HPE Aruba Networking 2930F 48G PoE+ 4SFP (JL262A) Switch

HPE Aruba Networking 2930F

The HPE Aruba Networking 2930F series, and in particular the 48-port PoE+ 4-SFP switch (model JL262A), is a robust and efficient Layer 3 access switch built for enterprise environments that demand both high PoE power and flexibility in uplink connectivity. This switch enables organizations to build a reliable, high-performance access-layer infrastructure that supports both current devices and future growth.

Design and Strategic Value

The HPE Aruba Networking 2930F (JL262A) is designed to serve as a foundational access switch in corporate campus networks, branch offices, and converged wired-wireless deployments. It provides 48 Gigabit PoE+ ports that allow for direct power delivery to devices such as IP phones, Aruba access points, and network cameras, eliminating the need for external power injectors. The 4 SFP uplink ports grant flexible fiber or copper-based uplinks, making it easy to connect the switch to aggregation or core layers based on network architecture.

HPE Aruba Networking 2930F is particularly valuable for organizations looking to:

• Consolidate power and data delivery via PoE+ in a dense access-layer environment

• Ensure future scalability with uplink port flexibility

• Simplify provisioning and management through Aruba’s unified network tools

• Deploy a Layer 3 capable switch without the complexity of a full router

Hardware Architecture and Performance

Under the hood, the HPE Aruba Networking 2930F JL262A is powered by a dual-core ARM Cortex-A9 processor running at approximately 1,016 MHz. Backed by 1 GB of DDR3 RAM and 4 GB of eMMC storage, the switch supports both high-performance forwarding and advanced management features.

One of the most notable hardware features is its 12.38 MB packet buffer, split between ingress and egress, which helps maintain stable performance even during traffic bursts. With this architecture, the switch delivers excellent throughput, retaining low latency even under load: the datasheet specifies latency of less than 3.8 microseconds for 64-byte packets.

Its switching capacity reaches 104 Gbps, enabling it to support simultaneous throughput across all 48 PoE+ ports and uplinks.  Moreover, the JL262A handles up to 77.4 Mpps (million packets per second), making it fully capable of line-rate performance for typical enterprise access traffic.

Port Configuration and Connectivity

The HPE Aruba Networking 2930F JL262A provides:

• 48 autosensing RJ-45 ports: Each port supports 10/100/1000 Mbps operation and delivers PoE+ (IEEE 802.3at) to powered devices.

• 4 SFP uplink ports: These can accommodate fiber-based SFP modules, providing flexible uplink options for aggregation or backbone switching.

• Console / management port: A dual-personality port (RJ-45 or USB micro-B) allows out-of-band management and console access.

This port configuration ensures a balanced and future-proof design: high-density copper access plus scalable uplink capacity.

Power & PoE Capabilities

The HPE Aruba Networking 2930F supports PoE+ (IEEE 802.3at) on all 48 RJ-45 ports.  This enables the switch to power high-demand devices like wireless access points, IP cameras, and VoIP phones directly over Ethernet.

The PoE power budget is 370 W, which gives enough power to support a large number of PoE devices across the 48 ports. The internal power supply is rated for 100–240 VAC, making it compatible with global power systems.

Under full load, the switch may draw up to 459 W of power, so appropriate power planning is required in deployments that fully utilize PoE.

Layer 3 Routing and Switching Capabilities

The HPE Aruba Networking 2930F JL262A is not just a plain Layer 2 switch — it supports a robust set of Layer 3 features including RIP, Access OSPF, and static routing. This makes it an excellent choice for access-layer deployment where inter-VLAN routing is needed without deploying a separate router.

The switch also supports VSF (Virtual Switching Framework). In a VSF stack, multiple 2930F switches can operate as a single logical switch, improving scalability and redundancy.

With a MAC address table capacity of 32,768 entries, the JL262A can handle large networks with many devices and MAC address changes.  Additionally, it supports jumbo frames up to 9,220 bytes, making it suitable for data-intensive applications.

Security, Manageability & Advanced Network Features

Security and manageability are key strengths of the HPE Aruba Networking 2930F:

• VLAN support (802.1Q) enables network segmentation and logical separation of traffic.

• Access Control Lists (ACLs) help enforce access policies and secure network boundaries.

• Quality of Service (QoS) is available, allowing administrators to prioritize real-time traffic such as voice and video and shape ingress traffic.

• Management Options: The switch is fully manageable via Aruba AirWave, HPE IMC (Intelligent Management Center), CLI, Web-based GUI, SNMP, Telnet, RMON, and FTP.

• Zero Touch Provisioning (ZTP): The switch supports automated provisioning — enabling fast deployment with minimal manual configuration.

• SDN Support: It supports OpenFlow 1.0 and 1.3, enabling integration into software-defined networking solutions.

Reliability, Redundancy & Physical Design

The HPE Aruba Networking 2930F JL262A is built for enterprise reliability:

• Form Factor: 1U rack-mount design (44.25 × 30.42 × 4.39 cm), making it fit standard server racks easily.

• Cooling: Designed with efficient cooling to maintain performance and temperature under PoE load.

• Redundancy: While the power supply is internal, the robust design and PoE power budget reduce the risk of power-related outages.

• Durability: Its metal chassis, efficient thermal design, and stable PoE performance make it suitable for enterprise environments with high reliability expectations.

Ideal Deployment Scenarios

The HPE Aruba Networking 2930F JL262A fits extremely well into a variety of practical use cases:

1. Enterprise Access Layer: As a primary access switch in a corporate campus, powering desktops, phones, and access points.

2. Branch Offices & SMBs: Its Layer 3 capabilities and PoE+ support make it ideal for small to mid-size sites without needing a separate router.

3. Wired + Wireless Convergence: Supports unified wired and wireless policies through Aruba management tools, making it a natural fit for wireless-first organizations.

4. PoE-Driven Environments: Enables deployment of PoE-powered devices (IP cameras, APs, phones) with a single switch.

5. Scalable Infrastructure: With VSF stacking, multiple 2930F switches can scale out logically for redundancy and capacity.

Advantages & Selling Points

• High Port Density + PoE+: 48 PoE+ ports deliver power and data, reducing cabling complexity.

• Layer 3 Routing: Provides inter-VLAN routing and dynamic routing without needing a separate router.

• Flexible Uplinks: 4 SFP uplinks offer fiber or copper connectivity to aggregation layers.

• Scalable Management: With Aruba AirWave, IMC, and CLI, it’s easy to monitor and control large deployments.

• Performance: Supports 77.4 Mpps throughput, 104 Gbps switching capacity, and low-latency packet processing.

• Reliable PoE Budget: 370 W of PoE power to support a range of devices.

Key Considerations

• Ensure PoE budget planning when deploying many powered devices (Wi-Fi APs, cameras)

• Use high quality cabling (Cat6A or better) when deploying many 10/100/1000 PoE devices

• Design airflow and rack cooling to handle a fully loaded switch

• For very large networks or data centers with very high uplink capacity needs, additional aggregation or core switching may be required

 Conclusion

The HPE Aruba Networking 2930F (JL262A, 48-port PoE+ + 4 SFP) is a powerful, future-ready, and cost-efficient access-layer solution. With its dense PoE+ port count, Layer 3 routing capabilities, flexible uplink architecture, and enterprise-grade management, it provides the performance and reliability required by modern campus, branch, and hybrid wired-wireless environments. For IT leaders looking to power access devices and deploy high-density connectivity while maintaining flexibility, the 2930F is a strategically sound investment.

For more in-depth, official technical specifications and details, you can refer to the HPE Aruba Networking 2930F Series Datasheet on the Aruba website:
HPE Aruba Networking 2930F Datasheet arubanetworks.com