Aruba Instant On Wireless Access Points and Instant On Network Switches are network devices designed to help small businesses deploy fast, secure, & reliable wireless connectivity in just a few minutes. Put another way, administrators can manage Instant On networks from anywhere with ease and trust that the latest security intelligence protects their networks around the clock.
Aruba Instant On takes advantage of Smart Mesh Wi-Fi to provide reliable wireless performance with built-in router functionality. On top of that, check out these other attractive benefits of Instant On:
Multi-Site Management allowing administrators to easily secure and maintain multiple networks under one platform
Site Inventory features that make it easy to see all the switches, access points, and other devices on your network at a glance
Application Visibility and Control to ensure bandwidth is always routed to your most important services
Easy Guest Access to connect customers and visitors
Enterprise-Grade WiFi that smoothly hands off connected devices between access points
How Does Aruba Instant On Work?
An Aruba Instant On AP acts as a network router as well. In short, this means plugging in directly to the Internet right out of the box allows network setup to begin immediately.
Aruba Instant On devices require no licenses, subscriptions, renewals, or prepaid contracts. In other words, Instant On APs and network switches include all needed software and services, right out of the box.
How Do I Set Up Aruba Instant On?
Deploying and configuring an Instant On AP or Switch is as easy as downloading the Instant On smartphone app. The mobile app provides guided setup and plug-n-play deployment. So no experts required.
Need to set up wireless access in an especially tricky location like an outdoor stadium or campus? The Aruba Instant On AP17 includes a ruggedized chassis that withstands the wear and tear of an outdoor deployment.
How to Manage Instant On
Remember that mobile app for network set up? Use the same Instant On application to remotely manage, monitor, and edit network settings from anywhere, any time. Prefer working on the big screen? The web-based portal.arubainstanton.com shares all the same great features as the Instant On app, but on a browser.
From the app or web portal, you’ll be able to restrict resource allocation to stop bandwidth hogs, block unwanted clients, and easily create separate networks for guests and employees.
Are Aruba Appliances Expensive?
Surely something with this many positives must have a big drawback, right? Well, it’s not going to be the price-point. Instant On access points are competitively priced to meet the needs of lean budgets and small offices.
Wifi 6 refers to the latest generation of wireless technology, also known as 802.11ax. Another name for this new standard is High Efficiency Wifi. It replaces 802.11ac, which now goes by Wifi 5. Wireless access points and routers incorporating the technology are increasingly ubiquitous. And many new smartphones, tablets, laptops, and other connected devices are Wifi 6-certified to take full advantage of its performance capabilities.
How Is Wifi 6 Different Than Wifi 5
Wifi 6 offers several advantages over Wifi 5 when it comes to speed, performance, and even security. First, speed – often referred to as throughput – can max out around 10 Gbps for a Wifi 6 device, compared to 7 Gbps for Wifi 5. While that’s an obvious upgrade, performance accounts for a significantly greater boost – some 400% in what’s called throughput per area.
What does that mean? It means more devices can connect in high-density areas with low to no latency. In other words, it’s real-world speed. Finally, security is better, too, as Wifi 6 supports WPA3 encryption standards, the most secure version of Wifi Protected Access protocol.
Why Upgrade to Wifi 6
While manufacturers seem to release new access points and routers constantly, an upgrade from a prior generation model to Wifi 6 is worth strong consideration. Wifi 6 supports more connected devices at greater speeds with better security than its predecessors. And the differences are significant. To recap:
Top speed more than a third better than the previous best
Throughput per area is 4 times better
And latency is 75% lower
These all represent major leaps in performance, and along with security improvements, make a strong argument for upgrading.
Which Brands Already Carry Wifi 6 Access Points
Several brands now offer Wifi 6 access points, with more on the way. Firewalls.com carries Wifi 6 access points from Fortinet, Aruba, Ruckus, and Cisco Meraki. Models range from small business/small office options to large enterprise and even stadiums and arenas. This generation of access points comes with indoor and outdoor options as well.
What Are The Recommended Wifi 6 Access Point Models
With the growing number of Wifi 6 access points now on the market, finding the right fit for a given scenario can be a challenge. So to meet that challenge and sift through the clutter, here are a few recommended Wifi 6 access points to suit varying business needs.
For Easy Deployment
Aruba Instant On AP22
It doesn’t get much easier than instant, does it? The Aruba Instant On AP22 offers a quick way into the Wifi 6 world. As its name suggests, you can basically turn it on and have wireless ready to go. This is ideal for a small business with limited staff or small branch office scenario.
And while the ease of deployment is nice, the AP22 also comes packed full of features at an affordable price. It includes mounting hardware, simple management tools, and even built-in security features like firewalling and application control, with no need for external controllers.
Tech Specs
Deployment:Indoor
Performance:2×2:2 MU-MIMO
Mesh Support:Smart Mesh Wi-Fi
Throughput:1.774 Gbps
PoE: PoE 802.3af
For Network Integration
Fortinet FortiAP 231F
Chances are if you’re a small to mid-size business, you already have a firewall. Maybe you even have a switch and endpoint, too. And if those solutions happen to be from one of the top security vendors out there, Fortinet, then this FortiAP 231F is a good pick for your entrée into Wifi 6.
The FortiAP 231F places you firmly into the Fortinet Security Fabric, which allows all your Fortinet solutions to communicate seamlessly with one another with single-pane-of-glass management. As far as what this access point offers specifically, it includes built-in security and a third radio for beacon and location-scanning. It can also optionally be managed through the cloud and is more than capable outside the Fortinet ecosystem as well.
Tech Specs
Deployment:Indoor
Performance:2×2:2 MU-MIMO
Mesh Support:Yes
Throughput:1.2 Gbps
PoE: PoE+ 802.3at
Look to the Cloud
Cisco Meraki MR44
Cisco Meraki is pretty well-known as a pioneer in the cloud space, and you can be a pioneer both there and in Wifi 6 by choosing the MR44 access point. The MR44 comes with Meraki’s noted cloud management architecture, which eliminates the need for traditional wireless controllers. It also offers zero-touch deployment, easy visibility and control throughout the network, and seamless firmware updates.
The MR44 itself is an enterprise grade access point, so if your performance demands are a little higher, it’s a great fit. As with other APs noted in this piece, Meraki’s MR Series features built-in security, plus a dedicated extra radio. And if you’re already a Meraki customer for other solutions, it integrates especially nicely.
Tech Specs
Deployment:Indoor
Performance:4×4:4 MU-MIMO
Mesh Support:Self-healing, Zero-configuration
Throughput:3 Gbps
PoE: PoE+ 802.3af/at
Let’s Take It Outside
Ruckus T750
Our previous three access points were designed for indoor deployments, but this AP from Ruckus doesn’t care where you set it up. The T750 offers the performance of Wifi 6 with IP-67 durability to withstand rough conditions, indoors or outdoors. When it comes to deployment options, think stadiums, airports, convention centers, and the like. Each individual T750 can handle over 1,000 users at once.
Ruckus offers the T750 in the controller-less Unleashed model as well as the traditional ZoneFlex option. Both are easy to deploy and manage. And they boast other special features, like built-in IoT radios, BeamFlex antennas to optimize connectivity, and the security of the aforementioned WPA3.
Tech Specs
Deployment:Outdoor
Performance:4×4:4 MU-MIMO
Mesh Support:SmartMesh
Throughput:2.4 Gbps
PoE: PoE++ 802.3bt
So these are just a few examples to help you navigate the wonderful world of Wifi 6. But wait, there’s more! Browse all the Wifi 6 options Firewalls.com has to offer. And if you need to talk it through a bit more, chat with an expert on our site or call 866-645-2140.
