HPE 8100 48XF4C Ethernet Switch — Aruba CX 8100 Series for Next-Gen Campus Core, Cloud, and IoT

The Aruba CX 8100 Switch Series delivers a flexible, intelligent, and secure solution for the modern network, designed to address the application, security, and scalability demands of the mobile, cloud, and IoT era. Built to meet the needs of the next-generation core and aggregation layers of campuses, virtual environments, and highly dynamic data centers, the HPE 8100 48XF4C Ethernet Switch blends high performance with automated operations. This switch supports multi-domain traffic, accelerates digital transformation, and provides a scalable platform that grows with your organization’s evolving connectivity needs. With a purpose-built architecture that emphasizes simplified management, robust security, and intelligent analytics, the HPE 8100 48XF4C is ideal for enterprises seeking reliable, flexible networking that can keep pace with changing workloads and user demands.

• Purpose-built for the next-generation campus core and aggregation - The HPE 8100 48XF4C is engineered to serve as a scalable core and distribution switch in large campuses and distributed networks. It delivers dense port options, flexible uplink capabilities, and a fabric-friendly architecture that supports rapid provisioning and seamless growth. This design minimizes bottlenecks, enables smooth migration from legacy cores to modern fabric-based topologies, and helps IT teams extend policy-based control across multiple campuses or data-center edge sites. With robust redundancy and resilient hardware, it’s built to sustain mission-critical workloads while keeping maintenance windows short and predictable.
• AI-driven automation and advanced visibility - The Aruba CX operating system powers AI-assisted operations, streaming telemetry, and proactive health insights. Automated health checks, predictive maintenance, and auto-remediation reduce manual intervention and accelerate mean time to repair. Centralized management through Aruba Central and CX Console provides a single pane of glass for real-time traffic analysis, application performance monitoring, and policy enforcement across the network. By translating complex telemetry into actionable recommendations, the 8100 enables administrators to optimize capacity, adjust quality of service, and fine-tune security policies with confidence—freeing teams to focus on business-driven initiatives rather than routine maintenance tasks.
• Security-first design and zero-trust network capabilities - Security is woven into the fabric of the HPE 8100 48XF4C. The switch supports role-based access control, secure management interfaces, and policy-driven segmentation to limit lateral movement and protect critical applications. Dynamic segmentation, integrated threat detection, and seamless integration with Aruba ClearPass enable precise access control and context-aware policy enforcement. This approach helps enforce zero-trust principles across campus networks, data centers, and IoT deployments, while preserving performance and user experience. Firmware signing, secure boot, and encrypted management channels further strengthen the security posture from boot to operation.
• Performance, scalability, and reliable service delivery - Designed to handle intensive workloads, the 48-port configuration provides high-density connectivity with uplink capabilities that support multi-speed fabrics. This enables organizations to scale for virtualization, cloud workloads, and IoT devices without sacrificing latency or throughput. The switch incorporates advanced QoS, buffering, and deterministic forwarding to ensure critical applications—such as virtual desktops, real-time video, and large-scale analytics—receive predictable performance. Its architecture supports scalable segmentation, virtualization of network resources, and seamless integration into Aruba fabrics, providing a future-proof platform for expanding digital services while maintaining predictable performance.
• Lifecycle management, ease of deployment, and efficiency - From initial rack placement to ongoing software updates, the HPE 8100 48XF4C emphasizes ease of management and operational efficiency. Features such as zero-touch provisioning, templated configurations, and centralized policy frameworks simplify deployment across multiple sites. Telemetry-driven health dashboards, proactive alerts, and energy-efficient design help reduce total cost of ownership and support sustainable IT operating models. The switch is designed to fit into existing IT ecosystems, enabling smooth integration with automation pipelines, ITSM tools, and network orchestration platforms for consistent policy enforcement and rapid service delivery.

Technical Details of HPE 8100 48XF4C Ethernet Switch

• Get this information from the "specifications" section of the product from https://ec.synnex.com/ using product "UPC" or "SKU" as reference

How to install HPE 8100 48XF4C Ethernet Switch

• Unpack and inspect the unit for any shipping damage; verify model and SKU against your purchase order.
• Choose a suitable rack location with adequate ventilation and clearance for cabling; mount the switch securely using standard rack screws.
• Connect power supplies as required, ensuring redundancy where possible, and place the device on a stable power footprint with an appropriate UPS or power distribution network.
• Plan your management network topology: assign a dedicated management VLAN, reserve an IP address, and determine out-of-band access if available.
• Connect management and uplink cables according to your network design; configure console access or in-band management to begin the initial setup.
• Power on the switch and perform the initial boot sequence; set up administrator credentials, hostname, time synchronization, and basic network parameters.
• Apply baseline configuration templates or import saved configurations; enable essential features such as VLANs, QoS policies, security profiles, and routing if required.
• Update firmware to the latest supported version and verify feature licenses; validate licensing requirements for security, analytics, and fabric features.
• Test connectivity and redundancy across critical paths; monitor system health, port status, and power / fan metrics to ensure stable operation.

Frequently asked questions

• Q: What environments is the HPE 8100 48XF4C best suited for?

  A: This switch is designed for next-generation campus core and aggregation, data center edge, and virtualized environments. It supports large-scale deployments across multi-site campuses, industrial IoT gateways, and hybrid cloud architectures, delivering reliable performance, security, and automation for mission-critical workloads.

• Q: Which management tools work with Aruba CX 8100 switches?

  A: The HPE 8100 series integrates with Aruba Central for cloud-based centralized management, along with the Aruba CX Console for on-premises lifecycle, monitoring, and policy enforcement. These tools provide real-time visibility, automated provisioning, and telemetry-driven optimization across the network.

• Q: What security features are included?

  A: The switch supports zero-trust segmentation, role-based access control, secure management channels, and dynamic policy enforcement. It can be integrated with Aruba ClearPass for identity-based access control and threat-aware security, helping to reduce risk while maintaining performance for users and devices.

• Q: Can the 8100 scale to large campuses or data centers?

  A: Yes. The 48XF4C is designed for high-density connectivity and scalable uplinks, enabling growth from campus cores to distributed data-center-like environments. Its fabric-ready architecture supports tiered deployments and seamless expansion as demand increases, all while preserving reliability and consistent user experience.

• Q: What is the typical deployment model (core, distribution, or data center)?

  A: The HPE 8100 series is commonly deployed as a core or aggregation switch in campuses and as a vertical integration point in data centers or virtualized environments. Its flexible port densities, automated management, and secure segmentation capabilities make it suitable for hybrid networking topologies that require strong performance and centralized control.