HPE AP-504: 1.77 Gbps Wi‑Fi 6 Wireless Access Point for High-Density Environments

The HPE AP-504 is a high‑performance Wi‑Fi 6 (802.11ax) wireless access point from the Aruba 500 series, engineered to deliver reliable, scalable connectivity in dense environments. Designed to serve multiple clients and traffic types simultaneously, it combines Aruba’s intelligent software innovations with next‑generation radios to optimize performance, security, and user experience in modern offices, campuses, retail spaces, and hospitality venues. With a focus on seamless roaming, device‑aware analytics, and simple cloud‑driven management, the AP‑504 helps IT teams deploy enterprise‑grade wireless networks that adapt to changing device mixes, usage patterns, and security requirements while reducing operational complexity.

• Ultra‑fast, Wi‑Fi 6 performance: The AP‑504 supports IEEE 802.11ax (Wi‑Fi 6), delivering a combined data rate up to approximately 1.77 Gbps. Its advanced radio technologies, including OFDMA and MU‑MIMO, optimize spectrum efficiency to handle simultaneous streams from many clients, from smartphones and laptops to IoT sensors and industrial devices. This results in lower latency, higher throughput, and a better experience for latency‑sensitive applications such as video conferencing and real‑time collaboration.
• High‑density, multi‑application design: Built to excel in environments with dense client populations and mixed traffic types, the AP‑504 intelligently partitions and prioritizes traffic for critical business apps, guest services, and IoT workloads. With robust airtime management, client steering, and airtime fairness features, it helps ensure consistent performance even during peak usage periods, making it ideal for classrooms, large offices, retail floors, and public spaces.
• Cloud‑managed simplicity with Aruba Central: Manage and monitor your wireless network from a single, intuitive pane through Aruba Central. The AP‑504 supports zero‑touch provisioning, policy‑driven configuration, and AI‑assisted assurance that identifies and resolves performance issues before they impact users. This centralized management reduces on‑site IT overhead and enables scalable deployments across multiple sites with consistent security policies and firmware updates.
• Enterprise‑grade security and policy control: With built‑in security features and modern authentication protocols, the AP‑504 helps protect your wireless fabric from threats. It supports WPA3, enhanced encryption, and role‑based access control, enabling secure onboarding of devices and fine‑grained policy enforcement for users and devices alike. The integration with Aruba networking security capabilities provides reliable defense in depth for campus, enterprise, and retail networks.
• Flexible installation, reliability, and ecosystem readiness: The AP‑504 is designed for flexible deployment, including ceiling or wall mounting and compatibility with standard PoE deployments to simplify installation. Its modular, durable design supports ongoing firmware improvements and feature expansions via Aruba Central, ensuring your network stays current with evolving Wi‑Fi standards and enterprise demands.

Technical Details of HPE AP-504

• Wireless Standards: IEEE 802.11ax (Wi‑Fi 6) compliant, delivering improved efficiency, capacity, and performance in dense environments.
• Maximum Data Rate: Up to 1.77 Gbps aggregate throughput, enabling faster connections for mobile devices, laptops, and IoT endpoints.
• Frequency Bands: Dual‑band operation on 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz to support a wide range of devices and applications.
• Technologies: OFDMA, MU‑MIMO, and Target Wake Time (TWT) for efficient spectrum use, lower latency, and better battery life for connected devices.
• Security: Enterprise‑grade protections with WPA3 and robust encryption, alongside policy‑driven access and secure onboarding for devices and users.
• Management: Cloud‑managed via Aruba Central with zero‑touch provisioning, policy‑based configuration, and AI‑driven insights for proactive network optimization.
• Power and Deployment: Power over Ethernet (PoE) support, enabling flexible placement and easier installation; compatible with standard network switches and mounting options for ceilings or walls.
• Device Cohesion: Designed to integrate seamlessly with other Aruba 500 series access points and Aruba Central ecosystem, enabling scalable, consistent network experiences across locations.

How to install HPE AP-504

• Plan placement for coverage and capacity: Analyze your space to identify high‑density zones, classrooms, meeting rooms, or storefronts. Position the AP‑504 on ceilings or high walls to minimize obstructions and maximize line‑of‑sight pathways for wireless clients. Consider proximity to power sources or PoE switches for easy installation and cable routing.
• Prepare your PoE network and cabling: Ensure your network switch or PoE injector provides the appropriate power standards (PoE/PoE+) compatible with the AP‑504. Use cat‑6 or higher Ethernet cable for reliable performance and future‑proofing as your network scales.
• Adopt the AP in Aruba Central: Connect the device to your network and let it reach Aruba Central for zero‑touch provisioning. Authenticate the AP and apply a baseline policy, SSIDs, and security settings. You can customize radio settings, VLAN assignments, and guest access policies to align with your organization’s security posture and user expectations.
• Configure SSIDs and security policies: Create separate SSIDs for corporate users, guests, and IoT devices. Apply appropriate authentication methods, role‑based access control, and traffic shaping rules to ensure optimal performance and security for each user cohort.
• Verify coverage and optimize performance: After deployment, use Aruba Central analytics and live RF monitoring to assess coverage, interference, and client distribution. Fine‑tune transmit power, channel selection, and client steering settings to achieve balanced performance across zones. Schedule firmware updates to keep features current and secure.

Frequently asked questions

What is the HPE AP‑504 best for?

The AP‑504 is designed for high‑density environments where many devices compete for bandwidth, such as large offices, campuses, classrooms, retail floors, and hospitality spaces. It leverages Wi‑Fi 6 technologies to improve capacity, reduce congestion, and deliver a smoother user experience for modern applications like video conferencing, cloud collaboration, and real‑time IoT monitoring.

Does the AP‑504 support Wi‑Fi 6E?

No. The HPE AP‑504 supports 802.11ax (Wi‑Fi 6) on 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands. Wi‑Fi 6E adds the 6 GHz band, which is not part of this model’s specifications.

How is the AP‑504 managed?

The AP‑504 is cloud‑managed via Aruba Central, enabling zero‑touch provisioning, policy‑driven configuration, and AI‑assisted insights. This approach reduces on‑premises management complexity and supports scalable deployments across multiple sites with consistent security and performance policies.

What security features does the AP‑504 offer?

It provides enterprise‑grade security, including WPA3 for strong authentication and encryption, role‑based access control, secure onboarding for devices, and integration with Aruba’s security ecosystem to help protect users and devices across the wireless network.

Can I install the AP‑504 in a PoE environment?

Yes. The AP‑504 supports Power over Ethernet, enabling flexible placement and reducing the need for separate power cabling. This makes it easier to deploy in ceilings, walls, or other hard‑to‑reach locations while maintaining clean cable management.