Aruba Switches Reviews

As a company many of our deployments are focused at the medical industry, we install Aruba network switches to facilitate interconnectivity and network connectivity. This is our primary use case. 
We have also installed and deployed into the banking and pharmaceutical sectors. 

One of the features I like most is the intuitive GUI dashboards the Aruba product provides. Having worked with various switches from different vendors, most of the focus is around the command line interface (CLI). Aruba also has a CLI, but their GUI is better than other manufacturers. You can easily log on to the GUI, you can see a nice visual dashboard presented, where you can check the status of switches, fans and power levels. At a glance you get a good overall view of what is happening.

There are no areas for improvement I can think of, the product supports all the latest features, security is quite good and doesn't bring forward any requirements. Aruba has a single management AirWave and the Aruba Central. It also integrates nicely with ClearPass and Palo Alto firewalls. 
From my perspective there is not much missing with what is offered. 

I have been working with Aruba switches for approximately 9 years

With the amount of switches we have out in the field and what we manage, the number of call backs are very few. The product is very stable. 

The product is very easy to scale. When you have a modular chassis, it's just a matter of installing an extra module and then the setup is quite quick. 
Stacking between switches is also very easily done. 

The maintenance service support offered is pretty good. You usually have to buy additional support if you would like extended warranties and that kind of offering, in general the support is very good.
The turnaround times for returns of faulty hardware is very quick, and you can either phone in or process this online to get your replacements done.  

The technical support from Aruba is very interactive also. 

The initial setup out of the box is very straightforward. It prompts you right away to get the initial setup going and from there it's smooth sailing. It has the usual familiar HP interfaces and it's very quick and easy. 
After racking and stacking the network switch, it's usually about 5-10 minutes of setup. 

We deploy and implement IT services ourselves for clients, including Aruba network switches. 

The advice I would provide others is if you are a customer running Aruba for your switching infrastructure, consider taking the basic switching training offered. They cover everything from out of the box setup, everything you need including GUI's and CLI interfaces. 

The product pricing is competitive and approximately 10% cheaper than the likes of Nexus. Professional services and training can also be provided by the vendor. 

The performance of the product is very good, no problem there. You can either purchase a gigabyte or 10 gigabyte switch. 

We use four Aruba Switches, in one stack, for 802.1X.

We use Aruba Switches mainly as access points.

The most valuable feature is the Aruba Smart Rate Port.

The templates to automate our switches need improvement.

We apply a template using Bison or ANSI C to automate our tasks daily.

We are using Bison and ANSI C programming language to automate our work for shutting down ports, and if the support has locked our shutdown with port security.

Cisco has Nexus Switches for the Data Center solutions. These switches are very powerful. In my research, I haven't found anything that is comparable.

In the next release or the near future, I would like similar Data Cente switches included.

Aruba Switches are very stable when you are using the full solution. 

Aruba Switches are still in the testing phase.

We haven't tested the scalability for this solution yet, but there is another building that we are expanding to and we expect it to scale there.

We have approximately one thousand users.

We have not had any issues with this solution so we have not opened any tickets with technical support.

We were using other switches by Aruba prior to these. We stayed with Aruba to maintain compatibility.

The initial setup of this solution is very simple.

When we implemented the solution, we called a vendor to support us.

We have an in house assistant who configured the solution, but we had a vendor here to support us if we needed it.

We configured all of our switches to gain the experience.

I have also used Cisco switches and they are harder to set up.

I received training on this solution from HP, here in Egypt.

I strongly recommend Aruba Switches with Aruba products for compatibility. If you use Cisco or other solutions, it may cause some issues with the stability of the environment.

I would rate this solution an eight out of ten.

We primarily use the solution for extra switches on campuses and consecutive exchange of existing access switches. 

The zero-touch provisioning made it possible for electricians to install and wire the switches that allows for the continuation with the zero touch provisioning mechanism afterward. It has really helped us to save our manpower within the network support group.

The solution's most valuable aspect is that it integrates with ClearPass, which allows us to use the same management for wireless LAN and wired LAN. 

The written documentation, all the available documentation, is often a little bit hard to find. The solution lacks documentation of recent features. We have access directly to Aruba, Germany, so they are always helpful, but if you start, for instance, with something a little bit more complex like zero-touch provisioning, that would require a more comprehensive written piece. 

The available REST API is invaluable for elegant integration with the core and distribution network.  

There are some new multicast features coming up, but they are just in the process of preparation by IEEE, and I would like to see them as soon as possible.

The solution's stability is really great. We found it very solid. 

The scalability of the solution is good. With the management of ClearPass, it's great. We've been using the feature of building stacks with it, and its really, really easy to handle a large scale environment.

Technical support has been great. Together with the consultant, we set up a regular phone call with Aruba to discuss the issues surrounding setting up the whole system. They always came up with quick solutions, called us back and they've been really, really helpful overall.

We previously used Brocade. The switches portion of the organization was bought by Extreme Networks. The company broke down, which is why we had to switch. The hardware of Brocade was brilliant, but at some point, the development and the stability of firmware lacked, since developers may have moved on before the company broke down.

The setup is mostly straightforward. Deployment, together with the WiFi, took about a month. We had three people on our side assisting with the implementation and have three people currently handling maintenance.

We did the initial set up with the help of a service provider of Aruba. We wrote templates and did the first template with the service provider, who was experienced and was really helpful.

With their assistance, the experience was optimal. We had been really late with our decision to purchase Aruba and we, with the help of the consultants, have since been able to bring up the whole system in time so that the existing schedule for opening the hospital was never endangered. 

We just had all the licenses for five years included in the bidding process. Since the competitive nature of the resulting contract, our actual costs might not reflect the standard market prices. Due to the visibilityof our project, Aruba has been generous with the included amount of licenses, which will serve us for years to come.

As a public hospital we are obliged to implement a public bidding process. We had been in discussions with many companies, including, for example, Cisco. 

In the end, it came down to financial issues. Once you have your requirements fixed, every Vendor has the chance to give you a proper offer through ist sales channel. With all the requirements, including for example common management of wired and wireless access, WLAN integrated Bluetooth capabilities  Cisco failed to meet the offer of Aruba.

We've been implementing, with the help of Aruba, with zero-touch provisioning in a newly opened hospital. Roughly 450 switches have been put into operation using zero-touch provisioning (ZTP). It was challenging;  even Aruba probably hadn't done such a large scale project before using ZTP.

In terms of advice, I'd say if you are entering the next stage of switch hardware, of network hardware, just have a look at Aruba. It's really, really helpful having an open API to use Python or other script languages to modify configurations and to automate exchange of state changes with neighbouring structures.

We try to keep as close as possible to standards. There are some areas where standards aren't available, for instance stacking of network Access switches, whre no vendor-independent standards is existing yet. So look at the whole package including the switch hardware, the licenses, the license for management and bear in mind the transceivers. 

When using Aruba switches, stick with the automation tools, don't let yourself be seduced into going back to manual configuration.

I'd rate the solution nine out of ten. They would be perfect, but there's a noise once they are on under heavy load in a warm environment. It might be the case that they are not usable for installations where the loudness damping between the installation room and office is not sufficient.

We are using Aruba Switches for clusters.

I have been using Aruba Switches for one and a half years.

Aruba Switches is stable.

The scalability of Aruba Switches is good.

We are using the solution in an educational institute with over 100 to 500 people.

I have not contacted support from Aruba Switches. We have local support.

We had an integration team do the setup of the solution.

I rate Aruba Switches a six out of ten.

We use these switches as part of our network infrastructure. Part of what we do is implement and manage networks for our clients.

Our clients are typically in the manufacturing sector, although we have some in warehouse process management, railway stations, and airports.

The most valuable feature is that we can manage everything centrally using Aruba Cloud Central. This allows us to check the network heartbeat, logs, alerts, finances, and more.

We have had problems with the cooling fans on these switches. They are sometimes erratic and this creates alerts. Otherwise, these devices work fine.

We have been a partner with Aruba Switches and dealing with their products for approximately ten years.

These switches are stable.

This is a scalable product.

The technical support staff is very good. We have a local repair center here in Mauritius and as soon as we request a ticket, we get a call from them.

We have a long business relationship with Aruba and we get VIP service.

We were working with an older version of HPE Switches, and have since moved to Aruba. Currently, we have a mix of older version HPE, current version HPE, and Aruba Switches.

We also work with the Aruba Access Points. We completed a nice job in a huge warehouse, where we covered the entire warehouse with a minimum number of devices.

I also have experience with Cisco switches, which are similarly easy to set up.

The initial setup is quite easy. The setup is somewhat similar to Cisco in this regard.

With respect to the team required for implementation, deployment, and maintenance, I keep it to a minimum of five people because we have quite a lot of users. Our presence is needed in more than four locations, which is why we need a minimum of five engineers. We always have an additional one as a buffer.

The initial investment is quite large. However, the limited lifetime warranty that you get with Aruba is important. Over the years, if you experience an issue, as long as it falls within the scope of the limited warranty, you will get a replacement the next working day. This makes life easier.

Our customers may want better pricing but we are a reseller and a partner, and the pricing that we get is good.

My advice for anybody looking into implementing this product is to first go through the certification process. Get yourself certified and attend all of the webinars that Aruba provides. Also, stay in touch with the product and know it well.

I would rate this solution a ten out of ten.

We use Aruba switches as LAN devices and access points to connect users. We also use the product for VLAN. We don't, however, make security with Aruba switches.

I like how Aruba switches integrate with On.

Aruba's operating system changes with every version. There is AOS and CX OS, and the commands change slightly each time, so if you are used to writing commands for one version, the commands you use in the next version are wrong. This causes a lot of disruptions if you prefer to use command lines over a GUI.

I've used Aruba switches for about three years.

The product is stable. I haven't seen any problems. Sometimes, the power supply unit has issues because it's damaged. In my country, we have problems with electricity, so we use a UPS.

I rate the scalability of Aruba switches a seven out of ten. The product has good features, and adding new devices and switches is easy.

I'm working with an integrator across many sites, and some sites have about 20 switches and 15 access points. Some sites have fewer, and some have more. It depends on the customer.

The initial setup is not complicated.

I implemented the solution myself.

Aruba's switches are priced lower than Cisco's by about 30%.

I work with both Aruba and Cisco switches. Cisco switches are very good. They have a lot of good features. Cisco invests a lot of money into their products, such as their Catalyst switches, but Aruba, by contrast, provides normal switches. Cisco produces some features like containers. You can use containers to install some applications on the switch, which is a very good feature. You can put a firewall image like Wireshark on a switch to protect your LAN. You can send some packets to your network to monitor it. Aruba has good switches, but they are not high-technology.

I rate Aruba switches a seven out of ten.

We use this solution for small and middle sized offices across different locations. The switches connect to the remote sites for distribution to the end user. 

We have needed to upgrade software to fix some challenges we experienced. After downloading the latest version of Aruba, these were fixed. 

I have used this solution for three years. 

The initial setup was straightforward. The time to deploy depends on the experience you have and how many switches you are setting up. 

This is an affordable solution. 

I would rate this solution a nine out of ten. 

The primary use case of this solution is as the edge and the core switches for our company network.

We are working on an ERP system, domain controller, warehouse management, Salesforce automation, and many other applications.

It's a reliable product that you can depend on. 

You can use it for a long time without any issues.

Visibility needs improvement. We don't have visibility in Aruba Switches and we are thinking of switching to FortiSwitch because it has visibility. 

Currently, we have visibility and compatibility with the firewall. Through the firewall, we can see the entire network.

They are not very active with this solution. There is no followup with the vendors and resellers, they do not contact us to inform us of new technologies as they do with Cisco and Fortinet. Other vendors are more active in the community.

In the next release, I would like to see visibility included, as well as better integration with other platforms. 

I have been working wit Aruba Switches for approximately 11 years.

We are working with the 251 and 190 series.

Aruba switches are stable, but we have a few that are hanging.

Aruba Switches are scalable.

We have more than 1,000 users in our company. We have 15 administrators and four people to maintain the network. 

Technical support is moderate, not excellent. We have been waiting for more than two months for our switches that are hanging to be replaced.

Maintenance and after-sales service are not good.

We started with Aruba a long time ago when they were originally 3Com Switches.

The initial setup is straightforward, not complex.

Cisco is more complex than Aruba is.

We have many resellers and system integrators in our country, including Cisco and Fortinet.

There are no licenses, you just purchase the switch. 

Comparing with Cisco, and some other solutions, it's a cheap product.

We are considering migrating from Aruba to possibly Cisco, or to Fortinet FortiSwitch.

We are comparing and conducting studies in order to move forward.

We have experience working in networking products, high-security products like firewalls, switches, and all data center products.

We would happy to use Aruba Switches in the future if there are new technologies that meet our requirements, and our needs regarding visibility. Having visibility in the entire network and to see all of the parts of the network is something that is important to us.

In general, I recommend Aruba Switches.

I would rate this solution an eight out of ten.