PACKETPERF

Primary Device

Aruba (HPE) Aruba CX 6200
Aruba (HPE) Aruba CX 6200
★ 4.2 Value Score

Technical Specifications

  • Switching Capacity: 128 Gbps (24-port models); 176 Gbps (48-port models)
  • Forwarding Rate: 95.2 Mpps (24-port models); 130.9 Mpps (48-port models)
  • Ports (breakdown): 24x or 48x 10/100/1000BASE-T (PoE+ on PoE SKUs) + 4x SFP/SFP+ uplinks (1GbE/10GbE); 6200M models add 4x SFP+ uplinks
  • PoE Budget: 370W Class 4 (24G and 48G 370W SKUs); 740W Class 4 (48-port 6200F PoE SKU); up to 1440W Class 6 (60W per port) on 6200M PoE SKUs. Varies by SKU
  • Layer: L2/L3 (Layer 3 static routing; dynamic routing depends on software license)
  • Stacking support: Yes, VSF virtual stacking up to 8 members (single logical device); VSX redundancy also supported

Curation Review

  • ✔ Pros: Fixed-port, Layer 2/3 managed access switch in a compact 1U form factor; Wide range of PoE and non-PoE SKUs (370W, 740W, and 1440W class 6 PoE options) for IP phones, cameras, and APs; VSF stacking of up to 8 members simplifies management as one logical device; Full Aruba CX OS features with REST API, network analytics, and automation support via Aruba Central; Solid mid-range pricing compared with enterprise-class core switches; 10GbE SFP+ uplinks support aggregation and campus backbone links
  • ✘ Cons: Model and SKU naming (6200F vs 6200M, 24G vs 48G, PoE vs non-PoE) is confusing and specs differ significantly between variants; Public spec sources conflict on some figures (for example, 6200F throughput and uplink types), so exact datasheet values should be verified per SKU; Dynamic routing and advanced L3 features require additional licensing; Power budget is limited on 370W and 740W SKUs, so high-draw PoE devices may not all be supported at full load; Pricing is in USD only for 6200F SKUs. European 6200M pricing was found only in EUR and GBP, and no official HPE list price was confirmed
  • Est. Price: $4,261 - $8,663

Compare Against

Fortinet FortiSwitch 124G (FS-124G)
Fortinet FortiSwitch 124G (FS-124G)
★ 3.5 Value Score

Technical Specifications

  • Switching Capacity: 240 Gbps (duplex)
  • Forwarding Rate: 355 Mpps (64-byte)
  • Ports (breakdown): 24x 2.5GbE RJ45 (2.5G/1G/100M/10M) + 6x 10G SFP+ uplinks (10G/1G SFP+ or SFP); 1x RJ45 console
  • PoE Budget: None (base model is non-PoE; the FS-124G-FPOE variant has a 780 W budget)
  • Layer: Layer 2 managed switch, managed by FortiGate via FortiLink (Layer 3 routing not confirmed by sources)
  • Stacking support: FortiLink-based Auto Inter-Switch Links; not standalone switch stacking
  • MAC Address Table: 32,000 entries
  • Memory: 1 GB RAM, 256 MB flash
  • Cooling: Fanless
  • Form Factor: 1RU rack-mountable
  • VLANs: 4,096 (figures vary between sources)

Curation Review

  • ✔ Pros: Multigig 2.5GbE access ports support Wi-Fi 6/6E APs and other 2.5G endpoints above gigabit speeds; 6x 10G SFP+ uplinks provide high-bandwidth aggregation to a FortiGate or core switch; Centralized management, VLAN, and policy control through FortiGate via FortiLink; 240 Gbps switching capacity and 355 Mpps forwarding rate support line-rate access-layer performance; Fanless design in a compact 1RU chassis; Lower price than the FPOE variant when PoE is not needed
  • ✘ Cons: No PoE on the base model, so PoE-dependent devices need the FS-124G-FPOE SKU or external injectors; Requires a FortiGate for full management, making it less useful as a standalone switch; Layer 3 routing is not confirmed, which limits use as a distribution or core switch; Specs come mainly from reseller listings rather than an official Fortinet datasheet, and some figures (such as VLAN count) vary between sources; Pricing varies by reseller and currency, and FortiCare support licenses are priced separately
  • Est. Price: $1,034 - $1,624

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