Xirrus Application Control

[Mr_Jiminy]

Has anyone used this to great success?

I'm working with a small primary school in the UK to improve their wireless. The school has a mixed wireless deployment of 60 laptops (Windows), 150 iPads, of which the latter gets used extensively, with a large investment (overkill IMO) in various apps.

I've been looking into a number of wireless systems; Xirrus, Ubiquiti and Aerohive. I've got quotes for a Xirrus system, currently awaiting for the Aerohive quote. I'm put off somewhat by the per radio license costs for Xirrus. Not sure if Aerohive have a similar pricing structure.

For the cost and performance, Ubiquiti is hard to beat (that I do know), However I'd like to know if Xirrus Application Control is going be beneficial in any way, particular as this seems to be one of its selling points.

I'd also like to know if the Unifi AP's will be able to cope under load.

Thoughts/ advice on a postcard please.

[Mistert89]

I've used the 11ac Ubiquiti and find it's really good. Not a full site deployment, but for price, expand ability and support ability it is hard to beat. Range seems better than our original Cisco 1142 APs. I'd separate into a few VLANs depending on how you are structured, but think each VLAN would possibly need its own control panel (on a PC or server). Also implemented new Samsung controller, but Ubiquiti is so much easier and cheaper. Easy for BYOD guest as well. (IMHO)

[Mistert89]

Incidentally you'd install Ubiquiti without help of 'consultants'. Just buy the devices, external as well.

[Mr_Jiminy]

We've installed a number of UU systems into smaller school sites, all without hitch.

That said, I'm keen to explore the AC of the Xirrus system and I'm also keen to find out how the pricing structure of Aerohive compares.

[Markopolo]

We use Xirrus and application control here and it works very well. I like being able to identify VPN traffic from users.

 

It does cost though. Bang for buck I'd be hard pressed to recommend anyone else other than Ubiquiti.

 

Let me know if you'd like to know any more.