R0X41A HPE 48 Port SR5 CL6 PoE 4SFP56 Module

Overview of HPE R0X41A Aruba Line Module

The HPE R0X41A Aruba Line Module is an advanced network expansion module designed to meet the growing needs of enterprise data centers and campus environments. Featuring 48 ports of 5GBASE-T and four 50 Gigabit SFP56 uplink ports, this expansion module is tailored for high-density, high-performance networking solutions. It integrates seamlessly into Aruba 8400 Series core switches, offering exceptional flexibility, scalability, and future-ready connectivity.

Key Features and Benefits

• High-density 48 x 5GBASE-T ports for scalable access
• 4 x 50GbE SFP56 uplinks for high-speed backbone integration
• Modular design compatible with Aruba 8400 series switches
• Flexible multi-gigabit Ethernet support for modern wireless access points
• Ideal for mobile-first and IoT-driven enterprise deployments
• Redundant design for high availability and reliability

Technical Specifications

Port Configuration

The R0X41A Aruba Line Module is equipped with 48 copper-based 5GBASE-T ports that support auto-negotiation between 100Mbps, 1Gbps, 2.5Gbps, and 5Gbps Ethernet speeds. These ports use standard RJ-45 connectors and offer backward compatibility with Cat5e, Cat6, and Cat6A cabling. In addition to the copper ports, it includes four SFP56 ports supporting up to 50Gbps each, ideal for connecting to distribution or core layers via fiber uplinks.

Multi-Gigabit Ethernet Support

The increasing demand for high-speed wireless and wired connectivity driven by Wi-Fi 6/6E, video streaming, and IoT sensors necessitates network infrastructure that supports higher bandwidth. The 5GBASE-T ports offer an optimal solution by enabling speeds beyond traditional Gigabit Ethernet without requiring new cabling. This module supports NBASE-T technology, which enables 2.5G and 5G speeds over existing Cat5e infrastructure.

High-Speed Uplink Capability

The four SFP56 uplink ports are capable of delivering up to 50Gbps throughput each, providing a cumulative 200Gbps of uplink capacity. This ensures that the aggregation of all 48 downlink ports can be efficiently handled without bottlenecks, even in high-traffic scenarios. These uplinks are particularly useful in environments that require substantial east-west traffic handling or heavy data center workloads.

Hardware Architecture

Designed to fit within the modular architecture of the Aruba 8400 Series chassis switches, the R0X41A uses a line-card form factor that slides into available slots within the switch. It supports hot-swapping for simplified maintenance and replacement. The module uses state-of-the-art switching ASICs optimized for high throughput, low latency, and energy efficiency.

Redundancy and Reliability

Redundancy is a cornerstone of the Aruba 8400 design, and the R0X41A contributes to this with fault-tolerant operation. When combined with dual control planes, dual power supplies, and redundant cooling in the chassis, the line module ensures maximum uptime and mission-critical availability.

Ideal Use Cases

Enterprise Campus Deployments

With a combination of high port density and multi-gigabit support, the R0X41A is ideal for large enterprise campuses where many users and devices must be connected to a single switch. The ability to deliver 2.5G or 5G speeds to modern access points and workstations ensures a seamless user experience in collaborative, high-bandwidth environments.

High-Density Wi-Fi 6/6E and Wi-Fi 7 Environments

As organizations adopt newer wireless technologies, such as Wi-Fi 6E and Wi-Fi 7, access points require multi-gigabit uplinks to fully utilize the radio spectrum. The R0X41A supports this evolution with its 5GBASE-T ports, making it a future-proof solution for deploying next-generation wireless networks.

IoT Integration at Scale

Enterprises deploying large numbers of IoT sensors and devices need infrastructure that can support the bandwidth and PoE (Power over Ethernet) requirements of those devices. While the R0X41A itself doesn’t provide PoE, when combined with appropriate chassis modules, it can enable seamless connectivity for thousands of devices with guaranteed bandwidth.

Data Center Edge and Aggregation

The SFP56 uplinks make this module suitable for deployment at the edge of data centers, where it can aggregate multiple racks of servers or connect to top-of-rack switches. With high-throughput capabilities, low latency, and modular design, it helps maintain high performance across compute and storage nodes.

Interoperability and Compatibility

Compatible Switches

The HPE R0X41A Aruba Line Module is engineered specifically for the Aruba 8400 Series modular switches. These include models like Aruba 8400 8-slot and 4-slot chassis configurations. The module slides into available line card slots and is automatically recognized by ArubaOS-CX, the underlying switch operating system.

Supported Transceivers and Cables

The four SFP56 ports on the module support a wide range of HPE/Aruba-certified optical and copper transceivers. This includes 50G SFP56 SR, 50G SFP56 LR, and DAC (Direct Attach Copper) cables for short-distance connectivity. The versatility ensures compatibility with both fiber-based backbone links and cost-effective copper-based short links within the rack or wiring closet.

Backward Compatibility

Thanks to support for NBASE-T technology, the 5GBASE-T ports maintain backward compatibility with existing infrastructure, supporting 100Mbps, 1Gbps, and 2.5Gbps connections. This makes the R0X41A a flexible drop-in upgrade for legacy networks gradually transitioning to higher speeds.

ArubaOS-CX Integration

Operating System Features

The R0X41A operates under the powerful ArubaOS-CX network operating system, which offers robust programmability, analytics, and automation. It supports REST APIs, Python scripting, and Aruba Network Analytics Engine (NAE) for real-time monitoring and troubleshooting.

Network Automation and Monitoring

Administrators can use Aruba’s built-in automation tools to configure multiple ports simultaneously, deploy firmware updates, and monitor port statistics. The Network Analytics Engine enables real-time visibility into link status, traffic flow, and anomalies without relying on external monitoring tools.

Security and Access Control

Advanced security features including MACsec, role-based access control, 802.1X, and DHCP snooping are supported via ArubaOS-CX. These help enforce zero-trust security models and prevent rogue device infiltration.

Energy Efficiency and Environmental Considerations

Low-Power Consumption

Utilizing advanced silicon technologies and intelligent port management, the R0X41A offers significant power savings over traditional switching platforms. Unused ports can be disabled automatically, and traffic-based power optimization ensures efficient energy use without compromising performance.

Green Networking Initiatives

The R0X41A supports Aruba’s green IT goals by reducing the carbon footprint of network operations. The module is compliant with RoHS standards and is part of HPE’s circular economy efforts, which include take-back programs and component recycling initiatives.

Deployment and Installation

Installation Guidelines

Installing the R0X41A in an Aruba 8400 chassis is straightforward. The module is hot-swappable and can be installed while the switch remains powered on. Once inserted, the chassis recognizes the module and integrates it into the existing configuration using ArubaOS-CX.

Best Practices for Configuration

• Label ports based on VLAN and device groupings for easier management
• Use link aggregation (LACP) for uplink redundancy
• Monitor utilization and power draw using ArubaOS-CX tools
• Enable port-security settings to block unauthorized access

Management and Troubleshooting

Command-Line Interface (CLI)

Network administrators can manage the module using Aruba’s advanced CLI, which provides comprehensive commands for diagnostics, port configuration, VLAN tagging, QoS assignment, and more. SSH-based access ensures secure remote control.

Web-Based GUI and API Support

For those preferring a graphical interface, Aruba Central or the built-in web GUI of ArubaOS-CX offers an intuitive dashboard for port configuration, performance metrics, and alert management. The RESTful API allows integration with third-party management platforms.

Scalability and Future-Proofing

Modular Growth

One of the main advantages of the R0X41A is its modularity. As traffic demands grow, additional line modules can be added to the Aruba 8400 chassis without disruption, making it an ideal investment for rapidly scaling enterprises.

Support for Future Technologies

With support for NBASE-T, SFP56, and software-defined networking (SDN), the R0X41A is prepared for future protocols and technologies such as 5G offloading, edge computing, and AI-enhanced network automation. Its architecture ensures it can adapt to evolving demands over the next decade.