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Introduction to Aruba 8400 Core switches

Today I am going to talk about Aruba Core switch 8400. Aruba is one of the main competitors in the market for Campus Switching. Aruba 8400 is built on the new ArubaOS-CX, a recent software system for the enterprise core that automates and streamlines many analytical and complicated network tasks, brings improved fault tolerance and simplifies zero-service interruption during scheduled or accidental control-plane events. 

The crucial improvements in ArubaOS-CX are its micro-services elegance modular architecture, REST APIs, Python scripting capabilities, Aruba Network Analytics Engine and Aruba Virtual Switching Extension (VSX). We will talk about VSX in another article and explains what VSX actually is.

Fig 1.1- Aruba Core Switch 8400
What are the Key Features of Aruba 8400 Core switches?
Well if you need excellent throughput, it gives high performance of 19.2 Tbps/slot. With the help of Aruba 8400 core switch you can get Carrier-class high availability with Aruba Virtual Switching Extension (VSX), redundant management, power, and fabric.

Apart from the above features you can get Intelligent monitoring and visibility with Aruba Network Analytics Engine. Of course, Advanced Layer 2/3 feature set includes BGP, OSPF, VRF, and IPv6. You can also get Compact 8U chassis with high density, line rate 10GbE/40GbE/100GbE connectivity.

Aruba 8400 can support up to 8-line modules; a 32-port 10 Gigabit Ethernet with MACsec in hardware (not software), an 8-port 40 Gigabit Ethernet, and a 6-port 40/100 Gigabit Ethernet module.

What Layer 2 and Layer 3 features are supported by Aruba 8400 core switch?
  • All hot-swappable modules
  • Separate data and control paths
  • Bidirectional Forward Detection (BFD) support
  • VRRP, VSX and UDLD.
  • IEEE 802.3ad LACP Support
  • Multiple internal power supplies
  • NTP, LLDP, Dual Flash Images.
  • GRE, IPSLA, SNMP, SFlow.
  • VLAN, BPDU, Port mirroring, STP, IGMP, RPVST+
  • Layer 3 protocols- BGP, OSPF, PBR, ISIS, PIM, IGMP Snooping, IPv6

Aruba Virtual Switching Extension (VSX) is a high availability technology solution designed using the best features of existing HA technologies such as Multi-chassis Link Aggregation (MC-LAG) and Virtual Switching Framework (VSF). We will talk about VSX in another article with full explanation in details.

ArubaOS-CX is built on a modular design that permits specific process re-startability and upgrades. Its REST APIs and Python scripting enables fine-grained programmability of the switch functions and its unique Aruba Network Analytics Engine delivers the capability to monitor and troubleshoot the network easily.

The Network Analytics Engine framework is made up of a time series database and associated REST APIs.