JL692A HPE Aruba 2930F 8 Ports 8G POE+ 2SFP+ TAA Managed Switch

The HPE JL692A Aruba 2930f 8G PoE+ 2SFP+ (TAA) is an enterprise-grade, rack-mountable 1U switch designed for access-layer deployments that require robust Layer 3 functionality, comprehensive management and security features, and reliable Power over Ethernet (PoE+) support. With 8 x 10/100/1000 PoE+ ports, dual high-speed uplinks capable of 1 Gb/10 Gb SFP+, and a compact rack profile, this switch is optimized for small-to-midsize offices, branch locations, classrooms, retail stores, and access-layer aggregation in campus networks.

General Information

• Manufacturer: HPE
• Part Number: JL692A
• Device type: Managed, stackable Layer 3 switch 

Technical specifications

• Ports: 8 × 10/100/1000 (PoE+) + 2 × SFP+ (1 Gb / 10 Gb capable uplinks)
• PoE budget: 125 W (PoE+)
• Switching capacity: 56 Gbps; Throughput: 41.7 Mpps
• Latency: ~3.8 μs at 1 Gbps; ~1.6 μs at 10 Gbps
• Jumbo frames: up to 9,220 bytes
• Routing: Full IPv4 and IPv6 routing support (OSPF, BGP, RIP, static routing, etc.)
• Memory and processing: ARM Cortex-A9 1.016 GHz, 1 GB DDR3 RAM, 4 GB flash
• Form factor: 1U rack-mountable; internal power supply (AC 120/230 V)
• Standards compliance: Extensive IEEE 802.x standards including 802.3at/af (PoE), 802.1Q/1p, 802.1X

Ports and physical interfaces

• 8 × 10/100/1000Base-T RJ-45 ports with PoE+ capability — powers IP phones, wireless access points, cameras and other PoE devices.
• 2 × SFP+ slots that accept 1 Gb or 10 Gb SFP+ transceivers for uplinks to aggregation switches or core devices, enabling high-speed backhaul when required.
• 1 × serial (console) port for initial setup, local CLI access and recovery tasks.

Performance and capacity

• Switching capacity: 56 Gbps — sufficient to fully wire-speed all 8 copper ports plus uplink overhead.
• Forwarding throughput: 41.7 Mpps — robust for mixed voice, video and data access scenarios.
• Latency: 3.8 μs at 1 Gbps, 1.6 μs at 10 Gbps — low-latency forwarding for time-sensitive applications (VoIP, video conferencing).
• MAC address table: 32k entries — ample table size for edge deployments with many endpoint devices or virtualization.
• Routing table: IPv4: 10,000 entries; IPv6: 5,000 entries — supports large routing deployments and numerous static/dynamic routes.
• Jumbo frame support: up to 9,220 bytes — beneficial for storage, backup, and VM migrations on the LAN.

HPE JL692A Aruba 8 Port 2930F Switch

The HPE JL692A Aruba 2930F is an enterprise-grade, 1U rack-mountable Layer 3 switch designed for edge, small campus, and branch deployments that require secure, scalable, and power-over-Ethernet (PoE+) capable connectivity. Built with an 8-port 10/100/1000BASE-T PoE+ front panel and dual SFP+ 10GbE uplinks, this Aruba 2930F 8G PoE+ 2SFP+ model delivers compact, high-performance switching with advanced management, stacking and resiliency features adhering to the Trade Agreements Act (TAA) for public sector procurement.

Detailed hardware specifications

Ports and physical interfaces

The JL692A Aruba 2930F offers eight front-facing Gigabit Ethernet ports with full PoE+ capability. Each RJ-45 port supports auto-MDIX and can negotiate speeds up to 1 Gbps. Two SFP+ cages support 10GbE optics for uplink/fiber aggregation, enabling high-bandwidth connectivity to distribution or core layers. The compact 1U height makes it suitable for constrained rack spaces in wiring closets and branch office cabinets.

PoE+ power and management

PoE+ (802.3at) support enables the switch to power devices such as modern Wi-Fi access points, IP cameras, and VoIP handsets. Administrators can configure per-port power limits and reserve budgets to ensure reliable device operation. The device includes power monitoring and PoE scheduling features that help optimize energy use and manage peak loads for uninterrupted operation.

Performance and switching capacity

With wire-speed switching on all ports, the JL692A supports high-throughput scenarios typical of voice, video, and data consolidation at the access layer. The SFP+ uplinks ensure non-blocking connectivity to distribution switches or aggregation devices. Performance metrics include low-latency forwarding, hardware-based QoS (Quality of Service), and precise traffic shaping to prioritize mission-critical applications.

Form factor and installation

The Aruba 2930F JL692A is built for quick installation: 1U rack-mountable chassis, included rack ears, and accessible cable management options. Fans and ventilation are arranged to maintain thermal stability in dense rack deployments. The front-panel design places PoE LEDs and link/activity indicators for rapid diagnostics.

Software capabilities

Aruba OS and management options

The JL692A runs ArubaOS (or Aruba Instant/Aruba CX depending on firmware path and licensing) delivering a full suite of management options:

Web GUI: Intuitive point-and-click interface for day-to-day configuration and monitoring.
CLI: Industry-standard command-line access for scripted configuration and automation.
SNMP and Syslog: For integration with NMS platforms and centralized monitoring.
Aruba Central / AirWave: Cloud and on-premises management platforms that provide inventory, firmware orchestration, and analytics across distributed networks (if licensed).
REST APIs and automation: Support for programmatic management to integrate with orchestration tools and Infrastructure as Code workflows.

Stacking and high availability

The Aruba 2930F family supports stacking to simplify management and increase redundancy. Virtual Stacking or hardware stacking (depending on model and firmware) allows multiple switches to operate as a single logical chassis — consolidating routing tables, simplifying firmware upgrades, and enabling link and device redundancy across the stack. This switch’s SFP+ uplinks can also be used for ring or mesh topologies to build resilient networks.

Layer 3 routing and advanced networking

Built-in Layer 3 features include static routing, RIP, and OSPF support, enabling the JL692A to act as a distribution point in small to medium deployments. The switch supports Access Control Lists (ACLs), VRFs (Virtual Routing and Forwarding) in many firmware builds, and dynamic routing policies to segment traffic between VLANs while maintaining performance. IPv6-ready routing and dual-stack configurations help future-proof deployments.

Security features

Security is integral to the JL692A. Available features include 802.1X port-based authentication, MAC authentication, dynamic VLAN assignment, role-based access control, ARP protection, DHCP snooping, and IP source guard. Together these features create a layered defense at the access layer and protect against unauthorized devices, rogue DHCP servers, and lateral movement within the network.

Identity and policy enforcement

When paired with Aruba ClearPass or Aruba Central, the switch participates in dynamic segmentation — mapping user and device identity to network policies for consistent enforcement across wired and wireless networks. This enables automatic policy mapping for guests, BYOD, contractors, and IoT devices without manual VLAN reconfiguration.

Use cases and deployment scenarios

1. Small and medium business (SMB) branch office

For branch offices, the JL692A provides PoE+ for phones and APs, Layer 3 routing for segmentation between guest and corporate networks, and simple stacking to expand port capacity without changing management models. The 125 W PoE budget typically covers a handful of APs and phones, while the SFP+ uplinks enable robust connectivity to the WAN or aggregation device.

2. Campus access / classroom and office floors

In campus settings, use the switch at the edge for classroom or small office clusters. VLAN support, 802.1X authentication and ACLs simplify secure student/staff segmentation and protect sensitive services. The hardware routing capacity enables local inter-VLAN routing for efficiency.

3. VoIP and unified communications

Low latency and QoS features make the switch well-suited to VoIP phone deployments. PoE+ powers IP phones, and classification marks prioritize voice traffic for consistent call quality even during congestion.

4. Wireless access point aggregation

Use the JL692A as a wiring-closet aggregator for multiple access points. The PoE budget can power several APs, and the 10 Gb SFP+ uplink option provides headroom for high-density wireless traffic aggregation.

5. IP surveillance and cameras

When deploying security cameras, the switch’s PoE+ ports can directly power cameras. Be mindful of the camera wattage (especially PTZ cameras with heaters/IR). Jumbo frame support and sufficient uplink capacity benefit video storage and NVR traffic.

Compatibility

TAA compliance and public sector suitability

The “TAA” designation indicates the JL692A meets Trade Agreements Act procurement requirements, making it eligible for U.S. federal and some public-sector purchases. This can be a crucial consideration for government, education, and certain enterprise buyers.

Standards and interoperability

Aruba switches adhere to open networking standards — Ethernet, 802.1Q VLANs, 802.3af/at PoE, LLDP, SNMP, and more — ensuring interoperability with third-party switches, access points, and network management systems. Compatibility with Aruba ClearPass, Aruba Central, and other Aruba orchestration tools improves integration into existing Aruba-managed estates.

Comparison

When evaluating access-layer options, consider these comparative dimensions:

1. Port density vs. footprint: The JL692A focuses on lower port-count, higher-value ports (PoE+ and SFP+ uplinks) in a 1U chassis — ideal when high uplink bandwidth and PoE are priorities but space is constrained.
2. PoE budget: Compare total available PoE wattage and per-port limits to ensure support for all powered devices without compromising redundancy.
3. Routing capabilities: If you need robust dynamic routing, consider higher-end modular switches; for branch and edge L3 requirements, the 2930F family typically offers a balanced set of L3 features.
4. Management model: If you require centralized cloud management across many sites, verify Aruba Central licensing and compatibility for the model.

SFP+ optics and cabling

For 10GbE uplinks, select compatible SFP+ transceivers (SR/LR/DA) that match the fiber type and distance of your infrastructure. Use quality multimode or single-mode fiber cables depending on the transceiver type and distance. Verify transceiver compatibility lists from Aruba to ensure full interoperability.

Racking, grounding and power options

The switch includes rack-mount brackets; however, for non-standard racks or shelves (e.g., retail cabinets or network enclosures), consider optional mounting kits. Proper grounding and surge protection are recommended, especially in areas prone to electrical storms or in industrial environments.

PoE splitters and extenders

When powering non-PoE devices or extending PoE over longer distances, use certified PoE splitters and PoE extenders. Always validate wattage and voltage compatibility before connecting devices.

Layer 3 routing, protocols and interoperability

Full routing feature set

The Aruba 2930f (JL692A) is positioned as a true Layer 3 access switch — supporting static and dynamic routing protocols to facilitate east-west and north-south traffic flows at the edge:

Dynamic routing: OSPF, BGP, RIP (v1/v2), RIPng IPv4 and IPv6 routing support (OSPFv2/v3, static IPv4/IPv6 routes) Multicast: IGMPv2/IGMPv3, MLD — with IGMP snooping for efficient multicast delivery CIDR (Classless Inter-Domain Routing) support for scalable network addressing

Why Layer 3 at the access layer matters

Using an access switch with Layer 3 capabilities reduces the load on the network core, enables inter-VLAN routing without hairpins, and allows for more resilient designs using dynamic routing failover. The JL692A's routing table capacity (10K IPv4 / 5K IPv6) makes it suitable for larger campus segments and complex addressing schemes.

High-availability and stacking

The model is stackable, which simplifies management and improves resiliency by enabling multiple physical switches to operate as a single logical unit. Stacking reduces operational complexity for firmware upgrades, configuration consistency and scaling access port counts as the network grows.

Expansion and modularity

The unit includes a single expansion slot (1 total / 1 free) allowing optional modules to be added for specific environments. Although this model ships with no modules installed, the expansion capability supports future-proofing for specialized connectivity needs.