What do HPE Aruba Networking and explorers have in common?

[Mark_Berly]

Like explorers who chart new territory, HPE Aruba Networking has a track record of exploring new markets and resetting expectations for what can be done. Data center networking is an area that we identified as ripe for exploration a couple of years ago. We looked at the market landscape and the feedback we heard from customers and took action.  

Our introduction of the HPE Aruba Networking CX 10000 Switch Series in 2021 created an entirely new category of data center smart switches. We combined our best-of-breed AOS-CX switching with the industry's first hardware-accelerated services processor and changed the data center networking game. This was the first (and at the time, only) switch that integrated AMD Pensando technology to offload networking tasks such as firewalling and encryption and address translation from servers, freeing them up for mission critical tasks. It is transformative technology that improves security and performance in data center networks. And now, with the rise in AI applications, the ability of switches to securely optimize traffic and offload tasks is even more important. 

Here’s what the 650 Group had to say when we introduced the HPE Aruba Networking CX 10000: 

“HPE Aruba Networking and AMD Pensando™ have enabled the industry’s first distributed services architecture that allows enterprises to create and operate network infrastructures that perform and scale just like the hyperscale infrastructure giants.”– Alan Weckel, Founder, 650 Group (October 2021) 

We’ve seen some buzz in the data center networking world recently around Cisco’s February 2025 announcement of their DPU-integrated N9300 Series Smart Switches. Like the product we introduced three years ago, these switches from Cisco highlight the advantage of embedding accelerated, stateful networking services into the network fabric, replacing costly security appliances, collapsing hardware footprints, and helping to reduce infrastructure complexity. 

"Cisco is not the first vendor to introduce data center switches with DPUs. In 2021, Hewlett Packard Enterprise introduced the CX 10000 series with a Pensando processor for networking and security services, including firewalls, encryption and load balancing." – TechTarget, Cisco launches Smart Switches with AMD DPUs for security 

In 2021, with the introduction of the HPE Aruba Networking CX 10000, we also introduced an open approach to the CX 10000 architecture. We don’t require the installation of new proprietary “security” fabrics that cause churn and costly upgrades. The CX 10000 works with any server array and can operate in any existing network. This versatility and ease of deployment is why we have shipped thousands of CX 10000 switches to customers around the world and continue to receive positive feedback.

"The HPE Aruba Networking CX 10000 has transformed the security TCO model of our global network peering platform, allowing us to deliver better cloud connectivity experiences for our customers … Kyndryl has reduced power consumption by a factor of nine and saved space by a factor of 20 - translating into significant cost savings supporting Kyndryl’s long-term sustainability goals "

Markus Voegele, Infrastructure Cloud Architect, Kyndryl – link  

"Having the stateful network and security services embedded into the CX 10000 enables us to fulfill requests from our security team for optimized, secure DCN connectivity …  we can eliminate discrete security appliances for firewalling and load balancing, with an expected savings of over $200,000 on hardware along with considerable further savings on management, space, power, and cooling.” - Bradley McDuffie, Lead Network Engineer, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign - link 

“It can secure all traffic, from bare metal to appliances, as well as from backup and storage to virtualized. PQR is expecting savings of 50%,” says Lubbers. “More importantly, we have security where we need it.” - Thierry Lubbers, Principal Consultant Networking, PQR - link 

As we push the boundaries of technology, we are also powering other explorers as they innovate and drive medical breakthroughs, explore space, advance sustainability, and more. 

Data center networking is not the only place where we are leading the way and leaving an impressive wake. We have the leading integrated network data lake to fuel our network AIOps, Wi-Fi 7 access points that are platforms for IoT connectivity, and multi-vendor management tools via HPE Aruba Networking Central. 

To learn more about the proven HPE Aruba Networking CX 10000 and how it can transform your data center to deliver immediate results for your organization, connect with your local HPE Aruba Networking sales team member or partner today, or visit us here. 

AMD Pensando is a trademark of Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. (AMD). Cisco is a trademark or registered trademark of Cisco and/or its affiliates in the U.S. and other countries