

Cisco Wireless and Aruba Instant On access points compete in the wireless networking solutions category. Cisco Wireless leads in advanced features, appealing to enterprises, while Aruba Instant On is favored for affordability and simplicity, ideal for small to medium businesses.
Features: Cisco Wireless provides unified management, advanced security with CleanAir technology, and efficient RF planning tools, making it suitable for large-scale environments. Aruba Instant On emphasizes ease-of-use, with a straightforward setup and essential features that attract small business users.
Room for Improvement: Cisco faces challenges with complex licensing and high costs, suggesting a need for simpler management tools and better third-party integration. Aruba Instant On could enhance scalability and offer more autonomous features, along with improved documentation and support for high-density environments.
Ease of Deployment and Customer Service: Cisco typically requires on-premise deployment, which can be tedious, but benefits from robust customer service. Conversely, Aruba Instant On offers flexible cloud-based deployment options, reducing the need for extensive customer support.
Pricing and ROI: Cisco Wireless is viewed as expensive with complex licensing, yet offers a strong ROI due to its robust features. Aruba Instant On, with its competitive pricing and no hefty licensing fees, is attractive to budget-conscious small to medium businesses aiming for maximum ROI.
A comparison from standalone to distributed WLC-controlled access points provides some decent ROI.
The technical support from Aruba is rated seven due to limitations, such as support issues when the controller is on the VM side.
There are still issues with the language barrier and the overall quality of support.
The technical support from Cisco is of high quality.
We received responses quickly after logging our problem.
The refresh cycle is not as aggressive with Aruba, meaning they will continue supporting products for longer durations without facing end-of-life and end-of-sale situations as frequently as Cisco does.
Installing new licenses with the number of access points that the device WLC is expected to support makes it scalable.
The stability of Aruba Instant On Access Points is generally good.
The performance is excellent, rating 10 out of 10.
The best aspect is that even if the WLC goes down, the access points stay up and remain functional.
There is not enough focus on security across networking vendors, and they often add features without testing them thoroughly.
In future updates, more AI for intelligence and the option for a separate network could be beneficial.
The default configuration can be overridden to enhance performance beyond the default settings.
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.
The pricing of Aruba Instant On Access Points is competitive compared to Cisco, and they are actually cheaper.
Aruba Instant On Access Points work without a list price, suggesting that they are open source and no additional licensing costs are incurred.
When comparing pricing with Cisco, Aruba Instant On Access Points are competitively priced, making them affordable solutions for SMBs, rather than being higher priced.
Cisco generally is expensive.
The setup cost involves licenses.
The licensing of Cisco Wireless is competitive.
Customers choose Aruba because it is more stable, has superior radio management, and offers features like mesh and a stateful firewall.
We have implemented approximately 300 plus devices on one premise without receiving any complaints about malfunctioning or functionality errors; it runs smoothly.
The virtual controller feature is very beneficial because it removes the need for a physical controller.
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.
The primary benefit is the ability to triage and identify what is where, and when users report issues, we can identify the users, location, endpoint, and nuances such as signal strength and signal-to-noise ratio.
| Product | Market Share (%) |
|---|---|
| Cisco Wireless | 9.5% |
| Aruba Instant On Access Points | 1.9% |
| Other | 88.6% |


| Company Size | Count |
|---|---|
| Small Business | 23 |
| Midsize Enterprise | 4 |
| Large Enterprise | 9 |
| Company Size | Count |
|---|---|
| Small Business | 78 |
| Midsize Enterprise | 41 |
| Large Enterprise | 73 |
Ingredients for success.
Fast 802.11ac Wave 2, secure employee and guest access, easy-to-use web, and mobile app management.
Say yes to secure Wi-Fi access.
Pre-built access control lists (ACLs) and built-in firewall in the access points prevent malicious traffic from entering your network – we call it “hassle-free” security.
Never drop an important call.
With Instant On, voice and video business applications are automatically prioritized, so you stay connected with your peers.
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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