I'm a SysAdmin at a school and we currently have Zyxel gear installed from 2021, which includes 19 Layer 2 switches (mostly XGS1930 models), one Layer 3 core switch, and 45 access points (mostly WAC6303D-S). There's also a non-Zyxel router managed by the ISP. While I think the switches work fine, the access points are unreliable—they sometimes don't connect, have weak signals, and slow speeds. With around 400 to 500 devices, including iPads, laptops, wired desktops, and phones, plus access control that's PoE-based, the network needs improvement. I have a budget of £15,000 to £20,000 for a new network and I'm considering replacing both the switches and the APs with HPE Aruba equipment, especially since I like Zyxel's Cloud Management Console for tracking devices. Can anyone suggest models to consider, share pros and cons of Aruba, and advise whether I should also replace the switches if they're working okay?
3 Answers
I recommend checking the mean time to failure for your current switch models. It's wise to plan your hardware replacements before issues arise. It might save you a lot of headaches later!
Before jumping into new gear, make sure to address your ISP-managed router first. Also, where's your firewall in all this?
The firewall is also managed by the ISP; it's part of their MPLS network with passive web filtering. We have Cisco Firepower for that, so that part seems fine!
We made the switch from Cisco to Aruba last summer and got 10-year central licenses. With these licenses, you get quicker access to hardware support if needed, which is great. We've had our Aruba 635 access points for three years without any problems. I'd definitely focus on upgrading the wireless side since that's where most of the issues are.
Thanks for the tip!