HPE Aruba Networking 2540 JL356A 24-Port PoE+ Switch with 4x 1G/10G SFP+
- Managed, Rack-mountable, 24 x 1G PoE+ ports, 4 x 1G/10G SFP+ Uplinks, PoE+ (370W), Layer 2 with Static/RIP Routing
Overview
The Aruba 2540 Switch Series is HPE's access switch line for mobile and IoT-heavy workplaces, set up with Zero Touch Provisioning, managed with Aruba AirWave or Aruba Central, and secured with Aruba ClearPass. Built on the Aruba ProVision ASIC, the series adds static and RIP routing and four 10GbE uplinks to Layer 2 access. The JL356A is the 24-port PoE+ configuration, powering access points, phones and cameras on every access port from a 370 W budget while backhauling over 10G. HPE also listed it in a Central Managed ordering version (JL356ACM) for the U.S. and Canada.
Technical Details
The HPE Aruba Networking 2540 JL356A is the Aruba 2540 24G PoE+ 4SFP+ Switch, a Layer 2+ managed 1U rackmount switch with 24 Gigabit PoE+ ports and four fixed 1G/10G SFP+ uplinks, with static and RIP routing. Switching capacity is 128 Gbps and forwarding rate is 95.2 Mpps. The PoE+ budget is 370 W, from its 80 PLUS Silver certified power supply, with up to 30 W per port and no second power supply listed to raise it. It powers access points, IP phones and IP cameras in campus and branch wiring closets.
Best For
The JL356A suits campus and branch closets that power and connect a mix of wireless access points, IP phones and IP cameras and need 10G fiber or direct-attach backhaul. A 370 W PoE+ budget is suitable for mixed deployments of these devices across the 24 ports; actual device counts depend on each powered device's power draw.
Not suitable if:
- you need OSPF or BGP routing, since the 2540 lists only static and RIP routing
- you need hardware stacking into one logical switch, since the 2540 lists no stacking feature
- you need more than 24 PoE+ ports, since this model has 24
- you need multigigabit access ports, since the access ports run at 10/100/1000
JL356A Specifications
| Class & Licensing | |
|---|---|
| License Tier | None (no software licensing required) |
| License Detail / MTBF | None (no software licensing required); MTBF not published |
| Ports & Uplinks | |
| PoE Budget | 370 W |
| Port Speed | Gigabit |
| Uplink Configuration | 4x 1G/10G SFP+ (fixed) |
| Performance & Scale | |
| Stacking | No |
| Switching Capacity | 128 Gbps |
| Forwarding Rate | 95.2 Mpps |
| MAC Table | 16,384 entries |
| Hardware & Memory | |
| DRAM | 1 GB DDR3 SDRAM |
| ASIC | Aruba ProVision ASIC |
| Flash | 4 GB eMMC |
| Power & Thermal | |
| Power Input / PSU | 100-127/200-240 VAC, 50/60 Hz; 80 PLUS Silver certified |
| Redundant PSU | No (none listed in QuickSpecs) |
| Cooling | Side-to-side airflow |
| Physical & Environmental | |
| Dimensions (H x W x D) | 1.73 x 17.42 x 11.98 in (4.39 x 44.25 x 30.42 cm) |
| Weight | 8.6 lbs (3.9 kg) |
| Operating Temperature | 32 to 113 °F (0 to 45 °C) up to 5000 ft; 32 to 104 °F (0 to 40 °C) up to 10000 ft |
| Software | |
| Operating System | Not published |
FAQ
Does the HPE Aruba Networking 2540 JL356A support PoE+, and what is the power budget?
Yes. The HPE Aruba Networking 2540 JL356A provides IEEE 802.3at PoE+ on all 24 Gigabit access ports, up to 30 W per port, and also powers IEEE 802.3af and pre-standard PoE devices. Its PoE power is 370 W, and HPE lists no second power supply to raise it. Because 24 ports at 30 W would exceed 370 W, the number of fully powered devices depends on each device's actual draw.
What transceivers do the JL356A uplinks accept?
The JL356A has four fixed SFP+ ports that run at 1G or 10G, so they accept both 1G SFP and 10G SFP+ transceivers; 25G optics are not supported. HPE listed Aruba 1G SFP SX, LX, LH, RJ45 copper and 100M FX transceivers, and 10G SFP+ SR, LR and ER optics plus 1 m and 3 m direct attach cables. HPE states there is no support for the 10G LRM optic or the 7 m 10G direct attach cable. Transceivers are sold separately. The Central Managed ordering version, JL356ACM, was ordered with CM-suffixed transceivers.
Does the JL356A support IP routing?
Yes, limited routing. HPE describes the 2540 as a Layer 2 switch series with static and RIP routing. The JL356A supports static IP routing with ECMP and the Routing Information Protocol (RIPv1, RIPv2, and RIPng for IPv6), with up to 256 static and 2,000 RIP routes and a routing table of 2,000 IPv4 and 1,000 IPv6 entries, and it can act as a DHCP server. OSPF and BGP are not listed in the 2540 QuickSpecs, so networks that need them should route those protocols on a separate Layer 3 switch or router.
Can the JL356A be stacked?
No. The JL356A does not stack: the Aruba 2540 QuickSpecs list no stacking feature, so several 2540 switches cannot operate as one logical switch. For bandwidth and resilience between switches HPE lists IEEE 802.3ad LACP with up to 26 static or dynamic trunks of up to eight links each, IEEE 802.1s Multiple Spanning Tree and SmartLink. Several 2540 switches can be managed together from Aruba AirWave or Aruba Central, which is centralized management rather than stacking.
What is the difference between the JL356A and the JL357A?
Both are 2540 PoE+ switches with a 370 W PoE budget, four 1G/10G SFP+ uplinks and static and RIP routing, in an 11.98 in deep chassis. Differences documented by HPE include ports, throughput and weight. The JL356A has 24 Gigabit PoE+ ports, 128 Gbps switching capacity and a 95.2 Mpps forwarding rate and weighs 8.6 lb. The JL357A has 48 Gigabit PoE+ ports, 176 Gbps switching capacity and a 112.0 Mpps forwarding rate and weighs 9.83 lb. Both share the same 370 W, so either supports about the same number of devices at the full 30 W; the JL357A adds 24 more ports for lower-draw devices.
How is the JL356A managed?
The JL356A is a managed switch. HPE lists a command-line interface, a web browser, a configuration menu, SNMP, Telnet, RMON, Intelligent Management Center and out-of-band management through an RJ-45 or USB micro-B serial console port, plus REST APIs for automating operations, monitoring and troubleshooting. It can be managed on-premises with Aruba AirWave or from the cloud with Aruba Central, and Zero-Touch Provisioning is supported through Aruba Activate or a DHCP-based process with AirWave. HPE also listed a Central Managed ordering version, JL356ACM, for the U.S. and Canada only; that version required an active Aruba Central license.
Is the JL356A end of sale?
Yes. HPE's Aruba 2540 end-of-sale notice, announced April 30, 2021, set an End of Sale date of October 31, 2021, or while supplies last, for the JL356A. HPE's support portal record for the same notice lists January 31, 2022 as the End of Sale date and October 31, 2026 as End of Support Life. HPE named the Aruba 6100 24G CL4 4SFP+ (JL677A) as the replacement product.
What condition is the JL356A sold in, and what warranty applies?
The JL356A is sold new and factory-sealed. It is covered by the Network Devices Inc. 1-year warranty and a 30-day return policy.
