Retail innovation relies on scalable, reliable networks to modernize stores, engage customers, and gain competitive advantages. At NRF, HPE showed off advancements to securely connect IoT devices, deliver real-time AI insights at the edge, and provide reliable pop-up and backup connectivity for critical applications like credit card processing.

The NRF conference is the one big opportunity every year for vendors to show their understanding of retail and present their solutions to the industry’s problems. HPE Aruba was not alone. HPE, Cisco, and Extreme Networks were all present, showcasing their latest retail-specific wares. NRF is the place to be if you want to go after the retail IT market.

A stalwart at the annual retail industry conference, HPE Aruba announced several new industry-specific offerings designed to modernize the connected retail environment. Let’s take a look at what the company announced.

Aruba 100-Series Cellular Bridge

The HPE Aruba Networking 100 Series Cellular Bridge is a cloud-managed 5G wireless bridge designed to provide reliable and fast internet connectivity for various use cases, including primary, secondary, or backup cellular WAN connectivity. It is particularly suitable for mission-critical applications in remote locations, branch offices, and pop-up sites – like retail.

The new cellular bridge has the following key features:

1. 5G Connectivity: Supports 5G across major public and private cellular networks, including CBRS, ensuring high-speed internet access.
2. Dual 2.5 Gbps Ethernet Ports: This device is equipped with two high-speed 2.5 Gbps Ethernet ports, ideal for wired connectivity to edge devices.
3. Compact and Fanless Design: Features a compact, fanless form factor with internal antennas, making it suitable for various environments.
4. Power Options: Can be conveniently powered by Power over Ethernet (PoE 802.3at) or DC power (adapter sold separately).
5. Enhanced Security: The device includes a Trusted Platform Module (TPM) for secure storage of credentials and keys, ensuring device integrity.
6. Cloud Management: Supported by HPE Aruba Networking Central, offering unified infrastructure management across wired, wireless, and SD-WAN with intelligent automation and AI insights.

Aruba CX 8325H Switch

The HPE Aruba Networking CX 8325H Switch is a high-performance, half-width, 1U fixed switch designed to meet the demands of modern data centers and enterprise networks. It offers flexible, high-density connectivity options, making it suitable for various deployment scenarios, including server, storage, and hyper-converged infrastructure (HCI) networking.

Key features of the new switch include:

1. High-Density Connectivity: The CX 8325H comes in two configurations:
   1. A 2.16 Tbps model with 18 ports supporting 1/10/25 GbE and 4 ports supporting 40/100 GbE.
   1. A 4 Tbps model with 16 ports supporting 40/100 GbE.
2. Advanced Layer 2/3 Features: Supports comprehensive Layer 2 and Layer 3 functionalities, including BGP, OSPF, VRF, VXLAN, and IPv6, enabling robust routing and switching capabilities.
3. High Availability: Equipped with redundant, hot-swappable power supplies and fans, ensuring continuous operation and minimizing downtime.
4. AOS-CX Operating System: Runs on Aruba’s modern, database-driven AOS-CX OS, which automates and simplifies complex network tasks through REST APIs and Python scripting capabilities.
5. Network Analytics Engine (NAE): This product includes a built-in NAE for real-time monitoring, visibility, and troubleshooting, enhancing network performance and reliability.

Aruba 750 Series Wireless Access Points

The HPE Aruba Networking 750 Series Campus Access Points are flagship Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be) devices that deliver ultra-high performance, enhanced security, and precise location services for demanding enterprise environments.

The new product includes the following key features:

1. Ultra-High Performance: Equipped with three 4×4 MIMO radios, these access points provide tri-band coverage across 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, and 6 GHz frequencies. They offer a maximum aggregate data rate of up to 18.7 Gbps, which can reach up to 28.8 Gbps in dual 6 GHz radio mode.
2. Flexible Radio Configuration: The 750 Series allows customers to customize radio settings to support dual 5 GHz or dual 6 GHz modes, adapting to diverse client ecosystems and optimizing network performance.
3. Enhanced Security: Operating on AOS-10, these access points incorporate advanced security features, including WPA3, Enhanced Open, and WPA2-MPSK for robust encryption and authentication. Support for MACsec provides encrypted wired connections, ensuring end-to-end data protection.
4. IoT Integration: Designed as a comprehensive IoT platform, the 750 Series includes two integrated Bluetooth 6 and 802.15.4/Zigbee radios and two USB ports. These facilitate connectivity for a wide array of IoT devices and simplify network management.
5. Precision Location Services: Featuring a built-in GNSS receiver and barometric sensor, these access points deliver sub-1 meter location accuracy, supporting applications such as asset tracking and proximity-based services without additional overlay technologies.
6. High Availability: Dual 10 Gbps Ethernet ports offer redundant connectivity, enhancing network resilience and ensuring continuous operation in mission-critical environments.
7. Cloud-Native Management: Managed through HPE Aruba Networking Central, the 750 Series benefits from AI-powered insights, workflow automation, and unified infrastructure management, streamlining network operations across campus, branch, remote, and data center environments.

HPE Aruba Networking Central AI Insights

HPE Aruba Networking Central’s AI Insights is an integrated feature set that elevates network monitoring and operations by proactively identifying and resolving issues across wireless, wired, and WAN infrastructures. Leveraging advanced artificial intelligence and machine learning algorithms, AI Insights delivers dynamic service level baselining and performance assurance, enabling IT teams to maintain optimal network health and enhance user experiences.

The offering offers the following capabilities:

1. Dynamic Service Level Baselining: AI Insights establishes performance baselines by analyzing historical network data, allowing for detecting anomalies and deviations that may indicate potential issues.
2. Proactive Issue Identification: By continuously monitoring network performance, AI Insights identifies and alerts IT teams to emerging problems, facilitating timely intervention before they impact end-users.
3. Automated Recommendations: The system provides actionable recommendations to address identified issues, streamline the troubleshooting process, and reduce the mean time to resolution.
4. Comprehensive Performance Assurance: AI Insights encompasses WLAN, switching, and WAN performance, ensuring a holistic view of network health and facilitating end-to-end optimization.
5. Integration with AI Assist: In conjunction with AI Assist, AI Insights can automate the collection of log files and troubleshooting data and initiate engagement with Aruba Technical Assistance Center (TAC) for complex issues, further enhancing operational efficiency.

Analysis

The retail space is seeing significant changes in how IT is leveraged to drive sales, enhance customer engagement, and securely enable IoT technologies. The NRF show is a great opportunity to showcase products in a retail-specific setting.

HPE Aruba’s strategic alignment with emerging retail trends — such as hyper-personalization, omnichannel experiences, and secure IoT integration — puts it in a strong position to capitalize on the industry’s digital transformation.

Advancements in retail strategy have a huge IT component, and HPE Aruba gets it. The product announcements at NSF were another example of how HPE listens to its customers and understands their use cases. The new products, including the new 100 Series Cellular Bridge and the 750 Series Access Points, show the company delivering reliable, high-performance connectivity across diverse retail use cases.

The emphasis on edge AI processing, as showcased in applications like fraud prevention at self-checkouts, shows Aruba’s ability to integrate cutting-edge technology to solve industry-specific problems.

AI Insights within Aruba Central further enhances the portfolio by enabling proactive network management and anomaly detection. This addresses retailers’ need for operational efficiency and reduced downtime. It’s a compelling set of announcements.

The industry needs technology companies capable of keeping up with fast-moving trends, and HPE Aruba was front and center at the NRF 2025 with products ready to meet the challenge. HPE’s announcements at NRF show that it’s ready to be one of those companies.

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