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  • 1.  Howto: VSX on CX 6300 Switches

    Posted Aug 29, 2025 06:53 AM
    Edited by Richard Litchfield Sep 02, 2025 10:17 AM

    Howto: VSX on CX 6300 Switches


    The August 2025 release of CX 10.16.1005 enabled a really cool new capability for existing CX 6300F and 6300M switches: they can now run a VSX stack.

    VSX provides functions like:

    • dual control plane
    • live-upgrade
    • It is ideal for distribution/aggregation/core use cases.

    Planning

    1. You will need 2 CX 6300 F or M switches - bit not 6300L. Any 2 will do, although it generally makes most sense to have matching pairs.
    2. Enabling the VSX profile will delete all config and reboot the switch - don't do this on a switch already in production! And make sure you have a config backup if you need one!
    3. A high-speed link or links for the ISL - this is often a pair of 50Gb DACs
    4. A low-speed link for the keepalive/heartbeat. This can be the mgmt/oobm port. A fixed IP address is required for the keepalive, so make plans for that if the mgmt port receives and IP address from DHCP.

    A pair of CX 6300F switches stacked on top of exach other and connected with 50Gb DAC cables


    Config

    1. Ensure the 2 switches are in the VSX profile 
    2. Name the 2 switches
    3. Assign the ISL LAG on each switch 
    4. Setup VSX 
    5.  Save config with write mem.
    6. Confirm VSX is operational 

    Live Upgrade and other info

    Now that VSX is running on your CX 6300 pair, you can try a live upgrade! This is the smart way to upgrade firmware, and is specifically designed for live environments. You may have seen it demonstrated during the live Atmosphere events on the larger DCN switches. I have certainly done it many times during the day and even remotely. However, you should follow the procedures as normal, with change controls and back-out plans, etc.

    Running a live upgrade

    1. Make sure you have 2 supported firmware versions. Today that means 2 minor releases in 10.16
    2. Preload the next release in the alternate image space (eg secondary). I am using 10.16.1005 and .1006. Live upgrade works going up or down (within the supported versions), and I have done both on this pair.
    3. Check that both switches have the next release in the secondary image space
    4. From the primary switch run the vsx upgrade command, and wait for the process to complete 
    5. Your VSX stack will now be running the designated version!


    Just the basic VSX config on these CX 6300F switches, with the 2 short 50Gb DACs for the ISL.

    Next Steps

    Follow the existing VSX best practice guides and VRDs. VSF is still an option - the only option if you want to stack 3-10 CX 6300 switches.



    ------------------------------
    Richard Litchfield
    Airheads MVP 2020, 2021, 2022
    ------------------------------



  • 2.  RE: Howto: VSX on CX 6300 Switches

    Posted Aug 29, 2025 07:10 PM

    awesome new feature, and here is the link to VSX best practices 



    ------------------------------
    If my post was useful accept solution and/or give kudos.
    Any opinions expressed here are solely my own and not necessarily that of HPE or Aruba.
    ------------------------------



  • 3.  RE: Howto: VSX on CX 6300 Switches

    Posted Sep 01, 2025 04:11 AM

    VSX Best Practices will be updated with 6300F/M. (please allow couple of months).

    -------------------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 4.  RE: Howto: VSX on CX 6300 Switches

    Posted Sep 01, 2025 04:19 AM

    Really great feature long time waiting for.


    Best, Gorazd



    ------------------------------
    Gorazd Kikelj
    MVP Guru 2025
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 5.  RE: Howto: VSX on CX 6300 Switches

    Posted Sep 05, 2025 07:27 AM

    Like always, Thanks Richard for the HOWTO



    ------------------------------
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    PowerArubaCX: Powershell Module to use ArubaCX API (get interface/vlan/ports info)..

    ACEP / ACMX #107 / ACDX #1281
    ------------------------------



  • 6.  RE: Howto: VSX on CX 6300 Switches

    Posted Sep 14, 2025 07:40 AM
    Edited by HR-abaef5 Sep 15, 2025 10:02 AM

    Hi Richard, thanks for the guide. Maybe it is a bit obvious, but my 6300M switch booted with profile basic, and it was required to switch profile to vsx before I could start any of the steps to enable VSX. Commands below for reference:

    6300# show profiles current

    Current Profile
    --------------
    Basic

    6300# config t

    6300(config)# profile

     vsx

    The config will be cleared, and the switch will be rebooted with the configured profile
    Continue (y/n)? 

    Sep 11 16:26:51 hpe-mgmtmd[12818]: RebootLibPh1: Reboot reason: Reboot requested by user

    - After reboot:

    6300# show profiles current

    Current Profile
    --------------
    VSX

    -------------------------------------------



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