Aruba Airwave is a comprehensive network management tool known for its multivendor support and robust monitoring capabilities. It provides centralized control, cloud management, real-time monitoring, error logs, and visualization tools, making it a preferred choice for managing complex network environments.

| Product | Mindshare (%) |
|---|---|
| Aruba Airwave | 3.7% |
| Cisco DNA Center | 9.4% |
| OpenText Network Node Manager | 5.5% |
| Other | 81.4% |
| Type | Title | Date | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Category | Network Management Applications | May 9, 2026 | Download |
| Product | Reviews, tips, and advice from real users | May 9, 2026 | Download |
| Comparison | Aruba Airwave vs Cisco DNA Center | May 9, 2026 | Download |
| Comparison | Aruba Airwave vs Cisco Catalyst Center | May 9, 2026 | Download |
| Comparison | Aruba Airwave vs Fortinet FortiManager | May 9, 2026 | Download |
| Title | Rating | Mindshare | Recommending | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cisco DNA Center | 4.0 | 9.4% | 90% | 44 interviewsAdd to research |
| DX Spectrum | 4.2 | 4.6% | 89% | 118 interviewsAdd to research |
| Company Size | Count |
|---|---|
| Small Business | 11 |
| Midsize Enterprise | 3 |
| Large Enterprise | 11 |
| Company Size | Count |
|---|---|
| Small Business | 75 |
| Midsize Enterprise | 36 |
| Large Enterprise | 99 |
Aruba Airwave offers an intuitive interface that simplifies network management and monitoring. Its ability to integrate with major vendors like Cisco enhances its functionality, making it adept at handling large-scale, high-density networks in challenging environments. Users can effectively manage and configure Wi-Fi networks while gaining detailed insight into performance and connectivity issues through efficient troubleshooting tools. Although some desire improvements in interface stability and error reporting clarity, Airwave's features like Clarity, VisualRF, and centralized access make it an asset in network operations. Challenges include pricing, scalability, and device compatibility, with users also seeking better integration with systems like IMC.
What are the key features of Aruba Airwave?Entities such as hospitals, universities, and financial institutions typically deploy Aruba Airwave to manage their extensive network infrastructures. The platform is crucial for overseeing access points in high-density areas, leveraging detailed performance metrics for enhanced decision-making. Its capabilities for SNMP device management and access to a unified interface facilitate efficient operation across different network brands, supporting the rigorous demands of industry-specific applications.
| Author info | Rating | Review Summary |
|---|---|---|
| Senior Network Engineer at Auckland University of Technology | 3.5 | I use Aruba Airwave minimally due to our predominant Cisco setup, mostly as a proof of concept. It offers beneficial network monitoring features, but troubleshooting is challenging. Integration with Aruba Central and AI improvements could enhance its utility. |
| Senior Network Consultant at Data Market | 3.5 | I've used Aruba Airwave for years, but we now rely on it mainly for reporting due to limited updates and support, favoring Aruba Central despite its higher cost and challenges with license migration from on-premises. |
| TI at a university with 1,001-5,000 employees | 4.5 | I manage Aruba products using Aruba Sense from version 2.5 to 8.10, finding its real-time monitoring and troubleshooting valuable. While supportive of multiple models, hardware upgrades posed technical issues. We also used SolarWinds for network management alongside Airwave. |
| IT Network Operations Manager at KEDS | 4.5 | We use Aruba Airwave primarily for troubleshooting our wireless network and find it efficient, especially with the capability to monitor Cisco switches and create templates. We haven't encountered significant issues, although I'm not extensively familiar with all features. |
| Solutions Architect Infrastructure and Security Manager at Jumbo Electronics Co. Ltd. LLC. | 5.0 | Aruba Airwave effectively manages devices via SNMP, offering a live heat map for network monitoring and efficient device management. While it's costly, it significantly reduces troubleshooting time, enhancing productivity. Transition planning is vital as its replacement is anticipated. |
| Senior Presales Consultant - Networking Solutions at Mannai | 5.0 | We use Aruba Airwave for network management due to its valuable multivendor support, allowing us to manage different products seamlessly. Improvement is needed in manageability and device onboarding. While it requires three years for ROI, it was chosen over SolarWinds and Cisco DNA. |
| Executive at a government with 201-500 employees | 3.5 | I use Aruba Airwave to manage our Wi-Fi network for around six thousand users, providing real-time analysis and visibility of access points and signal behavior. However, copying floor plans is cumbersome, requiring redrawing compared to other design software. |
| Telecommunication Engineer at Vendoamr | 4.5 | Aruba Airwave efficiently monitors network health and generates reports, focusing on statistics over configuration. Its valuable features include error and intrusion logs. However, frequent upgrades, expensive licensing, and limited integration with configuration management need improvement for better troubleshooting and support. |