Aruba CX 6300 vs Cisco Meraki MS390: Which Access Switch Fits Your Network?
The Aruba CX 6300 and Cisco Meraki MS390 are both stackable multigigabit access switches built for campus and branch wiring closets, but they take opposite management philosophies. The CX 6300 runs AOS-CX and can be operated on-premises by CLI or driven from the Aruba Central cloud, while the Meraki MS390 is managed exclusively through the Meraki cloud dashboard. This comparison breaks down the architecture, PoE, stacking, licensing, and lifecycle differences so you can match the right switch to your operating model.
The short answer
Choose the Aruba CX 6300 if you want management flexibility (on-prem CLI or cloud), perpetual-license economics, high-speed 25/50GbE stacking uplinks, and a switch that is current in HPE's lineup with a long support runway. Choose the Meraki MS390 only if your team is already standardized on the Meraki dashboard and values its zero-touch simplicity above all else, but note that the MS390 reached end-of-sale in 2025 and has been superseded in Cisco's cloud-managed portfolio. For most buyers refreshing today, the CX 6300 is the more future-proof, lower-lock-in choice.
HPE Aruba Networking CX 6300 vs Cisco Meraki MS390, head to head
Specifications side by side
- Operating system
- AOS-CX (database-driven, fully programmable)
- Meraki cloud-managed OS
- Management
- On-prem CLI/NetEdit or Aruba Central cloud
- Meraki dashboard (cloud-only)
- Form factor
- 1U fixed, 24- and 48-port models
- 1U fixed, 24- and 48-port models
- Multigigabit ports
- HPE Smart Rate 1/2.5/5/10GbE options
- Multigigabit 2.5/5GbE (UX/UX2 models)
- Max PoE per port
- Up to 90W (802.3bt Class 8)
- PoE+/UPoE up to 60W on multigig models
- Uplinks
- Built-in 1/10/25/50GbE (SFP56)
- Modular 10G/40G uplink options
- Stacking
- VSF front-plane, up to 10 switches
- Physical stacking, up to 480G stack bandwidth
- Layer 3 routing
- Full L3: static, OSPF, BGP, VRF (license-dependent)
- L3 routing (static, OSPF) via dashboard
- Licensing
- Perpetual feature license included; cloud subscription optional
- Mandatory per-switch cloud subscription
- Architecture
- Modern multi-core ASIC, non-blocking design
- Catalyst-derived hardware with Meraki cloud stack
- Lifecycle status
- Current, actively shipping
- End-of-sale (2025); end-of-support per Cisco bulletins
- Segmentation/security
- Dynamic Segmentation, role-based access with ClearPass
- Adaptive Policy, group-based policy via dashboard
Where HPE Aruba Networking CX 6300 wins
- Run it your way: full on-prem CLI control or cloud management through Aruba Central, no forced cloud dependency
- Perpetual feature license is included with the hardware, so the switch keeps working even if you never buy a cloud subscription
- Higher-speed VSF stacking with 25/50GbE-class uplinks for more headroom as multigig access grows
- Up to 90W (802.3bt Class 8) PoE per port for Wi-Fi 7 APs, PTZ cameras, and high-draw IoT
- Current, actively shipping product with a long support runway and a clear HPE roadmap
Where Cisco Meraki MS390 wins
- Exceptionally polished cloud dashboard with fast zero-touch provisioning and a single pane across wired, wireless, and security
- Low day-to-day operational overhead for lean IT teams that do not want to manage controllers or CLI
- Tight integration with the broader Meraki ecosystem (MR APs, MX security) for a unified cloud experience
- Automatic firmware management and built-in topology, client, and traffic analytics in the dashboard
Which one should you buy?
Enterprise that needs both CLI-driven on-prem control and the option to move to cloud later
Pick HPE Aruba Networking CX 6300. AOS-CX lets you operate locally today and adopt Aruba Central when ready, without re-platforming or being forced cloud-only.
Lean IT team with many small sites wanting the simplest possible cloud-managed rollout
Pick Cisco Meraki MS390. The Meraki dashboard's zero-touch onboarding and single-pane management minimize hands-on configuration across distributed locations.
Campus refresh that must avoid recurring subscription lock-in and stranded hardware
Pick HPE Aruba Networking CX 6300. The perpetual license means the switch keeps functioning regardless of cloud spend, unlike the subscription-dependent MS390.
High-density Wi-Fi 7 and IoT edge requiring 90W PoE and multigig everywhere
Pick HPE Aruba Networking CX 6300. Class 8 (90W) 802.3bt PoE and Smart Rate multigig give more power and speed headroom per port than the MS390.
Organization standardizing a new buy on a vendor with a current, long-lived product line
Pick HPE Aruba Networking CX 6300. The MS390 is end-of-sale as of 2025, so a fresh standardization is safer on the actively shipping CX 6300.
Frequently asked
What is the biggest difference between the Aruba CX 6300 and the Meraki MS390?
Management model. The CX 6300 runs AOS-CX and can be managed on-premises by CLI or in the cloud via Aruba Central, while the Meraki MS390 is managed exclusively through the Meraki cloud dashboard and requires an active subscription to function.
Is the Cisco Meraki MS390 still available to buy?
The MS390 reached end-of-sale in 2025 and has been superseded in Cisco's cloud-managed switching portfolio. We can still help source remaining inventory where available, but for a new standardization the current-generation Aruba CX 6300 is the more future-proof choice.
Does the Aruba CX 6300 require a cloud subscription like the Meraki MS390?
No. The CX 6300 ships with a perpetual feature license and operates fully on-premises without any cloud subscription. Aruba Central cloud management is optional. The MS390, by contrast, requires a mandatory per-switch subscription to operate.
How do PoE capabilities compare between the two switches?
The CX 6300 delivers up to 90W per port (IEEE 802.3bt Class 8), making it well suited to Wi-Fi 7 APs and high-draw IoT. The MS390 supports PoE+/UPoE up to 60W per port on its multigigabit models. Always size the total PoE budget to your device mix.
Which switch is better for stacking and uplink bandwidth?
The CX 6300 uses VSF front-plane stacking for up to 10 switches with built-in 25/50GbE-class SFP56 uplinks. The MS390 uses physical stacking with modular 10/40G uplinks. The CX 6300 generally offers more high-speed uplink headroom for multigig access growth.
Can the Aruba CX 6300 do everything from the cloud the way Meraki does?
Aruba Central provides cloud management, zero-touch provisioning, and AIOps-style analytics comparable to the Meraki dashboard. The key difference is that Central is optional for the CX 6300, whereas the Meraki dashboard is mandatory for the MS390.
Do these switches support Layer 3 routing and segmentation?
Yes. The CX 6300 supports full L3 routing (static, OSPF, BGP, VRF depending on license) plus Dynamic Segmentation with ClearPass. The MS390 supports L3 routing and Adaptive Policy group-based segmentation through the Meraki dashboard.
Can Uniqcli supply these switches on TAA-compliant GPC, SAP, or FAR-based orders?
Yes. As an authorized HPE and HPE Aruba Networking reseller, we can source the CX 6300 and quote against TAA-compliant requirements, GSA MAS (application in progress), and SAP/FAR channels vehicles, and we can also source comparable Cisco Meraki and Catalyst hardware where required. Contact us for contract-specific pricing and lead times.
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