HP HPE2-W07 Selling Aruba Products and Solutions Exam Practice Test

According to Aruba’s website1, Zero Trust Security provides “context-based” access policies because it can identify and profile users and devices on the network, and define roles and assign granular role-based policies to them2. This means that the solution can give different access rights to the same user based on additional factors, such as device type, time, and location3.

A branch office that needs a simple deployment is a scenario for which Aruba Instant APs are the recommended wireless solution12. Aruba Instant APs are controllerless APs that can form a self-organizing and self-healing mesh network with one AP acting as a virtual controller (VC) that automatically configures and manages other APs12. This simplifies the deployment and operation of branch networks without requiring additional hardware or software licenses12. A home office that needs a simple way to connect to a corporate office is not a scenario for which Aruba Instant APs are the recommended wireless solution; rather it is a scenario for which Aruba Remote APs (RAPs) are the recommended wireless solution. RAPs are controller-based APs that can establish secure VPN tunnels with an Aruba Mobility Controller (MC) located at the corporate office and provide seamless access to corporate resources for remote workers3. An enterprise that needs automation and centralized management is not a scenario for which Aruba Instant APs are the recommended wireless solution; rather it is a scenario for which ArubaOS 10 (AOS 10) APs are the recommended wireless solution. AOS 10 APs are distributed network operating system (DNOS) devices that can be managed by Aruba Central, a cloud-based platform that provides automation, AI-powered optimization, and unified wired and wireless management24. An enterprise that needs bluetooth for location-based services is not a scenario for which Aruba Instant APs are the recommended wireless solution; rather it is a scenario for which Aruba Beacons or Tags are the recommended wireless solution. Beacons and Tags use Bluetooth Low-Energy (BLE) technology to provide indoor location data for mobile apps that can enhance user engagement, wayfinding, asset tracking, and analytics56.

A key advantage of Aruba Central is that it provides single-pane-of-glass management for the complete network, while Cisco offers many different product lines with different management tools. Aruba Central is a cloud-based platform that simplifies the management of wired, wireless, SD-WAN, and security across campus, branch, remote, and data center locations.

Aruba Client Match is aware of which clients support Wi-Fi 6 and distributes clients across APs so as to optimize throughput1. Aruba Wi-Fi 6 APs provide high-performance, medium-density connectivity for enterprise networks of any size1. They also support features such as OFDMA, MU-MIMO, and Target Wake Time for better multi-user performance and improved efficiency1.

You can pursue more deals, as the wired total addressable market (TAM) is larger than the wireless one2. Aruba switches offer high performance, scalability, security, and intelligence for enterprise networks of any size3.

Cisco Meraki security is complex to manage, with many different interfaces, while Aruba offers integrated security management. This is a key point you should make when positioning Aruba Zero Trust Security versus Cisco Meraki.

According to Aruba’s website1, Aruba Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) solutions are solutions that allow customers to consume Aruba’s technology as a service with HPE GreenLake for Aruba. This means that customers can access Aruba’s entire portfolio of networking, security, and edge services without having to own or manage any hardware or software.

What distinguishes an Aruba SaaS solution from a simple subscription-based solution is that with the SaaS solution, Aruba handles maintaining and updating the software2. This means that customers do not have to worry about software patches, upgrades, or licenses. They also get access to the latest features and innovations from Aruba.

IT is concerned about the security implications of moving workloads to the edge because it exposes more data and devices to potential threats. According to a survey by IDC and Lumen Technologies, 72% of IT leaders cited security as their top challenge for edge computing.

It enables the customer to obtain additional value from legacy infrastructure that is ready to be retired4. HPEFS Accelerated Migration service is a program that helps customers transform their data center and generate a cash infusion from their owned assets with minimal disruptions to their current environment using HPE Financial Services45.

One Aruba solution that you should emphasize meets these requirements is Aruba AirWave with its UCC Analytics dashboard4. Aruba AirWave is a network management tool that provides granular visibility into wired and wireless networks, devices, applications, and users. It also has a UCC Analytics dashboard that monitors key metrics such as call quality, MOS scores, jitter, packet loss, latency, etc., for Microsoft Skype for Business and other UCC applications. It helps IT teams quickly identify and resolve issues affecting UCC performance.

Aruba ESP is a cloud-native platform that automates, unifies and secures the edge network using AI-powered insights3. One of its benefits is Aruba Central, a cloud-based network management solution that enables zero touch provisioning for Aruba APs and switches4. This means that you can deploy new network devices faster and easier without manual configuration or expert intervention.

A dentist office wants to provide wireless access for employees and guests, while maintaining high security1. Aruba Instant On is designed for small businesses that need simple and affordable network solutions with enterprise-grade security features26.

NetEdit helps customers more easily audit Aruba CX switches settings and software. NetEdit is a network configuration and orchestration tool that enables customers to automate the deployment and management of Aruba CX switches. NetEdit provides features such as network-wide validation, compliance checks, firmware updates, and configuration rollback.

Instant On solutions can seamlessly grow into Aruba ESP solutions, while Ubiquiti only offers SMB solutions1. Aruba Instant On is a small-business wired and wireless network solution that provides reliable, robust, and secure Wi-Fi connection ready for today’s IoT, work-from-home, remote-learning, online-everything world2. Ubiquiti is a competitor that offers wireless networking products and solutions for small and medium businesses3.

Aruba has extensive experience in network security and has created easy-to-use solutions4. Aruba’s Zero Trust Security framework leverages dynamic segmentation, identity-based access policies, and AI-powered threat detection to protect networks from attacks.

Based on these specific pain points, you should recommend Aruba asset tracking tags as an additional solution to your customer. Aruba asset tracking tags are BLE-based devices that can be attached to physical assets such as equipment or inventory and tracked by using their location-ready Aruba WLAN6 [7]. This helps your customer increase staff efficiency, reduce costs, and improve customer satisfaction by enabling them to locate critical assets in real time, optimize asset utilization, prevent theft or loss of assets, and automate inventory management6 [7]. You should not recommend Aruba Central as an additional solution to your customer based on these specific pain points. Aruba Central is a cloud-based network management platform that provides simplified operations and automation, but does not address the customer’s need for asset tracking. You should not recommend Aruba Meridian and beacons as an additional solution to your customer based on these specific pain points. Aruba Meridian is a mobile app platform that leverages beacons to provide indoor location data, but does not address the customer’s need for tracking assets left in other departments. You should not recommend Aruba Analytics Location Engine (ALE) as an additional solution to your customer based on these specific pain points. Aruba ALE is a software engine that collects Wi-Fi data from controllers, but does not address the customer’s need for finding equipment quickly.

You should recommend Aruba User Experience Insight (UXI) for a hotel/convention center that needs to ensure consistent high quality for its mobile services. Aruba UXI is a solution that proactively monitors, troubleshoots, and addresses application and network performance issues1. It consists of hassle-free sensors and a simple-to-use, cloud-based dashboard to assess networks and apps2.

According to HPE’s website1, HPE and Aruba Edge-to-Cloud Solutions are solutions that enable customers to connect, protect, analyze, and act on data from edge to cloud. They include networking, security, compute, storage, and cloud services that are delivered as a service or on-premises.

One characteristic of HPE and Aruba Edge-to-Cloud Solutions is that they provide RESTful APIs to make them open to easy integration with other applications2. This allows customers to leverage existing tools and workflows and customize their solutions according to their needs.

Aruba AIOps provides insights for network health and connectivity performance1. It uses AI and analytics to identify root causes, auto-remediate issues, proactively monitor user experience, and optimize the network23.

Virtual Switching Extension (VSX) helps to reduce downtime for a network core of ArubaOS switches, while also providing a simple architecture4. It enables high availability and load balancing across multiple switches without using complex protocols.

Aruba Services Manager (ASM) grants customers visibility into their network infrastructure, speeding up tasks such as threat assessment3. ASM is a cloud-based platform that provides a single pane of glass for managing Aruba Managed Connectivity Services (MCS).

The benefit of a higher quality guest wireless experience with features such as ClientMatch, AirGroup, and Cape Networks is relevant to Aruba’s wireless solution and its value proposition.

Aruba offers a software-defined architecture with a single platform and unified wired and wireless. This is one way that the Aruba approach to architecture makes Aruba stand out against the competition. With this architecture, your customers can benefit from simplified network operations, consistent user experience across locations, enhanced security and performance, and reduced costs and complexity. Aruba does not provide customers with a choice of five different architectures to provide greater flexibility; rather it provides customers with a choice of two different architectures: controller-based (AOS) or controllerless (Instant). Aruba does not offer a simpler and more robust architecture by avoiding integration with third-party solutions; rather it offers an open and interoperable architecture that integrates with third-party solutions such as Microsoft Teams, Zoom, AWS IoT Greengrass, etc. [13]. Aruba does not provide two optimized architectures based on different software, one for branch and one for campus; rather it provides a single software platform (ArubaOS) that can support both branch and campus deployments with features such as Dynamic Segmentation or SD-Branch [15].

Aruba Zero Trust Security solutions can integrate with the Palo Alto solutions, provide them more context, and also give them more power to block compromised devices at the connection point2. Aruba Zero Trust Security provides a security perimeter that extends beyond the corporate LAN to include remote, mobile, and IoT devices3. It uses device-to-device authentication and user-centric security policies based on the user, device, and context3.

Aruba branch gateways provide role-based access control and content filtering for both wireless and wired traffic at the branch12. This is a unique feature of Aruba SD-Branch that enhances security at the edge of the network3.

An Aruba SD-Branch solution enables a more direct path for cloud apps, rather than backhauling them through the data center4. This reduces latency and improves performance for cloud-based applications.

HPE OfficeConnect 1950 switches are optimized for small businesses that need high performance and advanced features such as high-speed uplinks and stacking4. This is a value proposition for customers who want more than basic connectivity and security.

According to Aruba’s website1, Aruba CX Switches are switches that deliver cloud-native design, end-to-end programmability, and built-in analytics for modern data center environments. They support a range of use cases from edge access to data center top-of-rack deployments.

One distinguishing feature of Aruba CX Switches for a modern data center environment is that they are based upon a micro-services architecture that makes them resilient and fault-tolerant2. This means that each switch function runs as an independent process that can be updated or restarted without affecting other processes or causing network downtime.