HPE R8N87B#ABA 24-Port Gigabit Class 4 PoE Switch with 4x SFP Uplinks

Overview

The HPE Aruba Networking CX 6000 R8N87B#ABA is a 24-port access-layer switch built for deployments where PoE-powered endpoints — IP cameras, access control readers, VoIP phones, or wireless APs — need a reliable, purpose-sized power backbone. With a 370W PoE budget across 24 gigabit copper ports and four 1G SFP uplinks, it fits squarely in the PoE switch tier where per-port power headroom and total budget both matter. The R8N87B#ABA ships as a US English model and is sourced factory-new.

Key Features

• 24x 10/100/1000Base-T PoE Ports: All 24 copper ports run full gigabit, so you're not bottlenecked at 100Mbps on any endpoint. For multi-megapixel IP cameras streaming H.265 at high bitrates, gigabit per-port matters at the access layer.
• 370W Total PoE Budget: At Class 4 (up to ~30W per port), 370W supports roughly 12–15 simultaneous fully-loaded Class 4 devices, or more ports if your endpoints draw less — typical fixed IP cameras run 7–13W each, so a full 24-camera deployment is realistic within budget. Plan your per-port draw before you configure; PoE allocation is first-come by default on most switches in this class.
• Class 4 PoE (802.3at / PoE+): Class 4 covers the 802.3at PoE+ standard — up to approximately 30W delivered per port. That's enough headroom for PTZ cameras, dual-band APs, and outdoor camera enclosures with integral heaters, none of which run reliably on the older 802.3af 15.4W ceiling.
• 4x 1G SFP Uplink Ports: Four SFP slots let you connect to your distribution layer over fiber or copper SFP modules. For a wiring closet feeding a dedicated NVR or aggregation switch, fiber uplinks keep the camera traffic isolated from your general LAN and eliminate copper-distance constraints.
• Aruba CX 6000 Series Platform: The CX 6000 sits in HPE Aruba's access-layer lineup designed for branch and edge deployments. It pairs with HPE Aruba management tooling, consistent with the broader CX software stack used across the Aruba switching portfolio.
• 14.6 lb Form Factor: At 14.6 lbs, the R8N87B#ABA is a standard 1U rack unit appliance sized for equipment closets. Plan for adequate rack space and airflow clearance — 370W of PoE output generates meaningful heat in a sealed IDF.

Integration & Compatibility

The R8N87B#ABA operates within the HPE Aruba CX 6000 series ecosystem. The four 1G SFP uplinks accept standard SFP transceiver modules (fiber or copper) for flexible upstream connectivity to distribution-layer switches or aggregation hardware. As a gigabit-class PoE switch, it is compatible with any 802.3af/at-compliant endpoint — the 24-port PoE architecture makes it a natural pairing for mid-size surveillance switch deployments running 16–24 cameras per closet. VLAN segmentation and QoS capabilities typical of the CX 6000 platform allow camera traffic to be isolated from corporate data traffic on the same physical infrastructure, though specific feature configuration should be verified against HPE Aruba CX 6000 documentation for your firmware version.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How many PoE cameras can the R8N87B#ABA support simultaneously?

A: That depends on each camera's actual power draw. With a 370W total PoE budget and Class 4 (up to ~30W per port), you can fully power all 24 ports if devices draw under ~15W each — typical fixed IP cameras pull 7–13W. Budget-intensive devices like PTZ cameras (20–25W) or heated outdoor enclosures will reduce the total count. Always calculate your aggregate wattage before deployment.

Q: Does the R8N87B#ABA support 802.3at (PoE+) or only 802.3af?

A: It supports Class 4 PoE, which corresponds to the 802.3at (PoE+) standard — delivering up to approximately 30W per port. This covers the vast majority of PoE-powered security cameras, APs, and access control devices currently on the market.

Q: What type of uplinks does the R8N87B#ABA have?

A: Four 1G SFP ports. These accept standard 1G SFP transceivers — fiber (single-mode or multi-mode) or copper — for uplink to your distribution switch or NVR aggregation layer. SFP modules are not included and must be sourced separately.

Q: Is the R8N87B#ABA a managed switch?

A: The R8N87B#ABA is part of HPE Aruba's CX 6000 series, which is positioned as a managed access-layer platform. Refer to HPE Aruba's CX 6000 product documentation for the specific management feature set (CLI, web UI, SNMP, and Aruba Central compatibility) applicable to this model.

Q: What is the country of origin for the R8N87B#ABA?

A: The R8N87B#ABA is manufactured in Vietnam, per HPE product data.

Q: Will the R8N87B#ABA fit in a standard 19-inch rack?

A: Yes — the CX 6000 24-port model is a 1U rackmount switch designed for standard 19-inch equipment racks. Verify rack-unit height and depth clearance against your specific cabinet before installation.

Ted Perry

The R8N87B#ABA checks the boxes for a mid-density surveillance closet: 370W of Class 4 PoE across all 24 ports means you can install your full camera complement without per-port power negotiation compromises, and the four 1G SFP uplinks give you a clean path to the distribution layer over fiber without pulling new copper from the IDF.

Technical Highlights:

• 370W PoE Budget: With typical fixed cameras drawing 7–13W, the full 370W pool supports 24-camera closets without throttling — you have margin left for a couple of PTZ cameras (20–25W each) on the same switch without blowing your power ceiling.
• Class 4 / 802.3at PoE+: The 30W-per-port ceiling matters for outdoor cameras with onboard heaters, multi-radio APs on shared infrastructure, or any endpoint that won't negotiate down to 802.3af's 15.4W. Class 4 is the practical minimum for a modern mixed-endpoint closet.
• 4x 1G SFP Uplinks: Four uplink slots let you trunk to a distribution switch over fiber — isolate NVR traffic on dedicated uplinks, leave the others for management or future expansion. No need to consume access ports for inter-switch links.

Deployment Considerations:

• PoE allocation order matters: on most switches in this class, ports power up first-come. Pre-configure PoE priority on critical camera ports so a reset or power event doesn't leave your highest-priority cameras unlit while low-priority endpoints steal budget.
• At 14.6 lbs and 370W of thermal output, ensure the IDF rack and enclosure have adequate airflow and a PDU that can sustain the switch's full load — 370W PoE output plus switch overhead can push the unit's draw to 400W+ under full load.

The R8N87B#ABA is a solid fit for a 16–24 camera IDF closet in a commercial building, retail environment, or campus branch where you need Class 4 PoE density on a proven platform without stepping up to a chassis or modular architecture.