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  • 1.  Aruba controllers and aps replacement

    Posted Mar 30, 2026 05:24 AM
    Infrastructure Context:
    • Architecture: Aruba AOS 8.12.0.2 SSR (Mobility Master + redundant Mobility Controllers).
    • Scale: 403 APs deployed across a central site and remote sites (via VPN).
    • Management: AirWave 8.3.0.3.
    • License Status:
      • MM: 407/500 licenses used.
      • AirWave: 496 licenses used.
      • AP Features: Full PEF and RF Protect enabled.
    • LAN Environment: Aruba L3/L2 PoE switches and firewalls limited to 1G ports            
    • Question 1 / I am looking to replace our Aruba 7210 Mobility Controllers. is there a specific controller model you would recommend that handles 500 APs while remaining compatible with a 1G uplink environment ??
    •  * Question 2 / When replacing the controllers, will the existing licenses remain valid for the new hardware (APs, Mobility Master, and AirWave)??
    • * Question 3/  Is the Aruba 9012 controller a good choice to replace the 7030 ?? It needs to ensure compatibility with the existing Wi-Fi infrastructure (as listed above) while managing between 15 and 64 APs.
    • *Question 4 / Are the Aruba 505 (indoor) and Aruba 575 (outdoor) models suitable to complement the existing APs (305, 375, 505)?? I need to ensure full compatibility with the current infrastructure (as listed above).


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  • 2.  RE: Aruba controllers and aps replacement

    Posted Mar 31, 2026 01:27 AM

    you can also move to AOS10 architecture and get all the gateways and APs managed by Aruba Central. so with AOS10, you will not need Airwave or MM. and in most cases you can consolidate your gateways too.

    but if you need to stay with AOS8 then 9240 gateways will handle 512x APs, and 9106 is a good replacement for 7030 that can support upto 256x APs, 9004/9012 with AOS8 can support up to 32x APs.

    with AOS10 arch since most the control plane services are in Aruba Central, you can scale the gateways much better, in the case of AOS10 then you can use 9012 to replace the 7030.



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    Any opinions expressed here are solely my own and not necessarily that of HPE or Aruba.
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  • 3.  RE: Aruba controllers and aps replacement

    Posted Mar 31, 2026 05:58 AM

    Thank you for the informative answer.

    Regarding my 2nd question : will the licenses remain valid for all new hardware, or will they need to be replaced ???

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    Original Message


  • 4.  RE: Aruba controllers and aps replacement

    Posted Mar 31, 2026 10:49 AM

    When you move to AOS10, it uses subscriptions and Central. You can best work with your HPE Networking partner to find out what that means in cost; but the Mobility Conductor is not needed anymore as it's function is taken over by Central.

    If you stay on AOS8, it may be that you can migrate your existing licenses if they are still under an active support contract; best to work with your partner in that case as well. If you intend to run AOS8, make sure that you have controller models that do run AOS8.



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    Herman Robers
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    If you have urgent issues, always contact your HPE Aruba Networking partner, distributor, or Aruba TAC Support. Check https://www.arubanetworks.com/support-services/contact-support/ for how to contact HPE Aruba Networking TAC. Any opinions expressed here are solely my own and not necessarily that of Hewlett Packard Enterprise or HPE Aruba Networking.

    In case your problem is solved, please invest the time to post a follow-up with the information on how you solved it. Others can benefit from that.
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    Original Message


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