HPE Aruba CX 8100 48XF4C — 3 Fans, 2 AC Power Supplies

The Aruba CX 8100 Switch Series from HPE delivers a flexible, scalable, and secure networking foundation designed for the modern mobile, cloud, and IoT era. The HPE 8100 48XF4C model is engineered to serve as a high-performance core or aggregation switch in campus and data center environments, combining intelligent fabric, advanced analytics, and resilient power and cooling. This particular configuration includes 3 fans and 2 AC power supplies, underscoring the emphasis on reliability and uptime for mission-critical networks. Built on the ArubaOS-CX operating system, the 8100 series provides a modern, programmable network experience with deep visibility, fast provisioning, and proactive security—empowering IT teams to deploy, manage, and scale a resilient network with ease.

• Optimized for next‑generation campuses and data centers: The HPE Aruba CX 8100 series is purpose-built for high-performance core and aggregation roles, delivering deterministic throughput, low latency, and efficient traffic engineering to support dense virtualization, large-scale IoT deployments, and cloud integration.
• Redundant power and cooling for maximum uptime: This model ships with 2 AC power supplies and 3 fans, enabling hot-swappable components and continuous operation even during maintenance or component failure. The design minimizes downtime and supports service-level commitments in mission-critical networks.
• Intelligent security and policy control: Built-in security features include policy-based segmentation, threat protection, and integrated analytics. With ArubaOS-CX, you gain centralized control, real-time visibility, and automated responses to evolving security threats across both wired and wireless networks.
• Advanced analytics and telemetry for fast, informed decisions: The switch harnesses granular telemetry and streaming analytics, enabling proactive troubleshooting, capacity planning, and performance optimization. IT teams can translate telemetry data into actionable insights to optimize network health and user experience.
• Flexible deployment and streamlined management: Designed for flexible deployment in data centers or campus cores, the 8100 48XF4C integrates with Aruba Central and on-premises management tools, delivering a unified, scalable management experience with robust API support for automation and orchestration.

Technical Details of HPE 8100 48XF4C

• Model: HPE Aruba CX 8100 48XF4C
• Power supplies: 2 AC power supplies (included)
• Fans: 3 fans (included)
• Environment: Rack-mountable switch designed for data center and campus core/aggregation roles
• Management: ArubaOS-CX with GUI, CLI, REST APIs, and integration with Aruba Central for centralized operations
• Security: Built-in security features including policy-based segmentation and threat protection
• Networking: High-density, scalable switching suitable for mixed workloads, virtualization, and IoT connectivity

How to install HPE 8100 48XF4C

• Prepare your installation space: verify rack dimensions, airflow, and clean, organized cabling pathways to ensure optimal cooling and serviceability.
• Unbox and inspect: confirm that both AC power supplies and all mounting hardware are present, undamaged, and compatible with your rack.
• Mount the switch: install the chassis in a standard 19-inch rack using the provided rails or mounting kit, securing it firmly to prevent vibration and maximize cooling efficiency.
• Connect power and management access: attach the two redundant AC power supplies to a reliable power source (ideally with UPS support) and connect an out-of-band management interface to your management network for secure access.
• Initial boot and health check: power on the unit and verify that all fans, power supplies, and link LEDs indicate normal operation. Run the initial boot sequence and confirm firmware versions.
• Basic configuration: access the CLI or GUI to configure management IPs, access controls, and basic switch settings. Establish a baseline security posture and enable essential features such as QoS, VLANs, and trunking as required by your topology.
• Firmware and licensing: update to the latest ArubaOS-CX firmware if needed and apply any required licenses to unlock feature sets like advanced analytics or security modules.
• Integrate with management platforms: connect the switch to Aruba Central or your on-premises management tool, import devices, set up monitoring dashboards, and enable telemetry to begin visibility-driven operations.
• Test and validate: run end-to-end tests for failover, redundancy, traffic patterns, and security policies. Validate that core services, virtualization workloads, and IoT devices perform as expected under load.

Frequently asked questions

• Q: What deployment scenarios is the HPE 8100 48XF4C best suited for?
• A: It is designed for high-demand core and aggregation roles in campus networks and data centers, providing scalable performance, robust security, and advanced analytics necessary to support modern workloads, virtualization, and IoT environments. This makes it a strong candidate for enterprises needing a centralized, intelligent switching fabric with resilient power and cooling.
• Q: Does the 48XF4C include redundant power supplies and cooling?
• A: Yes. The configuration includes two AC power supplies and three fans to enable redundancy and minimize downtime during maintenance or component failures, ensuring continuous operation for critical network services.
• Q: What management options are available for this switch?
• A: The switch runs ArubaOS-CX and supports GUI, CLI, REST APIs, and integration with Aruba Central for centralized, scalable management. This provides administrators with flexible control, automation capabilities, and deep visibility into network performance and security.
• Q: Can I implement automated analytics and proactive health monitoring with this model?
• A: Yes. The Aruba CX platform delivers telemetry data, advanced analytics, and proactive health monitoring to help preempt issues, optimize capacity, and improve user experiences across wired and wireless networks.
• Q: Is this switch suitable for mixed workloads including virtualization and IoT?
• A: Absolutely. The CX architecture supports virtualization-friendly features, scalable bandwidth, and secure segmentation to handle diverse workloads—from virtual machines to IoT devices—while maintaining performance and security.