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

Product Overview Of HPE Aruba 48-Ports Rack-mountable Switch

The HPE Aruba R8S96A 48-Port Cx 10000-48y6c L3 Managed Switch is a next-generation, enterprise-grade networking solution engineered for modern data centers, large-scale enterprises, and cloud-driven environments. It provides advanced routing capabilities, flexible deployment options, and cutting-edge connectivity speeds. With 48 SFP+/SFP28 ports supporting 1/10/25 Gigabit Ethernet and 6 QSFP+/QSFP28 uplinks for 40/100 Gigabit Ethernet, it delivers unmatched scalability and high-performance aggregation for businesses that demand speed, reliability, and flexibility.

Technical Specifications

Key Hardware Highlights

• 48 x SFP+/SFP28 ports (1/10/25GbE)
• 6 x QSFP+/QSFP28 uplink ports (40/100GbE)
• Rack-mountable 1U design
• Redundant hot-swappable power supplies
• Advanced cooling fans for thermal efficiency

Software Features

• Layer 2 and Layer 3 advanced switching
• Dynamic routing protocols: OSPF, BGP, VRF
• QoS, multicast, and traffic shaping
• Security: ACLs, 802.1X, role-based policies
• Cloud management via Aruba Central

High-Speed Port Architecture

• 48 × 1/10/25 Gigabit Ethernet SFP, SFP+, and SFP28 ports
• 6 × 40/100 Gigabit QSFP+ and QSFP28 uplinks
• Supports seamless integration with modern data centers and cloud-driven infrastructures

Enclosure and Cooling Design

• Compact 1U rack-mountable chassis
• Front-to-back airflow system ensures optimal thermal management
• Energy-efficient construction designed for continuous operation

Switching Power and Throughput

• Switching capacity: 3.6 Tbps
• Latency less than 1.30 microseconds
• Engineered to handle heavy traffic loads in large-scale environments

Capacity Support

• IPv4 host entries: up to 120,000
• IPv6 host entries: 52,000
• Unicast routes: IPv4 (131,072) and IPv6 (32,732)
• Multicast routes: IPv4 (4,094) and IPv6 (4,094)
• IGMP and MLD group memberships: 4,094 each
• MAC address table: 98K entries

Routing Protocol Compatibility

• Supports OSPF, OSPFv3, and RIP/RIPng
• Multiprotocol BGP and Policy-Based Routing (PBR)
• ECMP load balancing for optimized traffic flows
• Static IPv4 and IPv6 routing
• GRE tunneling support

Management and Control Features

• Command-line interface (CLI) for direct configuration
• SNMP support for monitoring and automation
• RESTful API for modern network management integration
• Multiple console access options (RJ-45, USB, micro-USB)
• Dedicated RJ-45 LAN management port

System Resources and Storage

• 32 GB of RAM for processing intensive workloads
• 64 MB flash memory for configurations and updates
• Built-in 64 GB SSD for enhanced performance

Expansion & Connectivity Options

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

Port Configuration and Connectivity

48 x 1/10/25 Gigabit SFP+/SFP28 Ports

Designed for versatility, the Aruba R8S96A includes 48 small form-factor pluggable (SFP+/SFP28) slots supporting multiple speeds. These ports offer backward compatibility with older 1GbE optics while also enabling high-speed 25GbE connections. Such a configuration allows IT administrators to create hybrid environments, combining legacy infrastructure with high-bandwidth networks.

6 x 40/100 Gigabit QSFP+/QSFP28 Uplinks

For backbone connectivity and data center aggregation, the switch includes six uplink ports that support 40GbE and 100GbE speeds. These uplinks make it ideal for large-scale data transfers, inter-switch communication, and seamless integration into high-performance server clusters.

Performance and Scalability

High-Bandwidth Architecture

The switch’s architecture ensures low latency, non-blocking throughput, and wire-speed performance. With advanced ASIC technology, it can handle demanding workloads such as virtualization, cloud storage, and real-time applications.

Flexible Scaling for Enterprises

Whether deployed in campus core networks or data centers, the Aruba 10000-48y6c switch allows seamless scalability. Administrators can start with a modest deployment and easily expand capacity as requirements grow, without replacing the entire infrastructure.

Security and Compliance

Integrated Network Security

Security is central to enterprise networking, and the R8S96A integrates multiple protective mechanisms. Features such as Access Control Lists (ACLs), port-based authentication (802.1X), and role-based access controls help prevent unauthorized usage.

Data Protection Standards

The switch is designed with industry-standard encryption and compliance support, enabling organizations to meet regulatory requirements while safeguarding sensitive enterprise and customer data.

Management and Monitoring

Intelligent Cloud-Based Management

Aruba Central cloud management provides a centralized, intuitive interface for configuring and monitoring the switch. Administrators can gain end-to-end visibility, automate tasks, and apply policies consistently across multiple devices.

On-Premise Management Options

For organizations requiring local control, the switch can also be managed via Aruba AirWave or traditional CLI/GUI interfaces. This flexibility accommodates different IT strategies, from fully cloud-driven to on-premise-only models.

Energy Efficiency and Sustainability

Low Power Consumption

The R8S96A is engineered with energy-efficient components and intelligent cooling mechanisms, minimizing overall power usage. It supports Energy Efficient Ethernet (EEE) standards to reduce operating costs.

Eco-Friendly Design

HPE Aruba emphasizes sustainability, ensuring the switch is manufactured using environmentally responsible practices. Its long lifecycle and reduced energy footprint contribute to greener IT operations.

Deployment Scenarios

Enterprise Campus Networks

In large enterprises, the R8S96A can serve as a core or aggregation switch, supporting high-bandwidth connections across multiple floors and departments. Its strong security and routing features make it suitable for distributed teams.

Data Center Environments

With support for 25GbE access ports and 100GbE uplinks, the switch excels in data centers where high-speed east-west and north-south traffic are critical. It can seamlessly connect storage systems, virtualization hosts, and high-performance computing clusters.

Cloud and Hybrid Workloads

Organizations transitioning to hybrid cloud environments can benefit from the Aruba 10000-48y6c’s integration with cloud services. It simplifies multi-cloud connectivity while ensuring traffic is securely routed across platforms.

Reliability and Uptime

Redundant Hardware

The Aruba R8S96A is equipped with dual power supplies and field-replaceable fan trays. These redundant components minimize downtime and ensure continuous operation, even in the event of hardware failures.

High Availability Features

Features such as link aggregation, hitless software upgrades, and fast failover mechanisms provide enterprises with a resilient network foundation, supporting mission-critical applications without interruption.