R8S96A HPE Aruba 48-Ports Cx 10000-48y6c L3 Gigabit Ethernet Rack-mountable Switch

HPE R8S96A Aruba CX 10000-48Y6C Managed Switch Overview

The HPE R8S96A Aruba CX 10000-48Y6C is an advanced Layer 3 managed rack-mountable switch designed for modern enterprise networks, data centers, and high-performance computing environments. This powerful 1U networking platform combines high-density 25 Gigabit Ethernet connectivity with flexible 40/100 Gigabit uplink capabilities to deliver exceptional scalability, reliability, and operational efficiency. Built by HPE Aruba, this switch is engineered to support demanding workloads, cloud applications, virtualization environments, and next-generation network architectures.

Featuring 48 ports of 1/10/25 Gigabit Ethernet SFP/SFP+/SFP28 connectivity and 6 ports of 40/100 Gigabit QSFP+/QSFP28 uplinks, the Aruba CX 10000-48Y6C provides a robust foundation for data center aggregation, spine-and-leaf deployments, and enterprise network expansion. With a 3.6 Tbps switching capacity and ultra-low latency performance, this managed switch ensures fast data processing and efficient traffic handling across complex network infrastructures.

General Information

• Manufacturer: HPE Aruba
• Part Number: R8S96A
• Device Type: Layer 3 Managed Network Switch

Technical Information

• Product Family: Aruba CX 10000 Series
• Form Factor: Rack-mountable 1U chassis
• Airflow Design: Front-to-back airflow for data center installations
• Network Layer: Layer 3 switching and routing support

Enterprise-Grade 25 Gigabit Ethernet Connectivity

• 48 x 1/10/25 Gigabit Ethernet SFP/SFP+/SFP28 ports
• Support for high-speed server and storage connectivity
• Flexible speed configuration for mixed network environments
• Compatible with SFP, SFP+, and SFP28 transceiver solutions

High-Speed Data Center Interconnect Capability

• 6 x 40/100 Gigabit QSFP+/QSFP28 uplink ports
• High-bandwidth connectivity between switches
• Optimized for data center and enterprise environments
• Supports scalable network expansion

Advanced Switching Capacity

• Switching Capacity: 3.6 Tbps
• Packet Processing Designed for High-Density Networks
• Latency: Less than 1.30 microseconds
• Optimized for real-time applications and low-delay networking

Supported Routing Protocols

• OSPF and OSPFv3 for dynamic IP routing
• BGP-4 and Multiprotocol BGP support
• RIP-2 and RIPng compatibility
• Static IPv4 and IPv6 routing
• Equal-Cost Multipath (ECMP) routing
• Policy-Based Routing (PBR)
• Generic Routing Encapsulation (GRE)

Large-Scale Network Capacity

• IPv4 Hosts: 120,000
• IPv6 Hosts: 52,000
• IPv4 Unicast Direct Routes: 131,072
• IPv6 Unicast Direct Routes: 32,732
• IGMP Groups: 4,094
• MLD Groups: 4,094
• IPv4 Multicast Routes: 4,094
• IPv6 Multicast Routes: 4,094

System Memory and Storage

• RAM: 32 GB
• Flash Memory: 64 MB
• Built-in Storage: 64 GB SSD
• MAC Address Table Capacity: 98K Entries

Remote Management Features

• SNMP-based monitoring and administration
• Command Line Interface (CLI) management
• REST API interface for automation and integration
• Advanced network configuration capabilities

Available Interfaces

• 1 x Serial RJ-45 console port
• 1 x USB console port
• 1 x Micro-USB console port
• 1 x LAN RJ-45 management interface

Power Supply Configuration

• Internal power supply design
• Maximum supported power supplies: 2
• Installed power supplies: 0
• Designed for redundant power deployment options

Applications of HPE R8S96A Aruba CX 10000-48Y6C Switch

• Enterprise data center networking
• Cloud infrastructure environments
• Server and storage network aggregation
• Virtualized application platforms
• High-performance computing environments
• Campus network core and distribution layers
• Spine-and-leaf network architectures
• Large-scale business network deployments

HPE R8S96A Aruba CX 10000-48Y6C Managed Switch Overview

The HPE R8S96A Aruba CX 10000-48Y6C is an advanced high-performance data center switch designed for modern enterprise networks, cloud environments, and demanding business applications that require exceptional bandwidth, intelligent automation, and secure connectivity. This rack-mountable Layer 3 managed switch belongs to the next generation of Aruba networking solutions, delivering a powerful combination of high-speed Ethernet connectivity, advanced routing capabilities, robust security features, and simplified network management.

Built for data-intensive workloads, the Aruba CX 10000-48Y6C switch provides 48 SFP+/SFP28 ports supporting 1GbE, 10GbE, and 25GbE Ethernet connections along with 6 QSFP+/QSFP28 ports supporting 40GbE and 100GbE uplinks. This flexible port configuration enables organizations to build scalable network infrastructures capable of handling increasing traffic demands from virtualization, cloud computing, artificial intelligence workloads, storage environments, and high-performance applications.

Enterprise-Class Networking with Aruba CX Architecture

The HPE Aruba CX 10000-48Y6C switch is engineered on the Aruba CX architecture, a modern networking platform developed to deliver consistency, reliability, and operational efficiency across enterprise environments. Unlike traditional switching platforms, Aruba CX introduces a cloud-native approach with advanced automation capabilities, real-time monitoring, and intelligent analytics that help network administrators improve performance while reducing operational complexity.

This managed switch provides a comprehensive Layer 3 networking foundation with advanced routing, switching, and policy-based controls. It is suitable for organizations that require dependable connectivity between servers, storage systems, edge devices, and core network infrastructure. The combination of high-density 25 Gigabit Ethernet access ports and high-speed 100 Gigabit Ethernet uplinks makes this platform ideal for data centers, enterprise campuses, and service provider environments.

High-Density 48-Port Ethernet Connectivity

Flexible 1GbE, 10GbE, and 25GbE SFP+/SFP28 Interfaces

The HPE R8S96A Aruba CX 10000-48Y6C provides 48 high-density SFP+/SFP28 Ethernet ports designed to support multiple generations of networking speeds. Each port can operate at 1 Gigabit Ethernet, 10 Gigabit Ethernet, or 25 Gigabit Ethernet speeds depending on the installed transceiver and network requirements. This flexibility allows organizations to upgrade their infrastructure gradually without replacing the entire switching platform.

SFP+ and SFP28 connectivity provides compatibility with a wide range of optical and direct-attach cabling solutions, allowing businesses to customize deployments based on distance requirements, network design, and performance objectives. Whether connecting servers, virtualization hosts, storage systems, or network aggregation devices, these high-speed interfaces provide reliable and efficient data transmission.

Advanced Data Center Port Density

Modern data centers require switches capable of supporting a large number of connected devices while maintaining low latency and consistent performance. The 48-port configuration of the Aruba CX 10000-48Y6C enables organizations to maximize rack space efficiency by consolidating numerous network connections into a single powerful switching platform.

High port density reduces the need for additional access switches and simplifies network architecture. This helps organizations lower infrastructure complexity while improving scalability for growing workloads. The switch is particularly valuable for environments where server virtualization, containerized applications, and distributed computing require significant east-west traffic capacity.

High-Speed 40GbE and 100GbE Uplink Performance

Six QSFP+/QSFP28 Ports for Scalable Network Expansion

The HPE R8S96A Aruba CX 10000-48Y6C includes six QSFP+/QSFP28 uplink ports designed to deliver high-speed backbone connectivity. These ports support both 40 Gigabit Ethernet and 100 Gigabit Ethernet connections, providing the bandwidth required for demanding core network applications.

High-speed uplinks allow organizations to connect multiple switches, aggregation layers, and core networking systems while maintaining excellent throughput and minimal congestion. The QSFP28 interfaces provide a future-ready solution for enterprises transitioning toward higher-speed network architectures.

Optimized for Modern Data Center Traffic

Data center traffic patterns have evolved significantly due to cloud services, virtualization, analytics platforms, and distributed applications. Traditional networks often struggle with increased traffic volumes and complex communication patterns. The Aruba CX 10000-48Y6C addresses these challenges by providing high-capacity switching and flexible uplink options that support modern application requirements.

The combination of 25GbE server connectivity and 100GbE uplinks creates an efficient network design that minimizes bottlenecks and improves application responsiveness. This architecture helps organizations achieve better resource utilization while preparing their infrastructure for future growth.

Layer 3 Managed Switching Capabilities

Advanced Routing and Network Management Features

As a Layer 3 managed switch, the HPE R8S96A Aruba CX 10000-48Y6C provides intelligent routing capabilities beyond traditional Layer 2 switching. It supports advanced network segmentation, routing protocols, and traffic management features that allow administrators to create efficient and secure network environments.

Layer 3 functionality enables organizations to build scalable network architectures without requiring additional dedicated routing equipment for many applications. Administrators can manage traffic flows between different network segments, improve performance, and implement security policies directly through the switching infrastructure.

Enterprise Network Automation

Automation is a critical requirement for modern IT environments. The Aruba CX platform provides automation capabilities that simplify configuration, monitoring, and troubleshooting. Network administrators can streamline repetitive tasks, reduce manual errors, and improve operational efficiency through intelligent management tools.

The switch supports centralized management approaches that provide visibility across network environments. This enables faster identification of performance issues and helps organizations maintain reliable connectivity across complex infrastructures.

Secure and Reliable Network Infrastructure

Enhanced Security for Enterprise Deployments

Security is a fundamental requirement for enterprise networking environments. The HPE R8S96A Aruba CX 10000-48Y6C includes advanced security capabilities designed to protect network resources and control access to critical systems. These features help organizations create trusted network environments while maintaining flexibility and performance.

Network segmentation, access control mechanisms, and policy-based management allow administrators to define how devices communicate across the infrastructure. This improves protection against unauthorized access and helps organizations meet security requirements for sensitive applications.

Reliable Hardware Design for Continuous Operation

The Aruba CX 10000-48Y6C is designed for mission-critical environments where uptime and reliability are essential. Its rack-mountable form factor allows easy installation in standard data center racks, making it suitable for enterprise server rooms and professional networking environments.

High-quality hardware engineering combined with advanced software capabilities ensures dependable operation under demanding workloads. Organizations can deploy this switch as part of a resilient network strategy designed to support business continuity and long-term growth.

Ideal Applications for HPE Aruba CX 10000-48Y6C Switch

Data Center Networking Solutions

The HPE R8S96A Aruba CX 10000-48Y6C is optimized for data center environments requiring high bandwidth, low latency, and flexible connectivity. It provides the performance needed to connect modern servers, storage platforms, virtualization clusters, and cloud infrastructure.

With support for 25GbE access connections and 100GbE uplinks, the switch enables organizations to design efficient data center fabrics capable of supporting increasing application demands. It is an excellent choice for enterprises modernizing their network infrastructure with next-generation Ethernet technology.

Cloud and Virtualization Environments

Cloud computing and virtualization platforms generate significant network traffic between servers and applications. The Aruba CX 10000-48Y6C provides the bandwidth and intelligence required to support these dynamic environments.

Organizations running virtual machines, containers, private cloud platforms, and hybrid cloud solutions can benefit from the switch’s scalable architecture and advanced management capabilities. Its flexible interfaces allow businesses to adapt network configurations as technology requirements evolve.

Enterprise Campus and High-Performance Networks

Large enterprises often require powerful aggregation switches capable of handling extensive user connectivity and application traffic. The Aruba CX 10000-48Y6C provides the performance and flexibility needed for high-demand campus networks, research facilities, financial environments, and other bandwidth-intensive applications.

Efficient Network Management and Operational Benefits

Simplified Administration and Improved Visibility

Managing complex network infrastructures requires tools that provide clear visibility and simplified control. The Aruba CX ecosystem helps administrators monitor network health, analyze performance, and optimize operations through intelligent management features.

By reducing configuration complexity and improving troubleshooting efficiency, the switch helps IT teams maintain reliable network performance while minimizing downtime. This makes it a valuable solution for organizations seeking greater operational efficiency.

Future-Ready Ethernet Switching Platform

The HPE R8S96A Aruba CX 10000-48Y6C represents a future-ready Ethernet switching solution built to support evolving networking requirements. Its combination of high-density SFP+/SFP28 ports, powerful QSFP+/QSFP28 uplinks, Layer 3 management, and enterprise-grade reliability makes it suitable for organizations investing in scalable infrastructure.

As businesses continue adopting cloud applications, data analytics, artificial intelligence, and digital transformation initiatives, network infrastructure must provide greater speed, flexibility, and intelligence. The Aruba CX 10000-48Y6C delivers the advanced capabilities required to support these technologies while providing a dependable foundation for future expansion.