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Exam Information
Official specifications published by HP
Exam Format
120 min
70
68%
Expert
Registration
$350 USD
Pearson VUE
Validity
3 years
Pass a higher-level HPE certification exam; Retake the HPE7-A09 exam before expiration; Earn continuing education credits through HPE
HPE7-A09 Exam Topics and Domains
HPE7-A09 is organized into 4 weighted domains. Expect to work with AOS-CX CLI, HPE Aruba Networking Central, BGP, NAE, and more.
1
Plan the Wired Network Solution
18%
Requirement Analysis
Interpret customer requirements and translate to technical specificationsAssess existing networks and network design documentation
- Interpret customer requirements and formulate technical requirements
- Identify business goals and constraints that influence network design
- Assess existing networks and network design documentation
- Evaluate current infrastructure for upgrade or redesign
Network Design Principles
Two-tier network design considerationsThree-tier network design considerationsSwitching and routing design principles
- Design optimized network architectures using AOS-CX switches
- Apply two-tier and three-tier design principles to campus environments
- Evaluate campus and edge branch topology design
- Plan multi-site deployment architectures
Implementation Planning
Create implementation and operational plans
- Create an implementation plan based on network design
- Develop operational plans for large network environments
- Plan migration and cutover procedures
- Assess risks and define rollback strategies
2
Install and Configure the Wired Network Solution
32%
VSX and Layer 2 Technologies
Virtual Switching eXtension (VSX) architecture and configurationVSX best practices and troubleshootingMSTP and LACP
- Configure and troubleshoot HPE Aruba Networking Virtual Switching eXtension and other Layer 2 features
- Configure and validate Layer 2 switching in CLI and HPE Aruba Networking Central
Layer 3 Routing and OSPF
Policy-Based Routing (PBR)Single-area OSPF configuration and troubleshootingMulti-area OSPF configuration and route optimization
- Configure optimized network routes using PBR and OSPF techniques
- Troubleshoot single-area and multi-area OSPF on AOS-CX
- Implement OSPF route optimization
Border Gateway Protocol (BGP)
BGP connection establishmentBGP advertisements and route controlBGP metrics and tuning
- Configure optimized network routes using BGP techniques
- Implement BGP route control mechanisms on AOS-CX
- Optimize BGP path selection and convergence
Route Redistribution
Redistributing static routes to OSPFRedistributing OSPF to BGP
- Implement virtual routing and route redistribution for a controlled routing architecture
- Configure and tune route redistribution between static, OSPF, and BGP
VRF and Route Leaking
Virtual Routing and Forwarding (VRF) concepts and configurationVRF route leaking techniques
- Implement virtual routing and route redistribution for a controlled routing architecture
- Configure VRF and route leaking on AOS-CX
Multicast Routing
IGMP and PIM-SMRendezvous Point configuration and VSX with PIM
- Configure multicast routing with IGMP and PIM-SM on AOS-CX
- Implement static and dynamic RP configurations
- Integrate VSX with multicast for resilient multicast delivery
Quality of Service (QoS)
QoS pipeline stages
- Configure and validate QoS in CLI and HPE Aruba Networking Central
- Apply QoS techniques for efficient traffic handling
Dynamic Segmentation
Dynamic Segmentation configuration
- Employ Dynamic Segmentation for enhanced security and management
- Configure user-based tunneling and downloadable user roles
Network Security
Access Control Lists and Classifier PolicyControl Plane Policing (CoPP)Authentication, TACACS+, and MACsec
- Improve network security using access control lists, control plane policing, and MACsec
- Configure and validate security in CLI and HPE Aruba Networking Central
Overlay Technologies
VXLAN and EVPN-VXLAN with VSX
- Configure and validate overlay technologies in CLI and HPE Aruba Networking Central
- Implement VXLAN and EVPN-VXLAN for data center fabric topologies
NAE Agent Configuration
Network Analytics Engine agent deployment
Given a network design, apply appropriate NAE agents and apply to appropriate interfaces
3
Troubleshoot the Wired Network Solution
28%
Troubleshooting Principles and Methodology
Systematic troubleshooting approaches
- Apply systematic troubleshooting approaches to complex network issues
- Perform root cause analysis for tier-4 support resolution
Logging, Debugging, and Diagnostic Commands
Logging and debug commandsCLI diagnostic commands for AOS-CX
Use logging, debugging, and diagnostic commands to identify and resolve network issues
Traffic Analysis
Port mirroring and traffic capture
Troubleshoot and monitor networks using port mirroring and traffic analysis tools
Troubleshooting Using HPE Aruba Networking Central and NAE
Central-based diagnosticsNAE for troubleshooting and IP SLA monitoring
Troubleshoot and monitor networks using NAE, IP SLA, and HPE Aruba Networking Central
Complex Network Issue Resolution
Routing and switching complex issues
Given a scenario with complex network issues, identify the possible cause(s) and resolve
Security Configuration Error Resolution
Resolving security configuration errors
Given a configuration error pertaining to network security, resolve the issue
4
Manage and Monitor HPE Aruba Networking Solutions
22%
Network Automation with AOS-CX
REST API fundamentals and usage
- Use REST API for network automation on AOS-CX switches
- Implement API-driven configuration management
HPE Aruba Networking Network Analytics Engine (NAE)
NAE agent management and monitoring
- Configure and manage NAE agents for proactive network monitoring
- Set up threshold-based alerting and notifications
HPE Aruba Networking Central Management
Central-based management and provisioning
Use HPE Aruba Networking Central for centralized management and provisioning
Monitoring Techniques
SNMP, Syslog, NTP, and performance monitoring
- Configure monitoring tools (SNMP, syslog, NTP) for network visibility
- Establish performance baselines and perform trend analysis
Network Optimization
Performance optimization and capacity planning
- Given a scenario, determine an approach to optimize the network
- Apply performance optimization strategies and capacity planning
How do I earn this certification?
Passing HPE7-A09 earns the HPE Aruba Networking Certified Expert - Switching certification. It sits in the HPE Aruba Networking Switching track.
Current Level Exams
Alternative Paths
- HPE Aruba Networking Certified Expert - Campus Access Complementary wireless/wired campus expertise with focus on HPE Aruba Networking wireless and access technologies
- HPE Aruba Networking Certified Professional - Data Center Extends switching expertise into data center fabric design with EVPN-VXLAN and Fabric Composer
- HPE Aruba Networking Certified Professional - Network Security Deepens security capabilities including ClearPass, NAC, and zero-trust implementation
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-A09 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: 2025-03
Updates
- AOS-CX Operating System 10.16+ Core operating system for all exam topics; candidates should be familiar with latest CLI syntax and features
- EVPN-VXLAN AOS-CX 10.13+ Overlay technologies are explicitly covered in Domain 2 including EVPN-VXLAN with VSX and spine/leaf fabrics
- HPE Aruba Networking Central Current Central is referenced across Domains 2, 3, and 4 for configuration, troubleshooting, and management
- Network Analytics Engine (NAE) Current NAE appears in Domains 2, 3, and 4 covering agent configuration, troubleshooting, and monitoring
Who should take this exam?
- HPE Aruba Networking Certified Professional - Switching (HPE7-A08) certification or equivalent knowledge
- Completion of Advanced AOS-CX Switching, Rev. 25.11 training course
- At least five years of experience as team leader or independent consultant supporting complex campus and edge branch topologies