Ah, I see what you're getting at, from what @ariyap posted below.
It's not my intent to 'cheat' the system. I already do this with switches elsewhere. I make any changes in Central for the managed ones, and then make them separately for the unmanaged. Our AP rollouts are small (Only 1-3 per site, usually) and they aren't changed all that often. Monitoring is also minimal, so I rarely have to go into the systems at all. I don't even need FastRoaming, so I could configure them completely separate. I've just run into issues before because they really, REALLY want to become part of any existing cluster they see on the same subnet! Even when I've told an Instant cluster not to accept any new members...
Original Message:
Sent: Jun 19, 2025 01:13 AM
From: GorazdKikelj
Subject: Adding New AP to Central-managed Cluster...Without Central?
Formal answer? You should not do it. You need subscription for every device managed by Central.
I did this several times by accident or was called to resolve customer's issues when they did it. Can be messy.
Best, Gorazd
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Gorazd Kikelj
MVP Guru 2025
Original Message:
Sent: Jun 18, 2025 10:40 PM
From: Troy Jollimore
Subject: Adding New AP to Central-managed Cluster...Without Central?
Yes. I do that all of the time. What I was wondering is if you can join a cluster controlled by Aruba Central with one… Though I know if one expires from Central, it retains its configuration.
Original Message:
Sent: 6/18/2025 10:35:00 PM
From: ariyap
Subject: RE: Adding New AP to Central-managed Cluster...Without Central?
Yes you can use AP-505 running instant firmware without using Aruba Central.
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Any opinions expressed here are solely my own and not necessarily that of HPE or Aruba.
Original Message:
Sent: Jun 18, 2025 11:50 AM
From: Troy Jollimore
Subject: Adding New AP to Central-managed Cluster...Without Central?
Most of our clients are smaller, and independently managed, so we've been reassessing our need to use Central at all.
That being said, one of our clients that is managed by Central has just purchased a new Instant AP505 to join their existing ones. This is the first time I've added one to the same site, so will the new Instant AP pick up the configuration of the existing cluster and 'join' it, like it normally would, without being added to Central?
I'm thinking yes...