Aruba vs. the Competition

Testing Aruba vs. the Competition in a High-Density Client Environment

Using 80 clients on different laptops with different operating systems, chipsets, and driver versions, Aruba tested ARM technology and Aruba AP-105s against Cisco Systems software, controllers, and Cisco 1140 access points. Which vendor provided better than an 80% SLA? With 100 Mbps more throughput? Aruba Networks!

Presented by Paul Curto and Bala Krishnamurthy.

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• Aruba
• Networks
• Cisco
• Systems
• Access
• Point
• High
• Density
• WLAN
• Test
• Adaptive
• Radio
• Management
• ARM
• 105
• throughput
• clients
• airtime
• fairness
• service
• level
• agreement
• SLA
• minimum

[sharkeeeee]

This test is bogus. You went on to describe how you had equal distribution of clients on the 4 ARUBA APs but didn't bother to show how clients were connected to the Cisco AP(s). I'm sure the ARUBA system was tweaked and turned for the ideal scenario but we are not sure if you did the same for the Cisco, since you didn't show us any information at all. Not even sure there we're 4 Cisco AP's in the test either, since we didn't see the controller screen very clearly. Lame example here!

[jamiebridges123]

@neilos2085 Gotta agree. We sell and install and support meru here and while I am far from a default-supporter of products we provide, I actually really like the Meru system. Administration is pretty simple and the solution actually works. Many happy customers and not a single problem with channel interference and density requirements. I loaded up one AP with 45 clients for fun and it just kept on going.

[trademac1974]

so did you Test 4 Aruba 105's (run dual band across channels) against 1 Cisco 1140 AP? with 80 clients on both? Or did I miss understand what was described as the test?

[nhirsch]

good product but it said more than 80 but total was 80

[neilos2085]

Still... You have nothing on Meru Networks.......

[sippervixx]

Heckyl, the system doesn't 'crash' in presence of interference. Interference is a broad term that can apply to ALOT of different things (microwaves, 2.4GHz phones, video monitors, light ballasts, etc). And it doesn't make ARM useless, in fact ARM can work around that interference if you have an interference source that monopolizes a section of the spectrum. Of course, I can introduce any level of interference and then it won't matter WHO the WLAN vendor is. Spectrum capacity is spectrum capacity

[heckyl69]

add any amount of interference and watch it all crash, aruba uses wifi chips incapable of proper spectrum measurements -- making aruba arm useless. making aruba useless in any open environment.

[ArubaQandA]

The report is the first search item returned when you Google "network test own the air".

[ArubaQandA]

Steps were taken to ensure that both vendors had a fair shot at passing the test. Both vendors' APs and clients were placed in exactly the same positions, and the latest code was used with all the RF management and optimization features enabled. Please see the Network Test report for more details.

[IHateFUD]

Oh, and kudos for doing your test in a large, open space, where the APs will definitely hear each other. Your APs clearly know how to work around one another. Also I'm impressed by the fact that the laptops are out of sight from the APs, down inside the cubicles. It's much tougher to do what you did when there are obstacles and bounce in the way.