HPE6-A79 · ● Active · Expert · Hewlett Packard Enterprise (Aruba)
Status (2026): The Aruba Certified Mobility Expert (ACMX) is the highest-tier credential in the Aruba Mobility track. It validates expert-level design, deployment, and troubleshooting of complex enterprise wireless networks. While ACMP (Professional level) has been retired and replaced by ACP-Campus Access, ACMX remains active as the Expert-level cert within Aruba's certification portfolio. A successor, ACX-Campus Access (Expert-Campus Access), is planned but ACMX remains current for legacy AOS8 deployments.
Exam facts
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Cost | USD $230 (written exam); practical lab additional cost varies by region |
| Duration | Written: 120 minutes; Practical Lab: 8 hours (separate exam) |
| Questions | 60 multiple choice (written exam); practical lab is hands-on configuration / troubleshooting |
| Passing | ~70% for written exam; practical lab evaluated by hands-on task completion |
| Format | Multiple choice (written) + Practical hands-on lab (required) |
| Delivery | Pearson VUE testing centers (written); Remote or onsite proctored lab (HPE0-A125P) |
| Languages | English (primary); other languages via Pearson VUE regional availability |
| Valid | 3 years from certification date |
| Renewal | Pass higher cert (if released) or retake ACMX; no CE credits specified |
| Prerequisites | None formal (as of Nov 1, 2019 policy change); ACMP or 3–5 years Aruba mobility experience highly recommended |
| Released | Originally launched c. 2014–2015; current version (AOS8.6+) c. 2020–2026 |
| Retiring | No retirement date announced (active as of May 2026); successor ACX-Campus Access planned but not yet launched |
Official certification page — Aruba Certified Mobility Expert (ACMX) ↗
Official exam card (HPE6-A79) — HPE6-A79 Written Exam ↗
Official practical exam (HPE0-A125P) — HPE0-A125P ACMX Practical Lab ↗
About
The Aruba Certified Mobility Expert (ACMX) is the highest-level credential in the Aruba Mobility certification track, designed for senior wireless network architects and experts responsible for designing, implementing, and troubleshooting complex, multi-site, highly available enterprise WLAN deployments using Aruba/HPE solutions (AOS8.6+). The certification consists of two required components: a written exam (HPE6-A79) testing WLAN design, RF optimization, advanced security, and enterprise architecture; and a comprehensive 8-hour practical lab exam (HPE0-A125P) validating hands-on configuration, integration with ClearPass, mobility controller clustering, redundancy, and troubleshooting in real-world scenarios. ACMX is positioned as the Expert tier above the retired Professional level (ACMP), and candidates are expected to have 3–5 years of hands-on Aruba mobility deployment experience. Though no formal prerequisite exists as of Nov 2019, the exam assumes deep familiarity with ACMP-level content.
Domain context — Networking/Wireless
Enterprise wireless networking (WLAN) at the highest architectural and operational level. Covers design, deployment, security, and management of large-scale, highly available WiFi infrastructure, RF optimization, mobility solutions, and advanced integration with centralized policy and security systems. Expert-level practitioners design and operate multi-site, mission-critical WLAN environments at scale.
Read full deep dive — Networking/Wireless →
Read full deep dive — Aruba/HPE Ecosystem →
Topics covered
Per official exam blueprint for HPE6-A79 (AOS8.6):
- Analyzing Functional Requirements (24%) — enterprise network design, scalability, redundancy, HA requirements, multi-site architecture, integration with wired infrastructure
- Configuring & Validating Aruba WLAN Solutions (21%) — Mobility Master clustering, high availability (VRRP, failover), controller architecture (MC, VMC, MM), access point modes (Local, Tunneled, MultiZone), WLAN configuration, RF optimization
- Implementing Advanced Services & Security Solutions (20%) — 802.1X, RADIUS integration, ClearPass Policy Manager deep integration, user-centric networking, role-based access control (RBAC), guest networks with captive portal, dynamic segmentation, UCC optimization (voice, video), WPA3 deployment
- Managing & Monitoring Aruba Solutions (17%) — AirWave / Aruba Central monitoring, AirMatch ARM (Adaptive Radio Management), analytics, dashboards, syslog, SNMP, NetFlow, troubleshooting frameworks
- Performing Advanced Troubleshooting (18%) — roaming analysis (fast roaming 802.11r/k, band steering), QoS validation, interference analysis, controller-to-controller communication, client troubleshooting, advanced RF debugging
Source: HPE Certification Learning: HPE6-A79 Blueprint ↗
Common skills at Networking · Expert
Shared content for the Networking domain at Expert level — not specific to this cert.
- Enterprise network design: multi-site architecture, redundancy, failover, extreme availability (99.99%+)
- Advanced routing protocols and convergence optimization (OSPF, BGP, IS-IS at scale)
- Network security at enterprise scale: zero-trust, microsegmentation, policy frameworks
- Advanced QoS, traffic engineering, and multicast optimization in large networks
- Network analytics, observability, and AI-driven anomaly detection
- Vendor ecosystem integration (multi-vendor, heterogeneous environments)
- Strategic capacity planning and network evolution roadmaps
- Leadership in network architecture and design review
Recommended courses at Networking · Expert
| Provider | Title | Cost | URL |
|---|---|---|---|
| HPE Learning Center (Official) | Aruba Certified Mobility Expert (ACMX) Training Path | $X (HPE account / partner portal) | ↗ |
| 591 Lab | Aruba Certified Mobility Expert (ACMX) Hands-On Training & Lab | ~$1,500–$2,500 | ↗ |
| Global Knowledge | Aruba Advanced Mobility Troubleshooting & Design | ~$2,500–$3,500 | ↗ (search ACMX) |
| Udemy | Aruba Certified Mobility Expert (ACMX) Complete Study Guide | ~$15–$50 | ↗ (search HPE6-A79 ACMX) |
| LinkedIn Learning | Aruba Wireless Expert Path (advanced track) | ~$39/month (subscription) | ↗ (search Aruba Expert) |
Course-selection note: Official HPE training for ACMX is partner-gated; availability varies by region and partner status. Third-party instructors (591 Lab, Fast Lane) offer comprehensive hands-on labs, which are critical given the 8-hour practical exam requirement. Self-paced Udemy courses provide theory reinforcement but do NOT substitute for hands-on lab experience.
Practice exams
| Provider | Title | Cost | URL |
|---|---|---|---|
| Whizlabs | Aruba Certified Mobility Expert (ACMX) Practice Exam | ~$49–$79 | ↗ (search ACMX) |
| MeasureUp | HPE6-A79 Aruba ACMX Practice Exam | ~$99–$149 | ↗ (search HPE6-A79) |
| CertFun | ACMX Sample Questions & Exam Guide (HPE6-A79) | Free (limited) | ↗ |
| 591 Lab | ACMX Practical Lab Simulator | ~$800–$1,200 (included in full course) | ↗ |
Note: Practical lab simulators (e.g., 591 Lab) are essential for ACMX because the certification requires passing both the written exam (HPE6-A79) AND the hands-on practical lab (HPE0-A125P). Standard multiple-choice practice tests alone are insufficient; you must practice real configuration tasks on lab hardware or simulators.
Books
| Title | Author | Publisher | Year | ISBN | URL |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aruba Certified Mobility Expert: Official Certification Study Guide (HPE6-A79) | [Pending — no dedicated ACMX study guide currently published] | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Aruba Certified Mobility Professional: Official Certification Study Guide (HPE6-A44, HPE6-A71) | Steven Sowell | HPE Press | 2018 | 978-1942741763 | ↗ |
| Aruba ClearPass Policy Manager: Official Configuration Guide | [Various HPE authors] | HPE Press | 2021 | N/A | ↗ (technical docs) |
Book note: No standalone ACMX study guide has been published as of 2026. The closest reference is the retired ACMP study guide (Sowell), which covers AOS8 architecture and is still relevant for ACMX written exam fundamentals. ACMX candidates rely heavily on official HPE documentation, technical whitepapers, and practical lab experience rather than traditional textbooks. ClearPass and ArubaOS configuration guides are essential reference materials.
Typical job titles at Networking · Expert
Aruba Mobility Architect · Aruba Wireless Expert · Senior WLAN Architect · Enterprise Wireless Solutions Architect · HPE Networking Architect · Senior Network Architect (Wireless) · Wireless Network Consultant (Enterprise) · Network Solutions Engineer (Expert)
(Job titles drawn from current job-board postings and LinkedIn profiles listing ACMX as required or preferred qualification.)
Salary
| Region | Range | Source |
|---|---|---|
| USD | $115,000–$165,000 (roles requiring ACMX or equivalent expert-level WLAN architect) | ZipRecruiter: Aruba Wireless Engineer ↗ · PayScale: Network Architect ↗ · Levels.fyi ↗ (search senior wireless architect) |
| ZAR | R460,000–R800,000 (USD $115K–$165K × 18 approximation) | Pnet (ZA) ↗ (manual search: "Wireless Architect") · CareerJunction ZA ↗ |
| GBP | £68,000–£98,000 (UK senior architect roles) | IT Jobs Watch ↗ (search "Wireless Architect") · Hays ↗ |
| EUR | €78,000–€112,000 (Western Europe, DE/FR/NL/BE) | LinkedIn Salary (EU) ↗ (search "Wireless Architect") |
| AUD | A$148,000–A$205,000 (Australia senior architect roles) | Seek (AU) ↗ (search "Wireless Architect") · CareerOne (AU) ↗ |
Salary note: ACMX-specific data is limited because the cert is newer and Expert-level roles are less common than Professional roles. Ranges above reflect senior wireless architect salaries that typically require ACMX or equivalent expertise (e.g., CCNA Enterprise, CWNE). Expert-level positioning typically commands 15–25% premium over Professional-level roles (e.g., ACMP equivalents). Salary varies significantly by geography, employer size, and sector (financial services, healthcare, telecom pay higher).
Skills validated
Cert-specific — what this exam actually tests, distinct from the shared "Common skills" above.
- AOS8.6+ architecture (Mobility Master, Controllers, Access Point models: CAP, UAP, RAP, IAP, VIA)
- Mobility Master clustering and high availability (VRRP, failover, backup/restore)
- Multi-site WLAN architecture (tunneled, local, MultiZone modes)
- Advanced RF management and AirMatch ARM tuning (channel optimization, power control, band steering)
- 802.1X and certificate-based authentication at scale (RADIUS, EAP-TLS, PAC, PEAP)
- ClearPass Policy Manager deep integration (endpoint profiling, guest provisioning, role-based access)
- User-centric networking and dynamic segmentation
- Guest access architecture (captive portal, RADIUS CoA, VLAN assignment)
- Voice over WiFi (VoWiFi) / UCC optimization (codec negotiation, QoS, roaming)
- Mesh networking (802.11s) design and troubleshooting
- WPA3 enterprise deployment
- L2/L3 infrastructure integration (switches, routing, multicast)
- AirWave and Aruba Central monitoring, analytics, dashboards
- Advanced roaming troubleshooting (802.11r/k, fast roaming, client state machine)
- QoS and traffic management in enterprise WLAN
- Network slicing and policy-based forwarding
- Remote Access Point (RAP) and Tunneled Node (TN) design
- Syslog, SNMP, NetFlow, and log aggregation
- API automation (basic to intermediate scripting)
- Disaster recovery and business continuity for WLAN infrastructure
Related certifications
- Same track, lower level: Aruba Certified Mobility Professional (ACMP, HPE6-A71) ↗ — Retired (May 2023) — Professional-level prerequisite (historical)
- Same track, lowest level: Aruba Certified Mobility Associate (ACMA, HPE6-A70) ↗ — Entry-level (file not yet created)
- Successor / Replacement (planned): Aruba Certified Expert-Campus Access (ACX-Campus Access, code TBD) — planned Expert replacement for ACMX as Aruba converges Mobility and Campus Access tracks (not yet launched)
- Related HPE/Aruba Expert cert: Aruba Certified Expert-Campus Access (ACX-Campus Access) ↗ — Planned — will eventually replace ACMX
- Equivalents (other vendors, Expert level):
- Cisco CCNA Wireless (retired) / Cisco Certified Specialist - Enterprise Advanced Infrastructure (CCNP Enterprise track) ↗
- Juniper JNCIS-WX (Juniper Networks Certified Specialist-Wireless) ↗
- Mist Certified Associate (MCA) / Certified Expert (MCE) ↗
- Fortinet NSE 5 / 6 (Network Security Expert) ↗ — security-focused alternative
- Vendor overview: HPE/Aruba Vendor Overview ↗
Sources
- Aruba Certified Mobility Expert (ACMX) – Certification & Learning ↗
- HPE6-A79 Written Exam – Certification & Learning ↗
- HPE0-A125P Practical Lab – Certification & Learning ↗
- SPOTO: Preparing for Success: How to Pass the HPE6-A79 ACMX Written Exam ↗
- 591 Lab: Aruba Certified Mobility Expert (ACMX) Lab ↗
- CertFun: HPE6-A79 ACMX Sample Questions ↗
- ZipRecruiter: Aruba Wireless Engineer Salary Data ↗
- PayScale: Network Architect Salary ↗
- IT Jobs Watch: Wireless Architect Salary (UK) ↗
- LinkedIn Salary: Wireless Architect (EU) ↗
- OneToOne: ACMX Certification Career Insights ↗
- HPE Press: ACMP Study Guide (Sowell) ↗
Last verified: 2026-08-12
Parent ecosystem: HPE/Aruba Networking ↗
Parent domain: Networking/Wireless ↗
Vendor overview: Hewlett Packard Enterprise (Aruba) ↗
Note: ACMX is the active Expert-level certification as of May 2026. ACMP (Professional) was retired May 1, 2023. A successor, ACX-Campus Access, is planned but not yet available. ACMX retains validity and market demand for complex enterprise WLAN deployments using AOS8.6+.