HPE Aruba 500 Series Indoor Wireless Access Points Model Overview
Designed for cost-sensitive deployments that demand enterprise-class features, this campus AP supports dual 2×2:2 radios on 5 GHz and 2.4 GHz bands to deliver up to 1.77 Gbps total throughput. Its small form factor and versatile ceiling or wall-mount options fit classrooms, branch offices and retail stores. Built-in OFDMA and MU-MIMO reduce airtime contention for dozens of connected devices, while automated RF tools—ClientMatch and AirMatch—optimize performance and roaming without manual tuning. The two Smart Rate 1 GbE ports provide PoE in or out for network or downstream devices, and the USB 2.0 host port supports local edge services. Security is enforced with WPA3, Enhanced Open and MACsec.
Key Features
802.11ax dual-radio with 2×2:2 MIMO
Up to 1.77 Gbps aggregate throughput
2×1 GbE Smart Rate (PoE-PD/PSE) ports
USB 2.0 host for on-premise analytics or security
OFDMA for optimized spectrum use
MU-MIMO for simultaneous multi-client support
WPA3, Enhanced Open and MACsec security
Specifications
5 GHz: HE80 SU-MIMO up to 1.2 Gbps; HE40 MU-MIMO 2×2 up to 574 Mbps
The Aruba 500 series access points, with Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) technology and Aruba's intelligent software innovations, deliver high performance connectivity for mobile and IoT devices in any environment.
The 500 series is designed to simultaneously serve multiple clients and traffic types in dense environments, and boosts overall network performance by up to 400% compared to 802.11ac APs.
The 500 Series also provides differentiated capabilities that include AI-powered RF optimization, Live upgrades, WPA3 and Enhanced Open certified security, and unified wired and wireless policy with Dynamic Segmentation.
Additionally, Green AP energy savings are available when Aruba's AI/ML capabilities are enabled.
Incredible efficiency
Air Slice, available only on Aruba Wi-Fi 6 APs, works with the Policy Enforcement Firewall to enhance OFDMA capabilities with application QoS assurance.
Unsurpassed client experiences
Aruba's ClientMatch, part of Aruba's AI-powered mobility solution, intelligently groups Wi-Fi 6 and MU-MIMO capable clients on the best-performing APs to optimize performance and roaming.
IoT platform capabilities
Aruba Wi-Fi 6 and Wi-Fi 5 APs include support for Zigbee and Bluetooth to simplify the deployment and management of IoT services.
What is the maximum throughput of the HPE Aruba R2H38A access point?
The HPE Aruba R2H38A delivers up to 1.77 Gbps aggregate throughput across its dual 2×2:2 radios operating on both 5 GHz and 2.4 GHz bands. On the 5 GHz band, it achieves up to 1.2 Gbps in HE80 SU-MIMO mode, while the 2.4 GHz band supports up to 574 Mbps in HE40 SU-MIMO mode. This performance makes it suitable for enterprise deployments in classrooms, branch offices, and retail environments.
Does the HPE Aruba R2H38A support Power over Ethernet?
Yes, the R2H38A features two Smart Rate 1 GbE ports that support both PoE Power Delivery (PoE-PD) and Power Source Equipment (PSE) functionality, allowing it to receive power from the network or supply power to downstream devices. The access point can operate on 802.3af/at PoE or 12 V DC, with a maximum power consumption of 12 W DC or 15.4 W when powered via PoE.
What security features are included in the HPE Aruba R2H38A?
The R2H38A provides enterprise-grade security with WPA3 encryption, Enhanced Open support for simplified client onboarding, and MACsec for securing network traffic. These security features work together to protect wireless communications while maintaining ease of deployment and management across your campus network.
How many devices can the HPE Aruba R2H38A support simultaneously?
The R2H38A can support up to 256 clients per radio, with support for 16 BSSIDs on each radio band. Built-in OFDMA and MU-MIMO technologies reduce airtime contention and enable simultaneous multi-client support, making it ideal for high-density deployments with dozens of connected devices.
What mounting options and physical specifications does the R2H38A offer?
The R2H38A features a compact form factor measuring 160 × 161 × 37 mm and weighing only 500 g, making it ideal for space-constrained environments. It supports versatile ceiling or wall-mount installation options, allowing flexible deployment in classrooms, branch offices, and retail locations while maintaining a professional appearance.
What automated RF optimization tools does the HPE Aruba R2H38A provide?
The R2H38A includes ClientMatch and AirMatch automated RF tools that optimize performance and roaming without requiring manual tuning. These intelligent features automatically adjust radio parameters to enhance network performance, improve client experience, and simplify ongoing management—we offer this advanced technology as part of our HPE Aruba wireless solutions. Contact us today to learn how these tools can benefit your deployment.
The HPE Aruba R2H38A Wireless Access Points is also known as
HPE-R2H38A
Full specifications (PDF)
