Replacement Wi-Fi Network

[MartinT]

We have a wi-fi network of over 100 Meru APs which is being severely tested by Teams calls and the increasing number of hybrid teaching arrangements.

 

The Merus are obsolete, unable to handle the number of connections and bandwidth and generally giving us a very hard time. We need to replace the whole shebang ASAP and I am securing emergency budget.

 

Requirements:

- Wi-Fi 6

- Single local controller

- Minimal licencing and support costs

- Good prospects for future support and updates

- Friendly with Smoothwall & RADIUS

- High simultaneous connections and throughput

 

It looks like Ruckus is very popular here. Will they fit the bill? Any other serious contenders?

[SpaceInvader83]

Aruba should be in the mix for you, pricing super competitive, I have an install of around 80 515's going in over October half term

[steveg]

I deployed 22 Unify SHD access points over the summer. No major issues, Radius working with smoothwall for our staff, 200 ipads and 120ish windows laptops all working fine with no problems. Bargain price and no ongoing licensing costs.

[Net-Ctrl]

Hi @MartinT if you would like to look at the Ruckus proposition, please send me a PM.

 

We can talk through your options, run a survey to assess what you need to meet your goals for right now and over the next 5+ years. We're a top tier Ruckus partner so you get access to the best discounts available.

[MartinT]

PM sent!

[FishCustard]

I've used Ruckus in the past and found it very good, but my last school had HPE Aruba APs which were excellent. Zero hassle, never had a problem with them. No need for a controller unless you have over a certain number of APs (I'm afraid I cannot remember what that is - 50 perhaps?).

[Davit2005]

I've used Ruckus in the past and found it very good, but my last school had HPE Aruba APs which were excellent. Zero hassle, never had a problem with them. No need for a controller unless you have over a certain number of APs (I'm afraid I cannot remember what that is - 50 perhaps?).

 

We have one site, 2500 Aruba APs, 3 controllers in HA (work very well in our environment and admin is quite easy). I installed a Ruckus wireless about 10 years back at a previous employment (the experience was fine) and done admin on HP MSM for a few years (interface was a bit clunky I found).

Edited September 24, 2020 by Davit2005

[chris11256]

I can vouch for Aruba as well. We have 36 IAP's setup using the Instant system, works well with one Master access point and no virtual/physical controller appliance required. Kit was resonably priced for us. Edited September 24, 2020 by chris11256

[Norphy]

I've used Ruckus in the past and found it very good, but my last school had HPE Aruba APs which were excellent. Zero hassle, never had a problem with them. No need for a controller unless you have over a certain number of APs (I'm afraid I cannot remember what that is - 50 perhaps?).

 

I think the maximum supported number for an IAP cluster is currently 127. That isn’t a hard and fast limit though.

[MartinT]

Thanks, all. Ruckus and Aruba are on my shortlist. Aruba scare me a little as we have HPE servers and their support setup is shocking.

Unifi are out as they only support up to Wi-Fi 5.

Edited September 25, 2020 by MartinT

[Primus]

Thanks, all. Ruckus and Aruba are on my shortlist. Aruba scare me a little as we have HPE servers and their support setup is shocking.

Unifi are out as they only support up to Wi-Fi 5.

 

True, but for the money you save by going Unifi you could rip it all out and replace it again when they have their 6 APs and still come out ahead! Their 6 APs aren't far away either.

[Norphy]

Thanks, all. Ruckus and Aruba are on my shortlist. Aruba scare me a little as we have HPE servers and their support setup is shocking.

Unifi are out as they only support up to Wi-Fi 5.

 

Aruba are a different group within HPE. The pre-sales and post-sales support I've had directly from them has been exemplary.

 

Getting a proper Aruba networking partner on board is worth the effort as well. European Electronique and SwitchShop are both very good in my experience.