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Aruba S0U68A CX 5420 Switch Chassis - 14-Slot Modular - 8 SFP+ Uplinks - Layer 3 - 1600W - 4U Rack-Mountable
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Product Features
Technical Overview
The Aruba CX 5420 chassis features a robust technical foundation with 14 total expansion slots, combining 6 general expansion slots and 8 SFP+ slots specifically for 10 Gigabit Ethernet uplinks. This configuration supports optical fiber media via 10GBase-LRM technology, providing high-bandwidth connections for backbone or aggregation layers. The chassis is manageable and complies with IEEE 802.3bt networking standards, ensuring interoperability with modern network equipment.
Power management is a key strength, with support for up to 4 power supplies in a redundant configuration, input voltages of 120V AC or 230V AC, and PoE capability on RJ-45 ports. The hot-swappable modular design extends to both line cards and power supplies, facilitating easy upgrades and maintenance without disrupting network operations. These features collectively support a total power draw of 1600W, accommodating high-density PoE deployments and ensuring stable voltage delivery to all components.
Key Product Advantages
The Aruba CX 5420 chassis offers several advantages for enterprise networking, starting with its scalable modular architecture that adapts to evolving network demands. The combination of 8 SFP+ uplinks and 6 additional expansion slots provides exceptional flexibility for connecting high-speed fiber links, copper ports, or specialized line cards. This design future-proofs network investments by allowing incremental upgrades without replacing the entire chassis.
High Availability Power
With support for up to 4 redundant power supplies and hot-swappable components, the chassis ensures continuous operation even during power supply failures or maintenance events, critical for 24/7 business environments.
- Redundant power supply support
- Hot-swappable design
- 120V/230V AC input
Advanced Network Management
Layer 3 routing capabilities enable complex network segmentation, policy-based routing, and improved traffic management, making the chassis suitable for large-scale or multi-site deployments.
- Layer 3 supported
- IEEE 802.3bt compliant
- Manageable via Aruba networking tools
Deployment / Use Cases
The Aruba CX 5420 chassis is ideal for deployment in enterprise data centers, campus networks, or large office environments where high-speed connectivity and scalability are essential. Its 10 Gigabit Ethernet uplinks and expansion slots make it suitable for aggregating traffic from multiple access switches, supporting bandwidth-intensive applications like video conferencing, large file transfers, or virtualized infrastructure.
Common use cases include serving as a core or distribution layer switch in a three-tier network architecture, where Layer 3 routing is required for inter-VLAN routing or connecting multiple subnets. The chassis can also be deployed in high-density PoE environments, such as powering IP cameras, wireless access points, or VoIP phones, thanks to its PoE support and robust power budget. The 4U rack-mount form factor ensures easy integration into standard server racks, with dimensions optimized for efficient space utilization.
Data Center Core Switching
Deploy the chassis as a core switch to handle high-volume traffic between servers, storage, and network segments, leveraging its 10G uplinks and Layer 3 routing for optimal performance.
Campus Network Aggregation
Use the chassis to aggregate traffic from multiple building or floor switches, providing a centralized point for management and high-speed uplinks to the network core.
Physical Profile
The Aruba CX 5420 chassis is designed for rack-mounted deployment with a 4U height, making it compatible with standard 19-inch server racks. Its compact dimensions—1.69 inches in height, 8.39 inches in width, and 9.02 inches in depth—allow for efficient use of rack space while providing ample room for expansion cards and power supplies. The lightweight design at approximately 1.52 pounds facilitates easier installation and handling during setup or reconfiguration.
- Width
- 8.39" (213 mm)
- Depth
- 9.02" (229 mm)
- Height
- 1.69" (43 mm)
- Weight
- 1.52 lb (689.50 g)
Highlights
- Modular chassis with 14 expansion slots for flexible network design
- 8 SFP+ uplink slots supporting 10 Gigabit Ethernet over optical fiber
- Layer 3 routing capabilities for scalable network segmentation
- Hot-swappable line cards and power supplies for minimal downtime
- Support for up to 4 redundant power supplies with 1600W total consumption
- PoE (RJ-45) ports for powering connected devices like IP cameras or APs
- 4U rack-mountable form factor with compact dimensions
- Compliant with IEEE 802.3bt networking standards
Specifications
| Specifications | |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Hewlett Packard Enterprise |
| Manufacturer Part Number | S0U68A |
| Brand Name | Aruba |
| Product Series | CX 5420 |
| Product Name | CX 5420 Switch Chassis |
| Product Type | Switch Chassis |
| Technical Information | |
| Features | Hot-swappable |
| Interfaces/Ports | |
| Modular | Yes |
| Port/Expansion Slot Details | 6 x Expansion Slot,8 x 10 Gigabit Ethernet Expansion Slot |
| Media & Performance | |
| Media Type Supported | Optical Fiber |
| Ethernet Technology | 10 Gigabit Ethernet |
| Network Technology | 10GBase-LRM |
| I/O Expansions | |
| Total Number of Expansion Slots | 14 |
| Expansion Slot Type | Line Card,SFP+ |
| Number of SFP+ Slots | 8 |
| Network & Communication | |
| Layer Supported | 3 |
| Networking Standards | IEEE 802.3bt |
| Management & Protocols | |
| Manageable | Yes |
| Power Description | |
| PoE (RJ-45) Port | Yes |
| Input Voltage | 120 V AC,230 V AC |
| Power Source | Power Supply,AC |
| Redundant Power Supply Supported | Yes |
| Number of Power Supplies Supported | 4 |
| Power Consumption | 1600 W |
| Physical Characteristics | |
| Compatible Rack Unit | 4U |
| Form Factor | Rack-mountable |
| Height | 1.69" (43 mm) |
| Width | 8.39" (213 mm) |
| Depth | 9.02" (229 mm) |
| Weight (Approximate) | 1.52 lb (689.50 g) |
User Manual
FAQ
How many expansion slots does the Aruba CX 5420 chassis have?
The Aruba CX 5420 chassis features a total of 14 expansion slots. This includes 8 dedicated SFP+ slots for 10 Gigabit Ethernet uplinks and 6 additional expansion slots for line cards, providing flexibility to customize port configurations and network capabilities based on specific deployment needs.
What is the power consumption of this switch chassis?
The chassis has a power consumption of 1600 watts. It supports input voltages of 120V AC or 230V AC and can accommodate up to 4 power supplies in a redundant configuration, ensuring reliable power delivery for high-density deployments and PoE-enabled devices.
Does this chassis support Layer 3 routing?
Yes, the Aruba CX 5420 chassis supports Layer 3 routing. This enables advanced network functions such as inter-VLAN routing, dynamic routing protocols, and policy-based traffic management, making it suitable for complex enterprise networks that require scalable segmentation and efficient traffic flow.
What rack unit size is compatible with this chassis?
The chassis is compatible with a 4U rack unit. Its dimensions are 1.69 inches in height, 8.39 inches in width, and 9.02 inches in depth, designed for easy integration into standard 19-inch server racks while optimizing space for expansion and cooling.
Are the components hot-swappable?
Yes, the chassis features a hot-swappable modular design. This allows line cards and power supplies to be replaced or upgraded without powering down the entire system, minimizing network downtime and simplifying maintenance in critical business environments.
What type of uplink connections does this chassis support?
The chassis supports 10 Gigabit Ethernet uplinks through 8 SFP+ slots, compatible with optical fiber media using 10GBase-LRM technology. These high-speed uplinks are ideal for connecting to core switches, servers, or other network segments requiring high bandwidth and low latency.