DATA SHEET

ARUBA 518 SERIES

RUGGEDIZED ACCESS
POINTS
High performance Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) for harsh
weather-protected and indoor environments

The hardened, Aruba 518 Series access point

delivers high Wi-Fi 6 performance in harsh,
weather-protected environments such as
warehouses, industrial freezers or enclosures
in extreme environments such as stadiums. It
delivers 4x4:4SS MU-MIMO capability, Aruba’s
Channel utilization is optimized per transaction by matching
advanced ClientMatch and integrated Bluetooth
allocated bandwidth in a channel to the offered user load.
to enable Aruba location services. These sub divisions of the channel are referred to as
Purpose-built to survive in the harshest weather-protected Resource Units (RU).
environments, 518 Series APs withstand exposure to extreme Multi-User MIMO (MU-MIMO)
high and low temperatures, persistent (non-precipitant)
The 518 Series APs support downlink MU-MIMO similar to
moisture, and are sealed to keep out airborne contaminants.
Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac Wave 2) APs. With the introduction OFDMA
All electrical interfaces include industrial strength surge
in Wi-Fi 6, the overhead for this capability is reduced and
protection.
MU‑MIMO effectiveness is substantially improved for large
Aruba Wi-Fi 6 access points provide high-performance client counts.
connectivity in dense mobile and IoT environments. With
Wi-Fi 6 and MU-MIMO aware client optimization
maximum aggregate on air data rate of 3 Gbps (HE80/HE40),
Aruba’s patented AI powered ClientMatch technology ensures
the 518 Series APs deliver the speed and reliability needed
that all clients are attached to their best serving Access Point.
for demanding environments.
Session metrics, network metrics, applications and client type
are used to identify and maintain the best connection.
INCREDIBLE EFFICIENCY
The 518 Series APs are designed to optimize user experience Advanced Cellular Coexistence (ACC)
by maximizing Wi-Fi efficiency and dramatically reducing The ACC feature uses built in filtering to automatically
airtime contention between clients. minimize the impact of interference of high power cellular
base stations, in building distributed antenna systems as well
Features include Uplink and Downlink Orthogonal Frequency
as small cell and femtocell equipment.
Division Multiple Access (OFDMA), Downlink Multi-User MIMO
(MU MIMO) and cellular co-location. With up to 4 spatial Intelligent Power Monitoring (IPM)
stream and 160 MHz channel capability, the 518 provides Aruba APs continuously monitor and report hardware energy
groundbreaking wireless capabilities for any application. consumption. APs can be configured to enable or disable

Read the Multi-User 802.11ax white paper for further capabilities based on the available PoE power – ideal when

information. wired switches have exhausted their power budget.

Advantages of OFDMA
This capability allows Aruba Wi-Fi 6 APs to handle multiple
Wi-Fi 6 enabled clients simultaneously on a single radio.
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ARUBA 518 SERIES RUGGEDIZED ACCESS POINTS

IOT PLATFORM CAPABILITIES Trusted Platform Module (TPM)

Aruba Wi-Fi 6 APs include an integrated Bluetooth 5 and For enhanced device assurance, all Aruba APs have an
802.15.4 radio (for Zigbee support) to simplify deploying and installed TPM for secure storage of credentials, keys and boot
managing IoT-based location services, asset tracking services, code.
security solutions and IoT sensors. This allow organizations to
leverage the 518 as an IoT platform, which eliminates the need SIMPLE AND SECURE ACCESS
for an overlay infrastructure and additional IT resources. To simplify policy enforcement, the Aruba 518 uses

Target Wake Time (TWT) Aruba’s Policy Enforcement Firewall (PEF) to encapsulate all
traffic from the AP to the Mobility Controller (gateway) for
Ideal for IoT solutions that communicate infrequently,
end-to-end encryption and inspection. Policies are applied
this Wi-Fi 6 capability allows IoT devices to use 802.11ax
based on context including user role, device type, application,
protocol. TWT coordinates with client devices to allow them
and location. This reduces the manual configuration of SSIDs,
to sleep for extended periods and use shorter wake times
VLANs, and ACLs. PEF also serves as the underlying technology
to communicate before returning to sleep. This substantially
for Aruba Dynamic Segmentation.
extends the useful operating life of Wi-Fi 6 based battery
powered sensors.
HIGH DENSITY CONNECTIVITY

ARUBA SECURE INFRASTRUCTURE Each 518 Series AP provides connectivity for a maximum of
512 associated clients per radio (1024 total).
The 518 Series is an integral part of Aruba’s zero trust security
approach to help protect user authentication and wireless Flexible Operation and Management
traffic. Select capabilities include: A unique feature of Aruba APs is the ability to operate in either

WPA3 and Enhanced Open controller-less or controller-based mode.

With the introduction of WPA3 and Enhanced Open, a Wi-Fi 6 Controller-less (Instant) Mode
certified client will never send unencrypted traffic over the air. In controller-less mode, one AP serves as a virtual controller
Even with an open authenticated network, Enhanced Open for the entire network. Learn more about Instant mode in this
still provides strong encryption over the air. technology brief.

In all Wi-Fi 6 user sessions, each user is uniquely encrypted Mobility Controller Mode
and if they disconnect and reconnect, the encryption changes For optimized network performance, roaming and security,
from session to session. APs tunnel all traffic to a mobility controller for central
WPA2-MPSK management of traffic forwarding, segmentation, encryption,

MPSK enables simpler passkey management for WPA2 and policy enforcement. Learn more in the ArubaOS

devices – should the Wi-Fi password on one device change, no datasheet.

additional changes are needed for other devices. This feature Management Options
is enabled when networks are deployed with ClearPass Policy Available management choices includes Aruba Central
Manager. (cloud‑based) or Aruba AirWave (multi-vendor, on prem)
VPN Tunnels solutions.

In Remote AP (RAP) and IAP-VPN deployments, the Aruba 518 For large installations across multiple sites, Aruba APs can be
can be used to establish a secure SSL/IPSec VPN tunnel to shipped and activated with Zero Touch Provisioning through
a Gateway or Mobility Controller that is configured as a VPN Aruba Central or AirWave. This reduces deployment time,
concentrator. centralizes configuration, and provides inventory visibility.

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ARUBA 518 SERIES RUGGEDIZED ACCESS POINTS

ADDITIONAL WI-FI FEATURES • Four spatial stream Multi User (MU) MIMO for up to
Transmit Beamforming (TxBF) 2.4 Gbps wireless data rate to up to four 1SS or two

Increased signal reliability and range 2SS HE80 Wi-Fi 6 DL-MU-MIMO capable client devices
simultaneously (typical)
Passpoint Release 2
2.4 GHz
Seamless cellular-to-Wi-Fi carryover for guests
• Two spatial stream Single User (SU) MIMO for up to
Dynamic Frequency Selection (DFS) 575 Mbps wireless data rate to individual 2SS HE40
Optimized use of available RF spectrum Wi-Fi 6 client device (max)

Maximal Ratio Combining (MRC) • Two spatial stream Single User (SU) MIMO for up to
287 Mbps wireless data rate to individual 2SS HE20
Improved receiver performance for multi antenna access
Wi-Fi 6 client device (typical)
points.
• Two spatial stream Multi User (MU) MIMO for up to
Cyclic Delay/Shift Diversity (CDD/CSD) 575 Mbps wireless data rate to up to two 1SS HE40
Enable use of multiple transmit antennas Wi-Fi 6 DL-MU-MIMO capable client devices
simultaneously (max)
Space-Time Block Coding (STBC)
• Two spatial stream Multi User (MU) MIMO for up to 287
Increased connection robustness
Mbps wireless data rate to up to two 1SS HE20 Wi-Fi 6 DL-
Low-Density Parity Check (LDPC) MU-MIMO capable client devices simultaneously (typical)
High performance error detection and correction coding for • Support for up to 512 associated client devices per radio,
enhanced receiver performance. and up to 16 BSSIDs per radio
• Supported frequency bands (country-specific restrictions
AP-518 SPECIFICATIONS apply):

Hardware Variants - 2.400 to 2.4835 GHz (ISM)

• AP-518 - 5.150 to 5.250 GHz (U-NII-1)

- 5 GHz: Four RP-SMA connectors for external antenna - 5.250 to 5.350 GHz (U-NII-2A)

operation - 5.470 to 5.725 GHz (U-NII-2C)

- 2.4 GHz Two RP-SMA connectors for external antenna - 5.725 to 5.850 GHz (U-NII-3/ISM)

operation • Available channels: Dependent on configured regulatory

domain.
Wi-Fi Radio Specifications
• Dynamic frequency selection (DFS) optimizes the use of
• AP type: Indoor Hardened, Wi-Fi 6 dual radio, 5 GHz 4x4
available RF spectrum.
MIMO and 2.4 GHz 2x2 MIMO
• Supported radio technologies:
• Software-configurable dual radio supports 5 GHz (Radio 0)
- 802.11b: Direct-sequence spread-spectrum (DSSS)
and 2.4 GHz (Radio 1)
- 802.11a/g/n/ac: Orthogonal frequency-division
5 GHz:
multiplexing (OFDM)
• Four spatial stream Single User (SU) MIMO for up to 4.8
- 802.11ax: Orthogonal frequency-division multiple access
Gbps wireless data rate to individual 4SS HE160 Wi-Fi 6
(OFDMA) with up to 16 resource units (RU)
client device (max)
• Supported modulation types:
• Two spatial stream Single User (SU) MIMO for up to 1.2
- 802.11b: BPSK, QPSK, CCK
Gbps wireless data rate to individual 2SS HE80 Wi-Fi 6
- 802.11a/g/n: BPSK, QPSK, 16-QAM, 64-QAM, 256-QAM
client device (typical)
(proprietary extension)
• Four spatial stream Multi User (MU) MIMO for up to
- 802.11ac: BPSK, QPSK, 16-QAM, 64-QAM, 256-QAM,
4.8 Gbps wireless data rate to up to four 1SS or two
1024 QAM (proprietary extension)
2SS HE160 Wi-Fi 6 DL-MU-MIMO capable client devices
- 802.11ax: BPSK, QPSK, 16-QAM, 64-QAM, 256-QAM,
simultaneously (max)
1024 QAM
• 802.11n high-throughput (HT) support: HT 20/40

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ARUBA 518 SERIES RUGGEDIZED ACCESS POINTS

• 802.11ac very high throughput (VHT) support: VHT POWER

20/40/80/160 • Maximum (worst-case) power consumption:
• 802.11ax high efficiency (HE) support: HE20/40/80/160 - POE powered (dual ports): 32.0W
• Supported data rates (Mbps): - POE powered (single port, full function): 26.1W
- 802.11b: 1, 2, 5.5, 11 • Maximum (worst-case) power consumption in idle mode:
- 802.11a/g: 6, 9, 12, 18, 24, 36, 48, 54 14.0W (single POE) or 16.0W (dual POE)
- 802.11n (2.4GHz): 6.5 to 300 (MCS0 to MCS15, HT20 to • Maximum (worst-case) power consumption in deep-sleep
HT40) mode: 2.9W (single POE) or 3.9W (dual POE)
- 802.11n (5GHz): 6.5 to 600 (MCS0 to MCS31, HT20 to • The AP supports Power over Ethernet (POE) on port E0
HT40) and/or E1
- 802.11ac: (5 GHz): 6.5 to 3,467 (MCS0 to MCS9, NSS = 1 • When POE power is supplied to both Ethernet ports,
to 4 for VHT20 to VHT160) the AP can be configured to combine or prioritize power
- 802.11ax (2.4GHz): 3.6 to 574 (MCS0 to MCS11, NSS = 1 sources
to 2, HE20 to HE40) • Power sources are sold separately; see the ordering
- 802.11ax (5GHz): 3.6 to 4803 (MCS0 to MCS11, NSS = 1 Information section below for details
to 4, HE20 to HE160) • When powered by 1x 802.3at (class 4) POE and with
• 802.11n/ac packet aggregation: A-MPDU, A-MSDU the IPM feature disabled, the AP will disable the other
• Transmit power: Configurable in increments of 0.5 dBm Ethernet port. In the same configuration but with IPM
• Maximum (conducted) transmit power (limited by local enabled, the AP will start up in unrestricted mode, but
regulatory requirements): may dynamically apply restrictions depending on the POE
- 2.4 GHz band: +22 dBm per chain, +25dBm aggregate budget and actual power. The feature restrictions and
(2x2) order can be programmed.
- 5 GHz band: +22 dBm per chain, +28dBm aggregate • Operating the AP with single or dual 802.3af (class 3 or
(4x4) lower) POE source is not supported.
- Note: conducted transmit power levels exclude antenna
ADDITIONAL INTERFACES
gain.
• Maximum EIRP (limited by local regulatory requirements): • E0: HPE SmartRate port (RJ-45)

- 2.4 GHz band: - Auto-sensing link speed (100/1000/2500BASE-T) and

• 518: 25.0dBm + Antenna Gain MDI/MDX

- 5 GHz band: - 2.5Gbps speed complies with NBase-T and 802.3bz

• 518: 28.0dBm + Antenna Gain specifications

• Advanced Cellular Coexistence (ACC) minimizes - PoE-PD: 48vDC (nominal) 802.3at/bt (Class 4 or higher)

interference from cellular networks. - 802.3az Energy Efficient Ethernet (EEE)

• Maximum ratio combining (MRC) for improved receiver • E1: 100/1000BASE-T (RJ-45)

performance. - Auto-sensing link speed and MDI/MDX

• Cyclic delay/shift diversity (CDD/CSD) to enable the use of - 802.3az Energy Efficient Ethernet (EEE)

multiple transmit antennas - PoE-PD: 48vDC (nominal) 802.3at/bt (Class4 or higher)

• Short guard interval for 20-MHz, 40-MHz, 80-MHz and • Link Aggregation (LACP) support between both network

160-MHz channels. ports for redundancy and increased capacity

• Space-time block coding (STBC) for increased range and • Bluetooth 5 and 802.15.4 radio

improved reception. - 2.4 GHz

• Low-density parity check (LDPC) for high-efficiency error - Bluetooth 5: up to 8dBm transmit power and -95dBm

correction and increased throughput. receive sensitivity

• Transmit beam-forming (TxBF) for increased signal - Zigbee: up to 8 dBm transmit power and -97dBm receive

reliability and range. sensitivity

• 802.11mc Fine Timing Measurement (FTM) for precision - Up to 4dBm transmit power (class 2) and -91 dBm

distance ranging receive sensitivity

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ARUBA 518 SERIES RUGGEDIZED ACCESS POINTS

• Visual indicator (multi-color LED): For system and radio REGULATORY MODEL NUMBER
status • AP-518: APIN0518
• Reset button: Factory reset (during device power up)
CERTIFICATIONS
• USB-C console interface
• CB Scheme Safety, cTUVus
MOUNTING • UL2043 plenum rating
• Optional mounting kits: • Wi-Fi Alliance certified 802.11a/b/g/n/
- Compatible with the AP-MNT-A/B/C/D/E and AP-MNT- • Wi-Fi CERTIFIED™ 6 (802.11ax)
MP10 mounting kits supported on the AP-5xx indoor APs • Wi-Fi CERTIFIED™ ac (with Wave 2 features)
- Outdoor AP mounts (AP-OUT-MNT-V1A, AP-270-MNT-V2, • Passpoint® (Release 2) with ArubaOS and Instant
AP-270-MNT-H1, AP-270-MNT-H2, and AP-270-MNT-H3)
WARRANTY
are compatible when the AP-270-MNT-ADP adapter is
utilized • Limited Lifetime Warranty

MECHANICAL MINIMUM OPERATING SYSTEM SOFTWARE

• ArubaOS & Aruba InstantOS 8.7.0.0
AP-518
• ArubaOS 10.2.0.0
• Dimensions/weight (excluding mount):
- 211mm (W) x 211 mm (D) x 70 mm (H)
- 8.31” (W) x 8.31” (D) x 2.76” (H)
- 1.5 kg/3.3 lbs

ENVIRONMENTAL
• Operating:
- Temperature: -40° C to +55° C (-40° F to +140° F)
- Humidity: 5% to 93% non-condensing internal to chassis.
• Storage and transportation:
- Temperature: -40° C to +70° C (-40° F to +158° F)
• Operating Altitude: 3,000 m
• Water and Dust
- IP55
• Shock and Vibration ETSI 300-19-2-4

REGULATORY
• FCC/ISED
• CE Marked
• RED Directive 2014/53/EU
• EMC Directive 2014/30/EU
• Low Voltage Directive 2014/35/EU
• UL/IEC/EN 60950
• EN 60601-1-1, EN60601-1-2
For more country-specific regulatory information and
approvals, please see your Aruba representative.

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ARUBA 518 SERIES RUGGEDIZED ACCESS POINTS

RF PERFORMANCE TABLE

Maximum transmit power (dBm) Receiver sensitivity (dBm)

per transmit chain per receive chain
2.4GHz, 802.11b
1 Mbps 22 -97
11 Mbps 22 -89
2.4GHz, 802.11g
6 Mbps 22 -94
54 Mbps 20 -76
2.4GHz, 802.11n/ac HT20
MCS0 22 -93
MCS8 19 -72
2.4GHz, 802.11ax HE20
MCS0 22 -93
MCS11 17 -62
5GHz, 802.11a
6 Mbps 22 -95
54 Mbps 20 -76
5GHz, 802.11n/ac HT20/VHT20
MCS0 22 -94
MCS8 19 -72
5GHz, 802.11n/ac HT40/VHT40
MCS0 22 -92
MCS9 19 -68
5GHz, 802.11ac VHT80
MCS0 22 -90
MCS9 19 -65
5GHz, 802.11ac VHT160
MCS0 22 -84
MCS9 19 -59
5GHz, 802.11ax HE20
MCS0 22 -94
MCS11 17 -62
5GHz, 802.11ax HE40
MCS0 22 -91
MCS11 17 -60
5GHz, 802.11ax HE80
MCS0 22 -87
MCS11 17 -57
5GHz, 802.11ax HE160
MCS0 22 -85
MCS11 17 -53
Maximum capability of the hardware provided (excluding antenna gain). Maximum transmit power is limited by local regulatory settings.

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ARUBA 518 SERIES RUGGEDIZED ACCESS POINTS

ORDERING INFORMATION

Part Number Description

AP-518 Unified Hardened Access Points
R4G99A Aruba AP-518 (EG) 802.11ax 2x2:2/4x4:4 Dual Radio 6xRPSMA Connectorized Indoor Hardened AP
R4H00A Aruba AP-518 (IL) 802.11ax 2x2:2/4x4:4 Dual Radio 6xRPSMA Connectorized Indoor Hardened AP
R4H01A Aruba AP-518 (JP) 802.11ax 2x2:2/4x4:4 Dual Radio 6xRPSMA Connectorized Indoor Hardened AP
R4H02A Aruba AP-518 (RW) 802.11ax 2x2:2/4x4:4 Dual Radio 6xRPSMA Connectorized Indoor Hardened AP
R4H03A Aruba AP-518 (US) 802.11ax 2x2:2/4x4:4 Dual Radio 6xRPSMA Connectorized Indoor Hardened AP
AP-518 Unified Hardened Access Points FIPS/TAA
R4H04A Aruba AP-518 (EG) TAA 802.11ax 2x2:2/4x4:4 Dual Radio 6xRPSMA Connectorized Indoor Hardened AP
R4H05A Aruba AP-518 (IL) TAA 802.11ax 2x2:2/4x4:4 Dual Radio 6xRPSMA Connectorized Indoor Hardened AP
R4H06A Aruba AP-518 (JP) TAA 802.11ax 2x2:2/4x4:4 Dual Radio 6xRPSMA Connectorized Indoor Hardened AP
R4H07A Aruba AP-518 (RW) TAA 802.11ax 2x2:2/4x4:4 Dual Radio 6xRPSMA Connectorized Indoor Hardened AP
R4H08A Aruba AP-518 (US) TAA 802.11ax 2x2:2/4x4:4 Dual Radio 6xRPSMA Connectorized Indoor Hardened AP

For more ordering information and compatible accessories, please refer to the ordering guide.

© Copyright 2023 Hewlett Packard Enterprise Development LP. The information contained herein is subject to change without
notice. The only warranties for Hewlett Packard Enterprise products and services are set forth in the express warranty statements
accompanying such products and services. Nothing herein should be construed as constituting an additional warranty. Hewlett
Packard Enterprise shall not be liable for technical or editorial errors or omissions contained herein.
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Contact us at www.arubanetworks.com/contact