HPE 8400 8-slot Chassis — Flexible Core and Aggregation Solution

The HPE 8400 8-slot Chassis is designed to be the backbone of modern networks, delivering a scalable, resilient, and intelligent core and aggregation platform that adapts to evolving workloads. Built for data centers and large campus environments, this modular chassis enables organizations to deploy high-performance switching with room to expand as applications demand more bandwidth, lower latency, and tighter security. Backed by ArubaOS-CX, the 8400 combines a robust hardware foundation with a modern operating system that emphasizes automation, visibility, and proactive fault handling, helping IT teams reduce management overhead while delivering predictable network performance.

• Modular 8-slot chassis for scalable growth — The 8-slot design provides a flexible foundation for deploying multiple line cards and uplink modules. This modular approach enables you to scale capacity incrementally, add new features, and refresh hardware over time without a wholesale replacement, protecting your investment while meeting future networking requirements.

• High-performance, low-latency architecture — Engineered for core and aggregation roles, the 8400 leverages a high-density switching fabric and optimized data paths to minimize latency and maximize throughput. It supports fast convergence, efficient traffic engineering, and healthy buffering for bursty workloads, ensuring that critical applications—whether virtualization, analytics, or real-time services—receive consistent performance.

• Redundancy and reliability for mission-critical networks — This chassis supports hot-swappable power supplies, cooling fans, and redundant supervisor modules. With graceful failover and streamlined maintenance, downtime is minimized, keeping essential workflows online during upgrades, maintenance windows, or component replacements.

• Automation-ready with ArubaOS-CX — The integrated ArubaOS-CX operating system delivers policy-driven automation, real-time telemetry, and programmable APIs. You gain centralized control, simplified provisioning, and automated remediation, all while integrating with existing SDN workflows and IT automation tools to accelerate service delivery and improve network reliability.

• Security, segmentation, and flexible deployment — The HPE 8400 supports advanced security features, micro-segmentation options, quality of service, and flexible deployment modes. This enables you to isolate workloads, enforce security policies at scale, and meet regulatory requirements without sacrificing performance or manageability.

Technical Details of HPE 8400 8-slot Chassis

• Chassis form factor: 8-slot modular chassis designed for core and aggregation deployments in data centers and large campus networks
• Operating system: ArubaOS-CX with native analytics, automation capabilities, and policy-driven management
• High availability: supports redundant power supplies, hot-swappable cooling fans, and redundant supervisor modules
• Telemetry and management: built-in real-time telemetry, health dashboards, and programmable interfaces for automation and integration
• Port density and flexibility: modular line cards and uplink modules to accommodate diverse bandwidth and port configurations
• Security features: robust policy enforcement, segmentation options, and integration with standard security workflows
• Power and cooling efficiency: designed for reliable operation with efficient cooling and power management in dense deployments

how to install HPE 8400 8-slot Chassis

Begin by verifying that your rack space, power supply capacity, and cooling are adequate for a high-density core chassis. Install the chassis in a secured rack, using appropriate rails and ensuring proper ventilation around the enclosure. Connect redundant power supplies to dependable power sources or a UPS, following manufacturer guidance for redundancy and power sequencing. Insert the desired modular line cards and uplink modules into the eight slots, making sure each module seats firmly and aligns with the backplane. Attach management console or out-of-band access devices to the chassis for initial configuration. Power up the unit and perform the initial setup using ArubaOS-CX, including basic device naming, management IPs, and administrative credentials. Apply your network policies, QoS rules, and security configurations, then verify connectivity and link status on all uplinks and line cards. Monitor the system using built-in telemetry dashboards and hooks into your existing monitoring stack, performing firmware updates during scheduled maintenance windows to minimize disruption. For ongoing operations, leverage policy-driven automation to provision services, enforce security, and detect anomalies before they impact users.

Frequently asked questions

• Q: What is the primary role of the HPE 8400 8-slot Chassis? A core and aggregation switch designed to provide scalable, reliable core connectivity for data centers and large campus networks.
• Q: Does this chassis support redundancy? A: Yes. It supports redundant power supplies, hot-swappable cooling fans, and redundant supervisor modules to maximize uptime.
• Q: What operating system does it use? A: It runs ArubaOS-CX, offering advanced telemetry, automation, and policy-driven management.
• Q: Can I mix and match line cards? A: The chassis supports a range of modular line cards and uplink modules, enabling flexible bandwidth and port configurations to fit your workload.
• Q: Is this suitable for data center and campus deployments? A: Yes. The HPE 8400 8-slot Chassis is versatile for data center core, campus aggregation, and large-scale network environments.