Cisco Wireless and Aruba Wireless are both key players in the wireless networking industry. Cisco Wireless leads in comprehensive security integration, while Aruba Wireless focuses on easy management and cost-efficiency.
Features: Cisco Wireless offers seamless roaming, centralized management, and robust security with integrated ISE. It includes advanced technologies like CleanAir and RRM. Aruba Wireless highlights adaptive radio management, ease of installation, and BYOD solutions via ClearPass. Its application monitoring and simplified deployment tools offer a user-friendly approach.
Room for Improvement:Cisco Wireless could improve its interface, reduce complexity, especially regarding licensing, and enhance third-party product integration. Aruba Wireless should focus on a more user-friendly web interface, better integrate management with other vendors, and address security improvement and licensing costs.
Ease of Deployment and Customer Service: Cisco Wireless offers diverse deployment options but tends to be complex in large setups. Customer service is generally good but response times can improve. Aruba Wireless is noted for easier deployment with hybrid and public cloud options and has praised customer service, though there can be inconsistency in support responsiveness.
Pricing and ROI: Cisco Wireless has premium pricing justified by long-term stability and performance, but licensing and support costs are high. Aruba Wireless presents a cost-effective alternative with lifetime licenses and lower overall costs. Cisco shows strong ROI in environments prioritizing security features, whereas Aruba's straightforward pricing model appeals to cost-conscious organizations.
There is no need to buy additional controllers for managing access points.
There are significant time savings, around thirty to forty percent, due to minimal disconnections.
I only needed support once or twice for a replacement, and it was handled smoothly without any difficulty.
Support for Aruba Wireless is good, but the skill set of the support engineers and the documentation are not as robust as Cisco.
I would rate their technical support nine out of ten.
The technical support from Cisco is of high quality.
The technical support from Cisco is good.
The solution is scalable, as multiple sites connect seamlessly.
It is easy to adapt and very scalable.
I have been using the product for the last nine years without facing any issues post-installation.
Aruba Wireless is stable.
I don't remember it going down during the years it existed.
While the technical specifications are satisfactory, the access points are expensive.
Tools should be provided for guest access without requiring external software.
Zero-touch provisioning is needed, and although a cloud version is available, like Aruba Central, easier provisioning and configuration would be beneficial in the future.
Sometimes, integration with other Cisco products requires manual intervention for tasks such as firmware upgrades, which should be automated.
In the long term, there could be a cost reduction because it does not require much maintenance.
The pricing seems reasonable compared to other brands; however, it is too expensive for smaller businesses.
The pricing can be expensive.
The initial prices were more affordable compared to the current high prices.
The setup cost involves licenses.
The licensing of Cisco Wireless is competitive.
Cisco has provided significant discounts for large-scale deployments.
I am very satisfied with the roaming feature, as it ensures connectivity when moving from one location to another.
It has many features and is integrated with Azure AD and multiple active directories, making authentication easy.
I do not need to buy a controller for the access point since the Aruba Access Point has a built-in virtual controller.
If one network fails, there is a link between different access points, which ensures network continuity.
When I install it, I can forget about it because there is no need for ongoing maintenance, and no other problems occur.
Cisco Wireless is easy to configure.
Aruba Wireless is a secure, high-performance, multi-user wireless LAN supporting Wi-Fi 6. As workplaces and user expectations change, users can now maintain hybrid workplaces and IoT without compromising performance, reliability, or security. Aruba Wireless delivers better performance and capacity and greater AIOps visibility throughout all devices and users. In addition, through built-in network intelligence, network operations are made simpler while keeping everything secure through user and guest encryption.
Aruba Wireless, offered through Aruba Networks, is helping achieve digital transformation and IoT with seamless connectivity through multiple Wi-Fi access points. For the user’s convenience, Aruba Wireless provides indoor, outdoor, and remote access points to help boost faster and safer connectivity.
Choosing Aruba Wireless can help improve your organization’s user experience with wireless LAN in many ways, including:
Aruba Gateways and Controllers
Small organizations as well as large enterprises require excellent performance and security for cloud, mobility, and digital transformation. Therefore, in addition to the access points, Aruba Wireless also offers a variety of gateways and controllers, including:
Reviews from Real Users
Aruba Networks is aiding organizations in transforming to a hybrid work environment with Aruba Wireless. Users especially love its ability to work with many devices and its ability to group and manage access points.
A senior IT solutions architect at a manufacturing company says, "The most valuable feature is the fact that it can work with many devices. It supports everything that we need it to."
Gary F., a network administrator at wireless at Abilene Christian, notes, "I like the way it groups and manages access points."
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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