HPE Aruba Networking CX 8100 Managed L3 Switch, 48x10G SFP+, 4x40/100G QSFP28, Front-to-Back Airflow, 2x AC PSU

The HPE Aruba Networking CX 8100 is a high-performance managed L3 switch engineered to meet the rigorous demands of modern enterprise data centers and campus core environments. Built on the advanced AOS-CX operating system, this switch provides a cloud-native, modular architecture that simplifies network management through automation and programmability. With its compact 1U rack-mountable design, it delivers high-density connectivity, featuring 48 ports of 10G SFP+ and 4 high-speed 40/100G QSFP28 uplinks, ensuring robust performance for data-intensive applications.

Advantages

This switch offers exceptional operational efficiency by utilizing the Aruba Network Analytics Engine, which provides real-time telemetry and actionable insights to proactively identify and resolve network issues. The microservices-based architecture ensures superior fault tolerance, as individual processes operate independently to prevent system-wide failures. Furthermore, the support for Aruba Virtual Switching Extension (VSX) enables a highly resilient, redundant design that maintains continuous availability during control-plane events. Integration with Aruba Fabric Composer allows for seamless software-defined orchestration, significantly reducing the time required for provisioning and managing complex leaf-spine network fabrics.

Suitable for

• Enterprise data center core and aggregation layers
• Dynamic top-of-rack (ToR) deployments
• High-performance campus network backbones
• Environments requiring extensive automation and REST API integration
• Scalable infrastructure for cloud and IoT workloads

This device may not be suitable for small office or home office environments where the high-density 10G/100G port configuration and advanced L3 routing capabilities exceed the actual network requirements. Additionally, its front-to-back airflow design is specifically optimized for data center racks, making it less ideal for installations in environments without dedicated cooling or noise-controlled spaces.

Key specifications

• 48 x 10G SFP+ ports
• 4 x 40/100G QSFP28 uplink ports
• Switching capacity: 1760 Gbit/s
• Form factor: 1U rack-mountable
• Airflow: Front-to-back
• Power supply: Dual AC power supplies
• Operating system: AOS-CX

Installation should be performed by qualified network technicians. The switch is designed for standard 19-inch rack mounting. After physical installation, connect the device to your management network and utilize the AOS-CX command-line interface or REST APIs to configure the initial network parameters. Ensure that the front-to-back airflow path is unobstructed to maintain optimal operating temperatures within the rack.

What to consider before purchase

• Verify that your existing cabling infrastructure supports SFP+ and QSFP28 transceivers.
• Ensure your rack environment supports front-to-back cooling requirements.
• Confirm that your power infrastructure can accommodate the dual AC power supply configuration.
• Assess whether your network management strategy aligns with the AOS-CX automation and orchestration capabilities.

For optimal performance and longevity, ensure the switch is installed in a climate-controlled environment and that firmware is regularly updated to leverage the latest security and analytics features provided by the Aruba AOS-CX platform.