The question involves a customer deploying PoE-powered IoT security devices (e.g., door locks) that must remain active during an AOS-CX switch software upgrade. The task is to identify a valid solution.

Analysis of Options:

Option A:Incorrect. A VSX pair provides redundancy but does not guarantee PoE continuity during a single switch’s upgrade.

Option B:Incorrect. quick-poe reduces PoE startup time but does not ensure power during upgrades.

Option C:Correct. power-over-ethernet always-on ensures PoE remains active during software upgrades, meeting the requirement.

Option D:Incorrect. PoE priority adjusts power allocation but does not guarantee continuity during upgrades.

Why Option C is Correct:The power-over-ethernet always-on feature on AOS-CX switches ensures that PoE power delivery continues uninterrupted during software upgrades or reboots, critical for devices like IoT security door locks that require constant power. This feature prevents power cycling on PoE ports, maintaining device operation. For example, enabling it on relevant ports (e.g., interface 1/1/1 power-over-ethernet always-on) ensures compliance with the customer’s requirement, as per HPE Aruba Networking’s PoE high-availability guidelines.

Relevance to Certification Objectives:

Connectivity (9%):Configuring PoE for critical device deployment.

Network Resiliency and Virtualization (8%):Ensuring device uptime during maintenance.

Troubleshooting (10%):Resolving PoE continuity issues.