Cisco Wireless and Aruba Wireless compete in the wireless network solution market. Based on comprehensive evaluations, Cisco Wireless often has the upper hand due to its robust integration, scalability, and strong security features with DNA technology.
Features: Cisco Wireless offers DNA technology, superior integration with existing Cisco products, and excellent scalability that enhances security and management ease. In contrast, Aruba Wireless is noted for its seamless path to wireless connectivity, unique client management software, AirWave monitoring, and ClientMatch technology, which excels in high-density environments.
Room for Improvement: Cisco Wireless faces challenges of high costs and complex licensing, needing better integration with third-party solutions and improvements in AI features and software updates. Aruba Wireless struggles with complicated configurations and reporting tools, and users call for more straightforward licensing and enhanced customer support, with emphasis on stability and security enhancements compared to Cisco.
Ease of Deployment and Customer Service: Cisco Wireless deployments are usually successful but require more initial setup due to complex configurations. Its technical support varies in response times and regional availability. Aruba Wireless, known for easier deployment, especially in cloud settings, has a positive reputation for customer service and faster response times.
Pricing and ROI: Cisco Wireless is seen as a premium, higher-priced product, which may deter smaller organizations despite promises of high ROI from reliability. Aruba Wireless offers competitive pricing with a simpler licensing model and value through long-term cost savings, though Cisco users still report substantial ROI from comprehensive security and stability.
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.
A comparison from standalone to distributed WLC-controlled access points provides some decent ROI.
I only needed support once or twice for a replacement, and it was handled smoothly without any difficulty.
I would rate their technical support nine out of ten.
The customer support is good.
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.
The solution is scalable, as multiple sites connect seamlessly.
It is easy to adapt and very scalable.
Installing new licenses with the number of access points that the device WLC is expected to support makes it scalable.
I have been using the product for the last nine years without facing any issues post-installation.
I don't remember it going down during the years it existed.
Aruba Wireless is stable.
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.
The product should be more affordable, especially the cloud and console for the Aruba product as it is currently very expensive.
While the technical specifications are satisfactory, the access points are expensive.
At the time of purchase, the prices were moderate, but now they are quite expensive.
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 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.
Cisco generally is expensive.
The setup cost involves licenses.
The licensing of Cisco Wireless is competitive.
I do not need to buy a controller for the access point since the Aruba Access Point has a built-in virtual controller.
The Aruba Wireless solution has excellent roaming capabilities, ensuring seamless connectivity.
It has many features and is integrated with Azure AD and multiple active directories, making authentication easy.
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 (%) |
|---|---|
| Aruba Wireless | 13.4% |
| Cisco Wireless | 9.5% |
| Other | 77.1% |
| Company Size | Count |
|---|---|
| Small Business | 77 |
| Midsize Enterprise | 47 |
| Large Enterprise | 74 |
| Company Size | Count |
|---|---|
| Small Business | 78 |
| Midsize Enterprise | 41 |
| Large Enterprise | 73 |
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.
We monitor all Wireless LAN reviews to prevent fraudulent reviews and keep review quality high. We do not post reviews by company employees or direct competitors. We validate each review for authenticity via cross-reference with LinkedIn, and personal follow-up with the reviewer when necessary.
