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UniFi Wi-Fi for Business: Is Ubiquiti Good Enough for a Professional Network?

Here at Geekabit, we talk a lot about Ubiquiti and use their hardware for many of our business clients. Ubiquiti UniFi has become extremely popular, being used in home networks as well as offices, hospitals, retail and other commercial environments. 

With attractive pricing and a single management ecosystem, it’s an inviting choice when it comes to planning a network. But we’re commonly asked this question: Is UniFi really suitable for a professional business network?

The short answer is Yes, it’s absolutely suitable in the right environment. But professional Wi-Fi is about far more than just the logo on your Access Point. Proper design, configuration and ongoing management are critical for your business network to work reliably and efficiently. 

What Is Ubiquiti UniFi?

Ubiquiti UniFi is an integrated networking ecosystem. Products in a Ubiquiti network include:

  • Wireless access points
  • Network switches
  • Gateways and firewalls
  • Controllers
  • Cameras and security
  • Other network infrastructure

It has a central management interface and is suitable for networks ranging from relatively small deployments to substantial multi-AP installations. 

Is UniFi Suitable for Business Wi-Fi?

Yes. UniFi can be an excellent business Wi-Fi platform when appropriately designed, specified and managed.

A Ubiquiti UniFi network could work well in various business environments, including:

  • Offices
  • Retail
  • Hospitality
  • Warehouses
  • Schools and education campuses
  • Multi-site businesses
  • Guest Wi-Fi environments

Individual suitability should always be assessed against your business’ specific operational requirements.

Why Is UniFi Popular with Businesses?

There are a number of reasons why Ubiquiti Uni is a popular option for business networks. It’s an attractive solution for any organisation wanting a cohesive network, rather than a mish-mash of unrelated products. 

In our experience here at Geekabit, our clients and businesses opt for UniFi when choosing their business network due to:

  • Competitive hardware pricing.
  • Broad hardware ecosystem.
  • Centralised management.
  • Strong visibility into network devices.
  • VLAN/ network capabilities.
  • Guest Wi-Fi functionality.
  • Remote management.
  • Wide AP range.

Is UniFi ‘Enterprise Grade’?

‘Enterprise grade’ isn’t exactly a technical standard that us Wi-Fi experts tend to use. It’s also important to recognise that different organisations can have very different requirements. 

The reason why UniFi is often the ‘go to’ option is that it can comfortably support many professional and business requirements. 

Organisations that are very large, and/or have mission-critical requirements may be more suited to alternative options like Cisco, Aruba or Ruckus. These types of environments could include requirements like:

  • Vendor support SLAs
  • Advanced security
  • Regulatory requirements
  • Hardware redundancy
  • Change control
  • Integration
  • Very large-scale management

Our Wi-Fi engineers here at Geekabit are committed to matching the right technology to each specific business case. That means that we don’t automatically assume one ecosystem (like UniFi) is universally superior. We make sure that any platform selection for a business follows their specific requirements and is the best choice for their needs.

UniFi Hardware Isn’t the Same Thing as Good Wi-Fi

Unfortunately, it’s not as easy as just buying excellent APs – That alone doesn’t guarantee you’ll have an excellent wireless network. Fortunately, engaging expert Wi-Fi professionals like Geekabit means that your network is designed around your working environment. 

Excellent APs but poorly deployed can still cause your network to suffer. You might experience:

  • Dead spots
  • Interference
  • Congestion
  • Poor roaming
  • Excessive transmit power
  • Poor channel planning
  • Incorrect channel widths
  • Too many APs
  • Too few APs

Which UniFi Access Point Should a Business Choose?

We could make you a whole list of APs here, but you don’t need us for a catalogue of products. What we can explain however, is what things to consider when you’re choosing an AP. Considerations to make when selecting an AP include:

  • Wi-Fi generation – Are you going for Wi-Fi 7 yet? What generation are your user devices? Will all your hardware be the same generation? 
  • Client density – How many clients will be accessing your AP at once time / location? 
  • Required bands – What frequency bands will you be using?
  • Coverage requirements – Where do you need Wi-Fi coverage?
  • Mounting position – Do you know where the best mounting position is? And where to avoid mounting APs?
  • Indoor/ outdoor – Do you need to cover an outdoor area as well as indoors?
  • Ethernet uplink – Where will there be a connection to Ethernet? 
  • PoE requirements – Will you be needing to pass power as well as data over Ethernet connections?

It’s worth remembering that a higher model number or more expensive AP doesn’t automatically mean it’s a better option for every location. Your AP selection should always happen after you have identified requirements and done the RF planning. 

How Many UniFi Access Points Does My Business Need?

As much as we wish there was a simplistic square-metre rule, there just isn’t unfortunately. 

The number of APs your business needs depends on various factors, including:

  • The building materials used in your office
  • Client density
  • Applications
  • Coverage
  • Capacity
  • Interference
  • Roaming
  • High-Density areas

Good, successful Wi-Fi design should always be based on a Wi-Fi survey that has determined the best quantity and placement for APs in your specific business environment. 

What About UniFi Switching and PoE?

Your wireless network is only as reliable as the infrastructure underneath it.

UniFi APs require appropriate Ethernet connectivity and, in most business installations, PoE (Power over Ethernet).

When defining the exact technical requirements and features you need to meet with a switch, you should consider:

  • The total number of APs and other PoE devices.
  • Total available PoE power budget — not simply the number of PoE ports.
  • PoE / PoE+ / PoE++ requirements of individual devices.
  • 1 GbE versus 2.5 GbE or faster uplinks, particularly with newer Wi-Fi 7 APs.
  • Required number of switch ports.
  • SFP/SFP+ requirements between switches or buildings.
  • Future expansion.

A PoE switch that doesn’t meet your specifications can lead to:

  • APs failing to start correctly.
  • Devices operating with restricted functionality.
  • Intermittent behaviour.
  • Problems appearing when additional equipment is connected.

You should also consider any existing structured cabling.

A new UniFi AP won’t fix:

  • Damaged Ethernet cabling.
  • Poor terminations.
  • Links negotiating at 100 Mbps rather than 1 GbE.
  • Inappropriate legacy switches.

A professional installation should always test the whole path from: 

Client → AP → switch → gateway → internet

rather than treating the AP in isolation.

Do You Need a UniFi Cloud Gateway or Controller?

First let’s explain these UniFi devices.

A UniFi Cloud Gateaway is an all-in-one hardware device by Ubiquiti that acts as your home or business network router and firewall while hosting the built-in software controller used to manage your UniFi equipment.

A UniFi Controller (now officially called the UniFi Network Application) is a centralized management platform created by Ubiquiti to configure, monitor, and control your UniFi networking hardware from a single dashboard.

Depending on the installation, this can be hosted on:

  • A UniFi Cloud Gateway/ Console.
  • Suitable dedicated UniFi hardware.
  • A self-hosted environment where appropriate.

A business should consider:

  • Who manages the controller.
  • Who has administrator access.
  • How configuration backups are handled.
  • Software/ firmware update policy.
  • Remote support requirements.
  • What happens if the controller/ gateway fails.

It’s worth remembering that loss of the management interface does not necessarily mean the Wi-Fi network immediately stops functioning. But gateways/ controllers can provide other critical network services, so architecture matters.

Professional deployment should always avoid situations where nobody knows the admin credentials or who owns/ manages the network!

Can UniFi Provide Guest Wi-Fi for a Business?

Yes, Ubiquiti UniFi can provide Guest Wi-Fi for a business. UniFi can support separate guest networks and different approaches to guest authentication and access. 

This means that businesses can separate:

  • Staff devices.
  • Guest devices.
  • IoT equipment.
  • Other operational systems.

VLANs and appropriate firewall/ network policies can help keep guest traffic separated from internal resources.

Your Guest Wi-Fi requirements may include:

  • Captive portal.
  • Terms of use.
  • Authentication.
  • Branded landing pages.
  • User data capture
  • Marketing integrations.

Where personal data is collected, businesses also need to consider:

  • UK GDPR policies.
  • Privacy notices.
  • Getting consent where appropriate to comply with laws.
  • Data retention.
  • Third-party integrations.

Remember that “Guest” SSID alone isn’t a complete guest-network security strategy.

Is UniFi Secure Enough for a Business?

It would be silly of us to claim that any vendor is automatically secure, as that is not the case. 

However, UniFi provides the tools needed to build secure networks for many business environments.

The security of your network depends heavily upon configuration and management.

For a safe and secure Wi-Fi network it’s important to consider:

  • Strong administrator authentication.
  • MFA where available.
  • Appropriate firewall rules.
  • VLAN/network segmentation
  • Secure Wi-Fi authentication.
  • Guest isolation
  • Firmware/software updates.
  • Restricting unnecessary management access.
  • Maintaining backups.

A professionally configured UniFi network can be very different from an out-of-the-box installation using largely default settings.

Can UniFi Handle Multiple Offices or Sites?

UniFi can be particularly attractive for businesses with multiple locations.

Centralised visibility can make it easier to monitor:

  • APs.
  • Switches.
  • Gateways.
  • Connected clients.
  • Network health.

Standardised configurations can simplify supporting multiple sites and remote troubleshooting can reduce unnecessary site visits.

But, network architecture should still reflect each individual site’s requirements. Don’t assume that a configuration that works in one office should simply be copied to every other building as RF conditions are inherently site-specific and what works for one premises, might not work for another.

Is UniFi Good for Large or High-Density Wi-Fi Networks?

Potentially, yes — but this is where RF design becomes increasingly important. High-density Wi-Fi isn’t automatically solved by simply installing lots of APs.

For example, environments like:

  • Busy offices.
  • Conference/event spaces.
  • Hospitality.
  • Education.
  • Warehouses.
  • Public-facing venues.

You still need to consider:

  • Number of simultaneous clients.
  • Device capabilities.
  • Airtime utilisation.
  • Channel reuse.
  • Channel widths.
  • Transmit power.
  • AP placement.
  • Backhaul capacity.

Capacity planning can become more important than simply achieving signal coverage. It’s a fine balance, and one that can be struck by engaging a Wi-Fi professional. Our expert Wi-Fi engineers here at Geekabit are wireless specialists and have the credentials to make sure that both your coverage and capacity needs are met, from small business networks to large, high-density business networks. 

What Are the Downsides of UniFi for Business?

This article shouldn’t read like a Ubiquiti fan page. We sing their praises, and rightly so, but it isn’t the right solution for everyone and it’s part of our job here at Geekabit to make sure that we match the right hardware to your specific network requirements. We won’t automatically reach for Ubiquiti every time. 

We always make the following considerations matching hardware to business network needs:

  • Support model compared with some traditional enterprise vendors.
  • Firmware/ software changes need to be managed appropriately.
  • Different generations of UniFi hardware have different capabilities.
  • Advanced enterprise requirements may require alternative platforms.
  • Organisations with strict vendor SLAs or specific compliance requirements should assess those requirements carefully.

Also price. Hardware cost shouldn’t be the sole basis for selecting a network platform.

For some organisations Cisco, HPE Aruba, Ruckus or another enterprise platform may be more appropriate.

Conversely, paying substantially more for an enterprise platform doesn’t automatically create better Wi-Fi.

Design, configuration and ongoing management remain fundamental regardless of vendor.

UniFi vs Traditional Enterprise Wi-Fi

When you’re comparing UniFi with other traditional enterprise Wi-Fi, you should be considering some of the following:

  • Hardware cost.
  • Licensing/subscription model.
  • Central management.
  • Product range.
  • Vendor support.
  • Advanced enterprise features.
  • Ease of deployment.
  • Multi-site management.
  • Suitability for SMEs.
  • Suitability for large/complex enterprise environments.

The answer you’re looking for will always depend on your organisation’s needs rather than merely brand reputation.

Should I Replace My Existing Business Wi-Fi with UniFi?

The answer to this question should always start with understanding why the existing network isn’t meeting your requirements.

Don’t replace functioning infrastructure purely because UniFi has a newer AP available.

You will need to assess the following:

  • Current APs
  • Coverage.
  • Capacity.
  • RF environment.
  • Cabling.
  • Switches.
  • PoE availability.
  • Gateway/firewall.
  • Internet connection.
  • Current and future client devices.

In some scenarios, reconfiguration may solve your problems. Other times, you may need additional or repositioned APs to help solve the Wi-Fi issues.

Of course, in some situations, a complete redesign may make more commercial sense. You might find our recent article “Do I Need More Wi-Fi Access Points – or Better Wi-Fi Design?” in this case.

Do I Need a Wi-Fi Survey Before Installing UniFi?

If your business is a small, relatively simple site, then your Wi-Fi network requirements could be straightforward.

For larger, complex or business-critical environments, professional Wi-Fi Design and a Site Survey can substantially reduce guesswork and improve the outcomes of your Wi-Fi network.

Wi-Fi Surveys and Design can help establish:

  • Appropriate AP quantity.
  • AP locations.
  • Expected coverage.
  • Areas requiring additional capacity.
  • Effects of walls/building materials.
  • Existing interference.
  • Appropriate channels/channel widths.

Post-installation validation can confirm whether the finished network meets its objectives. The objective is a network that works reliably for your people using it.

Already Have UniFi but Experiencing Wi-Fi Problems?

Here at Geekabit, we find that many businesses already have perfectly capable UniFi equipment, but remain unhappy with their Wi-Fi.

Some of the most common problems our Geekabit engineers encounter in these situations are:

  • Poor AP placement.
  • Automatic settings not appropriate for the environment.
  • Excessive transmit power.
  • Poor channel allocation.
  • Inappropriate channel widths.
  • Coverage gaps.
  • Too many APs.
  • Insufficient AP capacity.
  • PoE issues.
  • Ethernet faults.
  • Incorrect VLAN/network configuration.
  • Legacy equipment mixed into newer deployments.

Automatically just replacing everything shouldn’t be the first response. You need to get curious first! 

And our Wi-Fi experts here at Geekabit love to get curious about a Wi-Fi network not performing at its optimum. A Wi-Fi network health check can establish what is actually going wrong – And how best to fix it.

So, Is Ubiquiti UniFi Good Enough for Professional Business Wi-Fi?

Yes — UniFi is suitable for professional business Wi-Fi in many environments.

It offers capable wireless hardware, switching, gateways and centralised management at a competitive cost.

But remember, simply buying UniFi equipment isn’t the same thing as designing a professional network.

A successful business Wi-Fi network depends upon:

  • Correct requirements.
  • RF design.
  • AP selection and placement.
  • Channel planning.
  • Correct switching and PoE.
  • Reliable cabling.
  • Security/configuration.
  • Monitoring and maintenance.

You shouldn’t just be asking “Is UniFi good enough?” You also need to know that your network has been designed properly. 

How Geekabit Can Help with UniFi Business Wi-Fi

Here at Geekabit, we’re not just another general IT or Managed Service Provider. We specialise in Wi-Fi and networking and can work with:

  • Existing UniFi installations.
  • New deployments.
  • Network upgrades.
  • Problem networks installed by others.

Our expert Wi-Fi engineers offer services including:

  • Wi-Fi/network health checks.
  • Wireless site surveys.
  • RF design and optimisation.
  • UniFi AP configuration.
  • Switching and PoE assessment.
  • Ethernet/cabling diagnostics
  • Guest Wi-Fi.
  • Remote monitoring/support.

Working out of Hampshire and the South of England, our professional Wi-Fi engineers also cover London for business Wi-Fi work as well as UK wide projects where appropriate. 

If your business already has UniFi but the Wi-Fi isn’t performing properly, don’t automatically replace it — have the network assessed first. Get in touch with our friendly team today. 

FAQs 

Is Ubiquiti UniFi suitable for business use?

  • Yes, for many businesses.
  • Widely applicable to offices, hospitality, retail, warehouses and multi-site environments.
  • Suitability depends on the organisation’s technical, operational and support requirements.
  • Correct network design remains important regardless of vendor.

Is UniFi enterprise grade?

  • “Enterprise grade” doesn’t have one universal definition.
  • UniFi can support substantial professional networks.
  • Some larger or highly regulated organisations may require enterprise support SLAs, specialist features or redundancy available from other vendors.
  • Assess requirements rather than relying on the label.

Is UniFi better than Cisco or Aruba?

  • There isn’t a universal winner.
  • UniFi can provide excellent value and a strong integrated ecosystem.
  • Cisco/Aruba and other enterprise vendors may offer features/support models required by particular organisations.
  • Network design is often more important to day-to-day Wi-Fi quality than the badge on the AP.

How many UniFi access points does my office need?

  • No reliable “one AP per X square metres” formula.
  • Depends on:
    • Building construction.
    • Layout.
    • Users.
    • Devices.
    • Applications.
    • Coverage.
    • Capacity.
    • Interference.
  • Survey/design is the best way to determine requirements.

Can you have too many UniFi access points?

  • Yes.
  • Excessive AP density can create unnecessary contention and interference.
  • Incorrect transmit power and channel planning can compound the problem.
  • More APs don’t automatically mean better Wi-Fi.

Why is my UniFi Wi-Fi slow even though I have full signal?

  • Strong signal doesn’t guarantee good performance.
  • Potential causes include:
    • Interference.
    • Congestion.
    • Channel utilisation.
    • Retries.
    • Poor roaming.
    • Ethernet problems.
    • Switch/PoE issues.
    • Internet/WAN limitations.
  • Diagnose the whole network rather than relying on the Wi-Fi signal indicator.

Does UniFi require a subscription?

  • Many core UniFi networking functions don’t rely on the per-device licensing model associated with some enterprise networking platforms.
  • Exact cloud services/features should be checked for the particular deployment.
  • Worth mentioning as one reason businesses compare UniFi with traditional enterprise vendors.

Can UniFi provide separate staff and guest Wi-Fi?

  • Yes.
  • Networks can be separated using appropriate network/VLAN and security configuration.
  • Guest users should not simply be placed on the same unrestricted network as business systems.
  • Captive portal and guest-access functionality can also be incorporated.

Do I need a UniFi Cloud Gateway?

  • Not necessarily in every architecture.
  • UniFi Network requires an appropriate management environment.
  • The right gateway/controller arrangement depends upon the network.
  • Businesses should also consider remote management, resilience and ownership of administrator access.

Can existing UniFi Wi-Fi be improved without replacing the access points?

  • Very often, yes.
  • Improvements might come from:
    • Repositioning APs.
    • Channel planning.
    • Changing channel widths.
    • Adjusting transmit power.
    • Resolving interference.
    • Fixing cabling/PoE issues.
    • Correcting network configuration.
  • Existing hardware should be assessed before assuming replacement is necessary.
  • Recommended for larger, complex or business-critical environments.
  • Helps determine AP quantity and placement before installation.
  • Reduces trial-and-error deployment.
  • Existing UniFi installations can also be surveyed to diagnose performance problems.

Should I get a Wi-Fi survey before installing UniFi?

  • Recommended for larger, complex or business-critical environments.
  • Helps determine AP quantity and placement before installation.
  • Reduces trial-and-error deployment.
  • Existing UniFi installations can also be surveyed to diagnose performance problems.
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Which is the Best Wireless Product for my Business? Ubiquiti vs Cisco Meraki vs Aruba

If you’re in the market for a bit of wireless kit then you’re rather spoilt for choice these days. Whilst it’s great to have a choice of products, it does beggar the question, how do I choose the right wireless product for my business?

Some of the biggest players when it comes to wireless network products are Ubiquiti UniFi, Cisco Meraki and Aruba. But which one is right for your specific deployment? Let’s have a look.

Based on the information provided in the article, here is a comparison table for Ubiquiti, Cisco Meraki, and Aruba:

FeatureUbiquiti Wireless ProductsCisco Meraki Wireless ProductsAruba Wireless Products
Price-pointLow (Unbeatable value, fantastic value for money)High (Licensing/subscription fees push price up)Medium (Lower than Meraki, but licensing/subscription fees push price up)
LicensingNo licenses required (Quick and easy deployment)Required (Subscription fee; product useless if not paid)Required (Complexity in ensuring right licenses; separate licenses for features in Aruba Central)
Management UISingle, intuitive UI for all elementsSingle, intuitive user interfaceMay require multiple user interfaces (depending on products used)
Deployment EaseEasy to deploy and use (SMB)Easy to deploy and use (SMB/Enterprise cloud)Controller-based products difficult (SMB); Deployment is difficult (General)
On-premises OptionCloud and on-premises management availableNo on-premises optionTraditional single tenant hardware controller (base product)
Enterprise PerformanceVery high access point performance; Good HD Wi-Fi controlPerformance falters with high trafficLarge configurations can handle large networks; Instant APs not sufficient for larger enterprises
Arena/Stadium FocusSpecific capabilities: integrated high gain antennas, multi 5 GHz radio access pointsNo capabilities specifically targeted; HD Wi-Fi performance is weakNo specific capabilities targeted; HD Wi-Fi performance is weak
SupportFree support (without support agreement) + communityService subscription required (No support without it)Support within a 90-day warranty; Paid support agreement required after 90 days
Network ExpansionEasy to expand without additional licensesLack of flexibility may cause problemsMay require additional licensing and costs

Ubiquiti Wireless Products

We’ve spoken a lot about Ubiquiti and their range of wireless products – They are a firm favourite with our Wi-Fi experts here at Geekabit. Ubiquiti provides a range of wireless networking products including access points, wireless controllers, antennas and wireless bridges. Whatever your Wi-Fi requirement, they’re likely to have a product solution.

Ubiquiti Product Portfolio

  • Ubiquiti have the product range to meet a complete enterprise network
  • They cover both wireless and wired products
  • They have the management and security systems to go alongside

The Benefits of Ubiquiti for SMB Networks

  • They are easy to deploy and use
  • Lots of features
  • One intuitive User Interface to make the human-computer interaction as simple as possible
  • Unbeatable value

The Benefits of Ubiquiti for Enterprise Networks

  • All access points, switches and routers are easy to manage from one Use Interface
  • It has central management capabilities and troubleshooting
  • It is straightforward to use for network admin staff, with no certification needed
  • Cloud and on-premises management available
  • Very high access point performance
  • Good HD Wi-Fi control capabilities

The Benefits of Ubiquiti for Arena / Stadium Networks

  • They can provide arena access points with integrated high gain antennas
  • One access point can have up to 3 5GHz client serving radios
  • Multi 5 GHz radio access points save in installation and cabling costs
  • Outstanding performance in a high traffic environment

What is Ubiquiti User Experience Like?

  • Quick and easy deployment with no licenses required
  • A single, intuitive user interface for all Ubiquiti elements with secure remote access
  • It’s easy to expand the network if and when needed without additional licenses
  • They provide free support (without needing a support agreement) plus a community of Ubiquiti users for extra support, buffered by Ubiquiti employees

How Expensive is Ubiquiti? 

  • The price-point for Ubiquiti wireless products is low compared to other brands, offering fantastic value for money

Cisco Meraki Wireless Products

The Meraki MR series from Cisco delivers Wi-Fi 6 access points, faster access point deployment, simplified administration, and richer visibility.

Cisco Meraki Product Portfolio

  • Meraki have the product range to meet a complete enterprise network
  • They cover both wireless and wired products
  • They have the management and security systems to go alongside

How Does Cisco Meraki Work for SMB Networks?

  • They are easy to deploy and use
  • You have to pay a subscription fee, which renders the product useless if not paid
  • It works well for smaller businesses and enterprises, apart from it being expensive
  • For better prices, you need to commit to several years and pre-pay

Can Cisco Meraki Handle Enterprise Networks?

  • It is easy to deploy and use cloud infrastructure
  • There is no on-premises option
  • Performance falters with high traffic
  • Ongoing licensing is expensive

Can You Use Cisco Meraki for Arena / Stadium Networks?

  • There are no capabilities specifically targeted to venues of this size or type
  • For focused radio frequency, external antennas are required which will incur extra costs and will need mounting
  • There are no multi 5 GHz radio products, and RF tuning capabilities are weak
  • HD Wi-Fi performance is weak

What is the User Experience with Cisco Meraki?

  • Quick and easy deployment but a lack of flexibility may cause problems
  • Licensing is required, but all features are included
  • It has a single, intuitive user interface
  • Support services are available from Meraki, but a service subscription is required. Without it there is no support
  • Additional support is available at an additional cost

How Expensive is Cisco Meraki?

  • The price-point for Meraki MR wireless products is high compared to other brands, with licensing and subscription fees pushing it up.

Aruba Wireless Products

The range of Aruba Access Points deliver a fast, reliable Wi-Fi solution with great performance levels and a boost to network efficiency. They will also support the growing mobile and IoT density demands on your network.

Aruba Wireless Product Portfolio

  • Aruba have most of the product range to meet a complete enterprise network need
  • They cover both wireless and wired products
  • They have the management and security systems to go alongside

Can You Use Aruba Wireless for SMB Networks?

  • Controller based products can be difficult to deploy and use
  • Instant access points lack features unless you have other Aruba products such as Aruba Central or Aruba AirWave licenses
  • Aruba Central has a good cloud-based product for small to medium sized business, but it is very expensive

Does Aruba Wireless Work for Enterprise Networks?

  • Large configurations can handle large networks
  • The base product is a traditional single tenant hardware controller which can make it difficult to deploy and use
  • For adequate reliability, you will need redundant controllers which are pricey
  • The Aruba instant access points are not sufficient for larger enterprises or multisite premises
  • Aruba Central provides a cloud alternative but uses separate licenses for features. This means that you may require additional licenses for future functionality which could prove very expensive
  • The ongoing admin of handling expiring licenses is time consuming

Can Aruba Handle Arena / Stadium Networks?

  • As with Meraki, for focused radio frequency with Aruba products, external antennas are required which will incur extra costs and will need mounting
  • There are a maximum of 2 5 GHz radios per access point
  • The Aruba multi 5 GHz access points have filtering
  • HD Wi-Fi performance is weak

What is the Aruba Wireless User Experience Like?

  • Deployment is difficult, with added complexity of ensuring you have the right licenses which can be time consuming
  • Depending on the products used, you may require multiple user interfaces
  • Expanding your network or adding new features may require additional licensing and subsequently more costs
  • Aruba does provide support within a 90-day product failure warranty. Additional support after that requires a paid support agreement. If you don’t pay, you don’t get support

How Expensive is Aruba Wireless?

  • The price-point for Aruba wireless products is lower than Cisco Meraki but medium compared to other brands. As with Cisco Meraki, the costs involved with licensing and subscription fees with Aruba pushes the price up.

Still not sure what wireless products you need for your network?

If you’re unsure what wireless products would be suitable for your network – Whether it be small or arena sized – Our Wi-Fi experts would be happy to chat through the options. 

Our experienced Wi-Fi engineers can match the right wireless network products with your requirements to get you the most reliable Wi-Fi possible. Let’s strengthen your connection today – Get in touch now.

People Also Ask…

Here are some frequently asked questions when comparing wireless networks like Ubiquiti, Cisco Meraki and Aruba. 

Is Ubiquiti Cheaper than Cisco Meraki?

Ubiquiti is generally low priced with unbeatable value for money. Aruba is reasonably priced, however there are licensing and subscription costs to consider which push the price up. The most expensive of the 3 discussed here is Cisco Meraki with a high price point as well as licensing and subscription fees pushing it up. 

Do you need a license or subscription for an Aruba Wireless network?

Yes, Aruba networks require quite complex licenses, with the need to ensure you have the correct ones for the features in Aruba Central. Cisco Meraki also requires a subscription – Without it, the product is essentially useless. Ubiquiti, however, requires no licenses so allows for quick and easy deployment.

Which is the easiest wireless solution to deploy?

The easiest wireless solutions to deploy are Ubiquiti (for SMB’s) and Cisco Meraki (for SMB’s and Enterprise). Aruba requires controller-based products which can be difficult for SMB’s especially. 

Does Ubiquiti have better support than Cisco Meraki?

Ubiquiti has free support, without having to buy a support agreement. There is also good community support. Cisco Meraki requires you to have a support subscription – There is no support without it. Aruba offers support during a 90 day warranty period. After this, a paid support agreement is required. 

Can I easily expand my Cisco Meraki network?

It may be difficult to expand a Cisco Meraki network due to a lack of flexibility. The easiest network to expand on is Ubiquiti, which wouldn’t require additional licenses. Expanding an Aruba network would potentially require additional licensing and thus costs. 

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Wi-Fi 8 – The Smarter, More Stable Wi-Fi Standard

Can Wi-Fi 8 bring the stability of a wired network to wireless? Let’s look at handovers, coordination between wireless technologies, and the influence of AI.

Based on the upcoming 802.11bn standard, Wi-Fi 8 is purported to be smarter and more stable than it’s Wi-Fi 7 predecessor, instead of merely faster.

According to an announcement by Qualcomm, Wi-Fi 8 will respond to new needs in both home networks and business by focusing on reliability and consistency, even in poorer conditions. 

Qualcomm’s Vice President of Technical Standards Rolf De Vegt said;

“Wi-Fi 8 marks a fundamental pivot — moving beyond peak speeds to prioritize reliable performance in challenging real-world conditions. It’s designed to deliver consistent, low-latency and near-lossless connectivity even in highly congested, interference-prone and mobile environments.” 

Whilst the main design feature of Wi-Fi 7 is to maximize speed and bandwidth, Wi-Fi 8 will focus on stability of performance. In lab conditions, there were impressive results for Wi-Fi 7 speeds, however this is harder to replicate in reality within everyday environments like office buildings and residential areas. Wi-Fi 8 will provide stability even when faced with congestion, interference or multiple devices moving in real world environments.  

According to Qualcomm, Wi-Fi 8 plans to offer:

  • 25% higher throughput in challenging signal conditions such as blocks of flats
  • 25% lower latency at the 95th percentile of latency distribution
  • 25% fewer dropped packets when roaming between access points

Handover, What Handover?

Wi-Fi 8 will see the wonders of Single Mobility Domains. Traditionally, small interruptions during the handover process between access points are completely normal happenings. A major innovation of Wi-Fi 8 will mean that devices will be able to move between access points without any interruption or lag. Just imagine – Continuous, uninterrupted connectivity as you move throughout domains within a multi-storey office or large buildings where users (and their devices) are always moving around. 

Previous standards saw the edges of a network as a weak spot. Wi-Fi 8 will also bring improvements to this area. Technical adjustments in the optimisation of the physical layer of the protocol means that Wi-Fi 8 doesn’t just increase transmission power, leading to more stable performance even at low signal strength. 

Another improvement will see access points working together rather than separately. Wi-Fi 8 will enable the coordination of behaviour and sharing of information between access points in a network. This will help to reduce conflict on the radio frequencies and improve the efficiency of transmission time. Thus, Wi-Fi 8 will bring a smoother network environment for places with many users and devices for example, stadiums, schools or blocks of flats. 

Better Coordination Between Wireless Technologies

Research is being conducted to look at how radio systems such as Bluetooth, Wi-Fi and ultra-wideband can work better together instead of causing interference. The use of multiple wireless technologies by a single device simultaneously (devices using a single antenna for multiple radios) is becoming more prevalent, making the need for better coordination between the technologies vital. 

Prevalence of AI Leading Wi-Fi 8 to Focus on Stability Instead of Speed

AI is placing a huge raw demand on networks, especially in terms of reliability and latency. 

We’re seeing an increase in prevalence of wearable AI, smart device embedded AI and autonomous AI. In order for AI systems to work effectively, they need to be able to pull from access edge or cloud based systems in near real time, making reliable connectivity vital.

The current Wi-Fi standard is struggling to support the abundance of AI use in everyday life. These struggles aren’t anything new – The ever increasing use of personal devices using wireless connectivity has been putting a strain on Wi-Fi networks for a while. 

With the evolution of smart homes, the size and scope of our networks has needed to expand quickly in order to support the number of devices used in our houses.Indeed, larger homes are requiring enterprise-grade networks in order to meet the level of connectivity people expect. 

Wi-Fi 8 and Medical Monitoring Devices

AI garners much of the attention when discussing Wi-Fi 8 and the need for stability over speed, however there is another prevailing need increasing in our homes and that is medical monitoring devices. 

Doctors are starting to rely on patients self-monitoring from home more and more. For the health of non-critical patients, these home-based options are a real life-line. Doctors can keep tabs on patients without the need for them to visit the practice as regularly. 

This is yet another area where network reliability and response time is imperative to enable doctors to communicate with patients via their home network, especially in potentially life-threatening situations. 

Will Wi-Fi 8 Bring the Stability of Wired to our Wireless Networks?

In the press release, De Vegt writes that they want Wi-Fi 8 to bring wireless networks closer to having the same reliability and responsiveness of wired infrastructure. Whether or not Wi-Fi 8 manages to get close to that ambitious aim we’ll have to wait and see. 

The Wi-Fi 8 standard is expected to be finalised in January 2028, so there’s still a little while to wait. You can read the full press release from Qualcomm here.  

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Ruckus vs Aruba Wi-Fi

Which AP is best for your network – Ruckus or Aruba? 

With a wireless market saturated by Access Points and other Wi-Fi hardware, we don’t blame you for wondering which one would be best matched to your network. 

Generally, going for quality is a good place to start if you want your network to function well. There are of course many quality brands manufacturing Access Points, but for the purpose of this article we’re going to take a look at Ruckus and Aruba. Both of these brands have advantages and disadvantages – It’s just a case of comparing these characteristics with your network requirements and determining which would be the best match 

What are the main functions of and differences between Ruckus and Aruba?

Ruckus

Let’s start with Ruckus. Ruckus is developed for high density indoor environments, with Access Points that offer dual band Wi-Fi (meaning they can support both the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands). Ruckus AP’s also have MU-MIMO (multiple user MIMO) capability, meaning they can transmit data to multiple devices simultaneously.

Network Management Options

Ruckus network environments can be managed by on-site or remote controllers for hardware, cloud, virtual, clustered or standalone. 

Network Security

Ruckus AP’s have Dynamic PSK™ Encryption KEy tEchnology. Dynamic pre-Shared Key (pSK) is a patented technology developed to provide robust and secure wireless access while eliminating the arduous task of manual configuration of end devices and the tedious management of encryption keys. You can read more about this on the Ruckus Networks data sheet here. 

Ruckus AP’s also support BYOD technology which is now prevalent across business networks (Bring Your Own Device – when employees use their own personal devices to connect to the organisation’s network and access what they need to do their jobs). 

Network Performance

Ruckus’ patent-pending SmartCast technology combines innovative multicast traffic handling techniques, smart QoS, and application-aware traffic classification capabilities, for top-quality Wi-Fi video transmissions for things like surveillance.

Ruckus also utilises BeamFlex, a combination of multiple high-gain polarized antenna elements and patented software algorithms that are combined in real time to offer an exponential increase in performance. 

Aruba

Aruba is developed for high density environments, with Access Points that offer dual band Wi-Fi (meaning they can support both the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands like Ruckus). Aruba AP’s also have MU-MIMO (multiple user MIMO) capability, meaning they can also transmit data to multiple devices simultaneously.

Network Management Options

Aruba network environments can be managed via Cloud, Local or on-premises. 

Network Security

Aruba has the standard network security functions that can be expected for Wi-Fi hardware, such as VPN, Firewall, Unlimited intrusion prevention etc. 

Network Performance

Aruba uses Beam forming technology, With beamforming, the access point knows where a Wi-Fi device is located and sends the Wi-Fi signal specifically in that direction. The function thus provides fast, strong Wi-Fi signals and great coverage for each device.

Ruckus vs. Aruba – Let’s Compare

So now we know the general functions of both Ruckus and Aruba AP’s, let’s specifically look at how they compare to each other. 

Ruckus vs Aruba – Network Performance

Winner: Ruckus

In terms of Access Points, Ruckus Access Points have better optimal performance and higher network efficiency than that of Aruba. 

The reason for this lies in the AP’s Radio Frequency Technology. As mentioned above, Ruckus AP’s use BeamFlex technology. Standard Beamforming in 802.11ac (like what Aruba uses) is a radio based technology. BeamFlex is an antenna based technology that engages adaptive antennas. The difference between the two is that Ruckus uses beamforming (which is radio based) and combines it with adaptive antennas (BeamFlex which is antenna based) which therefore maximises the performance of the AP. 

Performance is optimised by increasing radio capacity and reducing co-channel interference which leads to the enjoyment of a seamless network. Not only that, but Ruckus can transmit IPTV (internet protocol television) for your multimedia applications. 

Ordinarily, Ruckus performs client load balancing, and it is equipped with airtime fairness to promote Wi-Fi to your slow device. In addition, it also has smart support for apps and frequency band control, allowing your dual-band device to connect to the 5 GHz frequency band to improve network efficiency. 

In comparison, Aruba uses traditional beamforming technology. This enables the AP to concentrate the signal on your device, which also provides a stable network.  

Ruckus vs Aruba – Network Security

Winner: Aruba

When it comes to a more secure network, Aruba has the edge over Ruckus.  

Aruba’s security protocol has been standardised through 802.11 I (IEEE 802.11i-2004, or 802.11i for short, is an amendment to the original IEEE 802.11, implemented as Wi-Fi Protected Access II (WPA2). It also provides a strong firewall in the Aruba mobile controller. 

Ruckus also has its good points when it comes to network security. Ruckus offers BYOD technology and DPSK patented technology (as explained above), which work together to ensure that your network has a subtle level of security.

Ruckus vs Aruba – Overall

Ruckus’ innovative and personalised antenna ray is used to extend the signal range and increase client data for  wireless video, voice and data technology. This eliminates Wi-Fi interference and ensure a reliable and strong Wi-Fi network for your smart Wi-Fi devices. 

You can find Ruckus AP’s on their website here. 

All of Aruba access points use AI-driven radio frequency optimization, intelligent management, dynamic segmentation, and intelligent operation of a wealth of users and applications. In addition, they have been optimised to support IoT devices running Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Zigbee and other third-party protocols.

You can find Aruba’s AC’s on their website here. 

So which is best for your network – Ruckus or Aruba? 

As we’ve outlined in this article, you can find unique features in both Ruckus and Aruba hardware that help to optimise performance. 

Both Ruckus and Aruba have unique features used for optimal performance. Overall, it would seem however that Ruckus can provide you with a more stable and faster network than Aruba. Ruckus maintains performance in high-density environments and offers patented technology to increase network performance.

Don’t forget that it comes down to your own network requirements as to which one you should go for. If you’re not sure, then reach out to the experts! 

Geekabit Wi-Fi Experts

Our expert Wi-Fi engineers are on hand to survey, design and deploy a Wi-Fi network to meet your business needs. 

Get in touch with our friendly team today here. 

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