Cisco Meraki Wireless LAN and Aruba Instant compete in the wireless networking category. Cisco Meraki stands out for its cloud management and analytics, while Aruba Instant is notable for flexibility and cost-effective deployment.
Features: Cisco Meraki Wireless LAN is recognized for its centralized cloud management, user-friendly platform, and robust security features. It integrates well with other Meraki products and supports remote management with advanced analytics. Aruba Instant offers a cloud-managed solution with strengths in mobility, flexibility, and easy network configuration without additional licenses. It also includes a virtual controller for simplified management and deployment.
Room for Improvement: Cisco Meraki users have noted the need for detailed error logs, enhanced features to match non-cloud offerings, and improvements in technical support and GDPR compliance. There is also a demand for better radio management and enterprise-level features. Aruba Instant requires improved documentation, strengthened roaming capabilities, and enhanced technical support. Users also suggest advancements in cloud management features and smart device integration.
Ease of Deployment and Customer Service: Cisco Meraki Wireless LAN provides flexible deployment options with public, private, and hybrid cloud solutions, complemented by good customer service, though some issues may require persistence. Aruba Instant offers strong on-premises and cloud deployments with generally satisfactory customer service, though technical support promptness can vary.
Pricing and ROI: Cisco Meraki Wireless LAN is seen as expensive, mainly due to licensing and subscription fees, yet offers high value through feature richness and ease of use. The pricing structure, however, could be more competitive. Aruba Instant is more cost-effective, requiring no licenses and having affordable hardware, which makes it attractive to SMBs seeking flexible pricing models.
The technical support from Aruba is of high quality, and I would rate it a ten.
It would be better if the SLA of technical support was less than four hours.
I find Aruba Instant to be highly scalable.
Meraki is not scalable enough since it straightforwardly maps its products to segmented specifications.
We have experienced many instances where we have experienced a lag in our network, and I am not sure if it is due to their devices or our network.
Stability is not an issue for me because it comes with Cisco's proven manufacturer quality.
An important missing feature is the console port, which allows direct management without the cloud.
The most important improvement needed is to eliminate the limitation of uplinks.
Some of the newer models of the Cisco Meraki Wireless LAN access point have encompassed the new wireless protocols and increased the strength of their antennas.
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 Meraki Wireless LAN is on par with other devices in that category, offering competitive pricing.
The pricing of Cisco Meraki Wireless LAN is not competitive enough for the SMB market compared to other brands.
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 beneficial features for network management are the price and the cloud console.
It also manages security clients and switches, providing a single dashboard to manage multiple network infrastructures.
The ability to program all access points from the Cisco Meraki Wireless LAN dashboard, view the status of all of them, and examine the individual devices connected to each access point is very valuable.
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.
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