HPE R0X42-61101 Aruba CX 6400 24-port 10Gbase-T and 4-port SFP56 v2 Module

High-Performance Enterprise Switching: Overview of the HPE Aruba 6400 Series

The HPE Aruba 6400 Series switch family, particularly the R0X42-61101 HPE Aruba 6400 24-port 10GBASE-T and 4-port SFP56 v2 Switch, is engineered for modern enterprise networks that demand high throughput, security, and resiliency. With Layer 3 switching capabilities and a modular, rack-mountable design, it delivers advanced networking performance suited for both the access and aggregation layers in campus and data center environments. This category of switches supports bandwidth-intensive applications and seamless scalability, making it ideal for organizations preparing for future network growth and digitization.

Key Features of the R0X42-61101 Aruba 6400 Switch

• 24 x 10GBASE-T RJ-45 ports offering high-speed copper connectivity
• 4 x 50GbE SFP56 ports for high-throughput fiber uplinks
• Layer 3 routing functionality including OSPF, BGP, PIM, and static routes
• Fully managed with ArubaOS-CX for automation and programmability
• Hot-swappable, modular architecture with high availability options
• Rack-mountable 1U form factor ideal for enterprise deployments

Understanding Modular Switching Architecture

The modular architecture of the Aruba 6400 series allows for flexible customization and field-upgradeable components. The R0X42-61101 supports high-density port modules that can be tailored to specific workloads. With redundancy across power supplies and fans, this switch offers uninterrupted performance during upgrades or component failures.

Port Density and Throughput

The switch's 24-port 10GBASE-T configuration supports copper cabling for short to medium distances, allowing it to connect servers, storage, and endpoints in enterprise LANs efficiently. The 4-port SFP56 module enables fiber connectivity at up to 50 Gbps, making it ideal for backbone uplinks or inter-switch stacking scenarios. This hybrid port setup makes the R0X42-61101 versatile for top-of-rack, aggregation, and core roles.

Power Redundancy and Cooling

Designed for high availability, the Aruba 6400 switch supports dual hot-swappable power supplies and fans. This ensures failover protection and allows for in-service hardware replacements without disrupting network operations. Additionally, variable-speed fans dynamically adjust to environmental conditions, optimizing power efficiency and thermal management.

Layer 3 Advanced Switching Capabilities

As a full Layer 3 switch, the Aruba R0X42-61101 offers robust routing capabilities such as dynamic routing protocols (OSPF, BGP, IS-IS), multicast support via PIM, and policy-based routing. These features enhance traffic control and routing intelligence, which are essential in large-scale networks with multiple VLANs and complex traffic flows.

Dynamic Routing Protocols

• OSPF (Open Shortest Path First) – Optimized for fast convergence and route scalability
• BGP (Border Gateway Protocol) – Ideal for inter-domain routing in multi-homed environments
• PIM (Protocol Independent Multicast) – Efficient multicast distribution for real-time applications

Policy-Based Routing

With policy-based routing, administrators can control traffic paths based on source address, application type, or other parameters. This granular control improves QoS for critical applications such as VoIP, video conferencing, or database synchronization, ensuring minimal latency and optimal resource utilization.

Security Features and Access Control

Enterprise security is a critical aspect of Aruba's design. The R0X42-61101 offers comprehensive security features including MACsec (802.1AE), dynamic segmentation, access control lists (ACLs), and role-based access control (RBAC). Integrated support for ClearPass and Active Directory facilitates centralized user authentication and policy enforcement.

MACsec Encryption

With support for IEEE 802.1AE MACsec, the switch provides secure communication between trusted nodes at Layer 2. This hardware-based encryption ensures data confidentiality and integrity without sacrificing throughput, especially important for compliance-driven sectors such as finance, healthcare, and government.

Dynamic Segmentation and ClearPass Integration

Dynamic segmentation enables the switch to automatically assign devices to specific VLANs and security zones based on identity, posture, and context. This integration with Aruba ClearPass allows for simplified access policies, efficient segmentation, and enhanced visibility across wired and wireless endpoints.

ArubaOS-CX: The Intelligent Operating System

ArubaOS-CX is the foundational software platform for the 6400 series, designed for high resiliency and operational automation. With a microservices architecture and REST APIs, ArubaOS-CX transforms traditional network management into an intelligent, programmable framework.

Network Analytics Engine (NAE)

The built-in NAE enables real-time monitoring, anomaly detection, and dynamic scripting for troubleshooting and automation. This drastically reduces mean time to resolution (MTTR) and empowers network teams with contextual insights using data collected directly from the switch.

REST APIs and Python Scripting

ArubaOS-CX exposes extensive APIs and Python-based CLI scripting tools, supporting DevOps workflows and third-party integrations. Administrators can create automation scripts, configuration templates, and monitoring dashboards to streamline large-scale deployments and reduce configuration drift.

Deployment Scenarios and Use Cases

The R0X42-61101 Aruba 6400 switch is versatile enough to serve multiple roles across enterprise network architectures:

Access Layer Switch

With its 24 high-speed copper ports, the switch can connect end-user devices, printers, IP phones, and IoT endpoints in high-density floor environments. PoE+ or PoE++ modules (sold separately) may be added to deliver power to connected devices, making it suitable for smart campus and building automation scenarios.

Aggregation Layer Deployment

For medium-to-large enterprises, the switch serves effectively at the aggregation layer, combining multiple access switches into a unified uplink path. The 50GbE SFP56 ports enable high-bandwidth links to core routers or data center fabrics, reducing bottlenecks.

Data Center Edge or Top-of-Rack (ToR)

The 10GBASE-T ports offer direct server connectivity using existing CAT6/6A cabling, while the SFP56 modules can connect to upstream spine switches. Its compact 1U design fits seamlessly into data center racks, optimizing space and power use while supporting virtualized environments.

Energy Efficiency and Environmental Compliance

Aruba engineers design their products to meet stringent energy efficiency and sustainability standards. The R0X42-61101 is compliant with RoHS, WEEE, and ENERGY STAR specifications, making it a responsible choice for eco-conscious IT operations.

Dynamic Power Management

The switch intelligently adjusts power draw based on port activity, cable lengths, and traffic loads. Unused ports can enter low-power states, and fans operate on demand, reducing overall energy consumption and operational costs.

Redundancy and High Availability

Designed for mission-critical environments, the Aruba 6400 supports VSX (Virtual Switching Extension) for high-availability active-active switch pairs. Combined with nonstop forwarding and stateful failover, this ensures minimal downtime during software updates or failover events.

VSX and Hitless Upgrades

Aruba’s VSX architecture allows two switches to operate as a single logical unit, offering configuration synchronization, load balancing, and hitless upgrades. This minimizes disruption and simplifies failover planning in high-uptime networks.

Management and Monitoring Capabilities

The R0X42-61101 can be managed via Web GUI, CLI, or Aruba Central – a cloud-based network management platform that provides visibility across campus, branch, and data center networks.

Aruba Central Cloud Management

Aruba Central offers a unified platform to configure, monitor, and troubleshoot switches, access points, and gateways. With AI-powered analytics and proactive alerting, IT teams can optimize network performance and respond swiftly to anomalies.

Warranty, Licensing, and Support

The Aruba 6400 series is backed by a limited lifetime warranty and a range of support options through HPE Pointnext. Licensing models are straightforward, with most advanced features included in the base OS, reducing total cost of ownership (TCO).

Flexible Licensing Options

Aruba offers perpetual and subscription-based licensing options for enhanced features, APIs, and cloud management. Organizations can tailor licensing to their operational model, ensuring a scalable and cost-effective investment.