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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY!
july2014
Architecture Comparison
Ruckus Focused on cost-friendly and easy to use solutions for SMB/SME and massive scale for large
networks includes on-site or remote controllers (hardware, virtual, or cloud; standalone or clustered), cloud
location services (analytics included), scalable data analytics platform, hosted public access solution
Aruba Focused on Fortune 500 with niche features and cumbersome configuration; secondarily offers
performance-constrained SMB option controllerless APs, on-site or remote controllers (hardware only),
primitive cloud access, edge switches, location engine (no analytics), and access management platform
FEATURE COMPARISON
RF PERFORMANCE
Feature! Ruckus! Aruba!
BeamFlex! ! -! Ruckus
BeamFlex adaptive antenna enhances reliability and
ChannelFly! ! -! throughput for all clients (802.11a/b/g/n/ac, 1-4
Adaptive Mesh! ! -! streams) while reducing neighbor interference
Smart channel optimization, airtime fairness, load and
Per-user PSK! ! -!
band balancing, multicast optimization combined
Free Onboarding! ! -! features enable consistent, high-capacity performance
PD-MRC! ! -! Aruba
11ac TxBF mildly benefits 1-stream 11ac clients (and no
Virtual Controller! ! -! other) if they support TxBF
Massive Scalability! ! -! Overwhelming RF feature knobs and buttons
performance is inconsistent across Aruba solutions, and
Easy to Use! ! -!
real-world bakeoffs consistently prove it out
Feature Licensing! !
Cost Comparison
Looking at two common scenarios for SMB networks with 25 and 50 11ac APs, we see a considerable
cost disparity between the two controller-based solutions*. But typically, due to performance advantages,
Ruckus requires 20+% fewer APs, generating strong Ruckus favor with decision makers and executives.
Ruckus'ZD3000'&'R700''
Ruckus'ZD3000'&'R700'(20%'fewer'APs)'
$90,000' $81,145'
Aruba'7010/7030'&'AP225'
$80,000'
$70,000'
$58,750'
$60,000'
$48,800'
$50,000' $41,285'
$40,000' $30,875'
$25,900'
$30,000'
$20,000'
$10,000'
$0'
25'11ac'APs' 50'11ac'APs'
*Includes APs, controllers, AP licensing, and typical controller feature licensing. Does not include support.
the11ac Performance
tests
What: Ruckus R700 vs Aruba AP22511ac access points supporting MacBook Pro (11ac or 11n) laptops
How: Test downlink and uplink TCP throughput at multiple distances using Chariot high throughput script
Why: Most vendors demonstrate relatively similar performance with a single client, but
Maximum per client performance has a direct affect on WLAN service quality both for low client counts,
and increasingly, as more clients are added to the network
Ruckus always encourages testing client devices at scale with the applications that will be used in the
real-world. Youll notice that as you add clients (as in the real world), the performance advantages of
Ruckus become increasingly more evident (see next page).
Ruckus'R700' Aruba'AP225'
the11ac Performance
tests
What: Ruckus R700 vs Aruba AP225 11ac access points supporting high density clients (11ac and 11n)
How: Test downlink, uplink, and bi-directional TCP traffic using Chariot high throughput script
Why: Many enterprises depend on APs to deliver reliable high performance Wi-Fi at scale:
We demonstrate Ruckus APs ability to handle load from mixed client types and capabilities
Efficient airtime utilization by Ruckus increases capacity and maximizes spectrum resources
Ruckus supports more clients with higher service quality and reliability with fewer APs
Enterprises can be confident in their ability to handle high density or BYOD with Ruckus
1 AP
2 Classrooms
Bi-Directional
TCP Throughput (Mbps)
TCP Throughput (Mbps)
180 400
154 346
160 350
140 129 300
120 269
120 108 109 248 245
105 250
100 204
187
200
80
150
60
40 100
20 50
0 0
Downlink Uplink Bi-Directional 20 40 60
connected'clients'
!"
Ruckus T300 outperforms Aruba AP225 in 22 out of 23 (96%) tests, despite being lower cost
($1295 vs $1995), 3x lighter weight, 6x smaller, and 2x less power consumption. It also has only
two spatial streams (i.e. MIMO radio chains) compared with Arubas three spatial streams.
the tests
What: Ruckus T300 (2x2) vs. Aruba 275 (3x3) 11ac range performance test for outdoor networking
How: Perform downlink and uplink throughput tests with different clients at different ranges
Why: Single-client testing does not always show significant differences, but its a helpful baseline
Well-designed APs maximize both downlink and uplink, and should be tested accordingly
Aruba'275'(3x3)' Ruckus'T300'(2x2)'
5 GHz Downlink (Mbps)
294
300
248
250
188
200 167 162
150 125 117
98 87
100 76 65 69
56 60 55 47
34
50 15
0
50 ft 200 ft 300 ft 50 ft 200 ft 300 ft 50 ft 200 ft 300 ft
iPad Mini
Samsung Galaxy Note Samsung Galaxy S5
(11n, 1x1)
(11ac, 1x1)
(11ac, 2x2)
200
5 GHz Uplink (Mbps)
196
156
150
115
100
100 72
69
59 52 51 55 60 59
50 35 37
23 28 24
12
0
50 ft 200 ft 300 ft 50 ft 200 ft 300 ft 50 ft 200 ft 300 ft
iPad Mini
Samsung Galaxy Note Samsung Galaxy S5
(11n, 1x1)
(11ac, 1x1)
(11ac, 2x2)
the tests
What: Ruckus T300 (2x2) vs. Aruba 275 (3x3) 11ac capacity performance test for outdoor networking
How: Perform downlink and uplink and/or bi-directional throughput tests with different client testbeds
Why: Outdoor APs are deployed in high-density areas where users congregate and demand capacity:
Outdoor APs service different client mixtures including 11n and 11ac, mobile devices and laptops
Downlink, uplink, and bi-directional traffic are increasingly important with automated sync services (e.g.
iCloud), media uploads/sharing (e.g. Instagram, Vine, Facebook, etc.), and social media.
Its easy to think that APs with better specs (higher max data rate) will deliver better performance. But,
we prove that better-designed products can deliver more capacity at lower cost.
Aruba'275'(3x3)' Ruckus'T300'(2x2)'
Ruckus actively operates on and predicts channel Arubas ARM algorithm passively measures channel
Active Channel capacity for each channel, collecting valid, real-use quality by going off-channel when it can, capturing less
Selection (ChannelFly)! statistics and increasing capacity for the entire WLAN.! than 0.1% of traffic on a non-operating channel.!
Built-in to the Ruckus solution is an onboarding tool that By combining Aruba WLAN and ClearPass, Aruba offers
Native User Onboarding auto-provisions client devices with a connection profile. an expensive and complex onboarding option for
(Zero-IT Activation)! Easy access with no admin intervention. ! enterprises with deep pockets. Its not for the faint of heart.!
SmartMesh is enhanced by adaptive BeamFlex Arubas offers mesh as a static AP mode with fixed
antennas, capacity-based path selection, adaptive wired antennas optimized for either client access or mesh
SmartMesh Networking! failover, self-healing and -forming algorithms, and one- backhaul (not both). Complex setup is required and wired
click setup. ! APs do not failover to mesh link if wired uplink fails.!
Smart antenna design by Ruckus incorporates by Polarization diversity only on outdoor AP models. Not
Polarization Diversity horizontal and vertical adaptive polarization to match offered on indoor APs where mobile clients are held in
with MRC! client device orientation and improve predictability.! varying orientations and uplink suffers.!
With controller clustering and integrated management for Due to a fully centralized enterprise architecture and a
up to 30k APs, Ruckus can support very large and scale-constrained Instant architecture, Aruba has no easy
Massive Scale! redundant networks with only a few controllers and one means of scaling for very large networks without tens of
touch-point for management.! controllers and multiple points of management.!
Full feature support with no added licensing. Redundant ArubaOS platform requires feature licensing for multiple
Feature Licensing! controller SKUs available at low cost for smart features including WIPS, policy-enforcement firewall,
redundancy. ! spectrum analysis. Same applies to backup controllers.!
ClientMatch is an Aruba feature that intelligently Ruckus SmartRoam feature incorporates the same AP-assisted client
distributed clients across available APs and steers roaming functions as ClientMatch. Unfortunately, most clients do not support
ClientMatch! connected clients to new APs that can serve them true AP-assisted roaming via 802.11v. Like SmartRoam, ClientMatch is
better, while avoiding performance problems and relegated to aggressive forced roaming measures like disassociations.
enhancing network capacity.! Ruckus also supports 11k and 11r to improve handoffs. !
L2-7 ACLs on Ruckus solution provide the filtering and control our customers
Arubas mobility controllers include an ICSA-certified
are looking for from the Wi-Fi solution. The same customers already have
stateful firewall, which enables inspection of
purpose-built firewalls at the right network segmentation points in their
Stateful sessions on a per-user/device basis, application
network and, similar to L7 application policies, do not want to duplicate effort
Firewall! identification, QoS prioritization and optimization.
via Wi-Fi. Ruckus further enhances performance and security with rate
Role-based policies can then be applied based on
limiting policies, OS-based policies, and custom application heuristics that
this unique capability.!
identify and prioritize voice/video apps.!
Ruckus has also finished and passed testing requirements for Lync
Aruba has led the Wi-Fi industry as the first
certification. Our compliments to Aruba for integrating Lync-specific
Microsoft-certified Lync Wi-Fi provider. Aruba has
application monitoring with AirWave. The goal at Ruckus is to focus on
also partnered with Microsoft by integrating Lync-
Lync! enhancing the RF stability and application performance of Wi-Fi and to more
specific APIs into its product and Lync-specific
effectively meet the requirements of applications like real-time voice/video
application monitoring and traffic reporting in
with Lync. As a result, we prevent more problems on the front end of the
AirWave.!
solution, instead of reporting the problems on the backend.!
Arubas VPN architecture increases the need for Aruba to overbuild their
controller hardware, even though many customers dont require extensive
VPN solutions in the WLAN controller. For teleworkers or remote AP
situations, Ruckus controllers easily support distributed AP deployments
VPN and Aruba claims Ruckus does not support a VPN or
(remote AP model) with encrypted tunneling back to the centralized
Remote AP! Remote AP solution within our controller.!
controller. AP and WLAN grouping make it very easy to setup, deploy, and
centrally manage from the controller. Remote APs could also support
networks with local traffic breakout directly to the Internet, if tunneling
through a central is not desired.!
Though unified wired/wireless has been the buzz phrase du jour in networking,
Arubas mobility access switches Arubas switching portfolio accounts for a very small portion of their business, and
seamlessly integrate with AirWave, appears to be a me too product. IT teams are looking for simpler switch configuration,
Integrated
ClearPass, and Aruba APs to provide a which should rule out Arubas notoriously complex approach to policies and profiles
Wired/ next-generation security approach based solutions that sound good on paper, but are very cumbersome to use. Ruckus opts for a
Wireless! on role-based policy and contextual data, best-of-breed approach to wired/wireless integration, where standards ensure
instead of using legacy VLANs and ACLs. ! interoperability. With a focus on reduced power consumption and 802.3af PoE for 11ac
APs, we are also compatible with more switches and dont require 802.3at PoE.!
Ruckus SAMs cloud offering is a fully hosted Ruckus cloud access and guest
Aruba claims that their Aruba Central management solution. vSCG also enables cloud-based managed services for small
Cloud cloud solution is superior and that Ruckus businesses, hosted by Ruckus partners. Further, Ruckus cloud efforts also include
Solutions! does not have a cloud solution generally services, like SPoT (location technology) that benefit most from the scalability, cost, and
available for enterprises.! distributed networking benefits provided by cloud. In the meantime, Aruba Central has
been criticized for immaturity and lean features. !
With ClearPass Guest products, Aruba ClearPass does offer some features not offered directly by Ruckus, but the same
BYOD and customers can deploy sophisticated customer solution requirements can be and often are met by Ruckus partners. We
Guest secure guest access networks and tackle the BYOD necessities for free with ZoneFlex, including high capacity Wi-Fi, easy
Solutions! policies. Aruba claims that Ruckus has secure onboarding with Zero-IT, unique security solutions like DPSK, OS-based
only rudimentary BYOD/guest solutions.! controls, app controls, integrated guest management, SMS, and much more.!
Site 2
SmartCell
Site 2
Instant
AirWave
Tunneled'
SCG
LAN/WAN
Cluster
LAN/WAN
Mobility
Tunneled'
Controller
Site 3
Site 3
Local'
Breakout'
Management' Management'
Control' Control'
Local'Data' Local'Data'
Tunnel'Data' Tunnel'Data'
Site 1
Site 1
LAN/WAN
API
LAN/WAN
SPoT
ALE
Mobility Controller
Ruckus Smart Positioning Technology (SPoT)
Aruba Analytics and Location Engine (ALE)
Most accurate technique (3-8m) for location Poor accuracy (~10m) for location estimates
estimates using RF Fingerprint
using RSSI trilateration
Built-in best-in-class analytics
No built-in analytics; requires 3rd party analytics
Pre- and post-engine APIs for app flexibility
API provided for customer app development
Cloud-based SPoT engine and analytics makes On-site virtualized ALE runs on customer
multi-site deployments very easy and scalable
hardware and does not scale well for multi-site
Very easy to setup, configure, and deploy
Meridian app kit also available for app help
Our previous Wi-Fi network was based on older technology and was simply no longer a viable
infrastructure for delivering the robust, high-performance service users have come to expect within
Silicon Valley. Fast and reliable wireless connectivity is no longer negotiable it has become table
stakes when trying to attract world-class events and businesses that want to come to San Jos.
Recent technology advances in wireless signal controls and smart Wi-Fi meshing made by Ruckus
enable us to deliver just that.
Vijay Sammeta, Chief Information Officer
Satisfied Customers
Ruckus Highlights
Publicly traded on NYSE (RKUS)
Worldwide market share leader in service provider Wi-Fi
Formed: June 2004
segment for both unit shipments and revenue (DellOro)
Customers 36,000+
Recognized as leader in IDC MarketScape enterprise
WLAN 2013-2014 vendor analysis
Solution Partners: 11,000+
Copyright 2014, Ruckus Wireless, Inc. All rights reserved. Ruckus Wireless and Ruckus Wireless design Ruckus Wireless, Inc.
are registered in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. Ruckus Wireless, the Ruckus Wireless logo, 350 West Java Drive
BeamFlex, ZoneFlex, MediaFlex, FlexMaster, ZoneDirector, SpeedFlex, SmartCast, SmartCell, ChannelFly
and Dynamic PSK are trademarks of Ruckus Wireless, Inc. in the United States and other countries. All
Sunnyvale, CA 94089 USA
other trademarks mentioned in this document or website are the property of their respective owners. (650) 265-4200 Ph \ (408) 738-2065 Fx www.ruckuswireless.com
RUCKUS WIRELESS PROPRIETARY AND CONFIDENTIAL