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Exam Information
Official specifications published by Aruba
Exam Format
4 questions (scenarios)
66%
Expert
Registration
PSI, Aruba Education Services
Validity
3 years
Pass HPE7-A09 (HPE Network Switching Expert Written Exam)
HPE4-A53 Exam Topics and Domains
HPE4-A53 is organized into 5 weighted domains. Expect to work with AOS-CX, HPE Aruba Networking Central, ClearPass, ClearPass (CPPM), and more.
1
Configure and validate security features in CLI and HPE Aruba Networking Central
20%
AAA services
Configure and validate AAA (RADIUS, TACACS, ClearPass, 802.1X, MAC Auth, Port security)
Configure and validate AAA (RADIUS, TACACS, ClearPass, 802.1X, MAC Auth, Port security)
Policy and access control
Configure and validate ACL, classifier policy, user rolesConfigure and validate dynamic segmentation
- Configure and validate ACL, classifier policy, user roles
- Configure and validate dynamic segmentation
2
Configure and validate dynamic routing
20%
OSPF
Configure and validate multi-area OSPF (ABR & ASBR, STUB, NSSA, Route summarization, and graceful restart)Configure and validate OSPF route filtering, route injection, and route redistribution ECMPConfigure and validate advanced OSPF features (load sharing, passive/active OSPF interfaces)
- Configure and validate multi-area OSPF (ABR & ASBR, STUB, NSSA, Route summarization, and graceful restart)
- Configure and validate OSPF route filtering, route injection, and route redistribution ECMP
- Configure and validate advanced OSPF features (load sharing, passive/active OSPF interfaces)
BGP
Configure and validate BGP (iBGP vs eBGP, route filtering, prefixes, route preferences, route reflectors, path attributes, load sharing, route maps, route selection rules, route redistribution)
Configure and validate BGP (compare and contrast iBGP and eBGP operations, route filtering, prefixes, route preferences, route reflectors, path attributes, load sharing, route maps, route selection rules, route redistribution)
3
Migrate a network to Layer 3 services, routing, and overlay in CLI and HPE Aruba Networking Central
20%
Overlay and tunnels
Configure and validate tunnels (VXLAN, UBT)
- Migrate a customer network to Layer 3 services, routing, and overlay in CLI and HPE Aruba Networking Central
- Configure and validate tunnels (VXLAN, UBT)
Layer 2 switching
Configure and validate link aggregation groups (static and dynamic LACP)Configure and validate STP (MSTP, RSTP) and implement STP hardeningConfigure and validate advanced VSX featuresConfigure and validate VLANs to support requirements; evaluate and remediate network redundancy issues
- Configure and validate Layer 2 switching and resolve complex issues in CLI and HPE Aruba Networking Central
- Configure and validate link aggregation groups (static and dynamic LACP)
- Configure and validate STP (MSTP, RSTP) and implement STP hardening
- Configure and validate advanced VSX features
- Configure and validate VLANs to support requirements
- Isolate failing component by structured troubleshooting
- Evaluate and remediate network redundancy issues
4
Configure, validate, and optimize a complex multicast scenario
20%
Multicast
Configure and validate IGMP and IGMP SnoopingConfigure and validate PIM-SM, PIM-DM, MSDPOptimize resiliency and redundancy; configure and validate advanced VSX features
- Configure and validate IGMP and IGMP Snooping
- Configure and validate PIM-SM, PIM-DM, MSDP
- Optimize resiliency
- Optimize redundancy
- Configure and validate advanced VSX features
5
Diagnose and resolve a complex network issues
20%
Structured troubleshooting
Identify the failure using appropriate tools (traffic analysis, NAE, CLI, HPE Aruba Networking Central)Evaluate failure impact and remediation (determine if a config change resolves the issue; anticipate remediation impact)Evaluate end-to-end connectivity issues (Layer 1-4, dynamic routing, spanning tree, VSF, VSX, aggregations, application behavior); configure and analyze debugging outputs
- Diagnose and resolve a complex network issues
- Identify the failure using appropriate tools (traffic analysis, NAE, CLI, HPE Aruba Networking Central)
- Evaluate the failure impact based on customer requirements and design
- Determine if a configuration change can resolve the issue
- Anticipate the impact of remediation steps
- Evaluate the network for end-to-end connectivity issues (Layer 1 through 4 issues, including dynamic routing and spanning tree, VSF, VSX, aggregations, and application behavior)
- Configure and analyze the debugging outputs
- Isolate failing component by structured troubleshooting
How do I earn this certification?
Passing HPE4-A53 earns the HPE Aruba Networking Certified Expert - Switching (ACX-S) certification. It sits in the Switching track.
Current Level Exams
Alternative Paths
HPE Aruba Networking Certified Expert - Network Security Complementary expert-level HPE Aruba Networking security track
Practice with Precision
The PlanetCert Simulator mirrors the real exam environment with authentic questions and timed pressure.
How to study for this exam?
The most effective way to prepare for HPE4-A53 is by using the PlanetCert Simulator to practice questions and review detailed explanations.
What's changed on this exam?
Current Status
- ACTIVE
- Last content update: 2026-02 (datasheet Revision 7)
Updates
Advanced AOS-CX Switching training Rev. 25.11 Recommended course for both HPE7-A09 and HPE4-A53; aligns study materials to current AOS-CX feature set.
Who should take this exam?
HPE7-A09 (HPE Network Switching Expert Written Exam) must be passed before registering
- Advanced AOS-CX Switching, Rev. 25.11 course (0001208241)
- Building complex wired networks experience
- Tier-4 support / architect-level experience
Related practice tests
- HPE7-A01Aruba Campus Access Professional (Written)
- HPE6-A88HPE Aruba Networking ClearPass
- ACMP_6.4Aruba Certified Mobility Professional 6.4
- HPE6-A78HPE Aruba Networking Certified Associate - Network Security
- HPE7-A02HPE Aruba Networking Certified Network Security Professional