HPE Aruba Networking CX 6000 R8N89A 12-Port PoE+ Compact Switch with 2x 1G SFP and 2x 1GbE
- Managed, Fanless, 12 x 1G PoE+ ports, 2 x 1G SFP + 2 x 1G RJ45 Uplinks, PoE+ (139W), Layer 2
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 R8N89A is the compact, fanless 12-port PoE+ model of the original CX 6000 A line, built for quiet, small workspaces where a fan-cooled 1U switch would be intrusive. It mounts in a 19-inch rack with the included kit, on a horizontal surface or on a wall, and has a Kensington security slot. Its axis within the CX family is simplicity: Gigabit uplinks, static routing and standalone operation, where the compact CX 6100 model adds 1G/10G SFP+ uplinks and VSF stacking (AOS-CX 10.16.1006 or later).
Technical Details
The HPE Aruba Networking CX 6000 R8N89A is a Layer 2+ managed compact, fanless switch with 12 Gigabit (10/100/1000BASE-T) access ports and four uplinks, two 1G SFP and two 1GbE, running AOS-CX. Switching capacity is 32 Gbps and forwarding rate is 23.8 Mpps. The PoE budget is 139 W from its fixed power supply, shared by 12 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. It connects and powers wireless access points, IP phones and security cameras in quiet, small workspaces.
Best For
The R8N89A suits small offices, retail spaces and other quiet workspaces that need up to 12 PoE+ ports for wireless access points, IP phones and security cameras without fan noise. A 139 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 more than 12 access ports, since this model has 12
- 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
R8N89A 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 | 139 W (fixed power supply; IEEE 802.3at Class 4, up to 30 W per port) |
| Port Speed | Gigabit |
| Uplink Configuration | 2x 1G SFP + 2x 1GbE (fixed) |
| Performance & Scale | |
| Stacking | No |
| Switching Capacity | 32 Gbps |
| Forwarding Rate | 23.8 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 | Fanless |
| Physical & Environmental | |
| Dimensions (H x W x D) | 1.73 x 10.0 x 10.04 in (4.39 x 25.4 x 25.5 cm) |
| Weight | 6.13 lbs (2.78 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 |
R8N89A Accessories
| Accessories | |
|---|---|
| JL742A | Aruba X511 12-port Cable Guard |
| J9583B | Aruba X414 1U Universal 4-post Rack Mount Kit |
| R9G48A | Aruba USB-A to RJ45 PC-to-Switch Cable |
| R8Z87A | Aruba USB-A to RJ45 PIN3TX-6RX Cable |
| R9J32A | Aruba USB-A to USB-C PC-to-Switch Cable |
| R9J33A | Aruba USB-C to USB-C PC-to-Switch Cable |
| Transceivers | |
| J4858D | Aruba 1G SFP LC SX 500m MMF Transceiver |
| J4859D | Aruba 1G SFP LC LX 10km SMF Transceiver |
| J8177D | Aruba 1G SFP RJ45 T 100m Cat5e Transceiver |
FAQ
Does the HPE Aruba Networking CX 6000 R8N89A support PoE?
Yes. The HPE Aruba Networking CX 6000 R8N89A supplies IEEE 802.3af and 802.3at Class 4 Power over Ethernet on all 12 access ports, at up to 30 W per port, from a 139 W budget on its fixed power supply. Because 12 ports at 30 W would need 360 W, the 139 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.
What uplinks and transceivers does the R8N89A use?
The R8N89A has four uplinks: two fixed 1G SFP ports and two fixed 1GbE ports. The two SFP ports are 1-Gigabit SFP slots, so 10G SFP+ optics are not supported; the two 1GbE ports are not SFP slots and take no transceiver. 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.
Is the R8N89A fanless, and how is it mounted?
Yes. The R8N89A is fanless, and HPE lists its acoustic output as 0 dB, which suits occupied, quiet rooms. HPE states that it mounts in an EIA-standard 19-inch rack or equipment cabinet with the rack-mounting kit included, on a horizontal surface or on a wall, and it has a Kensington security slot. The chassis is 25.4 cm wide, 25.5 cm deep and 4.39 cm high, and it operates from 0 to 45 °C up to 5,000 ft, derating 1 °C per 1,000 ft above that to 10,000 ft.
Can the R8N89A be stacked?
No. HPE's CX 6000 QuickSpecs and data sheet list no stacking technology, so the R8N89A 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.
How does the R8N89A differ from the R8N89B?
The R8N89B is the B version of the same compact 12-port, 139 W Class 4 PoE configuration, and HPE publishes the same 32 Gbps and 23.8 Mpps for both. Differences documented by HPE include memory (4 GB DDR3 and 16 GB eMMC on the R8N89A versus 2 GB DDR3 and 8 GB eMMC on the R8N89B), weight (6.13 lb versus 4.78 lb), operating temperature (0 to 45 °C on the R8N89A versus 0 to 40 °C on the R8N89B) and Trusted Platform Module 2.0, which HPE's QuickSpecs lists for CX 6000 rev-B models only.
How does the R8N89A compare with the CX 6100 JL679A?
Both are compact, fanless 12-port switches with IEEE 802.3at Class 4 PoE on a 139 W budget and the same 25.4 x 25.5 cm footprint. The CX 6100 JL679A has two 1G/10G SFP+ uplinks plus two 10/100/1000BASE-T uplinks, 68 Gbps switching capacity, 45.1 Mpps forwarding and VSF stacking with other 12-port CX 6100 switches (AOS-CX 10.16.1006 or later). The R8N89A has two 1G SFP plus two 1GbE uplinks, 32 Gbps, 23.8 Mpps and no listed stacking.
Is the R8N89A 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 R8N89B (HPE Aruba Networking CX 6000 12G Class4 PoE 2G/2SFP 139W) as the replacement for the R8N89A.
What condition is the R8N89A sold in, and what warranty applies?
The R8N89A is sold new and factory-sealed. It is covered by the Network Devices Inc. 1-year warranty and a 30-day return policy.
