What is our primary use case?
The client does not choose the devices. The switches and modems are chosen by the presales unit. For example, I would like to have this product because the customer has 14 stores, and some of the stores have one or two access points. It is better to have an Aruba Instant On switch. It is an 84-port switch that is manageable in the cloud. This is why our presales unit has chosen the Aruba Instant On switch.
It will be layer 2. There is no configuration required. There are no specific requirements for the switches.
What is most valuable?
One of the most valuable features is that the product is centrally managed. You neither have to visit the customer nor do any troubleshooting as long as you have access. Manageability is one of the powers of the Aruba devices.
What needs improvement?
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.
For how long have I used the solution?
I have experience with Aruba Instant On switches. I have been working with them internally for three or four years, but not in large quantities. I have not found them to be cheaper than other switches, so I have not used them extensively.
Now, for example, I'm working on a project for one customer. It has 14 stores. In those 14 stores, there are 32 access points. The access point is 615, which will be working on the central. And the switch is in the central. So I'm working on both of them together.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
The stability is fine. I would rate the stability a nine out of ten. Almost a ten on a ten.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
I would rate the scalability a seven out of ten.
I would not rate it ten because it doesn't have CLXs, and no console access. You must have DXCP and Internet on it for the initial setup. This can be a problem if you are trying to install the switch in a new location that does not have internet connectivity yet.
I would recommend Aruba Instant On switches for small and medium businesses. It is not a good fit for enterprise-level companies because it lacks some of the features and scalability that enterprises need.
And for small business purposes, obviously, you cannot have a device or product that will support everything together. So you should have a variation of the product with some limited features, that will be fine.
Aruba Instant On is a good choice for small businesses. It is easy to set up and manage, and it offers a wide range of features that are suitable for small businesses. It is also very cost-effective.
How are customer service and support?
Every 15 days, I need to contact Aruba Support. For example, last two weeks, they resolved two issues. Two days ago, one of our customers had an Aruba 7205 controller. He had purchased the license and support as well. The payment was made. Everything was done to receive the license only. I received the controller. To receive the license, it took more than two weeks. There is a distributor, a general partner, and a business involved in the process. I even received confirmation yesterday that the controller serial number has been activated with HPE support. When I checked last night, the serial number was still not eligible to receive support.
It reflects that the workflow is delayed in updating each other. If I get confirmation with an HPE certificate that this device is unlisted for support and I try to open a ticket using this serial number, I get an alert that this device is not under warranty. However, I already have a certificate that was supposed to be updated on the server itself. The coordination between the departments is taking time, which has a negative impact. For example, I need to open a ticket for a customer, but I cannot do so now for any emergency support. This is one incident that I have been facing for two weeks.
Another thing is that I was going to start configuring ClearPass on Monday. I opened a ticket for ClearPass licenses on August 15. Normally, you receive a notification within an hour of opening a ticket that the ticket has been created. According to your agreement with HPE, they will get back to you with a solution or action plan within a certain period. I received that notification email on August 20, five days after I opened the ticket saying “Thank you very much for a point in the ticket”. This was weird and unexpected. I was surprised that I had opened the ticket correctly or followed the procedure correctly. When you click on "Submit," the ticket number appears on the next page. I did not take a screenshot because I thought I would see it in my list. I did not see it there, and I was expecting that I had done something wrong. I did not know that the ticket was not opening correctly. After five days, I received a notification email thanking me for opening a ticket with Aruba support.
It took five days for me to receive another notification that I had opened a ticket. Normally, every time it is within an hour, we see the notification. But this ticket, it took five days, from August 15th to the 22nd. I do work with Aruba tech guys, and they are very good. I'm normally talking to the Bangalore team since I'm in the Middle East. They're fine, excellent, on time. It's only during working hours. Some of them are very knowledgeable, while some of them are new joiners, they will have some issues, but it's fine.
Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?
Cisco offers all its services separately, while Aruba offers an integrated service with good performance and is cost-effective. I am working on performance, installation, further installation, design, and troubleshooting all are led by me. I was alone in the whole company. Now I have an assistant. For example, I recently worked on a project where I used Aruba Instant On Switches to provide wireless coverage in a warehouse with three floors and a lot of metal. The customer was previously using Cisco switches, but they were not able to provide consistent connectivity throughout the warehouse. I was able to reduce the number of access points needed by using Aruba Instant On Switches, which saved the customer money. The warehouse is about 80/200 meters, and the customers were using PDAs. I was expecting that the metal would interfere with the wireless signal. Earlier, the client was using another wireless device. I offered him Aruba and looked for design tools in each store, but the Aruba Instant On Switches were able to provide consistent connectivity with only 25 to 30 access points (APs).
I was expecting that the number of APs would be 62-70 in the whole area. I asked the customer to have a POC with four Aruba 505 access points. He would go with Aruba and asked me to reduce the number of APs according to the current situation. We reduced the number of APs. We are now offering them 30 APs, which is a bit more than what is required; around 18 to 24 access points will provide full coverage.
I also have experience with Synapse.
I am working with Aruba 5055, 1561, and 635 access points and some of the Aruba switches. I am also working with the Aruba Instant On product. I am working with all three scenarios, which are software-based virtual controllers, cloud-based, and hybrid.
I am not familiar with all the features of Aruba switches, as my main task is as a Wi-Fi person. If there are one or two switches, I can configure them as a layer 2 plug-and-play.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
The pricing is fine. It is not very expensive.
What other advice do I have?
I am not familiar with all the features of Aruba switches, as my main task is as a Wi-Fi person. If there are one or two switches, I can configure them as a layer 2 plug-and-play.
You cannot use the solution at an enterprise level. You can use it for small business purposes, like Coffee shops or media.
Overall, I rate the solution a seven out of ten.
Which deployment model are you using for this solution?
On-premises