HPE 6-A87 is a certification that focuses on distributed service architecture, DPU technology applications, and network automation capabilities in data center networks.

1. Introduction to the Aruba HPE6-A87 certification

HPE6-A87 HPE Networking CX 10000 is a high-end data center network specialized certification launched by Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE) Aruba Networking. It belongs to the "Advanced Product Expert" core sequence of the HPE Aruba certification system and focuses on verifying the professional capabilities of practitioners in designing, deploying, configuring, monitoring, and troubleshooting enterprise level data center network solutions on the Aruba CX 10000 series distributed service switches

HPE6-A87 is an authoritative qualification for modern data center integration requirements of "distributed service architecture + zero trust security + network automation," especially suitable for large-scale data centers, hybrid cloud environments, complex network scenarios of edge computing and OT/IT integration, and is a key voucher for network engineers to prove their exchange technology capabilities of HPE Aruba high-end data centers.

The Aruba CX 10000 series switch, as the world's first distributed service switch with integrated DPU, embeds programmable DPU in the switch chip to deploy advanced services such as firewall, load balancing, and traffic analysis directly on the data path, achieving a distributed architecture of "services moving with traffic" without the need to transmit traffic back to a centralized gateway, greatly improving network performance and security.

The core positioning of HPE6-A87 certification is to cultivate "CX 10000 Distributed Service Architecture Experts" who are not only proficient in the hardware architecture, AOS-CX operating system, and DPU programming capabilities of CX 10000 series switches, but also capable of designing distributed service network topology, configuring embedded security services, implementing network automation and orchestration, integrating third-party cloud management platforms in complex data center environments, effectively addressing the performance and security challenges of modern data centers.

2. The Competitive Edge of S Aruba HPE6-A87 Certification

The HPE6-A87 certification is HPE Aruba's official recognition of the technical capabilities of practitioners in CX 10000 distributed service switches. Based on successful deployment cases of the CX 10000 series in global ultra large scale data centers, it has a high degree of recognition in the international data center network field.

This certification is the core symbol that distinguishes between "ordinary data center engineer" and "CX 10000 distributed service expert." When enterprises recruit high-end data center network positions, it is often listed as a "priority condition," which can significantly enhance the holder's competitiveness in the job market.

With the widespread application of distributed service architecture and DPU technology in data centers, professionals holding HPE6-A87 certification have outstanding salary advantages: globally, the annual salary for related positions is generally between $90000 and $150000, which is 30%-40% higher than that of ordinary data center network engineers. At the same time, certificate holders are more likely to gain leadership in high-end data center projects and career advancement opportunities, greatly increasing their career development ceiling.

This certification is a key qualification for undertaking high-end projects such as digital transformation of large enterprises, construction of cloud native data centers, and deployment of edge computing. In industries that require extremely high network performance and security, certifiers can independently be responsible for the design and implementation of CX 10000 distributed service architecture, accumulate valuable industry experience and project cases, and further consolidate their professional competitiveness.

Holders of the certificate can join the HPE Aruba global technology community to access scarce resources such as the latest CX 10000 technical documentation, DPU programming tools, and industry solutions; expand industry network through HPE Aruba digital platform; exchange CX 10000 distributed service network experience with global peers, and continuously improve professional capabilities.

After obtaining this certification, the holder can advance to a higher level of HPE Aruba data center certification or switch to emerging fields such as network security and cloud computing; you can also delve into vertical industries and become a CX 10000 distributed service expert in finance, telecommunications, and other industries, adapting to the development trend of "distributed service priority" in future data centers.

3. Core Components of the Aruba HPE6-A87 Certification

HPE6-A87 certification is the top expert level certification in the Aruba certification system for next-generation data center network technology, with a deep focus on the Aruba CX 10000 series switches and their representative DPU intelligent and distributed service cutting-edge architecture.

This certification aims to verify your cutting-edge capabilities in designing, deploying, and managing modern, programmable, and securely integrated data center networks.

The exam content strictly follows the official outline. Firstly, you need to have a deep understanding of the disruptive hardware design based on DPU and its collaboration with the AOS-CX operating system in the "CX 10000 Series Hardware Architecture and Basic Deployment" module.

The core competency focuses on "distributed service configuration and management" and "data center network automation and orchestration," which requires you to not only be able to configure embedded firewalls, load balancing, and other distributed services, but also master the use of tools such as Fabric Composer, Ansible, REST API to achieve comprehensive automation and intelligent orchestration of the network. This represents the highest level of data center network operation and maintenance.

The "Security Integration and Zero Trust Architecture" module elevates security capabilities to the architecture level, examining how to utilize CX 10000's native security services to build a zero trust data plane.

Finally, the "Advanced Troubleshooting and Performance Optimization" module requires you to have the ability to troubleshoot and optimize the entire chain from DPU services to automated scripts in highly complex, software defined network environments.

4. What are the requirements to be an Aruba HPE6-A87?

(1) Qualification prerequisites:

The HPE6-A87 certification has clear pre certification requirements, and candidates must first pass the HPE Aruba Certified Professional - Data Center (ACP-DC) or Aruba Product Specialist - CX Switching certification and possess basic data center network capabilities.

We recommend that you have 3-5 years of experience in data center network design and implementation, familiar with core network technologies such as TCP/IP protocol stack; Have a deep understanding of DPU technology, distributed service architecture, and zero trust security concepts.

HPE recommends that you complete the recommended training courses; Familiar with basic operations of network automation tools and cloud management platforms.

(2) Training and examinations:

HPE6-A87 has approximately 50 questions, including multiple choice questions, scenario analysis questions, and configuration operation questions. The exam lasts for 90 minutes. Full score of 1000 points, reaching 700 points or above to pass.

The exam fees vary slightly depending on the region, with HPE's official standard pricing of $200 fluctuating around $200-250.

(3) Qualification maintenance:

The HPE6-A87 certificate is valid for 3 years. The renewal requirement is that you need to pass the HPE6-A87 recertification exam or automatically renew the HPE Aruba data center certification at a higher level before the expiration of the validity period.

5. Comparable Certifications to Aruba HPE6-A87 Certification

• VMware VCAP-NV Design
• Juniper JNCIE-DC
• Cisco CCIE Data Center
• NVIDIA DOCA Certified Specialist