Hello, that's an interesting question (especially if you have a pre-fixed budget constraint): Aruba 5400R zl2 IMHO isn't actually necessarily an obsolete platform (nor from the Hardware standpoint neither from the Software standpoint) especially considering there are scenarios where it fits very well (for its costs).
It could become obsolete (made obsoleted) simply when its features aren't developed more or when discovered security bugs aren't fixed...in both cases the obsolescence is due to a PM and/or an Engineering related decision (like it happens on smartphones...forcing customers to shift to 5G means rendering smartphone capable of only 4G to be obsoleted...to made them obsoleted it's simple a question of stopping their OS updates...translate it into the networking world - making the necessary adjustments - and you will find most of the reasons behind vendors' decisions).
It's true that Aruba is suggesting the migration from Aruba 5400R zl2 Switch series to Aruba 6400 Switch series...and it means that, sooner or later, the former will be declared EoS, the path was already traced and I presume that, when that will happen, all the remaining currently developed ArubaOS-Switch based switch series - Aruba 2530, 2540, 2930F/M and 3810M - will be declared End-of-Support too...otherwise why to declare EoS only one platform among many?
When it will happen? who knows...but add to that date additional 5 Years of support (no new Features IIRC) before that EoL date...will it be enough? probably not if you're planning to have a lifespan of 10 Years from now for your new Core.
That's to say that your doubts are indeed very valid IF the transition from Aruba 5400R zl2 to Aruba 6400 can't be accepted not because Aruba 6400 unique features (derived by the engineering differences of ArubaOS-CX compared to ArubaOS-Switch) aren't necessarily required (and that is true at least in particular basic scenarios in which the 5400R zl2 with its ArubaOS-Switch fits well) but because there are serious economical considerations to be taken into account to justify such of a platform transition.
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Davide Poletto
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Original Message:
Sent: May 24, 2021 12:02 PM
From: James Cobb
Subject: Would you buy Aruba 5400R zl2 in 2021?
Hi,
we need to replace a bunch of 10 yr old HP 8212 switches. A direct replacement would be the Aruba 5412R zl2.
The 5400R zl2 series was released in 2014, 7 years ago.
Are there any information about when Aruba will announce EoS for the 5400R zl2? Are there any hints of a successor to the zl2 (is a zl3 planned)?
Aruba suggests to upgrade to the CX 6400 series, but these switches are more expensive and we would need the 10 slot chassis for 280 ports.
The performance of the 5400R zl2 ist enough for us, but we don't want to buy switches just before they become EoS.