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ExtremeCloud IQ

Score8.5 out of 10

6 Reviews and Ratings

What is ExtremeCloud IQ?

ExtremeCloud IQ provides unified management driven by Machine Learning (ML). It features configuration workflows, realtime and historical monitoring, comprehensive troubleshooting, and integrated network applications. Designed to take full advantage of Extreme’s end-to- end networking solutions, it delivers unified, full-stack management of access points, switches, and SD-WAN.

Media

the ExtremeCloud IQ Dashboard

Top Performing Features

  • Automated Provisioning

    Automatically and systematically deploy, configure, and manage IT infrastructure and resources.

    Category average: 8.8

  • Parallel Execution

    Allows for the simultaneous execution of configuration changes across multiple nodes or components.

    Category average: 8.5

  • Reporting & Logging

    Generate reports and logs to track changes made to configurations, aiding in troubleshooting and auditing.

    Category average: 7.7

Areas for Improvement

  • Version Control

    Track changes made to configurations over time. Allowing for rollback to previous configurations if needed.

    Category average: 8.5

  • Node Management

    Allows for the administration and oversight of individual devices or systems within a network.

    Category average: 8.2

  • Infrastructure Automation

    Automate the setup of systems to achieve their desired state using configuration files.

    Category average: 9

Invisible IT!

Use Cases and Deployment Scope

Extreme Cloud IQ manages switches and a wide range of APs. Notably, the flexibility of the PPSK feature allows for the isolation of various user profiles as required. This provides the security of 802.1x, which is not available to us. Some offices have a high number of clients connected, so the SDR feature, which provides a second 5GHz radio channel, is extremely valuable, effectively doubling the capacity when in most situations, the 2.4GHz radio would be disabled.

Pros

  • GTAC support is excellent; they understand the issue and do not hesitate to help in detail.
  • The layout is very intuitive and easy to use, especially the templating of switch port types. It makes it simple to use context-based names so the purpose of the port can be understood.
  • The auto channel selection now works very well, including the SDR dual 5GHz mode.

Cons

  • The XIQ cloud updates occasionally resulted in a small outage for some customers, but Extreme has been able to roll back the change each time.
  • The near WiFi-6E APs will include dual 5GHz radios. Currently, these allow 1x5 and 1x6 GHz but not 2x5GHz.
  • On Quick onboarding devices, go back to the more straightforward option, which did not require the location to be set as a default requirement. When location is needed to be specified, it prevents the area from being assigned via a subnet under auto-provisioning.

Return on Investment

  • It has been referred to as "invisible IT" because the number of support tickets to the IT desk has been reduced to practically none.
  • An IT team no longer desires ongoing WiFi support agreements, as once it is set up well, they do not need to contact us for higher-tier support.

Usability

Alternatives Considered

Aruba ClearPass, Cisco 3504 WLAN Controller, Ubiquiti Networks UniFi, Cisco Meraki Dashboard, Ruckus ICX Switches, Fortinet Wireless LAN and Cambium Networks

Other Software Used

Microsoft Excel, Cambium Networks

ExtremeCloud IQ - Easily Managed By A Sole - Multi-Cap Wearing - Individual

Use Cases and Deployment Scope

We utilize ExtremeCloud IQ to enroll, manage and deploy our wireless access points district-wide. Being able to utilize a cloud-based management system removes the need for locally-managed controllers within each building, and also makes pushing out updated configuration changes a breeze! Checking out the hardware and configuration health of each individual AP is also incredibly simplistic, and takes no time at all.

Pros

  • Rapidly deploying new access points with existing configurations
  • Viewing device health for access point hardware as well as configuration compliance
  • Spectrum-Analysis can be performed on each individual access point - which can show you what other SSIDs may be causing wireless conflicts in/near a building you manage
  • Next-Day RMA replacement for dead/failed devices
  • Online or phone support with GTAC team for any/all issues you may experience with their products

Cons

  • Licensing as a whole is a nightmare. If you have a device RMA'd - you have to email their licensing team to have the device license transferred to your new hardware. Licensing renewals are also a pain, as oftentimes they don't have the licenses correctly tied to each device you own. Definitely the biggest issue I have with ExtremeCloud IQ Networks
  • Hardware is tied to you once you purchase it, so there is no resale market/secondary market for the devices you purchase - should you try to sell them when they're end of life within your organization

Return on Investment

  • The price-paid has been well worth it to our district, as I'm the lone employee who manages this entire system. Being able to stream-line device deployment with configurations that have been previously created is a huge time saver.
  • The newest updates in software from ExtremeCloud IQ really helps neighbor settings that allow for channel and power setting changes to take place automatically. Once deployed, the access points pretty much take over and change these settings based on their environment. We really don't have any trouble tickets in regards to our wireless platform due to this automation.
  • The only negative impact that comes to mind is in dealing with licensing renewals/purchases. Our last renewal (Summer of 2024) took a few weeks of back and forth with our reseller and ExtremeCloud IQ to ensure 100% that the licenses being renewed/deployed matched exactly with the hardware I intended to utilize. ExtremeCloud IQ tying licensing to hardware really sucked for existing customers - but I'm hoping it will be much easier now that we're through those growing pains.

Usability

Extreme XIQ, Rock Solid with High Security!

Use Cases and Deployment Scope

We love the cloud capability, ease of upgrades, and private PSK capability for managing our IOT. Our area has spotty cell reception, and using Wi-Fi for calling has allowed us to keep communication open.

Pros

  • Private PSK makes security easier to implement.
  • XIQ Companion Mobile App, allows easy onboarding and control of wireless from anywhere.
  • Great Auditing capability and easy resolution of problems.
  • Air Defense Essentials provides a strong security framework other providers just don't have.
  • Real-Time Heat Maps allow for easy reconfiguration of a room and allow optimization of the wireless for a better experience.

Cons

  • XIQ Refreshes could be enhanced for closer to on-prem experience.
  • Client Data polling interval needs to be quicker, 10 minutes.
  • Full feature parity of switch management in XIQ.

Return on Investment

  • Extreme has allowed us to significantly reduce the time required for incident resolution.
  • Close to zero-touch greatly enhanced our business.

Usability

Alternatives Considered

ExtremeCloud IQ Site Engine

Other Software Used

Nutanix AHV

Excellent Platform for asset management

Use Cases and Deployment Scope

The Extreme CloudIQ solution made it possible to centrally manage an asset composed of switches and access points distributed over several sites. It was possible to deploy configurations quickly and easily, thanks to a very intuitive interface. The platform is very easy to use and has a large set of features.

Pros

  • Configuration deployment
  • Asset management
  • Analytics

Cons

  • Price
  • License requirement for upgrade
  • support

Return on Investment

  • Improved time to incident resolution
  • Semplify asset management
  • Improved time to deployment

Usability