Case Study: Ars Electronica achieves reliable, high-capacity, password-free Wi‑Fi for 100,000 visitors with HPE Aruba Networking

Ars Electronica deploy Aruba wireless solution to ensure quality internet access for all visitors

Ars Electronica, a major media‑arts festival in Linz, needed a robust, short‑term wireless network to provide simple, open BYOD internet access for up to 100,000 visitors across a large site. Requirements included full Wi‑Fi coverage with no passwords or captive portal, stable fail‑safe operation and firewall protection to support diverse devices and peak loads.

Aruba and partner Computer Center Feldbach deployed an Aruba Instant controllerless Wi‑Fi solution with managed VLANs, Aruba AirWave monitoring, pfSense firewalls for routing/DHCP and load‑sharing internet links. The network handled high client density and peak usage reliably, transferring over 500 GB during five days, earning consistently positive feedback and delivering continuous, secure connectivity for visitors and partners.

Ars Electronica

Karl Julian Schmidinger

Technical Director