Abdelfattah Bencheikh - PeerSpot reviewer
Networks and Security Engineer at MUNISYS
MSP
Top 5
An affordable solution with good security
Pros and Cons
  • "The most valuable feature of Aruba Instant is security."
  • "Aruba Instant should not have a limit on users for future releases."

What is most valuable?

The most valuable feature of Aruba Instant is security. 

What needs improvement?

Aruba Instant should not have a limit on users for future releases. 

For how long have I used the solution?

I have been working with the solution for four years. 

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

I rate the solution's stability an eight out of ten. 

Buyer's Guide
Aruba Instant
May 2024
Learn what your peers think about Aruba Instant. Get advice and tips from experienced pros sharing their opinions. Updated: May 2024.
770,616 professionals have used our research since 2012.

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

My company has 15 users for the product. I rate the tool's scalability a ten out of ten. 

Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?

We chose Aruba Instant because of its price and service. 

How was the initial setup?

Aruba Instant's deployment is easy and takes eight hours to complete. 

What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?

Aruba Instant is affordable. 

What other advice do I have?

I rate the product an eight out of ten. 

Which deployment model are you using for this solution?

On-premises
Disclosure: My company has a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer:
Flag as inappropriate
PeerSpot user
Ahmed Hawary - PeerSpot reviewer
Network Product Manager/ Senior Presales engineer at Nahil Computers
Real User
Offers quality wireless connection for small businesses
Pros and Cons
  • "We like being able to merge Aruba Instant to mobile via Bluetooth. You are also able to perform a lot of functions remotely such as creating an SSID IP."
  • "I think that the next release should offer IP phone security/firewall."

What is our primary use case?

We use this solution as an SMB. Cafe's, small offices, restaurants, etc. are able to use Aruba Instant for wireless connection.

What is most valuable?

We like being able to merge Aruba Instant to mobile via Bluetooth. You are also able to perform a lot of functions remotely such as creating an SSID IP.

What needs improvement?

I think that the next release should offer IP phone security/firewall.

For how long have I used the solution?

I have been using this product since it was released about two or so years ago.

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

Aruba Instant is a stable solution.

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

Aruba Instant is a scalable solution.

What other advice do I have?

I would rate this solution a ten out of ten.

Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
PeerSpot user
Buyer's Guide
Aruba Instant
May 2024
Learn what your peers think about Aruba Instant. Get advice and tips from experienced pros sharing their opinions. Updated: May 2024.
770,616 professionals have used our research since 2012.
IP Network Engineer at a comms service provider with 1,001-5,000 employees
Reseller
Stable and scalable solution but still has usage kinks
Pros and Cons
  • "In terms of stability, Aruba Instant is the best on the market."
  • "There is a problem in the preferred portal access points when I'm using the portal."

What is most valuable?

I use Aruba Instant because it has firewall and inspection features that are the best for me because my child is using the wireless network and I can just block whichever websites I don't want my child to see. For what I need, the roaming is working okay for small networks.

What needs improvement?

Nothing really to improve. The Instant is simple. But when I'm using the controller, then I'll use the advanced features.

The Instant has a problem with the VPR 3 when I am working with the roaming. The problem is that the keys are incorrect and I must do a disconnect and reconnect, and then it's okay. But I don't know exactly where the problem is because VPR 2 is okay. I would like it if they could fix this. Again, I don't know if it's a problem with them or it's a problem with my device. 

Additionally, storage is difficult for me. Metal storage, swimming pools, and garden storage are difficult for me. Also, the shopping centers where I track people are difficult. But offices are easy, offices are no problem.

Because we are using triangulation, there is a problem because you never know which access points are used and connected and which devices are connected on any access point. If there are a lot of different devices, and maybe old devices are present, there are problems.

For how long have I used the solution?

I've been using Aruba Instant for about a year and a half.

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

In terms of stability, Aruba Instant is the best on the market. 

I am a novice in the Cisco platform and it may be difficult to move to the Aruba platform, but what you can do with Aruba is better than what you can do with Cisco.

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

In terms of scalability, it's the best on the market.

How are customer service and technical support?

I have not contacted technical support yet.

How was the initial setup?

The initial setup was complex. The deployment is not too long. We deployed in two days. And the testing took around one week. Deploying is not a problem. The design area is more complex. Troubleshooting and site survey are more difficult for it to work well.

What about the implementation team?

We implemented on our own with books, websites and brainstorming in the office.

What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?

I recommend Aruba Instant because it's cheaper for licensing and it's simple for implementation. It's all in the Instant version.

What other advice do I have?

On a scale of one to ten, I'd give it a seven. I would not give a ten because there is a problem in the preferred portal access points when I'm using the portal. The problem is - which access point is preferred for the virtual controller?

Which deployment model are you using for this solution?

On-premises
Disclosure: My company has a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer: Partner
PeerSpot user
Head of Network Engineering at a tech vendor with 201-500 employees
Real User
Automatic code embedded in one access point is really useful but it should support more access points in one cluster
Pros and Cons
  • "The quick setup and automatic code embedded in one access point is really useful."
  • "Doesn't support enough access points in one cluster."

What is our primary use case?

Our primary use case is for deploying the product in hotels, usually a small deployment where an external controller is not required. Aruba provides a cheap and good solution.

What is most valuable?

The quick setup and the automatic code embedded in one access point is really useful.

What needs improvement?

The product could be improved by having the ability to support more access points in one cluster. I would also suggest that the multicast be more efficient.

Improved managing of the multicast could be included in the next release. It's an issue that can sometimes be challenging.

For how long have I used the solution?

I've been using the product for two years. 

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

It's a very stable solution. 

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

It's not the best product for scalability because there's a limit. We use it mainly for small installations. We do use the product on a daily basis and there are maybe 30-40 people using it. 

How are customer service and technical support?

Aruba provides good technical support. 

Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?

We previously used Ruckus Unleashed and switched because in some areas of Europe they prefer Aruba and customers request the product.

How was the initial setup?

Initial setup is quite straightforward, it usually takes about two hours. We have a team that deploy on site and about 20 people working in IT support. 

What other advice do I have?

I would rate this product a seven out of 10. 

Which deployment model are you using for this solution?

On-premises
Disclosure: My company has a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer: Partner
PeerSpot user
it_user1266678 - PeerSpot reviewer
IT Consultant at Lotus Technology
Reseller
Good features menus and easy access with a simple cloud configuration
Pros and Cons
  • "The access it grants to wifi is the solution's most valuable feature."
  • "The reach of the solution could be improved. It could be a bit stronger."

What is our primary use case?

We've used the solution for a project with a small hotel. We primarily used the solution for five access points. We use it for wifi access around the rooms.

What is most valuable?

The access it grants to wifi is the solution's most valuable feature.

The features menus are good.

The cloud configurations are very easy. We can put it on mobile, etc. if we need to.

What needs improvement?

The reach of the solution could be improved. It could be a bit stronger.

I don't know if it would be possible, but it would be helpful if there was a social login for the layer. This would help smaller clients that I work with.

There are also some features missing in the layer - like authentification and logon capabilities.

For how long have I used the solution?

I've been using this solution for two months.

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

The stability of the solution is quite good. We haven't come across any bugs or glitches while using it.

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

The scalability of the solution has been sufficient for our needs so far. 

How are customer service and technical support?

We've never contacted technical support so I can't speak to any experience with them. Generally, when we have questions, we look online for resources to help us if we need any knowledge or help with troubleshooting.

Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?

We've previously used Ruckus. With Ruckus, there's a controller. It's also expensive. For a mid-scale setup, you can't really compare Ruckus to Aruba.

How was the initial setup?

The solution is easy to install. Our team didn't run into any issues when we were setting up the solution for our client.

What about the implementation team?

Our team installed the solution for our hotel client.

What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?

The licensing cost is somewhere around $20,000.

What other advice do I have?

I'm a reseller of the solution.

I'd advise others considering the solution to look at the scale of the project. If it's a rather small-scale project and the client doesn't need advanced features like a controller, Aruba is very good.

If I have small projects, I find I focus on Aruba. It's better. However, if the project is more complex or complicated or has location challenges, Ruckus is better.

I'd rate the solution nine out of ten. I'm not an engineer, and I didn't install the device personally, so I don't know too much about the technical side of the solution. If I did, maybe I would give it full marks. 

Which deployment model are you using for this solution?

Public Cloud
Disclosure: My company has a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer: Reseller
PeerSpot user
Naveen A - PeerSpot reviewer
Senior Project Manager at Nipun Net Solutions
Real User
Improved our organization because there is local accessibility, and the manageability is much easier
Pros and Cons
  • "The cost is low, and there is controller-less architecture."
  • "I think they're missing roadmaps to the partners and the customers. They're releasing the products, but there are no quick updates to the partners and the customers."

What is our primary use case?

We prefer to use this solution for smaller organizations.

For private customers, generally we prefer a private cloud. If it's a government-based company, like central government and government-based companies, they prefer on-prem.

There are six people using this solution in our environment.

How has it helped my organization?

It has improved our organization because it's local management, and the access point has the same ability to have controller functionality. Obviously, one is the price. There is local accessibility, and the manageability is much easier.

What is most valuable?

The cost is low, and there is controller-less architecture.

What needs improvement?

I think they're missing roadmaps to the partners and the customers. They're releasing the products, but there are no quick updates to the partners and the customers.

They need to communicate better with the partners when it comes to training.

For how long have I used the solution?

I have used this solution for about six years.

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

The solution is stable.

How are customer service and support?

Technical support was good.

Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?

We used a different solution and switched because of a customer requirement, not a specific technical reason. Some customers ask for Aruba.

How was the initial setup?

The initial setup was easy. Deployment takes a day. We used five or six people for deployment.

What was our ROI?

We saw ROI from this solution.

What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?

The cost was affordable.

What other advice do I have?

I would rate this solution 8 out of 10.

Which deployment model are you using for this solution?

Hybrid Cloud
Disclosure: My company has a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer: partner
PeerSpot user
JEGAN N - PeerSpot reviewer
Founder at SYSTA NETWORKS
Real User
Top 5
Cloud-managed solution that's good for small businesses
Pros and Cons
  • "Aruba Instant's best feature is the ability to manage it in the cloud."
  • "Aruba Instant's visibility, firewalling, L3 functionality, and DHCP services could all be improved."

What is our primary use case?

I primarily use Aruba Instant to deploy the wireless end in smaller offices.

What is most valuable?

Aruba Instant's best feature is the ability to manage it in the cloud.

What needs improvement?

Aruba Instant's visibility, firewalling, L3 functionality, and DHCP services could all be improved.

For how long have I used the solution?

I've been using Aruba Instant for two years.

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

Because Aruba Instant is cloud-only, it doesn't work if the internet goes down. When this happens, the device reboots and loses the local configuration, which means the LAN goes down.

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

Aruba Instant has limited scalability, with a recommended maximum of 100 users.

How are customer service and support?

Aruba's support is good, and we've had no issues with it.

How was the initial setup?

The initial setup was straightforward and easy to manage, even through mobile.

What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?

Aruba Instant is a free subscription with a limited lifetime warranty.

What other advice do I have?

I would recommend Aruba Instant for small businesses but not for enterprise. I would give it a rating of eight out of ten.

Which deployment model are you using for this solution?

Public Cloud
Disclosure: My company has a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer: Partner
PeerSpot user
Network Administrator Telecom at a maritime company with 1,001-5,000 employees
Real User
Offers a lot of flexibility, almost everything can be configured
Pros and Cons
  • "The products offer a lot of flexibility. Almost everything can be configured. It works very well for providing remote services."
  • "The management component is difficult to understand and not very user-friendly which increases deployment time."

What is our primary use case?

We use Aruba Instant Access Points — one of the components of Instant Manager — to deploy wireless services to the ships that are running on the coast of Antwerp. This would be tug boats and other vessels in shipping that need communications capabilities.  

What is most valuable?

I think Aruba Instant Management is really pretty flexible because of the versatility of the configuration and it just works very well for our purposes.  

What needs improvement?

The management interface in Aruba Instant Management is Aruba AirWave. In my opinion, it is not very user-friendly. This is not a criticism of the Aruba Products overall. In fact they work very well. I am referring specifically to Aruba Airwave — just that one component within the solution. If Aruba would do something with this to make this interface better, the product would be much improved.  

Other than that I have no idea what the product would need. I have everything that I need functionally, so I can not think of a missing feature.  

For how long have I used the solution?

We have been using the product for four years.  

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

The product is very stable. We have no problems with that area of usage.  

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

I believe Instant Management is easy to scale. However, we do not use it on large scale environments so I cannot give you a very accurate opinion of that aspect of its use. We use it in very small setups. I do not have first-hand experience with how it works if you extend to a larger scale.  

As far as how extensively Aruba Instant is being used, we could be using it daily. It is operational 24-hours a day — that is for sure. It is stable and it works fine. But in management, we sometimes use it only once a week.  

We have three users in management to take care of the system if it needs attention. But that is management only. There are more users who are actually on the wireless, of course.  

How are customer service and technical support?

We have not had the need to contact Aruba technical support but that could be a good sign.  

Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?

Aruba is the first product that had the capabilities that we were interested in so we did not use another product previous to this one for this purpose.  

How was the initial setup?

The initial setup is pretty complex. We were able to set it up by ourselves without the help of consultants or vendors but it took some time to get it done. I think the first set up took about two days which is longer than we had hoped.  

What other advice do I have?

My advice to people considering this solution is that Aruba Instant Management is a very good group of products and it is very stable. Be aware that there is quite a learning curve for the AirWave management platform.  

On a scale from one to ten where one is the worst and ten is the best, I would rate Aruba Instant Management as an eight-out-of-ten. It is not a nine or a ten because of the problem with the user-friendliness of the AirWave management platform. The products offer a lot of flexibility. Almost everything can be configured. There is only a problem with the one component that causes it to be difficult to understand and difficult to set up and get working for the first time. It detracts from the usability of the product and how quickly it can be deployed.  

Which deployment model are you using for this solution?

On-premises
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
PeerSpot user
Buyer's Guide
Download our free Aruba Instant Report and get advice and tips from experienced pros sharing their opinions.
Updated: May 2024
Product Categories
Wireless LAN
Buyer's Guide
Download our free Aruba Instant Report and get advice and tips from experienced pros sharing their opinions.