HPE HPE6-A86 Exam Questions

The correct answer is D. By default, all VLAN traffic is tagged to traverse a trunk link except the native VLAN. In HPE Aruba Networking AOS-CX, a trunk interface can carry traffic for multiple VLANs, and VLAN tagging is used to identify traffic from different VLANs across the trunk. However, the native VLAN is the exception. HPE Aruba Networking documentation explains that the native VLAN is the VLAN to which incoming untagged traffic is assigned, and by default VLAN 1 is assigned as the native VLAN for trunk interfaces. This means normal trunk behavior is that VLAN traffic is tagged, while native VLAN traffic can be untagged unless configured otherwise. Option A is incomplete because it ignores native VLAN behavior. Option B is incorrect because the native VLAN concept applies to trunk interfaces generally, not only when a port is part of a LAG. Option C is incorrect because VLAN trunking applies to Layer 2 interfaces, not routed ports. Therefore, the default trunk behavior is tagged VLAN traffic except for the native VLAN.

The correct answer is B. Switch port. The Physical Layer of the OSI model is concerned with the physical transmission of signals across network media, including electrical or optical signaling, cabling, connectors, transceivers, and physical interfaces. HPE Aruba Networking hardware and transceiver documentation describes switch ports, transceiver slots, copper cabling, fiber-optic cabling, and link LEDs as physical connection components. A switch port is therefore the only option listed that belongs directly to the Physical Layer. Option A, URL, is associated with application-level access to web resources and is not a Physical Layer item. Option C, IP address, belongs to Layer 3 because it is used for logical addressing and routing. Option D, TCP port, belongs to Layer 4 because TCP ports identify transport-layer application sessions. Although a switch port may participate in Layer 2 switching after a link is established, the physical connector/interface itself is part of the Layer 1 network infrastructure. This makes ''switch port'' the correct answer from the listed options.

The correct answer is C. Automates root cause analytics. HPE Aruba Networking AOS-CX documentation describes the Network Analytics Engine, or NAE, as a framework within AOS-CX switches that automates the detection of issues and automates root cause analysis. NAE agents monitor switch resources, events, configuration, protocol states, and other operational data to help identify issues faster. This helps administrators move from manual troubleshooting to analytics-driven troubleshooting directly on the switch. Option A is not the best answer because NAE is not simply a feature that automatically creates tech-support diagnostic files. Option B is incorrect because automated configuration backups are not the main purpose of NAE. Option D is incorrect because NAE does not primarily create support events in the HPE Aruba Networking Support Portal. Its purpose is local switch analytics, issue detection, and root cause analysis. Therefore, the best description is that NAE automates root cause analytics.

The correct answer is C. Lowest administrative distance. When a switch learns multiple possible routes to the same destination, it must select the preferred or best route to install and use for forwarding. HPE Aruba Networking documentation explains that administrative distance is one of the main criteria used to determine the preferred route when multiple paths exist to the same destination. The route with the lower administrative distance takes precedence. This is why connected routes, static routes, and dynamically learned routes can be preferred differently depending on their administrative distance values. Option A is incorrect because a default route is used only when no more specific route exists. Option B is incorrect because a static route is not automatically selected merely because it is static; it is preferred only if its administrative distance and route specificity make it the best candidate. Option D is incorrect because the highest administrative distance is less preferred, not more preferred.

The correct answer is D. SNMPv3. HPE Aruba Networking AOS-CX hardening documentation recommends using SNMPv3 instead of older SNMP versions because older SNMP versions are unauthenticated and unencrypted, with the community string transmitted in plaintext. The same guide states that SNMPv3 supports different users, authentication, and strong encryption. This makes SNMPv3 the secure protocol among the options. HTTP is not the best answer because standard HTTP does not encrypt management or web traffic; HTTPS would be the secure alternative. TFTP is not secure because it does not provide encryption or strong authentication for file transfers. Telnet is also not secure because it sends session traffic, including login information, in clear text; SSH is the secure alternative for CLI management. Therefore, from the listed protocols, only SNMPv3 provides security mechanisms appropriate for secure network management, including authenticated and encrypted communication.