Cisco Wireless and Aruba Instant are competitive solutions in the wireless networking domain, each offering distinct advantages. Cisco appears to have the edge in advanced security features and integration capabilities, while Aruba is more accessible and cost-effective, particularly suited for small to mid-sized businesses.
Features: Cisco Wireless is known for its advanced security capabilities, robust interference management through CleanAir technology, and configurability that eases integration with various security tools. It also supports multiple frequency management, enhancing flexibility. Conversely, Aruba Instant prioritizes cost-effectiveness, with centralized and cloud management solutions that enable scalable deployments. It is user-friendly, making it suitable for businesses with limited IT resources.
Room for Improvement: Cisco Wireless is often criticized for its high costs and complex licensing, which can be a deterrent for some users. Simplifying its interface and enhancing compatibility with third-party tools could improve user experience. Aruba Instant, while competitively priced, could improve its cloud management features and enhance connectivity in high-density environments, which users have identified as areas needing attention.
Ease of Deployment and Customer Service: Cisco Wireless delivers reliable on-premises solutions with robust technical support, although the initial setup may require significant expertise. Aruba Instant, by contrast, is easier to deploy with a cloud-friendly architecture, offering a straightforward setup process. While Aruba's customer service is solid, it does not match the responsiveness provided by Cisco's support.
Pricing and ROI: Cisco Wireless, despite being expensive, is valued for its extensive features and reliability, which many organizations see as providing good ROI due to its stability. Aruba Instant, however, offers a more cost-effective pricing model with many features included without extra licensing fees and is considered better for businesses seeking straightforward, scalable solutions with reasonable initial costs.
Overall, it's a fair pricing and good in terms of cost-effectiveness or ROI.
The technical support from Aruba is of high quality, and I would rate it a ten.
I rate Aruba TAC as a 9 out of 10.
The technical support from Cisco is of high quality.
We received responses quickly after logging our problem.
The technical support from Cisco is good.
I find Aruba Instant to be highly scalable.
Aruba is a known name in the market providing sufficient support for all these products.
The performance is excellent, rating 10 out of 10.
Some features are not listed in the cloud management platform and still require offline access, so enhancing the cloud management features would be better for us.
An important missing feature is the console port, which allows direct management without the cloud.
Sometimes, integration with other Cisco products requires manual intervention for tasks such as firmware upgrades, which should be automated.
We would prefer if we could increase the controller to a 10 gig interface because we want to connect our controller to a 10 gig interface.
In the long term, there could be a cost reduction because it does not require much maintenance.
We do not sell very expensive devices as we move to other products.
However, when compared to entry-level market segments, the price is higher.
Cisco generally is expensive.
The setup cost involves licenses.
The licensing of Cisco Wireless is competitive.
The most beneficial features for network management are the price and the cloud console.
I highly value Aruba Instant for its ClearPass feature, which is an exceptional product for network access control and works as a NAC solution.
The most valuable feature of Aruba Instant On is that it is cloud-managed, making it easy to manage multiple locations in a single dashboard.
If one network fails, there is a link between different access points, which ensures network continuity.
The advantages of Cisco Wireless include helping me aggregate all the access points, managing one point connection for my users easily, controlling rogues, and addressing hotspots effectively.
When I install it, I can forget about it because there is no need for ongoing maintenance, and no other problems occur.
| Product | Market Share (%) |
|---|---|
| Cisco Wireless | 10.6% |
| Aruba Instant | 2.1% |
| Other | 87.3% |
| Company Size | Count |
|---|---|
| Small Business | 31 |
| Midsize Enterprise | 7 |
| Large Enterprise | 14 |
| Company Size | Count |
|---|---|
| Small Business | 76 |
| Midsize Enterprise | 41 |
| Large Enterprise | 74 |
Aruba Instant delivers the only controllerless Wi-Fi solution that is easy to set-up, and loaded with security and smarts needed to accelerate your business without breaking your budget.
Cisco Wireless is a comprehensive suite of wireless solutions designed to deliver secure, high-performance connectivity for enterprises of all sizes. Offering a range of access points, controllers, and advanced management tools, Cisco Wireless ensures seamless and reliable network access, enhancing mobility and productivity.
Cisco Wireless solutions provide robust, scalable wireless networks capable of supporting high-density environments and diverse applications. With features such as seamless roaming, advanced security protocols, and detailed analytics, Cisco Wireless addresses the needs of modern businesses. The solutions include the Cisco Catalyst and Aironet series access points, wireless LAN controllers, and the Cisco DNA Center for centralized management and automation.
What are the key features of Cisco Wireless?
What benefits should users look for in reviews when evaluating Cisco Wireless?
Cisco Wireless solutions are implemented across various industries, including healthcare, education, retail, and manufacturing. In healthcare, they support critical applications like patient monitoring and electronic health records. Educational institutions use Cisco Wireless to provide reliable internet access for students and staff. Retailers benefit from enhanced customer experiences through in-store connectivity, while manufacturers use wireless networks to improve operational efficiency and automation.
Pricing and licensing for Cisco Wireless solutions are typically based on the scale of deployment and specific product selections. Cisco offers various support plans, including 24/7 customer service, technical support, and access to software updates and patches.
In summary, Cisco Wireless provides robust, scalable wireless networking solutions that enhance connectivity, security, and management for diverse enterprise environments.
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