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100+ Free Aruba CX 10000 Advanced Practice Questions

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What monitoring capability does Fabric Composer provide for inter-switch links in the fabric?

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2026 Statistics

Key Facts: Aruba CX 10000 Advanced Exam

50

Exam Questions

HPE6-A87 datacard

70%

Passing Score

About 35 of 50 correct

90 min

Time Limit

Pearson VUE proctored

$260/$145

Exam Fee

Standard / retake

3 yrs

Validity

From issue date

7 domains

Coverage

Network Monitoring 22% top weight

The HPE Networking Advanced Product Certified - CX 10000 (HPE6-A87) is an advanced product certification delivered through Pearson VUE. The exam is 50 multiple-choice questions in 90 minutes with a 70% passing score. Fees are $260 standard or $145 for retakes. It validates knowledge across 7 domains with Network Monitoring (22%) and Pensando PSM (18%) carrying the highest weights. The credential is valid for 3 years.

Sample Aruba CX 10000 Advanced Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to test your Aruba CX 10000 Advanced exam readiness. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1What does DSS stand for in the Aruba CX 10000 architecture?
A.Dynamic Security System
B.Data Service Switch
C.Distributed Services Switch
D.Distributed Storage Switch
Explanation: DSS stands for Distributed Services Switch, which is the foundational concept in the CX 10000 architecture. It decouples network services from the hardware switching plane.
2What is the role of the Distributed Services Module (DSM) in the CX 10000?
A.It manages the routing table for the entire fabric
B.It stores configuration backups for all switches
C.It acts as the DHCP server for the management network
D.It provides the programmable data plane for service offload using a DPU
Explanation: The DSM contains a Data Processing Unit (DPU) that provides a programmable data plane for offloading distributed services such as firewalling and network telemetry from the CPU.
3What is a DSE (Distributed Services Entity)?
A.A physical blade inserted into a chassis switch
B.The CLI interface used to configure the CX 10000
C.A logical grouping of a DSM and its associated PSM policies deployed on a switch
D.The virtual machine that runs Fabric Composer
Explanation: A DSE is the logical entity that binds a DSM (physical module) with the PSM policies applied to it, representing the complete service deployment on a given switch.
4What type of processor does the DSM module in the CX 10000 use to offload network services?
A.Data Processing Unit (DPU)
B.Central Processing Unit (CPU)
C.Graphics Processing Unit (GPU)
D.Tensor Processing Unit (TPU)
Explanation: The DSM module uses a Pensando DPU (Data Processing Unit) to accelerate and offload network services such as firewalling, encryption, and telemetry from the main switch CPU.
5Which company partnered with HPE to develop the DPU technology used in the CX 10000?
A.Pensando
B.NVIDIA
C.Intel
D.Broadcom
Explanation: HPE partnered with Pensando (now part of AMD) to integrate their DPU technology into the CX 10000 for hardware-accelerated network services.
6What is the primary benefit of using DPUs in the CX 10000 architecture?
A.Increasing the number of physical ports on the switch
B.Offloading distributed services from the switch CPU to improve performance
C.Reducing power consumption by replacing the main CPU
D.Enabling wireless access point connectivity
Explanation: DPUs offload distributed services (firewall, telemetry, encryption) from the switch CPU, freeing the CPU for control plane tasks and improving overall data plane performance.
7Which of the following is NOT a distributed service supported by the CX 10000 DSM?
A.Distributed firewall
B.Wireless LAN controller
C.Network telemetry
D.Encryption
Explanation: The CX 10000 DSM supports distributed firewall, network telemetry, and encryption offload. Wireless LAN controller functionality is not a distributed service handled by the DSM.
8How many DSM modules can a single Aruba CX 10000 switch support?
A.2
B.4
C.8
D.1
Explanation: Each CX 10000 switch supports a single DSM module in its dedicated slot, which provides the DPU-based service offload for that switch.
9What does PSM stand for in the CX 10000 ecosystem?
A.Port Security Module
B.Protocol State Machine
C.Packet Switching Manager
D.Policy Service Manager
Explanation: PSM stands for Policy Service Manager, which is the Pensando software component that manages security policies, network objects, and firewall rules on the DPU.
10In the CX 10000 architecture, what connects Fabric Composer to the PSM?
A.SNMP traps
B.REST API
C.Console cable
D.USB connection
Explanation: Fabric Composer communicates with the PSM through REST APIs, enabling centralized policy management and configuration distribution to the distributed services entities.

About the Aruba CX 10000 Advanced Exam

The HPE Networking Advanced Product Certified - CX 10000 (HPE6-A87) validates advanced knowledge of the HPE Aruba CX 10000 Series with Pensando distributed services. The exam covers the CX 10000 architecture, Fabric Composer orchestration, Pensando PSM security management, and network monitoring for distributed services environments.

Assessment

50 multiple-choice questions covering CX 10000 Overview, Installation/Setup, Fabric Composer, Network Services, Security, Pensando PSM, and Network Monitoring

Time Limit

90 minutes

Passing Score

70%

Exam Fee

$260 / $145 (HPE / Pearson VUE)

Aruba CX 10000 Advanced Exam Content Outline

10%

CX 10000 Series with Pensando Overview

Architecture, hardware components, DPU capabilities, distributed services model, and key use cases for the CX 10000 with Pensando integration.

10%

Installation and Setup

Physical rack mounting, cabling, initial boot configuration, Pensando module initialization, and post-installation validation checks.

10%

Fabric Composer Overview and Navigation

Fabric Composer dashboard, navigation structure, device management interface, and core orchestration capabilities for CX 10000 infrastructure.

15%

Managing Network Services with Fabric Composer

VLAN orchestration, routing configuration, overlay network management, service chaining, and network service automation through Fabric Composer.

15%

Managing Security with Fabric Composer

Security policy configuration, firewall rule management, micro-segmentation policies, and threat detection through the Fabric Composer interface.

18%

Pensando PSM Navigation and Security Management

Pensando Policy Services Manager interface, distributed firewall policy creation, security zone management, and advanced threat prevention features.

22%

Network Monitoring

Real-time health monitoring, performance metrics collection, traffic flow analysis, alert configuration, anomaly detection, and troubleshooting for CX 10000 networks.

How to Pass the Aruba CX 10000 Advanced Exam

What You Need to Know

  • Passing score: 70%
  • Assessment: 50 multiple-choice questions covering CX 10000 Overview, Installation/Setup, Fabric Composer, Network Services, Security, Pensando PSM, and Network Monitoring
  • Time limit: 90 minutes
  • Exam fee: $260 / $145

Keys to Passing

  • Complete 500+ practice questions
  • Score 80%+ consistently before scheduling
  • Focus on highest-weighted sections
  • Use our AI tutor for tough concepts

Aruba CX 10000 Advanced Study Tips from Top Performers

1Focus heavily on Network Monitoring (22%) - study real-time dashboards, performance metrics, traffic analysis, and alerting configuration in CX 10000 environments
2Master Fabric Composer for both network services (15%) and security (15%) - practice VLAN orchestration, overlay management, and firewall policy configuration
3Deep-dive into Pensando PSM (18%) - understand the distributed firewall architecture, security zones, policy creation workflow, and how PSM offloads security from the CPU to the DPU
4Take the recommended 2-day Orchestrating Distributed Services course (Rev. 24.41) for hands-on lab access with real CX 10000 hardware and Fabric Composer
5Review CX 10000 hardware architecture including the Pensando DPU capabilities, distributed services model, and how it differs from traditional switch architectures
6Practice installation and setup procedures including cabling, initial configuration, Pensando module initialization, and post-installation validation checks

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the HPE6-A87 Aruba CX 10000 exam?

The HPE6-A87 is the proctored exam for the HPE Networking Advanced Product Certified - CX 10000 credential. It validates advanced knowledge of the CX 10000 Series with Pensando distributed services, Fabric Composer orchestration, PSM security management, and network monitoring.

How many questions are on the HPE6-A87 exam and how long is it?

The HPE6-A87 contains 50 multiple-choice questions with a 90-minute time limit. The passing score is 70%, meaning you need approximately 35 of 50 correct answers to pass.

What topics carry the most weight on HPE6-A87?

Network Monitoring is the largest domain at 22%, followed by Pensando PSM Navigation and Security Management at 18%, Managing Network Services and Managing Security both at 15%, CX 10000 Overview, Installation/Setup, and Fabric Composer Overview each at 10%.

How much does the HPE6-A87 exam cost?

The HPE6-A87 exam costs $260 USD for a standard attempt and $145 USD for retakes. It is delivered through Pearson VUE at test centers or via online proctoring.

What training is recommended for HPE6-A87?

HPE recommends the 2-day instructor-led course Orchestrating Distributed Services with the CX 10000 Series, Rev. 24.41. Hands-on experience with the CX 10000 platform, Fabric Composer, and Pensando PSM is also strongly recommended.

How long is the CX 10000 certification valid?

The credential is valid for 3 years from the issue date. To renew, candidates must pass the current CX 10000 exam or a higher-level HPE Aruba credential before expiration.

What is the Pensando PSM and why is it important for this exam?

Pensando Policy Services Manager (PSM) is the distributed security platform integrated into the CX 10000. It provides advanced firewall, micro-segmentation, and security policy management at the DPU level. The PSM domain carries 18% weight on the exam, making it a critical study area.