Achieving Excellence: HPE Aruba Networking Switching Certification Levels

For IT professionals looking to validate and advance their expertise in designing, implementing, and managing wired network solutions, HPE Aruba Networking offers a comprehensive certification path focused on switching technologies. These certifications, ranging from Associate to Expert, are meticulously designed to equip individuals with the skills needed to navigate the complexities of modern enterprise networks.

The journey begins with the HPE Aruba Networking Certified Associate - Switching certification, validated by the HPE6-A86 HPE Network Switching Associate Exam. This entry-level certification is ideal for individuals with at least six months of experience supporting or maintaining wired networks.

The HPE6-A86 exam is a 90-minute, proctored test consisting of 60 questions, with a passing score of 73%. It focuses on fundamental networking concepts and HPE Aruba Networking OS-CX routing and switching technologies. Key areas include:

Foundational Networking Architectures and Technologies: Covering the OSI model, Layer 1/2/3 concepts, VLANs, subnetting, ARP, routing, common network management protocols, QoS, basic network security, and Layer 2 redundancy.

Aruba Products and Solutions: Understanding HPE Aruba's wired product line, software and hardware differentiators, and management tools like CLI, Web UI, and Aruba Central.

Installation, Configuration, and Validation: Hands-on abilities with basic configuration, Layer 2 (VLANs, MSTP, Link Aggregation) and Layer 3 (IP addressing, routing) configurations, and using "show" commands for validation.

Troubleshooting and Maintenance: Focusing on diagnosing and resolving issues in switched and routed networks, and utilizing troubleshooting tools.

Network Management and Monitoring: Daily operational tasks and best practices for maintaining Aruba solutions.

Passing this exam demonstrates a solid understanding of basic switching principles and the ability to implement and validate small to medium-enterprise network solutions using HPE Aruba Networking OS-CX.

For those seeking to demonstrate more advanced skills, the HPE Aruba Networking Certified Professional - Switching certification, achieved by passing the HPE7-A08 HPE Network Switching Professional Exam, is the next logical step. This certification is designed for professionals with at least two years of experience supporting and maintaining multi-site network topologies, including campus, edge, and data center environments.

The HPE7-A08 exam is a 2-hour, proctored test with 75 questions and a passing score of 65%. It delves into wired technologies across various network environments and validates advanced skills in implementing and operating enterprise-level HPE Aruba Networking switching solutions. Key exam objectives include:

Planning Wired Network Solutions: Describing the HPE switching portfolio and determining appropriate implementation plans based on design and customer requirements.

Installing and Configuring Wired Network Solutions: Provisioning switches via Aruba Central and CLI, configuring Layer 2 technologies (VLANs, STP/RSTP), Layer 3 interfaces, services, routing protocols (e.g., OSPF, BGP), overlays, multicast, security, and QoS features.

Troubleshooting Wired Network Solutions: Identifying and remediating network failures (e.g., IP/VLAN mismatches, hardware failures) and performance issues.

Managing, Maintaining, Optimizing, and Monitoring Wired Network Solutions: Developing configuration management strategies, interpreting network operational data, and programmatically auditing and configuring switches.

Achieving this certification signifies a professional's ability to handle complex wired network deployments and their operational aspects.

The highest level of achievement in HPE Aruba Networking switching is the HPE Aruba Networking Certified Expert - Switching certification. This expert-level credential requires a comprehensive understanding and practical mastery of advanced wired network solutions, and it involves two distinct exams:

HPE7-A09 HPE Network Switching Expert Written Exam: This 2-hour, proctored exam consists of 70 questions with a passing score of 68%. It validates expert-level knowledge in building complex wired network solutions, implementing and optimizing multi-site deployments, assessing existing network designs, developing operational plans for large environments, and serving as Tier 4 support for complex issues. It's designed for individuals with at least five years of experience as team leaders or independent consultants. Topics include advanced planning, installation, configuration, troubleshooting, and management of HPE Aruba Networking solutions, often involving advanced routing, security, QoS, and automation concepts (e.g., NAE agents, programmatic configuration).

HPE4-A53 HPE Network Switching Expert Practical Exam: This is the ultimate test of hands-on proficiency. It's a 5-hour practical exam comprising four one-hour scenarios. Candidates must demonstrate their expert-level switching skills by configuring, troubleshooting, and validating complex network issues within these time-bound scenarios. This exam assesses a candidate's ability to:

Configure and validate dynamic routing protocols (e.g., OSPF, BGP, including advanced features like route filtering, redistribution, ECMP).

Diagnose and resolve complex network issues using various tools (CLI, HPE Aruba Networking Central, NAE).

Migrate customer networks to Layer 3 services, routing, and overlays (e.g., VXLAN, UBT).

Troubleshoot end-to-end connectivity issues across all layers.

Candidates must pass the HPE7-A09 written exam before registering for the HPE4-A53 practical exam. This dual-exam approach ensures that certified experts possess both the theoretical knowledge and the practical skills to excel in the most challenging networking environments.

These certifications offer significant benefits for IT professionals:

Validation of Expertise: Officially recognize your skills in HPE Aruba Networking switching technologies, a highly sought-after expertise in the industry.

Career Advancement: Open doors to higher-level roles such as Network Engineer, Senior Network Engineer, Network Consultant, or Tier 2/3/4 support.

Enhanced Knowledge: Deepen your understanding of HPE Aruba solutions, wired technologies, security concepts, and network management best practices.

Industry Recognition: HPE Aruba Networking is a prominent player in the networking space, and their certifications carry significant weight.

Practical Skills: The emphasis on practical exams, particularly at the expert level, ensures that certified individuals are not just knowledgeable but also capable of applying their skills in real-world scenarios.

In an era where network reliability and performance are paramount, HPE Aruba Networking Switching certifications provide a clear roadmap for professionals to demonstrate their competence and become invaluable assets to any organization leveraging HPE Aruba's cutting-edge switching solutions.