Wired and Wireless Campus Access Infrastructure
Wired access
Understand Aruba's AOS-CX switch families and their roles: CX 6000/6100 for small branch access, CX 6200 for mainstream access, CX 6300 for aggregation and high-density access, CX 6400 modular chassis, and CX 8360/8400 for core and data center. Know the port types (1G, 10G, 25G, 40/100G), PoE classes, and stacking (VSF) capabilities. Configuration basics on AOS-CX include VLANs, LACP, spanning tree (MSTP/RPVST), and interface profiles.
Wireless access
Aruba's wireless architecture has shifted from controller-based to gateway-based (Aruba Gateways) and cloud-managed (Aruba Central). Key concepts: AP operating modes (instant, controller-managed, gateway-managed), RF profiles, ARM (Adaptive Radio Management) for channel and power, band steering, and client match. Wi-Fi 6/6E APs require multigig uplinks and appropriate PoE (802.3at/bt).
Traps
- Mixing up which AP models support 6 GHz and which require 802.3bt.
- Assuming ARM only adjusts channel - it also adjusts transmit power.
- Forgetting that instant APs can operate without a controller but still need a management plane.
- Confusing LACP active/passive modes and which side must be active.
Worked example
A 48-port access closet needs 40 PoE devices averaging 15 W and four Wi-Fi 6 APs at 25 W each. Total PoE = 600 + 100 = 700 W. A CX 6300 with a 1440 W PoE budget comfortably covers this; a 740 W model would be marginal. Choose the higher-budget model and verify uplink oversubscription.