Managed Gigabit PoE Access Switching
HPE Aruba Networking CX 6000 48G Class4 PoE 4SFP 370W Switch (R8N85A)
A 48-port AOS-CX access switch for businesses that need Gigabit connectivity, Class 4 PoE for edge devices and four dedicated 1G SFP uplinks in a fixed 1U platform.
What is the CX 6000 R8N85A?
The HPE Aruba Networking CX 6000 R8N85A is a fixed 1U managed access switch with 48 Gigabit Ethernet ports, IEEE 802.3af/802.3at Class 4 PoE and four 1G SFP uplinks. It is mainly used at the network access layer to connect users, phones, wireless access points, cameras and other Ethernet devices in branch, midsize and smaller enterprise environments. Organizations should consider it when 48 access ports and a 370W shared PoE budget match the planned endpoint load. The most important pre-order check is the combined PoE requirement and uplink design, because 370W is shared across powered ports and the built-in uplinks are 1G SFP. FourTeck can help validate port count, power budget, transceivers, management licensing, rack power and configuration scope before quotation.
Where this 48-port CX 6000 fits
R8N85A is positioned as an entry-level enterprise access switch in the HPE Aruba Networking CX 6000 family. It is appropriate when a site needs a high port count at the edge without moving to a more advanced routing or high-speed uplink platform. The switch is primarily aimed at Layer 2 access, while also providing static routing and practical access-layer controls such as VLANs, ACLs, QoS and spanning-tree features.
Branch and office access
A useful fit for dense office floors or branches that need up to 48 copper access connections from a single rack unit.
PoE endpoint aggregation
The 370W PoE budget can power a planned mix of phones, access points, cameras and other IEEE 802.3af/at devices, subject to per-device demand.
Consistent AOS-CX operations
Organizations already using AOS-CX can keep a consistent command-line and management approach at smaller access sites.
Verified technical specifications
| Manufacturer | HPE Aruba Networking |
|---|---|
| Exact model | CX 6000 48G Class4 PoE 4SFP 370W Switch |
| Manufacturer part number | R8N85A |
| Access ports | 48 × 10/100/1000BASE-T |
| PoE | IEEE 802.3af and 802.3at Class 4; up to 30W per supported port, subject to shared power budget |
| PoE power budget | Up to 370W |
| Uplinks | 4 × 1G SFP |
| Console / host | 1 × USB-C console; 1 × USB Type-A host port |
| Switching capacity | 104 Gbps |
| Forwarding throughput | 77.3 Mpps |
| Memory / flash | 4 GB DDR3 / 16 GB eMMC |
| MAC table | 8,192 entries |
| Switched virtual interfaces | 16 dual-stack SVIs |
| Dimensions | 4.39 × 44.2 × 30.48 cm (H × W × D) |
| Configuration weight | 5.02 kg |
| Power input | 100–127 VAC / 200–240 VAC, 50/60 Hz |
| Power consumption at 230 VAC | 30.6W idle; 45W maximum without PoE; 480W maximum with PoE |
| Operating temperature | 0°C to 45°C up to 1.5 km altitude; temperature derating applies above that altitude |
| Mounting | 1U; rack-mounting brackets included; horizontal surface and wall mounting supported by HPE guidance |
Buyer fit: what to confirm before selecting R8N85A
| Requirement | Suitable when | Confirm before ordering |
|---|---|---|
| Access density | A site needs up to 48 Gigabit copper edge ports. | Allow spare ports for growth and patching. |
| PoE load | The combined powered-device requirement stays within 370W. | Calculate actual wattage for APs, phones, cameras and other endpoints. |
| Uplink speed | Four 1G SFP uplinks are sufficient for the access design. | Evaluate another CX model if 10G or faster uplinks are required. |
| Management | Local Web GUI/CLI management is suitable, or optional Central is planned. | Cloud or on-premises Central subscriptions and NetEdit licensing are separate where used. |
Core capabilities and buyer relevance
370W shared Class 4 PoE for edge devices
The switch can provide up to 370W of Class 4 PoE power across its access ports. That is useful when a wiring closet needs to connect and power IP phones, wireless access points, cameras or other compatible devices without separate local power adapters. The figure is a total power budget, not 370W per port, so the design should be based on the maximum expected draw of all connected powered devices.
Four dedicated 1G SFP uplinks
Four SFP slots allow fiber or supported copper transceivers to be used for uplinks toward distribution switching or other network segments. Buyers should verify fiber type, distance, connector type and supported transceiver before the bill of materials is finalized. If the access layer needs 10GbE uplinks, this specific R8N85A model should not be assumed to meet that requirement.
AOS-CX operational consistency
R8N85A runs AOS-CX and supports management through its Web GUI and CLI. The CX 6000 family also supports HPE Aruba Networking Central and NetEdit where the corresponding service or software license is selected. For IT teams standardizing on AOS-CX, this can simplify operating procedures across branch and campus access layers.
Access-layer resiliency and control
The CX 6000 family includes features such as VLANs, access control lists, QoS, LACP, spanning-tree options, UDLD, sFlow monitoring, REST APIs and static routing. These capabilities support controlled access-layer operation and visibility, but the product should not be treated as a substitute for a higher-tier core or distribution platform when advanced routing, higher uplink bandwidth or deeper redundancy is required.
Licensing, subscriptions and management
Is a subscription required for basic switch operation? No. HPE states that the switch software is embedded and does not require a subscription simply to enable the base switching software. Local Web GUI and CLI operation can therefore be planned without assuming a cloud subscription.
When is a subscription relevant? HPE Aruba Networking Central cloud or on-premises management services use separate subscriptions. NetEdit also requires a separate software license. The correct term and management tier should be selected according to the number of devices, management architecture and required operational features.
FourTeck can review whether the customer wants stand-alone management, centralized cloud management, on-premises management or NetEdit-assisted operations and then align the quotation accordingly.
Compatibility and integration checks
- SFP transceivers: confirm supported 1G SFP optics or copper modules, fiber type and link distance.
- Powered devices: confirm IEEE 802.3af/at compatibility and maximum power demand for each endpoint.
- Uplink architecture: ensure 1G SFP capacity is appropriate for traffic aggregated from 48 access ports.
- Management platform: align AOS-CX version, Central subscription or NetEdit requirements with the existing environment.
- Power and rack: verify rack depth, ventilation, local power cord, PDU and UPS capacity for a PoE-loaded switch.
When another CX 6000 option may be more suitable
24-port 370W model
Consider the CX 6000 24G Class4 PoE 4SFP 370W model when the site needs fewer access ports but still requires substantial PoE capacity.
48-port non-PoE model
If endpoints do not need switch-provided power, the non-PoE 48G model may reduce unnecessary power infrastructure.
48-port 740W PoE model
Where the powered-device load can exceed 370W, the 48-port CX 6000 variant with up to 740W PoE should be evaluated, subject to exact model and power planning.
Deployment considerations for Dubai and UAE businesses
The R8N85A uses fixed internal power and fans and is designed for 1U deployment. In UAE projects, rack ventilation, UPS/PDU capacity and cooling should be checked against the expected PoE load. HPE specifies an operating range up to 45°C at lower elevations, but data-room design should still maintain controlled conditions rather than relying on the equipment’s maximum environmental rating.
For a new access layer, plan VLANs, uplink redundancy, spanning tree, PoE priorities, device authentication, monitoring and management before installation. Where multiple CX 6000 switches are deployed, the family supports VSF stacking in supported configurations; the final topology and AOS-CX release should be validated for the planned environment.
Information FourTeck needs for an accurate quotation
- Required quantity and deployment site.
- Confirmation that R8N85A is the intended manufacturer part number.
- Number of active copper access ports and expected growth.
- List of PoE devices and maximum wattage per device.
- Required SFP transceivers, fiber type and link distances.
- Uplink and redundancy design.
- Preferred management method: local, Central cloud, Central on-premises or NetEdit.
- Rack, PDU, UPS and power-cord requirements.
- Configuration, installation, testing and documentation scope.
- Required delivery coordination and support expectations.
FourTeck assistance
FourTeck can assist with requirement clarification, exact model confirmation, PoE budget review, SFP selection, bill-of-material planning, quotation coordination and deployment scope. If installation or configuration is required, the project can also define VLANs, management access, uplinks, monitoring, device roles and handover requirements before implementation.
Explore FourTeck network products, review installation and configuration services, or contact FourTeck for product sizing.
UAE availability guidance
Contact FourTeck to confirm current UAE availability for R8N85A. Availability and lead time can depend on quantity, vendor supply, regional ordering options and power-cord requirements. Delivery, installation and configuration scope should be agreed in the quotation when required.
Frequently asked buyer questions
Does the R8N85A provide PoE on all 48 access ports?
The switch has 48 access ports and supports IEEE 802.3af/at Class 4 PoE, but the total available PoE power is up to 370W. The practical number of simultaneously powered devices therefore depends on each device’s consumption.
Are the uplinks 10GbE?
No. The R8N85A has four built-in 1G SFP uplink ports. A different switch should be evaluated if the design requires 10GbE or faster uplinks.
Is HPE Aruba Networking Central mandatory?
No. The base AOS-CX switch software is embedded. Central is an optional centralized management service and requires the applicable subscription when selected.
Are SFP transceivers included?
The switch provides four SFP slots, but the required transceivers should be selected for the actual fiber or copper uplink design. The quotation should state the required modules explicitly.
Can this switch be used for cameras and wireless access points?
Yes, when the connected devices support compatible IEEE PoE and their combined power requirement fits within the 370W budget. Network bandwidth and uplink utilization should also be sized for the application.
What should be checked before placing a UAE order?
Confirm the exact R8N85A model, quantity, PoE load, SFP modules, management subscriptions if required, rack and power arrangements, and any installation or configuration services.
Confirm the CX 6000 configuration before ordering
Share your port count, PoE device list, uplink distances and management preference so FourTeck can review the R8N85A configuration and quotation requirements for your UAE project.
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