HPE Aruba Networking Associate - Campus Switching

HPE6-A78 · ● Active · Associate · HPE Aruba Networking

Exam facts

Vendor source — HPE Aruba Networking Certifications ↗

Official exam guide — HPE6-A78 Exam Details ↗

Exam objectives — HPE6-A78 Detailed Topics ↗

About

The HPE6-A78 — HPE Aruba Networking Associate (Campus Switching) certifies foundational knowledge of Aruba CX switching, campus network design, switching protocols, and Layer 2/3 fundamentals using Aruba AOS-CX operating system. Intended for network technicians, junior network engineers, and deployment professionals with at least one year of hands-on experience in enterprise networking environments. First offered in 2024, this cert reflects Aruba's post-Juniper acquisition strategy (July 2025) to clarify and consolidate its Associate-level credential pathway.

Domain context — Networking

Enterprise and service-provider networking—routing, switching, wireless, SD-WAN, and secure access architecture spanning campus, data center, branch, and cloud interconnect.

Read full deep dive — Networking Domain →

Topics covered

Based on official HPE certification blueprint (2026):

• ArubaOS-CX Fundamentals & Architecture (~15%)

  • Distributed OS architecture, forwarding engine concepts
  • VLAN and trunk configuration basics
  • Port types (access, tagged, untagged)
  • Interface configuration and monitoring

• Campus Network Design (~20%)

  • Layer 2 switching principles and topology design
  • Redundancy and resiliency concepts (STP, RSTP, MSTP)
  • Link aggregation (LAG) and multi-link trunking
  • Power over Ethernet (PoE) and power budgeting

• Layer 2 Switching Protocols (~25%)

  • Spanning Tree Protocol (STP/RSTP/MSTP) configuration and troubleshooting
  • VLAN tagging (802.1Q) and VLAN management
  • MAC address learning and aging
  • Storm control and port security

• Layer 3 Routing Essentials (~20%)

  • IPv4 and IPv6 addressing, subnetting, and routing fundamentals
  • Static routing and dynamic routing protocol introduction (OSPF, BGP at high level)
  • Default gateway configuration
  • Route manipulation and policy-based routing basics

• Aruba Central & Management (~10%)

  • Cloud-managed provisioning via Aruba Central
  • Device templates and zero-touch provisioning (ZTP)
  • Dashboard navigation and monitoring
  • Role-based access control (RBAC) for Central

• Security & Access Control (~10%)

  • Port security and 802.1X basics
  • ACL (Access Control List) fundamentals
  • VLAN segmentation for security
  • Introduction to ClearPass integration concepts

Source: HPE6-A78 Official Blueprint ↗

Common skills at Networking · Associate

Shared competencies for Networking domain professionals at the Associate level—not specific to Aruba:

• TCP/IP fundamentals — IPv4 addressing, subnetting, DNS, DHCP, ARP
• OSI model layers — Protocol stacks, encapsulation, header analysis
• Switching & bridging — MAC learning, flooding, VLAN concepts, trunk links
• Spanning Tree basics — Root election, port roles, topology convergence
• VLAN configuration — Tagged/untagged frames, VLAN IDs, trunks
• Basic routing — Static routes, default gateways, route table interpretation
• Port configuration — Speed, duplex, auto-negotiation, shutdown/no shutdown
• Interface troubleshooting — Link up/down states, counter interpretation, cable issues
• Network monitoring basics — Ping, traceroute, interface statistics, syslog
• Documentation — Network diagram interpretation, configuration backup/restore

Recommended courses at Networking · Associate

Course-selection rule: Prioritize courses specifically branded for HPE6-A78 or "ACA Campus Switching" rather than generic Aruba or AOS-CX content. HPE Education Services official course is most aligned with exam objectives.

Practice exams

Books

Book note: A dedicated HPE-published study guide for HPE6-A78 may still be in development (as of May 2026); verify latest ISBN via HPE Press or Amazon. The ArubaOS-CX official configuration guide is freely available and serves as primary technical reference.

Typical job titles at Networking · Associate

Network Technician · Campus Network Engineer · Aruba Network Administrator · Deployment Technician · Junior Network Engineer · Network Support Specialist

(Job titles drawn from current job-board postings—LinkedIn, Indeed, CareerJunction (ZA)—listing this cert as required or preferred.)

Salary

Salary note: Associate-level Aruba engineers in enterprise environments typically command premiums in metro areas (San Francisco, New York, London, Sydney, Cape Town). Contract/consulting rates often 15–25% higher than full-time W-2. South African salary data reflects 2026 Pnet/CareerJunction postings; ZAR/USD volatility impacts effective USD equivalent.

Skills validated

Specific technologies and protocols this exam actually tests:

• Aruba CX Switches — Configuration, troubleshooting, and operation of CX 6300, 6400, 8000 series
• AOS-CX operating system — Command-line interface (CLI), configuration modes, stateful services
• VSX (Virtual Switching Extension) — High-availability active-active switching architecture
• Layer 2 protocols — RSTP, MSTP, STP convergence, rapid spanning tree timers
• VLAN tagging — 802.1Q, trunk configuration, VLAN membership, allowed VLANs
• Link aggregation — LAG (Link Aggregate Groups), LACP, static trunks, load balancing
• Port security — MAC address limits, learn modes, dynamic/static binding
• 802.1X authentication — Port-based network access control (PNAC), supplicant/authenticator roles
• Power over Ethernet (PoE) — Power classes, inline power delivery, powered device detection
• Access Control Lists (ACLs) — Stateless filtering, numbered/named ACLs, filter application to ports
• Inter-VLAN routing — SVI (Switched Virtual Interface) configuration, default gateway setup
• Aruba Central provisioning — Zero-touch provisioning (ZTP), template deployment, device groups
• IPv6 fundamentals — Basic IPv6 addressing, link-local, multicast group membership
• Troubleshooting tools — show commands, packet capture, logging, diagnostic outputs

Related certifications

• Stacks with: HPE Aruba Certified Associate — Mobility (HPE6-A85) ↗ (same Associate tier; wireless specialization)
• Prerequisite for: HPE Aruba Certified Professional — Campus Access (HPE7-A01) ↗ (Professional tier; recommended pathway)
• Equivalents at this level: CompTIA Network+ (N10-009) ↗ (vendor-neutral foundational alternative; less Aruba-specific)
• Vendor overview: HPE / Aruba Networking Vendor Overview ↗

Sources

• HPE Aruba Networking Certifications Portal: https://www.hpe.com/us/en/training-and-certifications/aruba.html
• HPE6-A78 Official Exam Blueprint: https://certification-learning.hpe.com/en/datacard/certification/ACA-CampusSwitch
• ArubaOS-CX Documentation: https://arubanetworking.hpe.com/techdocs/ArubaDocPortal/content/docportal.htm
• Aruba Airheads Community: https://community.arubanetworks.com/
• HPE Education Services: https://education.hpe.com/ww/en/training/portfolio/networking.html
• Whizlabs Practice Exams: https://www.whizlabs.com/aruba-certification/
• Glassdoor: Aruba Networks Salary Data (2026): https://www.glassdoor.com/Salary/Aruba-Networks-Salaries-E26809.htm
• Robert Half 2026 Salary Guide: https://www.roberthalf.com/salary-guide
• PayScale: Aruba Networks (US & ZA): https://www.payscale.com/research/US/Employer=Aruba_Networks/Salary
• Pnet (South Africa): https://www.pnet.co.za/
• CareerJunction (South Africa): https://www.careerjunction.co.za/
• IT Jobs Watch (UK): https://www.itjobswatch.co.uk/
• Hays Salary Guide 2026: https://www.hays.co.uk/salary-guide
• Westcon-Comstor Academy: https://academy.westconcomstor.com/aruba
• D33 Aruba / HPE Ecosystem Overview: https://hpecom/ecosystems/aruba-hpe-ecosystem

Last verified: 2026-05-01

Parent ecosystem: Aruba / HPE Networking Ecosystem ↗

Parent domain: Networking Domain ↗

Vendor overview: HPE / Aruba Networking ↗