Managed Switch HPE Aruba Networking CX 8100 40x10G Base-T 8x10G SFP+ 4x40/100G QSFP28

The HPE Aruba Networking CX 8100 Switch Series is a managed L3 switch family designed for campus core, aggregation layers and top-of-rack data center deployments. The CX 8100 platform runs AOS-CX software and provides per-switch analytics, programmability via REST APIs and Python, and resiliency features that reduce service disruption during planned or unplanned control-plane events. Models in the series include a mix of 1/10GbE (SFP/SFP+) and 40/100GbE (QSFP+/QSFP28) interfaces in a compact 1U form factor; the product variant described here provides 40x10G Base-T ports, 8x10G SFP+ ports and 4x40/100G QSFP28 ports with a switching capacity of 1760 Gbit/s.

Advantages

The CX 8100 delivers real-time, network-wide visibility through an embedded analytics engine and supports automation and orchestration via REST APIs, Python scripting and Aruba Fabric Composer. Its modular cloud-native architecture uses microservices and continual state synchronization for fault tolerance and high availability, while Aruba VSX enables control-plane redundancy across chassis. The platform supports mixed copper and fiber connectivity and line-rate performance suitable for demanding campus and data center top-of-rack environments.

Suitable for

• Campus core and aggregation switching
• Top-of-rack (ToR) switches in leaf-spine data center designs
• Environments requiring a mix of 10GbE copper and 10GbE/40/100GbE fiber links
• Networks that need programmability, telemetry and automated operations

Key specifications

• Model: Managed Switch HPE Aruba Networking CX 8100 (MPN R9W92A)
• Ports: 40x10G Base-T, 8x10G SFP+, 4x40/100G QSFP28
• Switching capacity: 1760 Gbit/s
• Software: AOS-CX with REST APIs, Python scripting and Aruba Network Analytics Engine (NAE)
• Form factor: 1U
• High availability: Aruba VSX, dual control-plane state synchronization

How to use

Install the switch in a standard 1U rack slot and connect power and network uplinks according to your rack and cabling plan. Use the AOS-CX command line or REST APIs for initial configuration, or deploy Aruba Fabric Composer to orchestrate fabric provisioning and lifecycle management across leaf-spine deployments. Configure VLANs, routing, and QoS as required for your topology, and enable telemetry and the Network Analytics Engine to collect real-time operational data for troubleshooting and capacity planning.

Recommendations

For high availability, deploy CX 8100 switches with Aruba VSX across two chassis and maintain synchronous state for control planes. Use a combination of 10G Base-T for copper endpoints and SFP+/QSFP28 for fiber uplinks to match link distances and performance needs. Regularly collect telemetry with NAE and store time-series data to support trend analysis and proactive capacity planning.