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I need to replace a bunch of ancient Cisco stuff. Also looking at other brands like Dell, Juniper and Extreme

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[-] SpikesOtherDog@ani.social 6 points 2 weeks ago

Aruba isn't bad. The CLI isn't too divergent from Cisco. You don't have the proprietary stuff, though.

[-] ptz@dubvee.org 6 points 2 weeks ago

Just their access points. They're all flashed to OpenWRT so can't speak for their software/firmware, but the hardware is solid.

[-] cyberpunk007@lemmy.ca 5 points 2 weeks ago

I've used their switches and access points extensively. Great stuff IMO. As someone else said, they're similar to Cisco in syntax.

They also have all the high end features you'd need if you're comparing to cicso and juniper.

[-] kylian0087@lemmy.dbzer0.com 5 points 1 week ago

Perhaps also take a look at Mikrotik

[-] Stowaway@midwest.social 3 points 2 weeks ago

I have an old Aruba and it works great. The GUI is a bit meh, but considering ive only had to use it once the past like 2 years, owell.

[-] possiblylinux127@lemmy.zip 1 points 1 week ago* (last edited 1 week ago)

How's the CLI? I doubt I would ever need a GUI

[-] Stowaway@midwest.social 1 points 1 week ago

Never used it, GUI has done all ive needed it to.

[-] salacious_coaster@infosec.pub 3 points 2 weeks ago

Yep. I replaced a bunch of ancient HP switches in a SMB with all Aruba. Works like a charm, and (at the time) used ones were dirt cheap.

[-] slazer2au@lemmy.world 2 points 2 weeks ago

We did Fortiswitches rather then Aruba because we aren't fond of HP. And with HP in the works to buy Juniper I don't know how long we will keep our MX.

[-] zorflieg@lemmy.world 2 points 1 week ago

I've used them for years, I don't use the cloud features just as stand alone. I've treated them very poorly in high temp and dirty environments and found them to be extremely reliable.

[-] AtariDump@lemmy.world 2 points 2 weeks ago

Only used Unifi and their stuff is pretty solid. Better than Meraki where you never truly own your hardware.

[-] warmaster@lemmy.world 1 points 1 week ago

What do you mean? I have a Unifi 24 poe switch at home and I feel like Ubiquiti could do whatever they wanted with it. If I had more time I would have chosen some device with OPNSense.

[-] nsfwpls@lemdro.id 3 points 1 week ago

UniFi doesn't need a license, you just buy the switch and install the network app. Meraki will totally turn off your network if you ever stop paying for a license.

You're just renting their hardware until you stop paying for the license, then it's an expensive paperweight.

[-] possiblylinux127@lemmy.zip 2 points 1 week ago

I don't believe you can use OPNSense on a switch. Switches are in layer 2 typically and have hardware that switches.

Technically you can run OpenWRT on some switches but it is still experimental and it is very much not enterprise grade

[-] warmaster@lemmy.world 1 points 1 week ago

OK, so it's OPNsense for routers and OpenWRT for switches and APs?

[-] AtariDump@lemmy.world 1 points 1 week ago

Separate thread; how can Ubiquiti “do whatever they want with it”? You control the updates.

[-] warmaster@lemmy.world 0 points 1 week ago

Well, the OS is their doing. If it has a backdoor, I don't know. I don't fully trust it.

[-] AtariDump@lemmy.world 1 points 1 week ago

That’s true of any closed source OS, of which I’m sure you run at least 2.

[-] AtariDump@lemmy.world 1 points 1 week ago

If you stop paying for the Meraki cloud, you can’t manage your Meraki hardware.

Full stop.

Meraki: That’s a nice network you got there; I’d be a shame if something happened to it

[-] possiblylinux127@lemmy.zip 1 points 1 week ago

No CLI which is a deal breaker for me

[-] AtariDump@lemmy.world 1 points 1 week ago

They have one but the management is via the admin console.

[-] phanto@lemmy.ca 1 points 2 weeks ago

I have a nice Juniper. It's an old cast-off, but no issues.

[-] BenM2023@lemmy.world 1 points 1 week ago

We have an extensive Aruba estate here (managed for us by the local authority). You have to be careful about licenses for management software. The authority weren't so there are issues... Though that may be authority incompetence rather than an Aruba issue.

The other thing we have noticed is that they are very touchy indeed about 10mbps connections (cameras often need an intermediate unmanaged switch), and also will drop so-so 1Gbps links back to 100mbps at the drop of a hat...

[-] possiblylinux127@lemmy.zip 1 points 1 week ago

Did you verify the wiring/fiber? That's often the sign of a bad connection

[-] BenM2023@lemmy.world 1 points 1 week ago

Yeh - it's just the Arubas are much more sensitive to slightly dodgy connections. Connections and wiring which worked with their predecessor Ciscos just fine is persona non Grata in the Aruba universe.

With cameras they just won't talk to them even if the port is set to 10mbps rather than Auto. Stick an unmanaged switch in the way and they work fine.

One thing I have found is that FS.com sfp+ Aruba compatible modules work just fine which saves a packet!

this post was submitted on 14 Apr 2025
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