintenance is easy. 

What was our ROI?

The return of investment lies in the good experience of the customer. The best way to justify the expensive cost is the good wireless connection experience.

What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?

Instant On Access Points are expensive. Compared to other solutions like Ubiquiti and Extreme, they're very expensive.

What other advice do I have?

Overall, I would rate it a nine out of ten. So the product is pretty good, but the technical support is terrible.

Disclosure: My company has a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer: Partner
PeerSpot user
Buyer's Guide
Download our free Aruba Instant On Access Points Report and get advice and tips from experienced pros sharing their opinions.
Updated: June 2025
Product Categories
Wireless LAN
Buyer's Guide
Download our free Aruba Instant On Access Points Report and get advice and tips from experienced pros sharing their opinions.