We have Airwave and PI. I started using PI when it was WCS and was very pleased with it. I like PI and where it has come, but it lacks in doing what Cisco states or I feel it should do. Constantly finding new bugs is always painful.
The Airwave deployment is much smaller, but I find it to be smoother operationally and once I understood the flow it works quite well. The reporting is great. Finally, a newer engineer we have is asking if/when we can move to Airwave completely as he is happier working in that platform. Since his history is the newest with both products it leads me to believe users may find Airwave as a smoother ramp up than PI. From: The EDUCAUSE Wireless Issues Constituent Group Listserv [mailto:WIRELESS-LAN@LISTSERV.EDUCAUSE.EDU] On Behalf Of Lee H Badman Sent: Tuesday, January 10, 2017 2:08 PM To: WIRELESS-LAN@LISTSERV.EDUCAUSE.EDU Subject: Re: [WIRELESS-LAN] Prime Infrastructure Validated Alternatives Thanks, John. Interesting information. We have a long history with PI, and it’s various incarnations. It’s been a ride. -Lee Lee Badman | CWNE #200 | Network Architect Information Technology Services 206 Machinery Hall 120 Smith Drive Syracuse, New York 13244 t 315.443.3003 f 315.443.4325 e lhbad...@syr.edu<mailto:lhbad...@syr.edu> w its.syr.edu SYRACUSE UNIVERSITY syr.edu From: The EDUCAUSE Wireless Issues Constituent Group Listserv [mailto:WIRELESS-LAN@LISTSERV.EDUCAUSE.EDU] On Behalf Of Watters, John Sent: Tuesday, January 10, 2017 2:43 PM To: WIRELESS-LAN@LISTSERV.EDUCAUSE.EDU<mailto:WIRELESS-LAN@LISTSERV.EDUCAUSE.EDU> Subject: Re: [WIRELESS-LAN] Prime Infrastructure Validated Alternatives It's hard to tell how often they work on the Cisco parts of the product. I do know that they accepted a bug that I found recently -- radio levels and the corresponding dBm levels were incorrect, even varying between multiple devices of the same mode. For instance, the power level of a 2700i AP could be reported as 1(20 dBm) and an identical AP could report 1(22 dBm). And, this is not just for newer models. As new features are added to the WLCs, these generally get left behind (at least until a bunch of folks complain). I typically use the AMP for the majority of my work. However, if I am dealing with a newer feature, I usually put the AMP into monitor-only mode, make the changes directly to the WLC (GUI and/or CLI), then wait to see if the AMP even detects the change -- usually not. Since I only have five 8510s right now (one for each of our MPLS areas plus one for testing plus one for Athletics) I don’t have to touch too many WLCs. My three AMPs are currently physical Dell servers. The lightest loaded one supports just under 2K APs with two 8510s and the highest loaded one supports just over 3K APs and one 8510. The middle one has about 2,500 APs and two 8510s. This is about as many APs as I feel comfortable with on the 8510s anyway (I think their rated max is 6K). The Dell servers are relatively new with SSD drives and a lot of memory. I am starting to look at upgrading them though to try to get quicker response times. The AMP is supposed to be able to be run on a VM. However, I have opted out of that for now. Another thing that currently irritates me about the AMP is the use of screen space. Slightly older versions have user-dragable column widths while the newest versions seem to scale a column somewhat larger that the max value presented in the column on the screen. The screen will scroll left and right but you lose visibility to the name of the device as it scrolls off the left side of the screen. With the older user-dragable column widths you could often get away with a column only a couple of characters wide if it had something in it like device status (up, down, ignored, planned down, pending). I don’t need to see the full word to see what the status is. The screen I am looking at now has a column width in excess of 20 spaces with the AP client count in it. I can’t possibly get that many clients on a single AP (can you?). Most/all column widths are greatly oversized. Another boy in our group has been paying with the current PI product to help with switch & wireless management. He has no bias against it based on past experience (since he had never seen it before). I don’t think he is very impressed since he never mentions it and I have never seen him playing with it. I expect that at some time we will have to abandon the AMPs simply because the incorporation of new Cisco features seems to be getting further and further behind. However, historical reporting is excellent. Reporting can easily be scheduled on a periodic basis with data being kept (per a config option) for over a year. Ad hoc reporting is also extremely easy. If HP would invest more in this product it could become really great for a Cisco shop. As it is now, it probably depends on the number of WLCs you use (it does also support the old standalone APs that are still in use; I even have a couple for special stuff) and how close to the most recent Cisco code release you are using. I am now on 8.0.140.0. SO, I am not yet current. On the other hand, I have a few more older AP models to get rid of before I can move ahead. It just takes money & time to fix, right? We could end up with both the AMPs as well as PI. John Watters Network Engineer, Office of Information Technology The University of Alabama<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__www.ua.edu_&d=DQMGaQ&c=6vgNTiRn9_pqCD9hKx9JgXN1VapJQ8JVoF8oWH1AgfQ&r=rYfqH_8oTvcXxRxUI3x3m3Y7Nwgir7tnuoGbdZsrUM4&m=YyFUVZpnAGWK84qTZanUGZxzIUzZo3guRLm12QQDtZU&s=HN25rRiKE4p8qlSvDP-d8ggoX1gD97SbvNLVEc-JhZg&e=> A115 Gordon Palmer Hall Box 870346 Tuscaloosa, AL 35487 Phone 205-348-3992<tel:205-348-3992> john.watt...@ua.edu<mailto:john.watt...@ua.edu> [The University of Alabama]<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__www.ua.edu_&d=DQMGaQ&c=6vgNTiRn9_pqCD9hKx9JgXN1VapJQ8JVoF8oWH1AgfQ&r=rYfqH_8oTvcXxRxUI3x3m3Y7Nwgir7tnuoGbdZsrUM4&m=YyFUVZpnAGWK84qTZanUGZxzIUzZo3guRLm12QQDtZU&s=HN25rRiKE4p8qlSvDP-d8ggoX1gD97SbvNLVEc-JhZg&e=> From: The EDUCAUSE Wireless Issues Constituent Group Listserv [mailto:WIRELESS-LAN@LISTSERV.EDUCAUSE.EDU] On Behalf Of Lee H Badman Sent: Tuesday, January 10, 2017 11:54 AM To: WIRELESS-LAN@LISTSERV.EDUCAUSE.EDU<mailto:WIRELESS-LAN@LISTSERV.EDUCAUSE.EDU> Subject: Re: [WIRELESS-LAN] Prime Infrastructure Validated Alternatives Thanks, John. Way back when Airwave was its own company, and did fair amount of testing AMP for articles I wrote for Network Computing. I think I may have touched it once after Aruba bought Airwave (man, oh man I was hoping Cisco would buy them as an early WCS customer). So… I feel like I have at least a conversational familiarity with the UI, etc. and you’re hitting on my concerns- like how often does it get updated and are there any gaps in its ability to config controllers/APs. And.. scalability, VM capabilities, etc. Thanks- Lee Lee Badman | CWNE #200 | Network Architect Information Technology Services 206 Machinery Hall 120 Smith Drive Syracuse, New York 13244 t 315.443.3003 f 315.443.4325 e lhbad...@syr.edu<mailto:lhbad...@syr.edu> w its.syr.edu SYRACUSE UNIVERSITY syr.edu From: The EDUCAUSE Wireless Issues Constituent Group Listserv [mailto:WIRELESS-LAN@LISTSERV.EDUCAUSE.EDU] On Behalf Of Watters, John Sent: Tuesday, January 10, 2017 12:06 PM To: WIRELESS-LAN@LISTSERV.EDUCAUSE.EDU<mailto:WIRELESS-LAN@LISTSERV.EDUCAUSE.EDU> Subject: Re: [WIRELESS-LAN] Prime Infrastructure Validated Alternatives Using HP/Aruba/Airwave AMPs (3) to support 3 MPLS areas on campus. Reporting is much better than PI (at least, the last time I looked, which has been awhile). Management of Cisco WLC & AP configs is good, but not great. Mainly, this is due to them not keeping up with the latest WLC code changes. But, it is still quite manageable. will be glad to talk more off line about it or give a quick demo. The last I heard, the University of Texas (Austin) is also using the Airwave product. John Watters Network Engineer, Office of Information Technology The University of Alabama<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__www.ua.edu_&d=DQMGaQ&c=6vgNTiRn9_pqCD9hKx9JgXN1VapJQ8JVoF8oWH1AgfQ&r=rYfqH_8oTvcXxRxUI3x3m3Y7Nwgir7tnuoGbdZsrUM4&m=YyFUVZpnAGWK84qTZanUGZxzIUzZo3guRLm12QQDtZU&s=HN25rRiKE4p8qlSvDP-d8ggoX1gD97SbvNLVEc-JhZg&e=> A115 Gordon Palmer Hall Box 870346 Tuscaloosa, AL 35487 Phone 205-348-3992<tel:205-348-3992> john.watt...@ua.edu<mailto:john.watt...@ua.edu> [The University of Alabama]<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__www.ua.edu_&d=DQMGaQ&c=6vgNTiRn9_pqCD9hKx9JgXN1VapJQ8JVoF8oWH1AgfQ&r=rYfqH_8oTvcXxRxUI3x3m3Y7Nwgir7tnuoGbdZsrUM4&m=YyFUVZpnAGWK84qTZanUGZxzIUzZo3guRLm12QQDtZU&s=HN25rRiKE4p8qlSvDP-d8ggoX1gD97SbvNLVEc-JhZg&e=> From: The EDUCAUSE Wireless Issues Constituent Group Listserv [mailto:WIRELESS-LAN@LISTSERV.EDUCAUSE.EDU] On Behalf Of Ian Lyons Sent: Tuesday, January 10, 2017 10:23 AM To: WIRELESS-LAN@LISTSERV.EDUCAUSE.EDU<mailto:WIRELESS-LAN@LISTSERV.EDUCAUSE.EDU> Subject: Re: [WIRELESS-LAN] Prime Infrastructure Validated Alternatives Using it yes. Happily, no. Much better than it was (I am told), but leaves a lot to be desired. “A work in Progress” would be my summation. Ian Lyons Network Engineer Rollins College From: The EDUCAUSE Wireless Issues Constituent Group Listserv [mailto:WIRELESS-LAN@LISTSERV.EDUCAUSE.EDU] On Behalf Of Oliver Elliott Sent: Tuesday, January 10, 2017 10:49 AM To: WIRELESS-LAN@LISTSERV.EDUCAUSE.EDU<mailto:WIRELESS-LAN@LISTSERV.EDUCAUSE.EDU> Subject: Re: [WIRELESS-LAN] Prime Infrastructure Validated Alternatives Is anyone even happily using PI? On 10 January 2017 at 15:33, Lee H Badman <lhbad...@syr.edu<mailto:lhbad...@syr.edu>> wrote: This comes up on occasion, and I'm hoping to hear actual cases of users, versus "have you heard about blah blah blah?" For large Cisco WLAN environments on the list, is anyone happily and effectively using non-homegrown wireless management other than Prime Infrastructure? Regards, Lee Lee Badman | Network Architect | CWNE #200 Information Technology Services 206 Machinery Hall 120 Smith Drive Syracuse, New York 13244 t 315.443.3003 f 315.443.4325 e lhbad...@syr.edu<mailto:lhbad...@syr.edu> w its.syr.edu<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__its.syr.edu&d=DQMGaQ&c=6vgNTiRn9_pqCD9hKx9JgXN1VapJQ8JVoF8oWH1AgfQ&r=rYfqH_8oTvcXxRxUI3x3m3Y7Nwgir7tnuoGbdZsrUM4&m=YyFUVZpnAGWK84qTZanUGZxzIUzZo3guRLm12QQDtZU&s=Ll49No5JtZoRKr16znJMByHhXc0sHRcuJTaTJLaa8UI&e=> SYRACUSE UNIVERSITY syr.edu<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__syr.edu&d=DQMGaQ&c=6vgNTiRn9_pqCD9hKx9JgXN1VapJQ8JVoF8oWH1AgfQ&r=rYfqH_8oTvcXxRxUI3x3m3Y7Nwgir7tnuoGbdZsrUM4&m=YyFUVZpnAGWK84qTZanUGZxzIUzZo3guRLm12QQDtZU&s=jVRVKCSWG0pAht6odyeIkHlgdvz6ULwINC0gP6eq1o0&e=> ********** Participation and subscription information for this EDUCAUSE Constituent Group discussion list can be found at http://www.educause.edu/discuss<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__www.educause.edu_discuss&d=DQMGaQ&c=6vgNTiRn9_pqCD9hKx9JgXN1VapJQ8JVoF8oWH1AgfQ&r=rYfqH_8oTvcXxRxUI3x3m3Y7Nwgir7tnuoGbdZsrUM4&m=YyFUVZpnAGWK84qTZanUGZxzIUzZo3guRLm12QQDtZU&s=6DOS1YjuwmSnc0SuoSGg8V9yRWa-sOZFQZlNYDMaVbQ&e=>. -- Oliver Elliott Senior Network Specialist IT Services, University of Bristol t: 0117 39 (41131) ********** Participation and subscription information for this EDUCAUSE Constituent Group discussion list can be found at http://www.educause.edu/discuss<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__www.educause.edu_discuss&d=DQMGaQ&c=6vgNTiRn9_pqCD9hKx9JgXN1VapJQ8JVoF8oWH1AgfQ&r=rYfqH_8oTvcXxRxUI3x3m3Y7Nwgir7tnuoGbdZsrUM4&m=YyFUVZpnAGWK84qTZanUGZxzIUzZo3guRLm12QQDtZU&s=6DOS1YjuwmSnc0SuoSGg8V9yRWa-sOZFQZlNYDMaVbQ&e=>. ********** Participation and subscription information for this EDUCAUSE Constituent Group discussion list can be found at http://www.educause.edu/discuss<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__www.educause.edu_discuss&d=DQMGaQ&c=6vgNTiRn9_pqCD9hKx9JgXN1VapJQ8JVoF8oWH1AgfQ&r=rYfqH_8oTvcXxRxUI3x3m3Y7Nwgir7tnuoGbdZsrUM4&m=YyFUVZpnAGWK84qTZanUGZxzIUzZo3guRLm12QQDtZU&s=6DOS1YjuwmSnc0SuoSGg8V9yRWa-sOZFQZlNYDMaVbQ&e=>. ********** Participation and subscription information for this EDUCAUSE Constituent Group discussion list can be found at http://www.educause.edu/discuss<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__www.educause.edu_discuss&d=DQMGaQ&c=6vgNTiRn9_pqCD9hKx9JgXN1VapJQ8JVoF8oWH1AgfQ&r=rYfqH_8oTvcXxRxUI3x3m3Y7Nwgir7tnuoGbdZsrUM4&m=YyFUVZpnAGWK84qTZanUGZxzIUzZo3guRLm12QQDtZU&s=6DOS1YjuwmSnc0SuoSGg8V9yRWa-sOZFQZlNYDMaVbQ&e=>. ********** Participation and subscription information for this EDUCAUSE Constituent Group discussion list can be found at http://www.educause.edu/discuss<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__www.educause.edu_discuss&d=DQMGaQ&c=6vgNTiRn9_pqCD9hKx9JgXN1VapJQ8JVoF8oWH1AgfQ&r=rYfqH_8oTvcXxRxUI3x3m3Y7Nwgir7tnuoGbdZsrUM4&m=YyFUVZpnAGWK84qTZanUGZxzIUzZo3guRLm12QQDtZU&s=6DOS1YjuwmSnc0SuoSGg8V9yRWa-sOZFQZlNYDMaVbQ&e=>. ********** Participation and subscription information for this EDUCAUSE Constituent Group discussion list can be found at http://www.educause.edu/discuss<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__www.educause.edu_discuss&d=DQMGaQ&c=6vgNTiRn9_pqCD9hKx9JgXN1VapJQ8JVoF8oWH1AgfQ&r=rYfqH_8oTvcXxRxUI3x3m3Y7Nwgir7tnuoGbdZsrUM4&m=YyFUVZpnAGWK84qTZanUGZxzIUzZo3guRLm12QQDtZU&s=6DOS1YjuwmSnc0SuoSGg8V9yRWa-sOZFQZlNYDMaVbQ&e=>. ********** Participation and subscription information for this EDUCAUSE Constituent Group discussion list can be found at http://www.educause.edu/discuss<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__www.educause.edu_discuss&d=DQMGaQ&c=6vgNTiRn9_pqCD9hKx9JgXN1VapJQ8JVoF8oWH1AgfQ&r=rYfqH_8oTvcXxRxUI3x3m3Y7Nwgir7tnuoGbdZsrUM4&m=YyFUVZpnAGWK84qTZanUGZxzIUzZo3guRLm12QQDtZU&s=6DOS1YjuwmSnc0SuoSGg8V9yRWa-sOZFQZlNYDMaVbQ&e=>. ********** Participation and subscription information for this EDUCAUSE Constituent Group discussion list can be found at http://www.educause.edu/discuss.