As HPE Aruba Networking's wireless strategy continues to evolve around AOS 10 and Aruba Central CNX, many organisations are now assessing how to modernise their existing AOS 8 environments. At Switchshop, we help organisations plan and deliver seamless Aruba migration projects designed to minimise disruption, simplify management and prepare networks for the future of wireless connectivity. Whether you’re refreshing ageing infrastructure, expanding your HPE Aruba Networking estate or preparing for next-generation wireless technologies, our team provides the expertise needed to support every stage of your migration journey.
Why Move to AOS 10?
AOS 10 introduces a cloud-native architecture designed to simplify wireless operations, improve visibility, and support scalable network management across complex environments.
With HPE Aruba Networking positioning AOS 10 and Aruba Central CNX as the preferred deployment path moving forward, organisations are increasingly looking to align their wireless strategy with HPE Aruba Networking’s long-term platform direction.
For organisations planning long-term wireless investment, AOS 10 provides a stronger foundation for scalability, operational efficiency, and future wireless innovation.
Understanding HPE Aruba Networking’s Transitional Support for AOS 8
HPE Aruba Networking has announced transitional support for AP-7xx access points on AOS 8, allowing organisations additional time where immediate migration to AOS 10 may not yet be possible. However, HPE Aruba Networking also makes clear that this is intended as a temporary transition option rather than a long-term deployment strategy.
Organisations remaining on AOS 8 should also be aware that certain advanced WiFi 7 and AP-7xx capabilities are unavailable outside of AOS 10 environments, including Multi-Link Operation (MLO), 320 MHz channel support, and other next-generation wireless features. For organisations investing in long-term wireless infrastructure, AOS 10 offers the clearest path forward.
Proven Experience Delivering Large-Scale HPE Aruba Networking Migrations
Switchshop has extensive experience delivering HPE Aruba networking projects across education, healthcare, and enterprise environments. Most recently, our team successfully completed a major milestone within a large UK University’s digital transformation project, migrating nearly 10,000 access points into AOS 10 and Aruba Central CNX. Delivering this migration across one of Europe’s largest university campuses presented significant technical and operational challenges, and the successful delivery cannot be underestimated.
The project required careful phased migration planning, coordination across more than 160 buildings, and maintaining service continuity throughout deployment, all while working to aggressive project timescales. Working closely with HPE Aruba Networking’s global product management and engineering teams, Switchshop successfully delivered a complex wireless transformation project while maintaining critical services across the campus environment.
This real-world experience allows us to support organisations through every stage of their migration journey, from assessment and strategy through to deployment, optimisation, and ongoing support.
Why Organisations Choose Switchshop
Switchshop combines HPE Aruba Networking technical expertise with real-world deployment experience across complex operational environments. Our teams support organisations with wireless assessments, migration planning, deployment services, and long-term infrastructure strategy, helping customers modernise their wireless networks while minimising disruption to users and services.
With proven experience delivering large-scale HPE Aruba Networking transformation projects, we help organisations move confidently towards modern, cloud-managed wireless infrastructure.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why should organisations migrate from AOS 8 to AOS 10?
AOS 10 is HPE Aruba Networking’s strategic wireless platform, designed to provide cloud-native management, simplified operations, improved visibility, and enhanced scalability. Organisations migrating to AOS 10 can benefit from streamlined administration through Aruba Central CNX while preparing their networks for future wireless technologies.
Is AOS 8 still supported by HPE Aruba Networking?
HPE Aruba Networking continues to provide transitional support for certain AOS 8 deployments, including support for AP-7xx access points. However, AOS 10 is the preferred long-term platform direction, and organisations should consider migration planning as part of their future wireless strategy.
What is Aruba Central CNX?
Aruba Central CNX is HPE Aruba Networking’s cloud-native network management platform. It provides centralised visibility, monitoring, policy management, automation, and operational insights across wireless, switching, and network infrastructure environments.
What are the benefits of migrating to Aruba Central CNX?
Migrating to Aruba Central CNX can help organisations simplify network operations, improve visibility across distributed environments, accelerate troubleshooting, and support cloud-managed infrastructure at scale. It also provides a foundation for future wireless innovation and automation.
Which wireless features are only available in AOS 10?
Certain advanced WiFi 7 capabilities are only available within AOS 10 environments, including Multi-Link Operation (MLO), 320 MHz channel support, and other next-generation wireless features designed to improve performance, capacity, and user experience.
How long does an Aruba AOS 8 to AOS 10 migration take?
Migration timescales vary depending on the size and complexity of the environment. Factors such as the number of access points, site locations, network architecture, and operational requirements will influence project duration. Most organisations benefit from a phased migration approach that minimises disruption to users and services.
Can Aruba access points be migrated without disrupting users?
With careful planning and a structured migration strategy, many organisations can minimise service disruption during migration activities. Detailed assessments, pilot testing, phased deployments, and change management processes all help reduce operational impact.
What should organisations consider before migrating to AOS 10?
Before migrating, organisations should assess hardware compatibility, licensing requirements, Aruba Central readiness, wireless coverage requirements, security policies, and operational objectives. A formal migration assessment can help identify dependencies and build an effective migration roadmap.
How can Switchshop help with Aruba AOS 10 migration projects?
Switchshop provides end-to-end migration services, including wireless assessments, migration planning, Aruba Central CNX onboarding, deployment services, optimisation, and ongoing support. Our team has experience delivering large-scale HPE Aruba Networking transformation projects across education, healthcare, and enterprise environments.
