Aruba Airwave vs IBM Tivoli NetCool comparison

Hewlett Packard Enterprise and IBM are both solutions in the Network Management Applications category. Hewlett Packard Enterprise is ranked #2 with an average rating of 8.0, while IBM is ranked #14 with an average rating of 7.7. Hewlett Packard Enterprise holds a 6.4% mindshare in NMA, compared to IBM’s 2.0% mindshare. Additionally, 91% of Hewlett Packard Enterprise users are willing to recommend the solution, compared to 83% of IBM users who would recommend it.

Aruba Airwave

Read 24 Aruba Airwave reviews

1,503 Views
999 Comparison Views

91% willing to recommend

IBM Tivoli NetCool

Read 13 IBM Tivoli NetCool reviews

626 Views
164 Comparison Views

83% willing to recommend

Aruba Airwave

IBM Tivoli NetCool

Comparison Buyer's Guide

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Executive SummaryUpdated on Jan 2, 2025

IBM Tivoli NetCool and Aruba Airwave are network management platforms. Tivoli NetCool has an advantage in customization and scalability, suitable for complex IT environments, while Aruba Airwave shines in wireless network management with robust Wi-Fi capabilities.

Features: Tivoli NetCool provides extensive monitoring, customizable event management, and a wide array of integrations. It supports vast applications, devices, and various protocols. Its customizable dashboards and real-time data insights enhance flexibility. Aruba Airwave offers robust Wi-Fi management, device monitoring, and zero-touch provisioning. Its multivendor support and orchestration feature streamline network tasks, improving efficiency.

Room for Improvement: Tivoli NetCool could benefit from simplifying its deployment and reducing initial setup complexity. Enhancements in initial user training and documentation would aid usability. Improved integration with non-IBM systems could expand its adaptability. Aruba Airwave may require enhanced documentation for advanced features, better real-time alert systems, and expanded compatibility with older hardware models to broaden applicability.

Ease of Deployment and Customer Service: Tivoli NetCool's deployment is intricate and demands expertise, often needing skilled IT professionals. Its customer support is comprehensive, covering diverse IT needs. Aruba Airwave is noted for easier installation and faster setup, beneficial for wireless networks. Its customer service is appreciated for responsive assistance in wireless configurations.

Pricing and ROI: Tivoli NetCool involves higher initial costs due to customization requirements, but offers long-term ROI for large, complex IT setups. Aruba Airwave provides a cost-effective solution for organizations focused on wireless networks, delivering immediate value in Wi-Fi optimization and efficiency.

To learn more, read our detailed Aruba Airwave vs. IBM Tivoli NetCool Report (Updated: June 2025).

Buyer's Guide

Aruba Airwave vs. IBM Tivoli NetCool

June 2025

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Review summaries and opinions

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

Categories and Ranking

Aruba Airwave

Ranking in Network Management Applications

2nd

Average Rating

8.4

Reviews Sentiment

6.8

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

No ranking in other categories

IBM Tivoli NetCool

Ranking in Network Management Applications

14th

Average Rating

7.6

Reviews Sentiment

6.8

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

No ranking in other categories

Mindshare comparison

As of June 2025, in the Network Management Applications category, the mindshare of Aruba Airwave is 6.4%, down from 9.4% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of IBM Tivoli NetCool is 2.0%, up from 1.1% compared to the previous year. It is calculated based on PeerSpot user engagement data.

Network Management Applications

Featured Reviews

Lulzim Islami

IT Network Operations Manager at KEDS

Creating floor maps and configuration templates enhances troubleshooting capabilities

The most helpful feature I noticed, yet did not utilize, allowed us to add our Cisco switches for monitoring. We also created templates for configurations. Additionally, it facilitated creating floor maps. I need to open it for more extended periods. It is more about troubleshooting and checking the coverage problems of wireless.

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Petar Ganev

Senior Enterprise Monitoring Engineer at Commerzbank

Reliable for enterprise monitoring but no longer actively developed

There are problems with the latest security requirements because many things have changed in recent years, and now the security audits are very strict. And we need to switch to something else. We need to patch it constantly. Moreover, it is a very old tool and a little bit difficult to support. Otherwise, they work okay.

Read full review

Quotes from Members

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

Pros

"This solution gives you a lot of reporting capabilities, and it has a very good interface."

"The most valuable feature of Aruba Airwave is the multivendor support, which enables you to manage and monitor different vendors or products."

"The most valuable features are the error log and intrusion log. It also provides an overview of your assets. It gives a good database for wireless coverage."

"It's scalable because it's licensed per device and we bought licenses with each device. I would rate it a nine out of ten for scalability."

"One of the main advantages is its ability to draw building floor plans and analyze Wi-Fi signal behavior in real-time."

"It facilitated creating floor maps."

"The most beneficial feature for network monitoring in Aruba Airwave is the Live Heat Map. It helps identify interferences, coverage issues, and user connectivity issues. The device management capability of Aruba Airwave is good. It provides end-to-end visibility from the user to the access point, the switch, and the internet breakout. From a monitoring, management, and orchestration standpoint, it is very effective and can manage any scale of deployment."

"I would rate the overall solution nine out of ten."

More Aruba Airwave pros

"The tool had many built-in automation capabilities."

"NetCool has a huge database that can collect and process about one million alarms a day."

"It's very easy to use."

"The solution has very good integration capabilities."

"The scalability of monitoring, the breadth of supported network components, the scale of the number of monitoring events, and the flexibility in customization make this a well-rounded product."

"Tivoli NetCool allows us to grasp a lot of data that can be applied toward predictive analytics and auto-remediation."

"The tool is much easier to manage than running scripts and figuring out how many endpoints have been exceeded."

More IBM Tivoli NetCool pros

Cons

"Whenever you get an error it doesn't immediately tell you what the thing is that is causing the error. You have to sit down and research it. If it could say what error is causing the issue, it would make my troubleshooting a lot quicker."

"They should make it cheaper. By doing that, they can replace Cisco, which is also very expensive. If it is equivalent to Cisco in the features, with a reduced price, they can sell it more than Cisco."

"When upgrading hardware, there were technical issues with network interfaces and Red Hat, which required escalation to developers."

"The solution’s pricing could be improved."

"Its pricing and support could be improved."

"The overall monitoring of this solution could be improved."

"Cost is always a big issue for partners."

"The main challenge we've faced with Aruba Airwave is its high cost, especially regarding high availability and failover licenses, which can be relatively expensive for customers. As for recommendations for improvement, considering that Aruba is planning to retire Airwave soon and introduce a new solution, it's crucial that the new product meets or exceeds the current Airwave's feature set. Customers expect a seamless transition without losing any functionality, so Aruba needs to ensure that the new solution is ready with all the essential features and capabilities from day one to avoid any gaps or dissatisfaction among users and partners."

More Aruba Airwave cons

"The installation could be simplified, and technical support could be faster."

"Tivoli NetCool is based on a Linux platform, it would be beneficial if they moved it to Windows because not everyone is acquainted with Linux."

"In terms of improvement, I would like to see more AIOps, Artificial Intelligent Operations in the next release. IBM develops new features for Power BI or Cognos Analytics, which is good. As of now, we use Cognos Analytics, we are not using Power BI. They have the Insight concept but we don't like that."

"The solution does not have any AI capabilities."

"UI is outdated, very old legacy."

"The installation could be simplified, and technical support could be faster."

"The solution is not user-friendly."

"Customization and integration that you need to do to make the product fit your needs is very complex. It is not a product that somebody could easily pick up without any prior training or experience."

More IBM Tivoli NetCool cons

Pricing and Cost Advice

"The cost is perfect because the devices have a lifetime warranty, and the licensing is good as well."

"This product is not expensive."

"The licensing cost for Aruba Airwave increased from $72 to $210 within a few months. It would be better if the pricing for the solution were cheaper."

"We must buy a new license to connect more devices to scale up the solution."

"Licensing and pricing are extremely straightforward."

"Run a 90 day free Proof of Concept (PoC) for each product by implementing and using it fully in your environment. This way you will be educated on its features, functionality, and manageability."

"Aruba Airwave is an expensive solution."

"It's device-based licensing. One device requires one license."

More Aruba Airwave pricing and cost advice

"Customers are required to pay a licensing fee."

"It costs around 100k for every ten servers, which is lower than similar products from other vendors."

"Licensing fees are paid on a yearly basis."

"The price of the product is too expensive."

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Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews

Computer Software Company

17%

Manufacturing Company

Government

Educational Organization

Computer Software Company

32%

Financial Services Firm

10%

Manufacturing Company

Educational Organization

Company Size

By reviewers

Large Enterprise

Midsize Enterprise

Small Business

Questions from the Community

What do you like most about Aruba Airwave?

I would rate the stability a nine out of ten.

See all answers

What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for Aruba Airwave?

The pricing for Aruba Airwave is acceptable because compared to Cisco, it's slightly cheaper, but not significantly - maybe 5% or 7% less expensive.

See all answers

What needs improvement with Aruba Airwave?

My general opinion on Aruba Airwave is that it's acceptable, but it's not ideal because we are accustomed to Cisco. We didn't use Aruba much, but once you set it up, you probably don't need to worr...

See all answers

What is the best network monitoring software for large enterprises?

I have worked from 1973 with all kind of systems in large enterprises across the world. And have experience with all kind of software in monitoring from infra to end to end, it depends on the funct...

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What do you like most about IBM Tivoli NetCool?

The tool had many built-in automation capabilities.

See all answers

What needs improvement with IBM Tivoli NetCool?

The main challenge is its licensing model, which is very complicated.

See all answers

Comparisons

Cisco DNA Center vs Aruba Airwave

Compared 33% of the time

HPE Intelligent Management Center vs Aruba Airwave

Compared 24% of the time

Aruba ClearPass vs Aruba Airwave

Compared 9% of the time

Alcatel-Lucent OmniVista vs Aruba Airwave

Compared 9% of the time

SolarWinds Network Topology Mapper vs Aruba Airwave

Compared 8% of the time

More Aruba Airwave Competitors

SolarWinds Network Configuration Manager vs IBM Tivoli NetCool

Compared 38% of the time

OpenText Network Node Manager vs IBM Tivoli NetCool

Compared 24% of the time

HPE Intelligent Management Center vs IBM Tivoli NetCool

Compared 22% of the time

Cisco DNA Center vs IBM Tivoli NetCool

Compared 16% of the time

More IBM Tivoli NetCool Competitors

Product Reports

Buyer's Guide

Aruba Airwave

June 2025

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Buyer's Guide

IBM Tivoli NetCool

June 2025

Download IBM Tivoli NetCool product report

Also Known As

No data available

Tivoli NetCool

Overview

Offering granular visibility into wired and wireless networks, AirWave is the only management platform designed with mobile devices and apps in mind. By proactively monitoring the health and performance of all things connected, AirWave lets IT gain the insights they need to support the digital workplace.

Hewlett Packard Enterprise

IBM Tivoli Netcool delivers near real-time, consolidated event management across business infrastructure, data centers, complex networks and IT domains. The software provides full management and automation to help you deliver continuous uptime of business services and applications.

IBM

Sample Customers

Henkel, University of Findlay, University of Minnesota Duluth, University of Iowa

Claranet, Consolidated Communications, Telus, €sterreichische Bundesbahnen (€BB), Telekom Srbija, Bendigo Community Telco, Capgemini, Schweizerische Bundesbahnen (SBB)

Buyer's Guide

Aruba Airwave vs. IBM Tivoli NetCool

June 2025

Free Report: Aruba Airwave vs. IBM Tivoli NetCool

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