HPE Aruba Networking CX 6000 R8N85A 48-Port PoE+ Switch with 4x 1G SFP
- Managed, Rack-mountable, 48 x 1G PoE+ ports, 4 x 1G SFP Uplinks, PoE+ (370W), Layer 2 with Static Routing
Overview
HPE positions the CX 6000 Switch Series as a modern family of entry-level access switches for branch offices, midsize businesses and small enterprises, built on the HPE Aruba Networking ASIC architecture and the AOS-CX operating system used across the CX portfolio. The R8N85A is the 48-port PoE+ model of the original CX 6000 A line: 48 Class 4 PoE ports on a shared budget, four fixed 1G SFP uplinks and a single fixed power supply in a 1U chassis. Its axis within the CX family is simplicity: Gigabit uplinks, static routing and standalone operation, where the CX 6100 adds 1G/10G SFP+ uplinks and VSF stacking (AOS-CX 10.16.1006 or later). The closely matched data-only R8N86A shares the 48-port, 4x 1G SFP layout without PoE.
Technical Details
The HPE Aruba Networking CX 6000 R8N85A is a Layer 2+ managed 1U rackmount switch with 48 Gigabit (10/100/1000BASE-T) access ports and four fixed 1G SFP uplinks, running AOS-CX. Switching capacity is 104 Gbps and forwarding rate is 77.3 Mpps. The PoE budget is 370 W from its fixed power supply, shared by 48 IEEE 802.3at Class 4 ports at up to 30 W each, so the budget limits how many ports draw full power. Routing is static IPv4 and IPv6. Switch software is embedded, with no subscription required to enable it. It connects and powers wireless access points, IP phones and security cameras in branch and campus wiring closets.
Best For
The R8N85A suits branch and campus wiring closets that need 48 PoE+ ports for wireless access points, IP phones and security cameras, with Gigabit fiber or copper uplinks to the distribution layer. A 370 W PoE budget is suitable for mixed deployments of these powered devices; actual device counts depend on each device's power draw.
Not suitable if:
- you need 10G uplinks, since the uplinks on this model are 1G
- you need switch stacking, because this model's documents list no stacking technology
- you need dynamic routing such as OSPF or BGP, since routing is limited to static IPv4 and IPv6 routes
- you need multigigabit access ports, since the access ports are 10/100/1000BASE-T
R8N85A Specifications
| Class & Licensing | |
|---|---|
| License Tier | None (switch software embedded, no subscription required to enable; no feature tiers) |
| License Detail / MTBF | None (switch software embedded, no subscription required to enable; no feature tiers; a separate software license is required only for HPE Aruba Networking NetEdit / Switch Multi-Edit); MTBF not published |
| Ports & Uplinks | |
| PoE Budget | 370 W (fixed power supply; IEEE 802.3at Class 4, up to 30 W per port) |
| Port Speed | Gigabit |
| Uplink Configuration | 4x 1G SFP (fixed) |
| Performance & Scale | |
| Stacking | No |
| Switching Capacity | 104 Gbps |
| Forwarding Rate | 77.3 Mpps |
| MAC Table | 8,192 entries |
| Hardware & Memory | |
| DRAM | 4 GB DDR3 |
| Flash | 16 GB eMMC |
| Power & Thermal | |
| Power Input / PSU | Fixed power supply; 100-127 VAC / 200-240 VAC, 50/60 Hz |
| Redundant PSU | No (fixed power supply) |
| Cooling | Fixed fans |
| Physical & Environmental | |
| Dimensions (H x W x D) | 1.73 x 17.4 x 12.0 in (4.39 x 44.2 x 30.48 cm) |
| Weight | 11.07 lbs (5.02 kg) |
| Operating Temperature | 32 to 113 °F (0 to 45 °C), up to 5000 ft (1.5 km); derate 1 °C for every 1000 ft (305 m) from 5000 ft (1.5 km) to 10000 ft (3.0 km) |
| Software | |
| Operating System | AOS-CX |
FAQ
Does the HPE Aruba Networking CX 6000 R8N85A support PoE?
Yes. The HPE Aruba Networking CX 6000 R8N85A supplies IEEE 802.3af and 802.3at Class 4 Power over Ethernet on all 48 access ports, at up to 30 W per port, from a 370 W budget on its fixed power supply. Because 48 ports at 30 W would need 1440 W, the 370 W budget, not the port count, decides how many devices draw full power; actual counts depend on each device's draw. It suits wireless access points, IP phones and security cameras. The data-only R8N86A has the same 48-port, 1G SFP layout without PoE.
What transceivers do the R8N85A uplinks use?
The R8N85A has four fixed 1G SFP uplink ports. They are 1-Gigabit SFP slots, so 10G SFP+ optics are not supported on this model. HPE listed 1G SFP SX, 1G SFP LX and 1G SFP RJ45 transceivers for the CX 6000. Unsupported Transceiver Mode can enable other 1G transceivers, but HPE does not support the transceiver or cable when that mode is used. Transceivers are sold separately.
Can the R8N85A be stacked?
No. HPE's CX 6000 QuickSpecs and data sheet list no stacking technology, so the R8N85A is managed as an individual switch. For link resilience HPE lists IEEE 802.3ad LACP with up to 8 LAGs of up to 8 links each, IEEE 802.1s MSTP with RSTP, UDLD and SmartLink active/standby uplink pairs. HPE listed Switch Multi-Edit for pushing configuration to many switches at once. If stacking is a requirement, look at a series whose documents list VSF, such as the CX 6100.
What is the difference between the R8N85A and the R8N86A?
Both are 48-port CX 6000 A-line switches with four 1G SFP uplinks, 104 Gbps switching capacity, 77.3 Mpps forwarding and 4 GB DDR3 / 16 GB eMMC. The R8N85A adds IEEE 802.3at Class 4 Power over Ethernet with a 370 W budget; the R8N86A has none. The PoE model is also deeper and heavier: 30.48 cm and 11.07 lb versus 24.74 cm and 7.54 lb for the R8N86A. Choose the R8N85A when access points, phones or cameras need power from the switch.
How does the R8N85A differ from the R8N85B?
The R8N85B is the B version of the same 48-port, 370 W Class 4 PoE, 4x 1G SFP configuration, and HPE publishes the same 104 Gbps and 77.3 Mpps for both. Differences documented by HPE include memory (4 GB DDR3 and 16 GB eMMC on the R8N85A versus 2 GB DDR3 and 8 GB eMMC on the R8N85B), weight (11.07 lb versus 9.68 lb) and Trusted Platform Module 2.0, which HPE's QuickSpecs lists for CX 6000 rev-B models only.
How is the R8N85A managed?
The R8N85A is a fully managed switch. HPE lists a web GUI, an industry-standard CLI, REST APIs and Zero Touch Provisioning. For configuring many switches at once HPE listed HPE Aruba Networking Switch Multi-Edit, which required its own separate software license. The switch software itself is embedded, with no subscription required to enable it. Routing is limited to static IPv4 and IPv6 routes; the CX 6000 documents list no dynamic routing protocol.
Is the R8N85A end of sale?
Yes. HPE announced the end of sale of the CX 6000 A switches on November 30, 2025, in its "HPE Aruba Networking 6000 A Switch End of Sale Announcement", with an End of Sale date of March 31, 2026. The notice lists the End of Support Life date as to be determined. HPE names the R8N85B (HPE Aruba Networking CX 6000 48G Class4 PoE 4SFP 370W) as the replacement for the R8N85A.
What condition is the R8N85A sold in, and what warranty applies?
The R8N85A is sold new and factory-sealed. It is covered by the Network Devices Inc. 1-year warranty and a 30-day return policy.
