This exam test the candidate on the fundamental skills necessary to configure and manage modern, open standards-based networking solutions using Aruba’s OS-CX routing and switching technologies in small to medium enterprise network solutions.
Ideal candidate
IT Professionals who are new to deploying SMB solutions based on HPE Aruba products and technologies, including HPE Aruba Reseller Systems Engineers, Customer IT Staff, HPE Aruba System Engineers, and HPE Services Field & Call Center Support Engineers.
HPE Aruba ACSA Exam Summary:
| Exam Name | Aruba Certified Switching Associate (ACSA) |
| Exam Code | HPE6-A72 |
| Exam Price | $145 (USD) |
| Duration | 90 mins |
| Number of Questions | 60 |
| Passing Score | 70% |
| Books / Training | ArubaOS-CX Switching Fundamentals, Rev. 20.21 Aruba Certified Switching Associate (HPE6-A72) Study Guide |
| Sample Questions | HPE Aruba ACSA Sample Questions |
| Practice Exam | Hewlett Packard Enterprise HPE6-A72 Certification Practice Exam |
Hewlett Packard Enterprise HPE6-A72 Exam Syllabus Topics:
| Topic | Details | Weights |
| Identify, describe, and apply foundational networking architectures and technologies. | – Describe and explain the OSI Model. – Describe and explain the most common layer media (Layer 1). – Describe the basics of Layer 2 Ethernet, including broadcast domains and ARP messages. – Interpret an IP routing table and explain default routes, static routing, and dynamic routing, including OSPF. – Define and recognize the purpose and interaction of Layer 4 (Transport) protocols in an IP network. – Identify and describe multicast traffic and its purpose on a network. – Identify the role of TFTP, SFTP, FTP, Telnet, and SNMPv2 in managing Aruba network devices and how to apply the appropriate security for these features – Identify and describe the concept of QoS and explain its significance in converged networks. – Describe and explain basic network security setup on Aruba switches. – Describe Layer 2 redundancy technologies such as STP/RSTP/MSTP and VSF, including their benefits. – Describe and apply link aggregation. – Identify, describe, and explain VLANs – Describe network management. – Describe the concepts of server-related networking (NIC and CNA). |
23% |
| Identify, describe, and differentiate the functions and features of Aruba products and solutions. | – Identify basic features and management options for Aruba wired products – Compare and contrast Aruba Networking solutions and features and identify the appropriate product for an environment – Identify which Aruba Networking products should be positioned given various customer environments and infrastructure needs (include the criteria needed to make such a recommendation). – Identify and describe available toolsets for managing Aruba Networking products (CLI-based, web, scripted, SNMP, NetEdit, mobile app, and API). |
17% |
| Install, configure, set up, and validate Aruba solutions. | – Perform an environmental survey for site readiness. – Configure basic features on Aruba switches, including initial settings and management access. – Configure Aruba switches with Layer 2 technologies such as RSTP/MSPT, link aggregation, VLANs, LLDP, and device profiles. – Configure basic IP routing with static routes or OSPF on Aruba switches. – Configure the management software and manage configuration files on Aruba switches. Manage the software and configuration files on Aruba switches; NetEdit – Validate the installed solution via debug technology, logging, and show commands. |
27% |
| Tune, optimize, and upgrade Aruba solutions. | – Optimize layer 2 and layer 3 infrastructures via broadcast domain reduction, VLANs, and VSF. – Manage network assets using Aruba tools. – Verify L3 routing tables convergence and scalability (OSPF, RIP, static routes, ECMP, directly connected). – Assess how to optimize network availability (vrrp, vsf, trunks, xstp, additional hardware redundancy) |
13% |
| Troubleshoot, repair, and replace Aruba solutions | – Troubleshoot switched and routed networks. – Apply troubleshooting methodology. – Use general troubleshooting tools. – Perform troubleshooting methodology on the wired networks. |
12% |
| Manage, monitor, administer and operate Aruba solutions. | – Perform network management according to best practices. – Perform Administrative tasks (Moves / Adds / Changes / Deletions) (Add new devices, VLAN assignment) |
8% |
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