Aruba Threat Detection, within Aruba Central, provides IPS capabilities3.Aruba ESP also provides wireless intrusion protection with every Aruba WLAN by leveraging access points to contain wireless threats with RFProtect4.

MM provides a centralized licensing repository and a single interface for configuring controllers4. This is a benefit that Aruba Mobility Master (MM) and an ArubaOS architecture bring to network management.MM does not offer a single management interface for configuring wireless devices and onboarding user wireless devices; rather it provides a single point of configuration for managed devices such as controllers or gateways4.Customers cannot obtain a flexible, cloud-based option for managing their controllers centrally with MM; rather they can use Centralized Cloud Management (CCM) or Managed Network Services (MNS)5.Admins cannot manage ArubaOS switches and ArubaOS controllers from the same management interface with MM; rather they can use AirWave Network Management (ANM) or Centralized Cloud Management (CCM)6.

RFProtect is an Aruba security feature that you should discuss with a customer who is concerned about rogue Aps and wireless denial of service (DoS) attacks2.RFProtect is a feature that provides wireless intrusion protection system (WIPS) capabilities to detect and prevent unauthorized access points, clients, ad-hoc networks, spoofing attacks, interference sources, etc., from compromising the wireless network2. It also provides spectrum analysis tools to monitor and troubleshoot RF issues.

A branch office that needs a simple deployment is a scenario for which Aruba Instant APs are the recommended wireless solution12.Aruba Instant APs are controllerless APs that can form a self-organizing and self-healing mesh network with one AP acting as a virtual controller (VC) that automatically configures and manages other APs12.This simplifies the deployment and operation of branch networks without requiring additional hardware or software licenses12. A home office that needs a simple way to connect to a corporate office is not a scenario for which Aruba Instant APs are the recommended wireless solution; rather it is a scenario for which Aruba Remote APs (RAPs) are the recommended wireless solution.RAPs are controller-based APs that can establish secure VPN tunnels with an Aruba Mobility Controller (MC) located at the corporate office and provide seamless access to corporate resources for remote workers3. An enterprise that needs automation and centralized management is not a scenario for which Aruba Instant APs are the recommended wireless solution; rather it is a scenario for which ArubaOS 10 (AOS 10) APs are the recommended wireless solution.AOS 10 APs are distributed network operating system (DNOS) devices that can be managed by Aruba Central, a cloud-based platform that provides automation, AI-powered optimization, and unified wired and wireless management24. An enterprise that needs bluetooth for location-based services is not a scenario for which Aruba Instant APs are the recommended wireless solution; rather it is a scenario for which Aruba Beacons or Tags are the recommended wireless solution. Beacons and Tags use Bluetooth Low-Energy (BLE) technology to provide indoor location data for mobile apps that can enhance user engagement, wayfinding, asset tracking, and analytics56.

Two customer characteristics that should lead you to position Aruba AirWave over Aruba Central are:

The customer has a multivendor network.

The customer wants a CAPEX model with on-premises management.

These characteristics indicate that your customer values granular control over their heterogeneous network infrastructure and prefers to own and operate their own management platform without recurring subscription fees.

Aruba AirWave is an on-premises network management solution that supports multivendor wired and wireless networks, provides comprehensive visibility and control over network performance, and uses perpetual licenses based on device count. Aruba Central is a cloud-based network management solution that supports primarily Aruba wired and wireless networks, provides simplified operations and automation, and uses subscription licenses based on device type and term length.