FortiOS vs. HPE Aruba Networking Operating System

FortiOS is a great platform for deploying multiple FortiNet products and solutions in your environment that are operated under a single management console such as FortiManager. Automation and Orchestration become a reality with its simple API and FortiOS's ability to work with 3rd party API capabilities. FortiOS makes it simple to operate Fortinet's next-generation firewall features such as intrusion detection, SD-WAN, and Identity then consolidates them under a common management interface.

Incentivized

Aruba Wireless works quite well and is stable for enterprise. Once it's running, it works. Once you have it set up, you don't normally need to go in and make changes. Aruba is particularly good on pushing clients to use 5ghz (they say they use some kind of a proprietary algorithm). It may not be appropriate for smaller businesses due to cost and complexity

Incentivized

• Automation
• Orchestration
• Common security fabric
• Easy to use API

Incentivized

• Wireless Access
• Security/Role Management
• Firewalling
• Centralized Management

Incentivized

• Upgrades are difficult to stage
• Upgrade path is complex
• Too many releases
• Latest release is usually not stable across all platforms

Incentivized

• Documentation on Aruba website is very lacking
• Support is hit-or-miss - they may waste a lot of time before you get to someone who has a solution
• Some configuration items are very non-intuitive

Incentivized

FortiOS was easy to learn and came with our Firewall purchase, therefore it was the logical choice. It became evident early on that the FortiOS and security fabric would make our migration quicker and easier from our current legacy platforms. Utilizing tools such as FortiConverter allowed for virtually error-free migrations.

Incentivized

Aruba does quite a good job with GUI configuration, especially with AOS 8 - something that Cisco struggles with (maybe they came up with something new now). Aruba can also easily scale. While not on the same level, Ubiquiti has a good GUI but is lacking a good standard controller - users have to stand their own.

Incentivized

• Fast learning curve made adoption quick
• User interface was easy to learn
• Migration from legacy platforms was smooth, with little downtime or mistakes
• Features and capabilities were easily mastered because of its intuitive UI

Incentivized

• Good return on investment in terms of a working wireless network for thousands of users
• However, troubleshooting and support may be difficult
• Good integration with ClearPass

Incentivized