Aruba vs. Cisco: Exploring Aruba’s Growing Momentum

Quick Answer: Aruba offers simpler, more user-centric networking options, while Cisco offers more holistic, complex solutions. The winner will depend heavily upon your networking needs. 

Maybe I just love networking, but there is nothing quite like choosing new network gear. The decisions made at this point will affect the organization for years to come, so it's important to make an informed decision. 

When choosing equipment, you'll inevitably come across two names—Cisco and Aruba. Both offer top-notch networking equipment designed for our ever-evolving network landscape. For instance, before 2020, no one could have predicted how work-from-home policies would take networking by storm. Now, it's something that can't be ignored! 

Let's walk through each of these solutions, highlighting where each one shines and why you may want to choose one over the other. 

Aruba's Momentum: A Changing Landscape

Over the past few years, Aruba has been punching above its weight class. Aruba's market share under HPE has been nothing short of fantastic. Aruba had no trouble breaking the $1 billion milestone in fiscal year 2023. This is good not only for Aruba itself but also for its consumers and potential consumers. 

By increasing its annualized revenue run rate by 49%, Aruba shows it is in the game for the long haul. Not only that but Aruba's quickly eating away at the competition. These metrics show its hardware is viable for years to come, which is a big factor in vendor buy-in decisions.

Aruba hasn't been just sitting on that revenue, either. They performed key acquisitions such as HPE Aruba Networking SSE and Athonet. These acquisitions showcase Aruba's commitment to security, a key factor in purchasing hardware. 

Aruba has proven to be a wireless leader, but it may not be clear how it compares with Cisco in terms of raw hardware. Switches are the lifeblood of any network, so let's start there.

Choosing a Switch: Aruba or Cisco?

Switches are often the first thought when buying networking equipment. Buying a switch from Cisco means you're also purchasing the DNA Center. The DNA Center is a powerful central monitoring tool with several great features. Specifically, DNA provides centralized automation, AI-driven insights, end-to-end security, and more. 

While the DNA Center provides excellent features, licensing can get a little hairy. It requires multi-tier licensing and recurring costs to operate. All this needs to be taken into account when deciding on networking equipment. Sometimes, you just need a switch.

For perspective, here is an example of the Cisco DNA Center:

In contrast, Aruba offers more simplicity in its switch hardware. Aruba's CX series has simple licensing, a streamlined OS, and cloud-native management. In contrast to Cisco, it also focuses on open-source standards. For many organizations, this is the sort of get-up-and-go product they're after. 

However, your organization may need advanced capabilities like extensive multi-domain orchestration, deep security integration, and AI-enhanced insights. Cisco provides all that and more, provided you can navigate and justify the licensing complexities.

Whether you're considering Aruba or Cisco, one undeniable trend in switching is commoditization. Switches have become standardized and widely available, with minimal differences. As a result, the actual value lies not in the switch itself but in the features, management tools, and ecosystem the vendor provides alongside it. 

Choosing the right solution means considering the company's other features—such as software capabilities, integration options, and licensing models—and how those will fit your organizational needs in the long run. 

Wireless Networking

Wireless networking has become a cornerstone of contemporary network layout. No one knows this better than Cisco and Aruba, both of whom have worked hard to innovate in the field. However, the two companies have taken different approaches to technology. Cisco offers a holistic, albeit complex, ecosystem of products. Aruba offers a simplified, user-centric design with minimal overhead and low cost.

The key takeaway is that Aruba focuses on simplicity. One way it does that is through its proprietary ClearPass technology. ClearPass provides robust network access control with role-based policy features. It integrates seamlessly with Aruba wireless devices and provides a unified approach to security access.

Aruba is great for simplified networks, but Cisco shines with complex, enterprise systems. The Cisco DNA Center is a one-stop shop for everything regarding your wireless network. Cisco also has an expansive suite of solutions for any situation you may encounter. 

In other words, Cisco has every base covered. For example, Cisco Umbrella enables identity-based security, device profiling, and Zero Trust access.

Customer Support and Collaboration: Who’s Got Your Back?

Even the smoothest network rollout will encounter a few bumps in the road. That's why it's vital to consider customer support when acquiring hardware. Luckily, both Aruba and Cisco have quality support to rely on, but let's talk a bit about how they differ.

Cisco offers a TAC (Technical Assistance Center) to assist its customers 24/7. There you can find extensive documentation, knowledge bases, and access to Cisco engineers. Cisco also provides an excellent, globally recognized accreditation program.

Cisco also provides several levels of support, depending on the customer's needs. Each package is comprehensive, though quite expensive, and sometimes there are delays on complex issues. 

Aruba offers a similar experience to Cisco. Like Cisco, Aruba provides a dedicated team to assist in the deployment and maintenance of its applications. However, this is generally reserved for large enterprises. When determining which organization to use, think carefully about the reputation of their support.

Aruba vs Cisco: Which is Right for You? 

Switches are key when choosing networking equipment, but don't evaluate them in isolation. Cisco offers a robust and feature-rich solution with its DNA Center. It includes advanced capabilities like AI-driven insights, automation, and security. 

However, the complexity of its multi-tier licensing and recurring costs may not be ideal for all organizations. Cisco excels in large-scale, complex environments that require deep orchestration and multi-domain management. However, many organizations gripe about their Byzantine licensing structure.

On the other hand, Aruba is a great alternative for organizations that desire simplicity. Aruba's CX switches come with straightforward licensing and cloud-native management, all without the heavy overhead usually seen with Cisco’s solutions. 

Ultimately, the decision between Cisco and Aruba comes down to your organization’s needs and priorities. If you need cutting-edge security, AI insights, and a comprehensive ecosystem, Cisco might be the right fit. If you're after an intuitive, easy-to-manage solution without unnecessary complexity, Aruba offers great value. 

Keep in mind, though, Cisco provides an excellent certification program. Its pipelines mean it will be far easier to find Cisco talent than Aruba.

Final Thoughts 

There's no one answer when it comes to comparing Cisco and Aruba—just what is right for you. As you prepare to buy switches, keep commoditization in mind. Nowadays, the hardware itself is less of a differentiator. The real value now lies in the software, management tools, and support systems that vendors provide. Choose wisely based on how well the overall solution fits your operational needs. 

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