Jake, It seems that distributed architecture charge a yearly support fee per AP. In the controller based world, we often skip AP support and self insure ourselves due to our large deployments. To keep in mind when the RFP comes back!!!
Also to consider: -IP mobility -Roaming: key exchange, re-auth to RADIUS (load?) -Openflow compatibility (ARISTA and Aruba are working on some Openflow pilots... how do various architecture adapt to switches and AP integrating with each other?) -PoE needs (If the AP is being asked to do more AND 802.11AC comes along...how will that work?) Best, Philippe Hanset www.eduroam.us<http://www.eduroam.us> On Apr 29, 2013, at 10:51 AM, "Barros, Jacob" <[email protected]<mailto:[email protected]>> wrote: Hello all. We are seriously considering replacing our Aruba infrastructure in favor of a distributed model. We are having controller issues this academic year and the appeal of a controller-less model is strong. It feels like I am coming full circle to where I was six years ago. Though I know its not exactly the same, I went back to the thin vs thick debates in the archives. A few things stood out to me as considerations: One concern was vendor longevity. Another was whether or not the thick AP model would be able to keep up with the controller based architecture. An advantage of the controller based architecture that stood out to me was central processing, specifically regarding key exchange. Are these points still valid concerns? If your administration asked you to consider a distributed architecture, what other (vendor-neutral) concerns would you have? Thanks, in advance, for your opinions! Jake Barros | Network Administrator | Office of Information Technology Grace College and Seminary | Winona Lake, IN | 574.372.5100 x6178<tel:574.372.5100%20x6178> ********** Participation and subscription information for this EDUCAUSE Constituent Group discussion list can be found at http://www.educause.edu/groups/. ********** Participation and subscription information for this EDUCAUSE Constituent Group discussion list can be found at http://www.educause.edu/groups/.
