Managing the lifecycle of network equipment is an inevitable reality for any network administrator. For those running Aruba Networks wireless APs, understanding EOS (End of Sale) and EOL (End of Life) schedules is critical for infrastructure planning. This comprehensive guide covers HPE’s updated support policies following the Aruba acquisition, along with detailed lifecycle information for each AP series.
Since HPE’s acquisition of Aruba Networks in 2015, there have been significant changes to the support structure and lifecycle management of wireless AP products. The Aruba Support Center (ASC) has been integrated into the HPE Networking Support Portal (NSP), changing how support services are accessed and EOS/EOL notifications are distributed.
Key recent milestones include the EOS of Aruba 300 Series APs in September 2021 and the 320 Series Campus APs in July 2021. With many organizations currently considering WiFi 6/6E upgrades, accurate understanding of existing equipment support timelines has become essential for IT budget planning and network modernization strategies.
1. Understanding HPE Aruba Networks EOS/EOL Policies
EOS vs EOL Definitions
EOS (End of Sale) marks the final date when orders can be placed for a product. After this date, new orders are not accepted, but technical support and software updates continue to be provided.
EOL (End of Life) or EOSL (End of Support Life) marks the complete cessation of technical support, software updates, and security patches. Aruba’s policy typically provides support for 5 years following EOS.
Aruba’s Unique EOS Announcement Policy
Aruba maintains a policy of not pre-announcing EOS dates. This differs from other network equipment manufacturers and presents challenges for customers attempting to predict product lifecycles.
2. Comprehensive List of Legacy AP Series with Completed EOS/EOL
100 Series (Early 802.11n Generation)
| AP Model | SKU | EOS Announcement | EOS Date | Expected EOSL | Recommended Replacement |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AP-103 | JW156A | August 1, 2017 | February 1, 2018 | February 1, 2023 | AP-303 Series |
| AP-103H | JW157A | October 31, 2017 | May 1, 2018 | May 1, 2023 | AP-203H Series |
| AP-105 | – | – | August 2015 | August 2020 | AP-305 Series |
| IAP-103 (All Regions) | JW188A~JW191A, JY855A | August 1, 2017 | February 1, 2018 | February 1, 2023 | IAP-305 Series |
200 Series (802.11ac Wave 1)
| AP Model | SKU | EOS Announcement | EOS Date | Expected EOSL | Recommended Replacement |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AP-204 | JW162A | October 31, 2017 | May 1, 2018 | May 1, 2023 | AP-304 |
| AP-205 | JW164A | October 31, 2017 | May 1, 2018 | May 1, 2023 | AP-305 |
| AP-205H | JW166A | October 31, 2017 | May 1, 2018 | May 1, 2023 | AP-303H |
| AP-207 | JX952A | June 3, 2019 | April 3, 2020 | April 3, 2025 | AP-303 |
| IAP-204 (All Regions) | JW205A~JW209A, JY733A | October 31, 2017 | May 1, 2018 | May 1, 2023 | IAP-304 |
| IAP-205 (All Regions) | JW210A~JW215A, JY856A | October 31, 2017 | May 1, 2018 | May 1, 2023 | IAP-305 |
| IAP-207 (All Regions) | JX954A~JX959A, JY860A | June 3, 2019 | April 3, 2020 | April 3, 2025 | IAP-303 |
High-End 200 Series (3×3:3 MIMO)
| AP Model | SKU | EOS Announcement | EOS Date | Expected EOSL | Recommended Replacement |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AP-214 | JW169A | April 30, 2018 | November 1, 2018 | November 1, 2023 | AP-314 |
| AP-215 | JW170A~JW171A | August 1, 2017 | February 1, 2018 | February 1, 2023 | AP-315 |
| AP-224 | JW172A | August 1, 2017 | February 1, 2018 | February 1, 2023 | AP-334 |
| AP-225 | JW174A | August 1, 2017 | February 1, 2018 | February 1, 2023 | AP-335 |
Outdoor 200 Series
| AP Model | SKU | EOS Announcement | EOS Date | Expected EOSL | Recommended Replacement |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AP-228 | JW182A | February 1, 2019 | August 1, 2019 | August 1, 2024 | AP-318 |
| AP-274 | JW176A | February 1, 2019 | August 1, 2019 | August 1, 2024 | AP-374 |
| AP-275 | JW178A | February 1, 2019 | August 1, 2019 | August 1, 2024 | AP-375 |
| AP-277 | JW180A | February 1, 2019 | August 1, 2019 | August 1, 2024 | AP-377 |
3. Recently Completed EOS Major Series
300 Series Campus AP (Primary WiFi 5 Models)
The Aruba 300 Series APs reached EOS in September 2021. This series represented the primary WiFi 5 Wave 2 product line for medium-density environments.
Key Changes:
- EOSL Schedule: September 2026 (5 years post-EOS)
- Recommended Migration: Upgrade to WiFi 6-based 500 Series
- Performance Improvements: 500 Series includes OFDMA functionality for improved concurrent client handling
320 Series Campus AP
Per announcement dated July 13, 2021, the 320 Series APs reached EOS on July 31, 2021.
| AP Model | SKU | Expected EOSL | Recommended Replacement |
|---|---|---|---|
| AP-324 | JW184A | July 31, 2026 | AP-534 (JZ328A) |
| AP-325 | JW186A | July 31, 2026 | AP-535 (JZ329A) |
| IAP-324 (All Regions) | JW319A~JW322A | July 31, 2026 | IAP-534 Series |
| IAP-325 (All Regions) | JW323A~JW328A | July 31, 2026 | IAP-535 Series |
Key Changes:
- Recommended Migration Path: Direct upgrade to 534/535 Series
- Performance Enhancement: WiFi 6 support with significant throughput and concurrent connection improvements
Remote AP (RAP) Series
Most RAP series for remote connectivity have completed EOS:
| RAP Model | EOS Date | Expected EOSL | Recommended Replacement |
|---|---|---|---|
| RAP-108 | November 1, 2018 | November 1, 2023 | AP-304/IAP-304 |
| RAP-109 | November 1, 2018 | November 1, 2023 | AP-203R |
| RAP-3WN | May 1, 2018 | May 1, 2023 | AP-203R |
| RAP-3WNP | May 1, 2018 | May 1, 2023 | AP-203RP |
4. Current Production AP Series and Expected Lifecycles
500 Series (Primary WiFi 6 Product Line)
Based on community information and historical launch patterns, expected lifecycles:
| AP Model | Launch Date | Estimated EOS | Estimated EOSL | Key Features |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AP-514/515 | December 2018 | 2025-2026 | 2030-2031 | Entry-level WiFi 6 |
| AP-534/535 | May 2019 | 2026-2027 | 2031-2032 | Standard WiFi 6 |
| AP-504/505 | November 2019 | 2026-2027 | 2031-2032 | High-performance WiFi 6 |
| AP-555 | May 2019 | 2026-2027 | 2031-2032 | Premium WiFi 6 |
Note: These dates are estimates based on historical patterns, as Aruba does not pre-announce EOS dates.
600 Series (Latest WiFi 6E Product Line)
| AP Model | Launch Date | Estimated Lifecycle | Key Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| AP-635 | August 2021 | 2028-2030 | High-performance WiFi 6E |
| AP-63x Series | 2021-2022 | 2028-2030 | 6GHz band support |
700 Series (Next-Generation WiFi 7 Support)
Currently in preparation for release, with phased rollout expected post-2024.
5. Outdoor AP Series EOS/EOL Status
300 Series Outdoor AP
| AP Model | EOS Date | Expected EOSL | Recommended Replacement | Key Features |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AP-374/375/377 | Launch: March 2018 | Not announced | AP-577 Series | High-performance outdoor |
| AP-365/367 | Launch: March 2018 | Not announced | AP-565/567 | Mid-range outdoor |
| AP-318 | Launch: March 2018 | Not announced | AP-518 | Hardened outdoor |
500 Series Outdoor AP (Current Primary)
| AP Model | Launch Date | Estimated Lifecycle | Key Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| AP-574/575/577 | May 2020 | 2027-2029 | WiFi 6 outdoor |
| AP-565/567 | September 2020 | 2027-2029 | WiFi 6 mid-range outdoor |
| AP-518 | May 2020 | 2027-2029 | WiFi 6 hardened |
6. Specialized AP Series Status
Hazardous Location AP
| AP Model | Launch Date | Status | Key Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| AP-503H | September 2020 | Currently available | Hazardous location WiFi 6 |
| AP-505H | May 2020 | Currently available | High-performance hazardous location |
Healthcare AP
| AP Model | Launch Date | Status | Key Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| AP-303P | December 2018 | Currently available | Healthcare certified |
7. Software and Operating System EOS/EOL
ArubaOS Version Support Status
Currently End-of-Life Versions:
- ArubaOS 6.x: Per community inquiries, exact EOL schedule removed from official documentation
- ArubaOS 8.6.0.4: Excluded from 2024 security updates
Security Vulnerability Notice: As of May 2024, critical vulnerabilities CVE-2024-26304, CVE-2024-26305, CVE-2024-33511 were identified, with EOL versions excluded from security patch coverage.
Currently Supported Versions:
- ArubaOS 10.6.0.0
- ArubaOS 10.5.1.1
- ArubaOS 10.4.1.1
- ArubaOS 8.11.2.2
- ArubaOS 8.10.0.11
8. EOS/EOL Information Sources and Official Channels
HPE Networking Support Portal Complete Guide
1. Basic Access and Account Setup
- URL: https://networkingsupport.hpe.com/end-of-life
- Requirements: HPE Passport account (free registration available)
- Notification Setup: Configure NSP Notification Subscription Settings
2. Available Information
- Complete End of Life announcement listings
- Product-specific replacement recommendations
- Migration guide documentation
- Software download links
3. Asset Management Tools
- Asset Management functionality for bulk equipment tracking
- Automated EOL notification setup
- Integrated contract and warranty information
Aruba Airheads Community Usage
Access: https://community.arubanetworks.com
Utilization Methods:
- Dedicated EOL/EOS Forums
- Direct Product Manager Responses
- Community Best Practice Sharing
- Migration Case Studies
9. Phased EOS/EOL Response Strategy
Phase 1: Current State Analysis and Prioritization
1-1. Detailed Inventory Assessment
■ Location-specific AP model and quantity mapping
■ Installation year and firmware version verification
■ Warranty period and support contract status review
■ Network traffic pattern and performance requirement analysis
1-2. Risk Classification
- Critical (Immediate replacement required): EOSL completed models
- High (Replace within 1 year): Models 2-3 years post-EOS
- Medium (Replace within 2-3 years): Models 1-2 years post-EOS
- Low (Monitor): Current production latest models
Phase 2: Technical Migration Planning
2-1. Network Architecture Redesign
■ WiFi 6/6E technology requirement analysis
■ Existing controller and new AP compatibility verification
■ PoE supply capacity and power requirement review
■ Cabling infrastructure upgrade necessity assessment
2-2. Replacement Model Mapping Table
| Legacy Model | Direct Replacement | Performance Upgrade | Budget-Conscious Option |
|---|---|---|---|
| AP-105 | AP-305 | AP-515 | AP-303 |
| AP-205 | AP-305 | AP-515 | AP-303 |
| AP-225 | AP-335 | AP-535 | AP-315 |
| AP-315 | AP-515 | AP-535 | AP-505 |
| AP-325 | AP-535 | AP-635 | AP-515 |
Phase 3: Financial and Procurement Planning
3-1. Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) Analysis
- Hardware Costs: APs, controllers, infrastructure upgrades
- Software Licensing: New management platforms, security features
- Installation and Configuration: Engineering services, project management
- Operating Costs: Power consumption, maintenance, training
3-2. Phased Budget Allocation
Year 1: 30% Critical + 50% High priority
Year 2: 50% High + 30% Medium priority
Year 3: 70% Medium + Low priority planning
10. Major Vendor Alternative Comparison Analysis
HPE Aruba vs Competitor Migration Options
Aruba Internal Migration Advantages:
- Existing management tool and policy reuse
- Minimized engineer retraining costs
- License transfer and discount benefits
Other Vendor Considerations:
- Cisco: Catalyst 9100 Series, DNA Center integration
- Juniper Mist: AI-powered management, cloud-first design
- RUCKUS: High-density environment specialization, BeamFlex technology
Managing Aruba Networks wireless AP EOS/EOL extends beyond simple equipment replacement—it represents strategic infrastructure decision-making for network futures.
Key Summary Points:
- Strategic Planning: Considering Aruba’s non-disclosure EOS policy, establish predictive planning through historical pattern analysis
- Phased Migration: Systematic progression based on risk-prioritized classification
- Technology Evolution Preparation: Strategic decision-making for WiFi 6/6E to WiFi 7 transition timing
- Total Cost of Ownership Optimization: Comprehensive consideration including hardware, operations, and maintenance costs
With many organizations transitioning to digital transformation and hybrid work environments, wireless network stability and performance are more critical than ever. Through systematic EOS/EOL management, organizations can ensure business continuity while preparing for future technological advancement. Maintaining proactive preparation in the constantly evolving network technology landscape will enable stable and innovative wireless environment construction for sustained organizational success.