The correct answer isDbecause Aruba’s recommended approach for data center modernization isincremental adoption—upgrading ToR (Top-of-Rack) switches rack by rack. This allows organizations with budget constraints to gradually gain the benefits of Aruba’s distributed architecture, includingZero Trust segmentation, automation, and enhanced security, without requiring a full data center refresh at once. Each rack upgraded contributes to improved resiliency and security while staying within budget.
Relevant extracts from official HPE Aruba Networking documentation:
“Aruba CX switches support a modular migration path, enabling customers to deploy rack by rack while extending automation and security benefits with each deployment.”
“Organizations can start small, upgrading specific racks or pods, and scale out over time to achieve a fully distributed architecture.”
“By leveraging incremental upgrades, customers can adopt Zero Trust and distributed services without requiring a disruptive forklift replacement.”
“This approach balances budget constraints with immediate benefits, allowing IT to progressively modernize their data center infrastructure.”
Why the other options are incorrect:
AManaging third-party switches in Aruba Central may provide monitoring, but it does not deliver the benefits of a distributed Aruba data center architecture.
BInstalling only two switches at the edge creates a bottleneck and does not represent a scalable or resilient distributed design.
CPostponing migration provides no immediate security or operational benefits, delaying modernization unnecessarily.
References (HPE Aruba Networking Solutions / Study Guides):
Aruba ESP Data Center Design and Migration Guide
Aruba CX Switching — Modern Data Center Transformation White Paper
Aruba Zero Trust and Distributed Services in the Data Center — Solution Brief
Aruba Fabric Composer and EVPN-VXLAN Adoption Guide
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