New! HPE Aruba Networking CX 5420 Chassis Switch
HPE Aruba Networking has announced the new chassis switch - the CX 5420! This is my summary of the CX 5420 presentation I delivered to the last few Airheads Partner sessions in New Zealand and Australia.
This is a completely new model, following in the footsteps of the long running zl chassis series like the AOSS 5400R. It boasts an updated ASIC, running AOS-CX, with the same 6-bay form factor that uses the highly flexible 24-port based modules. Multiple modules will be available for maximum flexibility in port configuration. With First Customer Ship in December, schools in the Southern Hemisphere might be able to start deploying during the long summer holidays.
CX 5420 Switch Chassis Overview
The HPE Aruba Networking CX 5420 Switch Series is a modern, flexible and intelligent modular switch chassis ideal for access, small core and aggregation deployments. Created for game changing operational efficiency with built-in MACsec hardware capability, analytics and automation, the CX 5420 switch chassis provides an enterprise-class access layer solution that's easy-to-deploy, simple, secure and resilient.
Built from the ground up with a combination of cutting‑edge hardware, software and analytics and automation tools, the CX 5420 switch chassis is a part of the HPE Aruba Networking CX switching portfolio, designed for today's enterprise small and medium campus, branch enterprise networks. By combining a modern, fully programmable OS with the HPE Aruba Networking Network Analytics Engine, the CX 5420 switch chassis switches provide industry leading monitoring and troubleshooting capabilities across the network.
The first CX 5420 shipped to Australia:
The CX 5420 chassis switch has All the important features and capabilities of the AOSS 5400R chassis switches, along with the cloud-native CX operating system.
- Single operating system simplicity. The CX 5420 switch chassis is based on the HPE Aruba Networking CX Operating System (AOS-CX), a modern, database driven operating system that automates and simplifies many critical and complex network tasks.
- VSX Stacking (2 units). Highly available performance with VSX Live Upgrade, enabling non-disruptive fast upgrades.
- Robust security and deeper visibility with dynamic segmentation and role-to-role security enforcement, and MACsec.
- Multiple port types including 25Gb, SmartRate (up to SR10), and POE up to Class 8 (90W)
CX 5420 Modules
TAA modules are also available.
Switch Features
- Same popular 6-slot enclosure form factor & 24port bays as 5406R
- Height <= 4U, Depth <= 17.75in / 45cm
- 2 x MM slots
- Dual redundant management modules
- AMD Ryzen x86 CPU, 4 cores, 8 vCPUs
- MM is half-width and front access
- 6 x Line-Card slots
- LC is half-width and front access
- Max 144 ports. All ports are MACsec capable.
- PHY only. No forwarding ASIC on LC.
- 4 x PSU slots
- located at the rear
- 1 PSU SKU type, 1600W (hi-line) / 1000W (lo-line)
- Estimated Maximum available power: ~6300W
- 144 ports @30W PoE with N+1 Redundancy
- 96 ports @60W PoE without redundancy
- 1 x Fan tray
- located at the rear
- single fan tray comprising 4 fans
- Field-replaceable and hot-swappable fan tray
Network Management
All the management flexibility you expect, including support for New Central.
IRIS
Expect to see the CX 5420 included in IRIS soon.
Early Announcement
This announcement is ahead of the official GA date of 4-Nov. Some materials, documents and processes will be coming later. Key dates in the CX 5420 timeline (remember that APJ is a day ahead of the US):
- 18-Sep – Announcement
- 23-Sep – Quotability by SKU
- 4-Nov – Official General Availability date
- Orderability and full visibility to all tools
- Config tools and OCA
- HPE Quickspecs, etc
- December
- First Customer Ship (FCS)
- Documentation and Release Notes
FAQ
Q: Can I reuse zl modules?
A: The new CX 5420 does look very similar to the AOSS 5406R, but the modules are not compatible. The CX 5420 has new management modules and line cards, and new PSUs and fan-tray.
Q: Can I reuse existing transceivers?
A: Yes, older transceivers should be reusable. However, only the more recent versions have been fully tested. It may be worth upgrading to higher speed transceivers anyway (eg 1 to 10Gb or 10Gb to 25Gb), or testing older transceivers for possible transmission/reception degradation.
Q: Is there a 12-bay model?
A: No, the 6 bay model shown is the only variant. For larger port counts, a pair could be stacked with VSX, or consider moving up to the larger CX 6400 10 bay chassis.
Q: Will bundles be sold?
A: There will be a bundle with chassis, management module, fan-tray and accessories, but no bundles with preconfigured IO modules. Each customer can build the exact configuration required.
Q: Is the AOSS 5400R End of Sale?
A: No, the AOSS 5400R series is still available. HPE Aruba Networking always aim to provide at least 6 months notification before end of sale.
References and Links
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Richard Litchfield
Airheads MVP 2020, 2021, 2022
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