Thanks to all so far. To answer some questions: We have 145 ap's deployed. However that is likely to go up as we address high density areas and re-deploy for 5GHz. Some of that will happen as part of this summer's upgrades. Unfortunately, I cannot afford a complete overhaul so we would have to maintain both systems for at least one more academic year. That does weigh heavily on our decision.
Regarding a/c, please correct me if I am mistaken, but I believe that the investment should wait until rev2 or whenever multi-user MIMO is mainstream. I anticipate the distributed environment to be much more conducive to the newest ratification. I will not have to upgrade a controller again, rather only replace the AP. Our controller is dropping clients. Aruba has confirmed that this is the case and only offered to sell me an updated sup card as a fix. We do have had several cases open and still do now. Effort is not in question here, just results. Unfortunately having redundant controllers never fit into our budget model. With a distributed model, no redundancy is needed. We are considering Aerohive, using the HiveManager installed on a VM instead of the cloud-based version. I have had four Aerohive AP's running in an off-campus dorm this academic year and am pleased so far. It is a single point of management and metric gathering similarly to the Aruba web UI, but with all metrics included, not needing an additional server i.e. Airwave. The greatest management disadvantage I have identified so far is that changes to any AP require a reboot. With Aruba, I can make many changes in real time. I am trying to build a long term cost analysis considering a five year life for each AP. At first estimates, the costs appear to be similar and not a key decision point. POE costs are a definite concern, but that exists with whatever architecture model we choose. So far, I do not believe anyone has thrown a red flag. Is that a fair assessment? Jake Barros | Network Administrator | Office of Information Technology Grace College and Seminary | Winona Lake, IN | 574.372.5100 x6178 On Mon, Apr 29, 2013 at 11:59 AM, Bob Williamson <[email protected]>wrote: > While significantly smaller than most on this list, I would like to throw > in my two cents:**** > > ** ** > > We are using Meraki to manage our Ipads, ipods, etc. It works great. > Having said that, if there is any interruption (internet, problems with > firewall, their site, whatever) the only downside would be that we could > not install apps, change settings, etc. until the issue was rectified.**** > > ** ** > > I hesitate to put something that is more critical, like a wireless > controller, offsite as it is a more time sensitive system. Even without > internet our users can logon and work locally.**** > > ** ** > > We are using a Ruckus ZD3000 with 31 APs and have had zero downtime, > coverage is excellent, and speeds are fast. We feel strongly enough about > it we purchased a second ZD3000 and have them synced at all times. The > failover is instant (almost) and the second unit was very inexpensive. > Best thing about the Ruckus is the interface is MUCH easier than the Aruba > that we retired. . The APs act independent from the controller (for the > most part.**** > > ** ** > > Maybe I am showing my age, but giving up all control to “the cloud” spooks > me.**** > > ** ** > > Hope that helps,**** > > Bob Williamson > Network Administrator > Annie Wright Schools | 827 N Tacoma Ave, Tacoma, WA 98403 | www.aw.org > D: 253.272.2216 | F: 253.572.3616 | [email protected] > > Mission: Annie Wright's strong community cultivates individual learners to > become well-educated, creative, and responsible citizens for a global > society. > > Find Annie Wright Schools on > Facebook<http://www.facebook.com/anniewrightschools> > Follow our Head of Schools on Twitter @AWShead<http://www.twitter.com/awshead> > **** > > ** ** > > "*Be green; keep it on the screen*." ~ AWS Green Team**** > > ** ** > > ** ** > > *From:* The EDUCAUSE Wireless Issues Constituent Group Listserv [mailto: > [email protected]] *On Behalf Of *Jesse Safran > *Sent:* Monday, April 29, 2013 8:23 AM > *To:* [email protected] > *Subject:* Re: [WIRELESS-LAN] Distributed WiFi model - Thin vs Thick > debate revisited**** > > ** ** > > Aerohive is not cloud only. They do have a Virtual HiveManager that you > can run on VMWare. One of the things that really makes them stand out from > Meraki, IMO.**** > > ** ** > > On Mon, Apr 29, 2013 at 11:20 AM, Thomas Carter <[email protected]> > wrote:**** > > Additional items I’m sure you’ve seen in the archives, but not listed here: > Controller Pros: > > - Easy central config management and monitoring > > - Centralized rogue detection and coutermeasures > Controller Cons: > > - Controllers are critical hardware to monitor and manage > > - License chaos (do you have the correct licenses on the > controller for the APs you have) > > The cloud-based “controllerless” options like Aerohive seem to strike a > middle balance, but I’m a little leery; too many cloud-based things are not > living up to the hype. > > Thomas Carter > Network and Operations Manager > Austin College > 903-813-2564 > [AusColl_Logo_Email] > > From: The EDUCAUSE Wireless Issues Constituent Group Listserv [mailto: > [email protected]] On Behalf Of Barros, Jacob > Sent: Monday, April 29, 2013 9:52 AM > To: [email protected] > Subject: [WIRELESS-LAN] Distributed WiFi model - Thin vs Thick debate > revisited**** > > > 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 <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/.**** > > > > > -- > Jesse Safran > Sr. Desktop Supervisor/Assist. Network Admin > Green Mountain College > 1 Brennan Circle > Poultney, VT 05764 > 802-287-0105 (Cell) > 802-287-8264 (IT Computer Support Line) > [email protected] **** > > ********** 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/. > > ********** Participation and subscription information for this EDUCAUSE Constituent Group discussion list can be found at http://www.educause.edu/groups/.
