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Exam Information
Official specifications published by Aruba
Exam Format
120 min
75
65%
Professional
Registration
$195 USD
Pearson VUE or online proctoring
Validity
3 years
Pass the current HPE7-A05 exam on Pearson VUE before expiration
HPE7-A05 Exam Topics and Domains
HPE7-A05 is organized into 7 weighted domains. Expect to work with AOS-CX REST API, HPE Aruba Networking Central, AOS-CX checkpoints, AOS-CX EVPN-VXLAN, and more.
1
Plan the Low-Level Design
14%
Create a low-level design for deployment using HPE Aruba Networking data center switches
Translate high-level network designs into detailed low-level deployment plansDefine spine-and-leaf or collapsed core topologies using HPE Aruba CX switchesSpecify interface assignments, IP addressing schemes, and VLAN allocationsDefine EVPN-VXLAN overlay design parametersPlan VSX (Virtual Switching Extension) pair configurationsPlan BGP AS numbering for underlay and overlayPlan VRF segmentationDocument cabling plans and physical connectivity diagrams
- Translate high-level network designs into detailed low-level deployment plans for HPE Aruba data center switches
- Define spine-and-leaf or collapsed core topologies using appropriate HPE Aruba CX switch models
- Plan EVPN-VXLAN overlay design parameters including VNIs, VTEPs, and IRB mode
- Plan VSX pair configurations with correct system-mac, ISL, and keepalive settings
- Design BGP AS numbering for underlay and overlay using iBGP or eBGP
- Plan VRF segmentation for multi-tenant data center environments
Based on the low-level design, create and/or validate the Bill of Materials (BoM) and recommend changes as needed
Validate switch model selection for throughput, port density, and featuresValidate optics, cabling, power, and redundancy components
- Validate that selected switch models meet design requirements for throughput, port density, and features
- Verify optics, cabling, and power requirements against the low-level design
- Confirm licensing and redundancy component requirements
Assess whether physical space and data center infrastructure support the intended solution
Evaluate physical infrastructure readiness
- Evaluate rack space, power capacity, and cooling requirements for HPE Aruba data center switch deployments
- Assess cable pathway capacity and physical security requirements
- Plan for future scalability and expansion
2
Install the Solution
13%
Stage the network equipment to enable testing prior to the final installation
Pre-installation staging and testing
- Stage HPE Aruba data center switches including firmware loading and base configuration
- Configure and test ZTP for automated deployment scenarios
- Verify VSX pair formation and EVPN-VXLAN control plane in staging
Execute the physical installation of equipment
Physical installation procedures
- Execute physical installation of HPE Aruba data center switches per manufacturer specifications
- Connect ISL, uplinks, server-facing ports, and OOBM network
- Verify physical layer connectivity and SFP transceiver status
Validate the installation
Post-installation validation
- Validate physical connections match the low-level design
- Verify VSX pair status, management plane access, and environmental readings
- Document as-built configuration and deviations
3
Configure the Solution
23%
Using various interface mechanisms, implement the low-level design
Configuration interface mechanismsLayer 2 configurationLayer 3 configurationOverlay configuration (EVPN-VXLAN)VSX configurationData Center Bridging (DCB) configuration
- Implement low-level designs using CLI, REST API, Fabric Composer, Central, NetEdit, and Ansible
- Configure Layer 2 features including VLANs, LAG, MC-LAG, STP, LLDP, and ERPS
- Configure Layer 3 features including OSPF, BGP, VRF, static routing, and BFD
- Configure EVPN-VXLAN overlay with symmetric/asymmetric IRB, Type-2/Type-5 routes, and ARP suppression
- Configure VSX pairs with ISL, keepalive, MC-LAG, and active-active gateway
- Configure Data Center Bridging (PFC, ETS, DCBx) for lossless storage traffic
Verify that the configuration meets the design requirements
Configuration verification and validation
- Verify BGP neighbor adjacencies for both underlay and overlay
- Validate EVPN route tables and VXLAN tunnel establishment
- Confirm VSX status, VRF segmentation, and QoS policy enforcement
Configure monitoring tools
Monitoring tool configuration
- Configure SNMP, syslog, and sFlow for comprehensive monitoring
- Enable NAE agents for real-time analytics and anomaly detection
- Set up REST API and Central integration for monitoring
4
Troubleshoot
15%
Diagnose issues using embedded diagnostic tools
Diagnostic tools and commands
- Use AOS-CX show and debug commands to diagnose network issues
- Interpret BGP, EVPN, VXLAN, and VSX diagnostic output
- Use NAE agents, packet capture, and CoPP diagnostics for troubleshooting
- Monitor system resource utilization (CPU, memory, TCAM)
Determine the severity of issues and develop a plan of action to remediate the problem
Issue severity classification and remediation planning
- Classify network issues by severity and impact scope
- Develop remediation plans with rollback options
- Apply escalation procedures for HPE TAC support
Resolve the issues using the appropriate tools
Issue resolution techniques
- Apply configuration corrections and firmware management to resolve issues
- Use VSX failover and configuration rollback for service restoration
- Leverage NAE scripts for automated remediation
5
Create a Monitored Environment
12%
Use available monitoring and reporting tools to monitor performance, availability, and system resources
Monitoring tools and platforms
- Deploy HPE Aruba Networking Central and NAE for comprehensive monitoring
- Configure SNMP, syslog, and sFlow for performance and availability monitoring
- Monitor BGP, EVPN, and VSX health across the fabric
Establish baselines and define alert thresholds
Baseline establishment and alerting
- Establish performance baselines for interface utilization, CPU, memory, and environmental parameters
- Define warning and critical alert thresholds for monitoring
- Configure SNMP traps and NAE alert rules
Generate reports to determine switch and data center health
Reporting and health assessment
- Generate utilization, availability, and trend analysis reports
- Use Central reporting dashboards for data center health assessment
- Perform compliance reporting with NetEdit for configuration drift detection
6
Maintain and Optimize
12%
Monitor HPE and third-party release cycles
Release cycle management
- Track AOS-CX release cycles, security advisories, and known issues
- Plan and schedule firmware update windows
- Evaluate new features and review compatibility matrices
Maintain licenses and subscriptions
License and subscription management
- Manage AOS-CX feature licenses, Central subscriptions, and Fabric Composer licensing
- Plan license renewals and maintain warranty/support contracts
Optimize traffic
Traffic optimization techniques
- Optimize ECMP and LAG hashing for balanced traffic distribution
- Configure QoS policies and MTU for overlay traffic
- Evaluate and optimize east-west vs north-south traffic flows
Optimize security
Security optimization
- Implement ACLs, RBAC, and CoPP for comprehensive security
- Harden management plane access with SSH keys, RADIUS/TACACS+
- Enable MACsec and 802.1X for link-level and port-based security
Optimize automation
Automation optimization
- Develop Ansible playbooks and REST API scripts for automation
- Leverage Fabric Composer and NetEdit for automated management
- Implement IaC workflows and CI/CD integration for network changes
7
Integration
11%
Apply specialized switch features that integrate and interact with server, storage, workload, and applications
Server integrationStorage integrationHypervisor and virtualization integrationApplication and workload integrationManagement and orchestration integration
- Integrate HPE Aruba data center switches with servers using LLDP-MED, MC-LAG, LACP, and DHCP relay
- Configure DCB for lossless storage traffic (iSCSI, FCoE, RoCE, NVMe-oF)
- Integrate with hypervisors via Fabric Composer and VMware vCenter
- Support container networking (Kubernetes, Docker) and service chaining
- Integrate with management platforms (Central, GreenLake, ITSM, IPAM, Ansible)
How do I earn this certification?
Passing HPE7-A05 earns the HPE Aruba Networking Certified Professional - Data Center (ACP - Data Center) certification. It sits in the HPE Aruba Networking - Data Center track.
Next Level Options
Alternative Paths
- HPE7-A01 - HPE Aruba Networking Certified Professional - Campus AccessComplementary campus networking skills for enterprise-wide network professionals
- HPE7-A02 - HPE Aruba Networking Certified Professional - Network SecurityComplementary network security skills for data center security hardening
- HPE7-A03 - HPE Aruba Networking Certified Architect - Campus AccessArchitect-level campus access skills for cross-domain network architects
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 HPE7-A05 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: 2024-10-01
Updates
- HPE Aruba CX 10000 / CX 10040 Series CX 10000 series is a testable switch model for leaf/border leaf roles. Candidates should understand DPU architecture, inline firewall, NAT, and encryption capabilities.
- EVPN-VXLAN Multi-Fabric Interconnection Multi-fabric EVPN-VXLAN is tested in Domain 3. Candidates should understand inter-fabric border leaf configuration and Type-5 route exchange.
- HPE Aruba Networking Fabric Composer Fabric Composer is tested across Domains 3, 6, and 7, particularly for automated EVPN-VXLAN provisioning and VMware vCenter integration.
- HPE GreenLake Integration GreenLake integration is relevant to Domain 7 (Integration). Candidates should understand how data center switches integrate with the HPE GreenLake ecosystem.
Who should take this exam?
- Minimum 3 years of experience implementing and supporting data center networks
- Familiarity with AOS-CX switching fundamentals
- Hands-on experience with HPE Aruba Networking data center switches
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