Wireless Access

Can anyone advise me on the differences between the AP 335 and AP 345, I want to see if it is worthwhile to purchase the AP 345s over the AP 335s, Thank you.

What do you currently have deployed?

 

The primary difference between the two is that the AP-345 supports dual 5GHz operation, where the AP-335 is one 2.4GHz radio and one 5GHz radio. The AP-345 does require the latest software (AOS8.3) in order to operate, so depending on other APs and controllers deployed may necessitate additional changes to integrate into the environment.

Thank you for your reply Charlie,

We have deployed 105s, 135s, 175s, 225s and we are running 6.5.4.7. Do a lot of clients support dual 5GHz?

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@aramsaran wrote:

Thank you for your reply Charlie,

We have deployed 105s, 135s, 175s, 225s and we are running 6.5.4.7. Do a lot of clients support dual 5GHz?

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Client devices see the AP-345 as two separate 5GHz APs, there is no specific client support required.

 

Your APs listed are supported with AOS8.3 per the release notes. The unknown is the controller setup ... both the models and the mode they are operating in (redundant masters, master local, standalone, etc). AOS 8.x is a significant architecture change, and should be considered before making the jump. 

We are running dual 7210s as redundant masters.

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@aramsaran wrote:

We are running dual 7210s as redundant masters.

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Based on that, you would either add another controller or mobility master to your configuration to upgrade to 8.3 and use the AP-345, or stay on 6.5 and use the AP-335.

+1 @charlie

Also keep in mind that you will get a lot of nice cool features with 8.x with the mm so I would advise the 345 and a mm, upgrade and put the two 7210 in a cluster.

Just my $0.02

Next to the dual 5ghz:

345 has better price
345 has poe hitless failover when using both ports
345 is less heavy
345 can run on PoE with limited functions

If the price of a 345 is less than a 335, 345 has preference because it is slightly more future proof than the 335 due to its dual 5Ghz capability. Down side is it will require you to upgrade to 8x.

But you will have to check the prices with your Aruba contact. Besides Aruba stratega prices also can differ based on the amount of AP's you order and your negotiation skills :)

 

335 also supports hitless data and PoE using both ports (active-active)

Not sure about 345 but 335 is heavy (almost 1 kg) and gets warm but with the standard equipped mounting brackets and decent ceiling no issues (have been running 500 of these for 1 year now).

335 can also run with PoE with limited functions.

 

Unless you are in real need of extra 5Ghz access (you could also add additional AP's)

you could go for the 335 which allows for a more smoother and easy migration. Make sure to upgrade to at least 6.5.x (minimum requirement 335). Once you have a suitable timeframe, you can prepare and migrate to release 8.x.

Hi Jer,

 

In EMEA the listprice for a AP-345 is approx. 350 euro less then the AP-335.

 

I would go for the AP-345!

 

 

Wow thats a huge difference!

In that case I would go for the 345 and start preparing for 8.x rightaway.

What do you mean "345 can run on PoE with limited functions", I run all of my APs on PoE, I didn't realize that there is limited functions using PoE vs direct power?

Hi

I meant running on PoE in steed of Running on PoE+ So with only PoE and no PoE the AP will have limited features. Look into IPM, you will know more.

Thanks for the note on IPM, I see from the spec sheets that both the 335 and 345 support IPM and 802.3at PoE+, its a nice feature to shut down unnecessary items like USB and the other Ethernet port when you down on power. I have to see what other features it shuts down on low power that would be more of a priority than items that I am not using.

Hi

If you have PoE+ then you don’t need IPM. You can set the order of things IPM should shutdown when needed. AFAIK both on Instant and Controller based.