In this guide, we will walk through the complete setup process for an Aruba 6000 series switch. We will cover unboxing, connecting via console, initial configuration including VLANs and IP addresses, updating the firmware via the web interface, and finally mounting the switch in a rack.
The switch comes with rack mounting brackets (compatible with 48-port models), rubber feet for desk placement, screws, and a power cord. It features PoE Class 4 ports capable of powering devices like cameras and access points, alongside two SFP ports for fiber uplinks.
There is also a USB-C console port on the front for easy management access. Note that the reset button is only for a soft reset, not a factory reset.
To configure the switch, you need to establish a serial connection.
Plug a USB-C cable into the console port on the switch and connect the other end to your computer.
Open Device Manager on Windows and look under "Ports (COM & LPT)" to identify the COM port number assigned to the USB Serial Device (e.g., COM5).
Launch PuTTY and select the Serial connection type. Enter your COM port number and set the speed to 115200. Click "Open" to start the session.
Once connected and powered on, press Enter to see the login prompt.
Log in with the default username admin and leave the password blank. You will immediately be prompted to set a new password for the admin account.
Enter global configuration mode:
configure terminal
Set a hostname for the switch to identify it on the network:
hostname SW-22-Floor3-HR
Create the necessary VLANs for your network segmentation:
vlan 10
name 10-WiFi
vlan 20
name 20-Print
vlan 29
name 29-Switch
exit
Unlike some models, the 6000 series requires an in-band management IP on a VLAN. We will use VLAN 29 for management.
interface vlan 29
ip address 10.70.0.22/24
exit
Assign ports to their respective VLANs. For example, ports 1-6 for Wi-Fi and 7-12 for Printers:
interface 1/1/1-1/1/6
vlan access 10
interface 1/1/7-1/1/12
vlan access 20
Configure the uplink ports (13-16) as trunks to allow all VLAN traffic to pass through to the core switch:
interface 1/1/13-1/1/16
vlan trunk allowed all
exit
Set the default gateway to your core switch or router so the switch can communicate with other networks:
ip route 0.0.0.0/0 10.70.0.1
Set the time zone for accurate logging (e.g., Europe/Stockholm):
clock timezone europe/stockholm
Finally, save your configuration with write memory.
Now that the switch has an IP address and network access, we can update the firmware via the web interface.
Log in to the HP Networking Support Portal and download the latest software for the Aruba 6000 series.
Open a web browser and navigate to the switch's IP address (e.g., https://10.70.0.22). Log in and go to the Firmware section. Drag and drop the downloaded file to upload it to the Primary Image slot. Once uploaded, click Reboot to restart the switch with the new firmware.
Attach the long rack brackets to the sides of the switch using four screws each. In your server rack, install cage nuts (4 per unit, spaced correctly). Lift the switch into place and secure it with the rack screws, starting with the bottom ones to support the weight while you fasten the rest.