Achieve Success in the HP HPE6-A47 Exam: A Detailed Designing Aruba Solutions Guide

The switch needs to support PoE+ for this deployment. PoE+ stands for Power over Ethernet Plus, and it is a technology that allows the switch to provide both data and power to the connected devices over a single Ethernet cable. This eliminates the need for separate power sources or adapters for the devices, and simplifies the installation and management of the network. PoE+ can provide up to 30 watts of power per port,which is sufficient for the Aruba 320 Series APs, which have a maximum power consumption of 20 watts. PoE+ also supports 1 GbE connectivity, which meets the customer’s requirement.

The other options are not relevant for this deployment:

• Option B is incorrect because LACP is not a feature that the switch needs to support for this deployment. LACP stands for Link Aggregation Control Protocol, and it is a protocol that allows multiple physical links to be combined into a single logical link, providing higher bandwidth and redundancy. However, the architect plans to connect each AP with one Ethernet port to the switch, so there is no need for link aggregation in this scenario.
• Option C is incorrect because port channel is not a feature that the switch needs to support for this deployment. Port channel is another term for link aggregation, which is not required for this scenario, as explained above.
• Option D is incorrect because Smart Rate is not a feature that the switch needs to support for this deployment. Smart Rate is a technology that allows the switch to provide multi-gigabit Ethernet speeds (up to 10 GbE) and PoE+ to the connected devices, depending on the cable type and length. However, the customer only wants to support at least 1 GbE connectivity, which can be achieved with PoE+ and CAT6 cable, without the need for Smart Rate.

References:

• Aruba 320 Series Access Points Data Sheet)
• ArubaOS-Switch and ArubaOS-CX Transceiver Guide)
• Aruba Certified Design Professional Official Certification Study Guide (HPE6-A47))

The architect should follow the guideline of assigning access layer switches IP addresses on a VLAN that is dedicated for switch management. This is a best practice for network management security, as it isolates the switch management traffic from the data traffic, and prevents unauthorized access to the switches. A dedicated VLAN for switch management also simplifies the configuration and monitoring of the switches, and reduces the risk of broadcast storms or VLAN hopping attacks.

The other options are not best practices for network management security:

• Option B is incorrect because enabling DHCP on only the switch Default VLAN is not a secure way of assigning IP addresses to the switches. DHCP stands for Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol, and it is a protocol that automatically assigns IP addresses and other network parameters to devices on a network. However, DHCP can be vulnerable to spoofing or hijacking attacks, where an attacker can impersonate a DHCP server or client, and obtain or alter the network configuration. Moreover, using the Default VLAN for switch management is not recommended, as it is the VLAN that is assigned to all ports by default, and it can be easily accessed by anyone on the network.
• Option C is incorrect because enabling Telnet and setting it to listen on production VLANs is not a secure way of accessing the switches. Telnet stands for Telecommunication Network, and it is a protocol that allows remote login and command execution on a network device. However, Telnet is an insecure protocol, as it sends data in plain text, without any encryption or authentication. This means that anyone who can intercept the network traffic can read or modify the data, and gain unauthorized access to the switches. Moreover, using production VLANs for switch management is not recommended, as it exposes the switch management traffic to the data traffic, and increases the attack surface of the network.
• Option D is incorrect because assigning switches static IP addresses on the same VLAN on which APs are deployed is not a secure way of managing the switches. Static IP addresses are fixed IP addresses that are manually configured on a device, and they do not change unless they are changed by the administrator. However, static IP addresses can be prone to human errors, misconfiguration, or duplication, and they can be difficult to manage and update. Furthermore, using the same VLAN for switch management and AP deployment is not recommended, as it mixes the switch management traffic with the wireless traffic, and creates unnecessary overhead and security risks.

References:

• ArubaOS-Switch Management and Configuration Guide for WC.16.10)
• ArubaOS-Switch Basic Operation Guide for 16.10)
• Aruba Certified Design Professional Official Certification Study Guide (HPE6-A47))

The Aruba MC 7010 and 7024 are both designed for small to mid-sized campuses and branches, but they have some differences in their features and specifications. One of the main differences is the number and type of ports they offer. The MC 7010 has 16 10/100/1000BASE-T ports, while the MC 7024 has 8 10/100/1000BASE-T ports and 8 1000BASE-X SFP ports1. This means that the MC 7024 can support more APs that require fiber connections, such as the AP-387 or the AP-5352. The MC 7024 also supports 10G ports, which can provide higher bandwidth and performance for the network backbone3.

Therefore, if the customer needs to connect 20 APs directly to the MC, and some of them require fiber or 10G connections, the MC 7024 is a better choice than the MC 7010. The other options (A, B, and C) are not relevant for choosing between the MC 7010 and 7024, as both models can support up to 64 APs and 4096 users or devices, and both models can provide PoE+ on 12 ports1.

References:

• Aruba 7000 Series Mobility Controllers Data Sheet
• Aruba Access Points Data Sheet
• Aruba 7000 Series Mobility Controllers and Gateways

For a VHD wireless network at a large events venue, the architect should ensure that the DHCP and DNS servers are carrier-grade and support a low transaction time. This is because the DHCP and DNS servers are responsible for providing IP addresses and name resolution for the wireless devices, and they need to handle a high volume of requests and responses in a short time. A low transaction time reduces the latency and improves the user experience. A carrier-grade server is a server that meets the high standards of reliability, availability, and scalability required by telecom operators and service providers. A carrier-grade server can handle a large number of concurrent connections, provide redundancy and fault tolerance, and offer high performance and security.

Option A is incorrect because the DHCP server can support a high number of scopes with a /24 size, but this does not guarantee a low transaction time or a carrier-grade service. A scope is a range of IP addresses that the DHCP server can assign to the clients. A /24 size means that each scope can have up to 254 hosts. However, the number of scopes does not affect the speed or quality of the DHCP service. Option B is incorrect because a third-party firewall integrates with ClearPass to filter the guest user traffic, but this does not affect the DHCP and DNS services. A firewall is a device that monitors and controls the network traffic based on predefined rules. ClearPass is a network access control solution that provides secure authentication and policy enforcement. A firewall integration with ClearPass can enhance the security and visibility of the guest user traffic, but it does not improve the performance or reliability of the DHCP and DNS servers. Option C is incorrect because a domain CA is set up to deploy certificates to a high volume of guest devices, but this does not affect the DHCP and DNS services. A certificate authority (CA) is an entity that issues digital certificates that verify the identity and authenticity of the devices. A domain CA is a CA that is part of a domain and can issue certificates to the domain members. A certificate deployment is a process of distributing and installing the certificates to the devices. A certificate deployment can improve the security and trust of the wireless network, but it does not improve the speed or quality of the DHCP and DNS servers. References: Aruba Validated Design: Very High Density 802.11ac Networks), Aruba Validated Design: Campus Wired LAN), Aruba Validated Design: Guest Access)

The frequency of the radio wave is one of the most important factors that determines the antenna performance and compatibility. The antenna must be designed to operate at the same frequency band as the radio, otherwise the impedance mismatch will cause signal loss and reflection. The frequency also affects the size, shape, and radiation pattern of the antenna. For example, a lower frequency requires a larger antenna to achievethe same gain and directivity as a higher frequency antenna. The frequency also determines the available bandwidth and channel spacing for the wireless communication12. Therefore, it is essential to ensure that the antenna is designed for the frequency used by the radio. References:

• 1: Antenna selection guidelines - STMicroelectronics
• 2: Guide to Selecting the Right Antenna - Telco Antennas

ClearPass OnConnect is a feature of the ClearPass Policy Manager that allows wired authentication on switches that do not support 802.1X or RADIUS protocols. ClearPass OnConnect uses SNMP to monitor and control the switch ports based on the device profiles and policies defined in ClearPass12. ClearPass OnConnect can provide the following benefits for the customer:

• It can enable wired authentication without requiring any changes to the existing switch infrastructure or the end-user devices. This can save the customer’s budget and time, as well as minimize the network disruption and user impact.
• It can provide visibility and control over the wired devices, such as printers, IoT devices, and laptops, that connect to the network. ClearPass OnConnect can identify the device type, user role, and location, and apply the appropriate access policies based on the customer’s security and compliance requirements. For example, ClearPass OnConnect can allow only authorized devices and users to access certain network resources, or quarantine or block any unknown or non-compliant devices.
• It can integrate with the other components of the Aruba solution, such as the MCs, MMs, APs, AirWave, and ClearPass Guest, to provide a consistent and unified network management and security solution across the wired and wireless networks. For example, ClearPass OnConnect can leverage the device profiles and policies from ClearPass Guest, or share the network health and performance data with AirWave.

Therefore, by explaining this feature, the architect can justify the proposed solution and show how it can meet the customer’s needs and expectations for wired authentication, as well as wireless authentication.

References:

• 1: https://www.arubanetworks.com/techdocs/ClearPass/6.7/PolicyManager/index.htm#CPPM_UserGuide/Admin/OnConnect.htm
• 2: https://www.arubanetworks.com/assets/tg/TB_ClearPass_OnConnect.pdf

The Aruba 7210 Mobility Controller is designed to support up to 512 APs and 16,384 simultaneous users. In contrast, the 7205 Mobility Controller supports up to 256 APs and 8,192 simultaneous users. Therefore, for a very high density (VHD) design with 128 APs supporting 12,800 devices, the 7210 controllers would be a better fit due to their higher capacity for APs and simultaneous users.

References:

• Designing Aruba Solutions, Rev. 20.11, Module 4: Aruba Mobility Controller Design, page 4-16
• 7200 Series Controller Data Sheet, page 1

The Aruba SDN Controller is a software component that runs on the Mobility Master (MM) and provides centralized control and management of the network devices and applications that support the SDN services. The SDN Controller communicates with the network devices through the southbound interface (SBI) and exposes the northbound API (NBAPI) for the SDN applications to access the network resources and services1.

One of the SDN applications that can integrate with the Aruba SDN Controller is the Aruba UC and Collaboration Solution, which optimizes the performance and quality of Skype for Business traffic over the wireless network. The Aruba UC and Collaboration Solution consists of three components: the Aruba UC and Collaboration SDN Application, the Aruba UC and Collaboration Dashboard, and the Aruba UC and Collaboration Agent2.

The Aruba UC and Collaboration SDN Application is a software module that runs on the Skype for Business Front End Server and communicates with the Aruba SDN Controller through the NBAPI. The Aruba UC and Collaboration SDN Application monitors the Skype for Business sessions and events, and sends the relevant information to the Aruba SDN Controller, such as the user identity, device type, session type, codec, bandwidth, and quality of service (QoS) requirements2.

The Aruba UC and Collaboration Dashboard is a web-based graphical user interface that provides visibility and analytics of the Skype for Business sessions and events over the wireless network. The Aruba UC and Collaboration Dashboard connects to the Aruba SDN Controller through the NBAPI and displays the information collected by the Aruba UC and Collaboration SDN Application, such as the number of active sessions, session types, session quality, bandwidth consumption, and device distribution2.

The Aruba UC and Collaboration Agent is a software module that runs on the Mobility Controller (MC) and communicates with the Aruba SDN Controller through the SBI. The Aruba UC and Collaboration Agent receives the information from the Aruba UC and Collaboration SDN Application through the Aruba SDN Controller, and applies the appropriate QoS policies and actions on the wireless network, such as prioritizing the Skype for Business traffic, marking the DSCP values, reserving the bandwidth, and adjusting the airtime2.

To support high availability for the SDN services, the Aruba SDN Controller must be deployed in a redundant configuration, with a primary MM and a backup MM. The primary MM runs the active instance of the Aruba SDN Controller, while the backup MM runs the standby instance of the Aruba SDN Controller. The backup MM synchronizes the configuration and state information from the primary MM, and takes over the SDN Controller role in case of a failure or switchover of the primary MM1.

The other options do not provide high availability specifically for the SDN services, although they may provide redundancy for other aspects of the wireless network. A redundant master MC does not run the Aruba SDN Controller, and only provides backup for the master MC role, which is responsible for managing the configuration and licensing of the MCs in the network3. Backup controllers defined on the APs do not run the Aruba SDN Controller, and only provide backup for the local MC role, which is responsible for terminating and managing the APs in the network4. A cluster deployment for MCs does not run the Aruba SDN Controller, and only provides load balancing and fast failover for the APs in the network5.

References: 1: ArubaOS 8.7 User Guide - Aruba, Chapter 42: SDN Controller, pages 1049-1050. 2: Aruba UC and Collaboration Solution Guide - Aruba, Chapter 2: Aruba UC and Collaboration Solution Overview, pages 11-15. 3: ArubaOS 8.7 User Guide - Aruba, Chapter 2: ArubaOS Architecture, pages 25-26. 4: ArubaOS 8.7 User Guide - Aruba, Chapter 3: Configuring Controller Redundancy, pages 39-40. 5: ArubaOS 8.7 User Guide - Aruba, Chapter 4: Configuring Controller Clustering, pages 51-52.

The maximum bandwidth possible between the aggregation and core layers using 8 strands of OM4 Multi-Mode fiber can be up to 200 Gbps1. This is because each strand of OM4 fiber can support up to 25 Gbps of bandwidth, and with 8 strands, the total bandwidth can reach up to 200 Gbps1. However, the actual bandwidth can be influenced by various factors such as the quality of the fiber, the type of transceivers used, and the distance between the aggregation and core layers1.

References:

• What is IP and Ethernet aggregation? - Ciena
• Aruba 5400R zl2 Switch Series Data Sheet
• Aruba 5400R zl2 Switch Series Installation and Getting Started Guide
• ArubaOS-Switch and ArubaOS-CX Transceiver Guide