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Aruba Instant On Switches vs Cisco FabricPath comparison

Hewlett Packard Enterprise and Cisco are both solutions in the LAN Switching category. Hewlett Packard Enterprise is ranked #2 with an average rating of 8.0, while Cisco is ranked #6 with an average rating of 8.3. Hewlett Packard Enterprise holds a 9.7% mindshare in LS, compared to Cisco’s 2.8% mindshare. Additionally, 95% of Hewlett Packard Enterprise users are willing to recommend the solution, compared to 96% of Cisco users who would recommend it.
Aruba Instant On Switches
Read 30 Aruba Instant On Switches reviews
  • 1,438 Views
  • 1,438 Comparison Views
95% willing to recommend
Cisco FabricPath
Read 31 Cisco FabricPath reviews
  • 383 Views
  • 368 Comparison Views
96% willing to recommend
 

Comparison Buyer's Guide

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Executive SummaryUpdated on Apr 6, 2025

Cisco FabricPath and Aruba Instant On Switches compete in the network management domain. Cisco excels due to its top-notch security and seamless integration, while Aruba shines in cost-effectiveness and ease of use for SMBs.

Features: Cisco FabricPath is known for its advanced security features, protocol flexibility, and robustness in handling high data traffic. It allows integration into existing infrastructures with minimal errors, making it ideal for enterprises seeking resilient solutions. Aruba Instant On Switches emphasize centralized management, cost-effectiveness, and include cloud capabilities, making them suitable for SMBs. The intuitive interface and comprehensive package at an attractive price point are additional strengths.

Room for Improvement: Cisco FabricPath could improve its documentation, incorporate better pricing strategies, enhance its security features further, and provide more manageable GUIs. These improvements can make it more accessible. On the other hand, Aruba Instant On Switches can work on scalability, introduce more advanced features, and enhance AI capabilities. Users specifically seek more L3 functionalities and improved switch management tools.

Ease of Deployment and Customer Service: Cisco FabricPath excels in robust on-premises deployments and provides reliable technical support, leading to high customer satisfaction. Its support is widely appreciated by users. Aruba Instant On Switches offer hybrid cloud deployment options, praised for their user-friendliness, though users see room for a more intuitive setup process. While support is solid, increased technical assistance accessibility would enhance user experiences.

Pricing and ROI: Cisco FabricPath presents a premium offering, reflecting in its pricing. Despite the high cost, it delivers strong ROI through high network management value and stability. Aruba Instant On Switches stand out with competitive pricing, appealing to budget-conscious customers while ensuring high value with its comprehensive package, including free licenses. Aruba's cost-effective pricing aligns better with budget constraints, offering substantial returns over time.

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Buyer's Guide
Aruba Instant On Switches vs. Cisco FabricPath
July 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:
 

ROI

Sentiment score
5.9
Aruba Instant On Switches are valued for affordability and ease of integration, appealing to startups and service providers.
Sentiment score
8.1
Cisco FabricPath ensures cost efficiency and stability in networks, enhancing ROI through seamless setup and strategic upgrade cycles.
 

Customer Service

Sentiment score
6.4
Aruba Instant On Switches support is reliable, with skilled staff, but users request better communication access and quicker resolutions.
Sentiment score
7.1
Cisco FabricPath support is praised for responsiveness, professionalism, and effectiveness, though delays occur, usually leading to favorable resolutions.
It would be good to have our own account so we can access and deal directly with technical support, for example, in the community.
For more quotes and insights, download the Aruba Instant On Switches report
Based on my experience with technical support from Cisco, they are helpful and responsive; they respond based on severity.
Cisco provides excellent support.
For more quotes and insights, download the Cisco FabricPath report
MI
AF
SanjitAchary - PeerSpot reviewer
 

Scalability Issues

Sentiment score
6.9
Aruba Instant On Switches offer flexibility and ease for small businesses but have limitations for enterprise-level demands.
Sentiment score
8.1
Cisco FabricPath excels in scalability and adaptability, handling various user volumes efficiently with high user satisfaction ratings.
I would rate the scalability of Aruba Instant On Switches as an eight regarding the ability of the product to adapt to our needs.
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No quotes available
For more quotes and insights, download the Cisco FabricPath report
 

Stability Issues

Sentiment score
8.1
Aruba Instant On Switches are reliable, easy to install, and offer good performance at a competitive price, despite occasional issues.
Sentiment score
8.5
Cisco FabricPath is highly rated for stability and reliability, despite minor compatibility issues with integrating different services.
No quotes available
For more quotes and insights, download the Aruba Instant On Switches report
Cisco FabricPath is stable.
For more quotes and insights, download the Cisco FabricPath report
 

Room For Improvement

Aruba Instant On Switches need better pricing, scalability, feature set, user documentation, and improved management and configuration tools.
Cisco FabricPath requires better integration, affordability, improved UI, comprehensive support, and enhancements in features like AI and security.
No quotes available
For more quotes and insights, download the Aruba Instant On Switches report
Additionally, parts availability in these regions needs improvement to address hardware failure situations, such as the availability of parts like a power cable.
In future updates, I would prefer to see features such as more AI functionality or better integration added to Cisco FabricPath.
For more quotes and insights, download the Cisco FabricPath report
 

Setup Cost

Aruba Instant On Switches offer competitive pricing and inclusive licensing, praised for cost-effectiveness and compatibility with existing Aruba solutions.
Cisco FabricPath's pricing is seen as high, but its performance and features attract enterprises despite cost concerns.
Economically, its price is acceptable for us.
For more quotes and insights, download the Aruba Instant On Switches report
Additionally, many products have subscriptions, making it very expensive when you bundle all together.
While pricing is slightly on the higher side, the overall assessment, which includes cost and technical capabilities, often favors Cisco.
For more quotes and insights, download the Cisco FabricPath report
MI
AF
SanjitAchary - PeerSpot reviewer
 

Valuable Features

Aruba Instant On Switches offer easy setup, cost-effective scalability, and advanced network features for SMBs and SOHOs.
Cisco FabricPath is praised for its scalability, security, simplicity, and reliability, integrating seamlessly with Cisco Nexus to enhance performance.
No quotes available
For more quotes and insights, download the Aruba Instant On Switches report
Cisco is the best choice in terms of cost, quality, and post-procurement services.
I have experienced operational efficiencies with Cisco FabricPath that are 200% better than the old legacy equipment and protocols.
For more quotes and insights, download the Cisco FabricPath report
 

Categories and Ranking

Aruba Instant On Switches
Ranking in LAN Switching
2nd
Average Rating
8.2
Reviews Sentiment
6.4
Number of Reviews
30
Ranking in other categories
No ranking in other categories
Cisco FabricPath
Ranking in LAN Switching
6th
Average Rating
8.4
Reviews Sentiment
7.4
Number of Reviews
31
Ranking in other categories
No ranking in other categories
 

Mindshare comparison

As of August 2025, in the LAN Switching category, the mindshare of Aruba Instant On Switches is 9.7%, up from 9.7% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of Cisco FabricPath is 2.8%, up from 1.3% compared to the previous year. It is calculated based on PeerSpot user engagement data.
LAN Switching
 

Featured Reviews

MashukThakur - PeerSpot reviewer
A centrally managed switches ideal for small and medium businesses but does not have any console access
The solution does not have any console access. For example, if you do not have internet access on your side and you need to configure anything, you should at least have CLI access to do something or manage the solution to put to some IP. It will only work if we have a TSCT on the network. We can port and configure the initial settings before we get the Instant On Switches. I am not working deeply on Instant On devices. I have only installed it in a couple of accommodation sites. Even today, one customer has ordered to install 80 pieces of Instant On. I’ve to order additional 94 access points. I was confused about whether to go with Aruba Instant On or AP-505. Instant On has limited accessibility but AP-505 have cloud or local access on normal infrastructure. This would be better and easier to configure. So, there are further improvements in regard to console access and some limitations with access.
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SanjitAchary - PeerSpot reviewer
Delivers comprehensive assessments and superior post-procurement service
In Southeast Asian countries like Indonesia and Malaysia, and in the Latin America region, delivery times can be quite lengthy. This is challenging in terms of logistics and customs. Additionally, parts availability in these regions needs improvement to address hardware failure situations, such as the availability of parts like a power cable.
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Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews
Computer Software Company
13%
Manufacturing Company
12%
Comms Service Provider
11%
University
8%
Manufacturing Company
15%
Computer Software Company
13%
University
9%
Performing Arts
9%
 

Company Size

By reviewers
Large Enterprise
Midsize Enterprise
Small Business
 

Questions from the Community

What do you like most about Aruba Instant On Switches?
The solution has a simple deployment and zero border.
See all answers
What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for Aruba Instant On Switches?
We mainly go for Aruba Instant On Switches since our network has Aruba switches, especially considering the compatibility and as previously explained, the familiarity and easy management. Economica...
See all answers
What needs improvement with Aruba Instant On Switches?
I cannot say exactly whether I have employed the Quality of Service feature in this solution. Considering security at the switch level, we have not employed any kind of special security methods for...
See all answers
What do you like most about Cisco FabricPath?
The tool makes it easy to manage multi-layer networking and increases network efficiency. I haven't faced any challenges in integrating it into our existing infrastructure.
See all answers
What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for Cisco FabricPath?
Cisco is somewhat expensive, but it provides good quality products and operations, so I can't complain about licensing cost and setup costs. There is room for improvement in terms of pricing for th...
See all answers
What needs improvement with Cisco FabricPath?
In future updates, I would prefer to see features such as more AI functionality or better integration added to Cisco FabricPath; more AI would be useful.
See all answers
 

Comparisons

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HPE ProCurve vs Aruba Instant On Switches
Compared 49% of the time
Cisco Catalyst Switches vs Aruba Instant On Switches Logo
Cisco Catalyst Switches vs Aruba Instant On Switches
Compared 35% of the time
NETGEAR Switches vs Aruba Instant On Switches Logo
NETGEAR Switches vs Aruba Instant On Switches
Compared 16% of the time
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HPE ProCurve vs Cisco FabricPath Logo
HPE ProCurve vs Cisco FabricPath
Compared 37% of the time
Juniper QFabric vs Cisco FabricPath Logo
Juniper QFabric vs Cisco FabricPath
Compared 32% of the time
Arista Campus LAN Switches vs Cisco FabricPath Logo
Arista Campus LAN Switches vs Cisco FabricPath
Compared 32% of the time
More Cisco FabricPath Competitors
 

Product Reports

Buyer's Guide
Aruba Instant On Switches
August 2025
Aruba Instant On Switches reportDownload Aruba Instant On Switches product report
Buyer's Guide
Cisco FabricPath
August 2025
Cisco FabricPath reportDownload Cisco FabricPath product report
 

Also Known As

Aruba Instant On 1930 Switches
FabricPath
 

Overview

The Aruba Instant On 1930 switches features advanced, smart-managed, fixed configuration Gigabit switches designed for small businesses that are easy-to-deploy and affordable. They’re made to handle today’s bandwidth-heavy applications like voice and video conferencing, enabling consistent connectivity to enhance performance. Using either the Instant On mobile app or the cloud-based web portal, you can quickly set up, monitor and manage the 1930 switch series from anywhere at any time. What’s more, up to 30 W PoE power delivery is available out-of-the-box for your class 4 PoE devices, like access points, surveillance cameras and VoIP phones, all easily managed from the same platform.

Hewlett Packard Enterprise
Cisco FabricPath is a Cisco NX-OS software innovation combining the plug-and-play simplicity of Ethernet with the reliability and scalability of Layer 3 routing. Using FabricPath, you can build highly scalable Layer 2 multipath networks without the Spanning Tree Protocol. Such networks are particularly suitable for large virtualization deployments, private clouds, and high-performance computing (HPC) environments. The benefits of Cisco FabricPath include: Minimal commands per switch ease configuration and operation, Autodiscovery simplifies addition of new links and switches, Provision additional network bandwidth without impacting network, Supports one-, two-, or three-tier architectures, VLAN extensibility across the data center.
Cisco
 

Sample Customers

KEMET, Vestavia Hills City Schools, Dropbox
Bellevue, Calligaris, Electricity Authority of Cyprus, Management Science Associates, Multi-Customer, Oediv, Roper St. Francis, SNAM
Buyer's Guide
Aruba Instant On Switches vs. Cisco FabricPath
July 2025
Free Report: Aruba Instant On Switches vs. Cisco FabricPath
Find out what your peers are saying about Aruba Instant On Switches vs. Cisco FabricPath and other solutions. Updated: July 2025.
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