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Aruba Instant On Switches vs Cisco Nexus 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 8.2, while Cisco is ranked #3 with an average rating of 8.4. Hewlett Packard Enterprise holds a 9.8% mindshare in LS, compared to Cisco’s 8.7% 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 29 Aruba Instant On Switches reviews
  • 1,726 Views
  • 583 Comparison Views
95% willing to recommend
Cisco Nexus
Read 106 Cisco Nexus reviews
  • 1,431 Views
  • 522 Comparison Views
96% willing to recommend
 

Comparison Buyer's Guide

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Executive SummaryUpdated on Apr 6, 2025

Cisco Nexus and Aruba Instant On Switches cater to different market segments within network infrastructure. Cisco Nexus offers more advanced features tailored for data centers, whereas Aruba Instant On targets small to medium businesses. Cisco stands out for data center optimization, while Aruba offers simplicity in deployment.

Features: Cisco Nexus excels with its advanced features like VDCs, VPCs, and superior hardware engineering for data center environments. Its high scalability and stability make it ideal for complex configurations. Aruba Instant On, although less feature-rich, is favored for its easy deployment, affordability, and capabilities such as centralized management through Aruba Central, making it appealing to SMBs.

Room for Improvement: Cisco Nexus can improve by enhancing cost-effectiveness and simplifying the licensing process. Users have reported stability issues with software updates. Aruba Instant On can benefit from more robust features, improved stability, and quicker boot-up times. Expanding its scalability and management capabilities would also enhance its appeal to larger networks.

Ease of Deployment and Customer Service: Cisco Nexus requires sophisticated technical expertise for deployment, praised for robust support despite inconsistent experiences. In contrast, Aruba Instant On is noted for its simple and fast deployment process, well-received customer service, ensuring a smooth onboarding experience for SMBs.

Pricing and ROI: Cisco Nexus is higher-priced due to its enterprise capabilities, justified by the ROI from system stability. However, its complex licensing can be a drawback. Aruba Instant On offers a cost-effective alternative with competitive pricing and low ongoing fees, attracting budget-conscious buyers with a balanced feature set.

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To learn more, read our detailed Aruba Instant On Switches vs. Cisco Nexus Report (Updated: June 2025).
Buyer's Guide
Aruba Instant On Switches vs. Cisco Nexus
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 Instant On Switches
Ranking in LAN Switching
2nd
Average Rating
8.2
Reviews Sentiment
6.5
Number of Reviews
29
Ranking in other categories
No ranking in other categories
Cisco Nexus
Ranking in LAN Switching
3rd
Average Rating
8.4
Reviews Sentiment
7.6
Number of Reviews
106
Ranking in other categories
Data Center Networking (5th)
 

Mindshare comparison

As of June 2025, in the LAN Switching category, the mindshare of Aruba Instant On Switches is 9.8%, up from 9.3% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of Cisco Nexus is 8.7%, down from 11.1% 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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Vinayak Lokare - PeerSpot reviewer
Enhancing data center network efficiency with reliable security integrations and good switching
Cisco Nexus provides a reliable switching platform for our data centers. It allows us to run dynamic routing protocols and helps improve network efficiency with features like MPLS. Additionally, it supports integration with third-party security tools, which is advantageous for our network architecture. Security-wise, we utilize Cisco's solutions while exploring other vendor options too.
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

"The solution is plug-and-play and auto-configured."
"Aruba Central provides various AI features that we can use. It collects data on health and performance issues for wireless and wired clients."
"Setup is easy."
"The solution is suitable for small businesses and small offices."
"It is quite easy to maintain from the software point of view."
"Instant On Switches' best feature is the 1930, which is stackable."
"It is a very stable solution."
"The initial setup is simple."
More Aruba Instant On Switches pros
"Cisco Nexus provides a reliable switching platform for our data centers."
"They are very high-performance switches and they are made for lossless data, so they're a good play in the customer environment."
"It's pretty easy to use and operates at high speed."
"We leverage Cisco DCNM a lot, which allows us to automate."
"The most valuable feature of this solution is its reliability."
"Cisco is refining the features all the time and you can see this in all the different vendors."
"This product has improved the way our organization functions through the ability to do things in a maintenance window while allowing other teams to continue to work."
"Cisco Nexus meets all of our requirements."
More Cisco Nexus pros
 

Cons

"In the next version, they should add a firewall from a single source."
"Improvements are required in the product's price. I want it to be cheaper."
"Some models need enhancement of the web interface to make management and monitoring easier."
"Instant On Switches' layer 3 and visibility could be improved."
"We are interested in acquiring a firewall that provides a comprehensive solution. In other words, we're seeking a firewall that encompasses multiple aspects, such as exceptional switches and active phone functionalities."
"Some L3 features could be included in the solution."
"Room for improvement would be if they consolidated administration from multiple locations."
"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."
More Aruba Instant On Switches cons
"Cisco Nexus is just a platform. You just set it up, give it an IP, and then start configuring it. But there are a million features to configure."
"There are too many different model numbers and too much complexity."
"The initial setup wasn't simple or user-friendly."
"This solution costs a lot."
"It would be great if they could make the interface a little more user-friendly, but not trade power off for simplicity."
"One of the problems we have is that there is no confirmation for when you try to test a system command."
"The operating system needs to be improved. There should be stability in the operating system, and it should not have as many vulnerabilities."
"Some of the DHCP features need improvement."
More Cisco Nexus cons
 

Pricing and Cost Advice

"Aruba Instant On Switches is cheaper than Cisco and expensive compared to some Chinese brand products."
"I give the price seven out of ten."
"We pay an annual licensing fee."
"Aruba Instant On Switches is not expensive."
"The solution is the cheapest A-class switch."
"If one is very bad, and ten is a very good price, I rate the tool's price as a six."
"The license for Instant On Switches is free."
"The pricing is quite low compared to other products, which is good for the customer."
More Aruba Instant On Switches pricing and cost advice
"The license for Cisco Nexus is one year to three years, in this case for the SMARTnet. It is a price per unit, in terms of this specific appliance."
"Our licensing costs for this solution are approximately $100K a year for the switching part."
"The Nexus 9000 is very competitively priced."
"I don't like the Smart Licensing models that Cisco uses."
"The problem with Cisco, from what I see, is that their costs are much higher."
"It is very expensive. Its licensing is on a yearly basis."
"We only have a yearly support contract, as we do not use any of the subscription-based functions at this time."
"We have three hundred to four hundred data centers of Nexus. So the coverage associated with Smart Net is 27 by 4, is basically what we spend each year. If the incentives get better, which I know they're working on, it would be great but right now we're buying year to year."
More Cisco Nexus pricing and cost advice
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Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews
Computer Software Company
15%
Manufacturing Company
10%
Comms Service Provider
9%
University
7%
Computer Software Company
22%
Financial Services Firm
9%
Manufacturing Company
8%
Government
6%
 

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?
I think the pricing for the switches is reasonable.
See all answers
What needs improvement with Aruba Instant On Switches?
I have run into a couple of problems with the switches. Recently, one of the newer stacks stopped working and had to be rebooted individually. They don't have a lot of diagnostics tools, which coul...
See all answers
What do you like most about Cisco Nexus?
The product's initial setup phase is very easy.
See all answers
What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for Cisco Nexus?
The price of Cisco Nexus is on the higher side due to the premium services Cisco offers. Despite the cost, it offers valuable features and services.
See all answers
What needs improvement with Cisco Nexus?
When I talk about data centers, which are critical infrastructure and centralized application hubs, the Nexus platforms should be highly stable. Initially, the codes I received through ACI were qui...
See all answers
 

Comparisons

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Compared 49% of the time
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Cisco Catalyst Switches vs Aruba Instant On Switches
Compared 37% of the time
NETGEAR Switches vs Aruba Instant On Switches Logo
NETGEAR Switches vs Aruba Instant On Switches
Compared 15% of the time
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Juniper QFX Series Switches vs Cisco Nexus Logo
Juniper QFX Series Switches vs Cisco Nexus
Compared 43% of the time
Arista Networks Platform vs Cisco Nexus Logo
Arista Networks Platform vs Cisco Nexus
Compared 19% of the time
Cisco Catalyst Switches vs Cisco Nexus Logo
Cisco Catalyst Switches vs Cisco Nexus
Compared 9% of the time
Juniper QFabric vs Cisco Nexus Logo
Juniper QFabric vs Cisco Nexus
Compared 5% of the time
ExtremeSwitching vs Cisco Nexus Logo
ExtremeSwitching vs Cisco Nexus
Compared 4% of the time
More Cisco Nexus Competitors
 

Product Reports

Buyer's Guide
Aruba Instant On Switches
June 2025
Aruba Instant On Switches reportDownload Aruba Instant On Switches product report
Buyer's Guide
Cisco Nexus
June 2025
Cisco Nexus reportDownload Cisco Nexus product report
 

Also Known As

Aruba Instant On 1930 Switches
No data available
 

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
The Cisco Nexus family of switches is designed to meet the stringent requirements of the next-generation data center. Not simply bigger or faster, these switches offer the following characteristics: infrastructure that can be scaled cost-effectively and that helps you increase energy, budget, and resource efficiency, transport that can navigate the transition to 10 Gigabit Ethernet and unified fabric and can also handle architectural changes such as virtualization, Web 2.0 applications, and cloud computing and operational continuity to meet your need for an environment where system availability is assumed and maintenance windows are rare if not totally extinct.
Cisco
 

Sample Customers

KEMET, Vestavia Hills City Schools, Dropbox
Advanced Medical Transport, Banco de Guayaquil, Baylor Scott & White Health, BH Telecom, Bowling Green State University, Calligaris, Children's Hospital Colorado, City of Biel, Del Papa Distributing, Department of Justice, Dimension Data, Dualtec Cloud Builders, Electricity Authority of Cyprus, Grupo Industrial Saltillo (GIS), Hertz, K&L Gates , LightEdge, Lone Star College System, Management Science Associates, Mindtree, NBC Olympics, Quest, Sony Corporation, The Department of Education in Western Australia, Valley Proteins
Buyer's Guide
Aruba Instant On Switches vs. Cisco Nexus
June 2025
Free Report: Aruba Instant On Switches vs. Cisco Nexus
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