Wireless Access

Hello.

I would like to know what is the difference between deploying one controller 650 and 16 access points, for example AP-93, or 16 instant access points, for example the IAP-93, without any controller. I know the second deployment is cheaper. I suppose the first must have some features the second cannot have, otherwise it would not make sense that controller 620 and 620 exist.

Regards.

One of the main differences is that Instant only suppoer L2 roaming while controller based solution supports both L2 and L3.

IAP is close to a contoller in capabilities but is not eqaul. Depending on your deployment requirements you might need one or the other. Currently these are some of the features that are available in a controller but not on an IAP. 

(off the top of my head)

Spectrum analysis

L3 roaming

DHCP fingerprinting

VIA and VPN client termination

Site-Site VPN

This may change in the future.

Regards,

Sathya

650 would also give you...

-an option for HSPA+ backhaul

- flexibility to use the multiple ports as 'legs' into different networks (e.g. admin, guest, internal).

- Assuming you are already trained in Aruba OS (AOS) then == zero learning curve

If you are trying to make this site 'look like' other corporate sites (say HQ) then I would go controller, and do master--local.   If on the other hand its a one-off site and never needs/wants to be in sync with other sites than Instant (IMHO) is a good candidate, if you don't need any of the 650 additions that have been mentioned in this thread already.

Normally if customer is looking at security features we would go for the controller base as it comes with PEFNG and RFP etc and support RAP at the end of the day. As for roaming is L2 versus L2 + L3.

Also instants don't support 802.1q.

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@jrwhitehead wrote:

Also instants don't support 802.1q.

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Instant DOES support 802.1q for trunking, if that is what you mean.

Excellent!

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@acrz6666 wrote:

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@jrwhitehead wrote:

Also instants don't support 802.1q.

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Instant DOES support 802.1q for trunking, if that is what you mean.

 

 

 

What do you mean? Do IAP support 802.1q or not? Do they support VLAN? Can they send tag frames?

 

Regards.

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They do support 802.1q.  They do send tag frames.  They do support trunking.

If you are going to not get the controller, you should get the IAP-105, instead of the IAP93 for dual-band support.  That will increase your client capacity considerably, and give you mesh capability.

Besides some feature difference, also consider the following.

A controller simplifies VLANs at the edge.  You do not have to worry about deploying VLANs. 

A controller will manage both your wired and wireless Aruba network.   All clients, wired and wireless, have the same policy.

A controller provide remote functionality such as VPN and Remote APs to extend your network.

Aruba Instant will scale, now beyond 16APs, but are limited to a L2 subnet.  Using basic network architecture rules, A class C subnet is 256 users.  It's best to keep a subnet to that limit.  For a Class B flat network, while IAP and Controllers will both manage much more than 256 users, you should be careful.  Large L2 subnets create a lot of chatter and the network can and will have issues.

As you have noticed, AI will continue to expand it's feature set and is closing the gap with the controller, such as L3 roaming between virtual controllers (not relevant within a group of 16 IAPs), and spectrum analysis, or even logs for troubleshooting.  At the end of the day, it depends on what you are looking for. 

Hope that helps! 

Thanks to you for all your responses.

What about the performance? Can these IAP support the same number of clients? Are the clients located into the proper IAP with the same efficiency?

Regards.

Please took a look at the Instant Documentation here:  http://support.arubanetworks.com/DOCUMENTATION/tabid/77/DMXModule/512/EntryId/6566/Default.aspx

It will answer some questions for you.