AOS 8.11R1 release brings one of the most comprehensive releases for the OmniSwitch portfolio in recent years.
From powerful new hardware platforms to major advances in OmniFabric, cybersecurity, industrial networking, and IPv6 readiness, this release continues to push the boundaries of what modern enterprise and industrial networks can achieve.
Let's take a look at the highlights.
đ New Hardware Expands the OmniSwitch Family
AOS 8.11R1 introduces two exciting additions designed to simplify deployments while preparing networks for future demands.
OmniSwitch 6870-U32â The "Swiss Army Knife" of Fiber Aggregation
The new OmniSwitch 6870-U32 is built for organizations that need flexibility without sacrificing performance. Supporting fiber speeds from 100 Mbps all the way to 25G, with 200G uplinks, it can seamlessly evolve from access to aggregation and even server connectivity.
What makes it stand out is that it delivers the complete feature setâSPB, EVPN-VXLAN, 256-bit MACsec on every port, Secure Boot, and advanced telemetryâwithout requiring a separate premium platform. One switch, multiple roles, fewer SKUs, and a clear migration path for tomorrow's networks.
OmniSwitch 6370 â A Modern Access Switch for Wi-Fi 7 and Beyond
The new OmniSwitch 6370 refreshes the access layer with a portfolio designed for today's connected workplace.
Highlights include:
- Multi-Gig (2.5G) access ports
- Up to 95W PoE++ (.bt) for demanding powered devices
- Silent fan-less models for offices and classrooms
- Flexible 1G to 10G uplink options
- Advanced Routing licensing for future scalability
Whether you're deploying Wi-Fi 6/7, IP cameras, or IoT devices, the OS6370 provides an excellent balance between performance, flexibility, and investment protection.
đ OmniFabric Continues to Grow
One of the biggest stories in AOS 8.11R1 is the continued evolution of OmniFabric.
EVPN-VXLAN capabilities now expand to the OS6920, bringing enterprise data center features to an even broader range of deployments.
New capabilities include:
- Multi-Site EVPN-VXLAN
- IPv6 support across underlay, overlay, and user traffic
- Optimized multicast (OISM)
- Virtual Chassis integration
- Static RD/RT configuration
- Enhanced SPB traffic engineering
Together, these enhancements make multi-site fabrics easier to build, easier to scale, and easier to operate.
Automation also receives a boost through the VXLAN-EVPN Orchestrator, built on Ansible and NetBox, enabling Day 0, Day 1, and Day 2 operations with significantly less manual effort.
đ Security Starts Before You Configure Anything
Security is no longer an optional featureâit is the default.
AOS 8.11R1 embraces a true Secure by Default approach with:
- Mandatory administrator password change at first login
- HTTPS/TLS enabled by default
- SFTP replacing FTP
- Command logging enabled automatically
- Encrypted password creation
- DHCP Snooping improvements
The release also introduces:
- Learned Port Security for EVPN-VXLAN fabrics
- Updated OpenSSL 3.5 and OpenSSH 9.9
- Enhanced MACsec capabilities across the portfolio
- IEC 62443-4-1 and 4-2 certification for industrial environments
These improvements help reduce the attack surface immediately after deployment while preparing networks for future security requirements.
đ Bridging IT and Operational Technology
Industrial networking continues to be a major focus.
AOS 8.11R1 strengthens IT/OT convergence with support for:
- PTP Boundary Clock
- Telecom timing profiles (G.8275.1 and G.8275.2)
- IEC 61850-9-3 Power Profile
- PROFINET with MRP certification
- PoE shutdown on ports entering violation state
These capabilities allow organizations to run industrial automation and enterprise traffic on the same infrastructure while maintaining the precision and reliability required by manufacturing and utility environments.
đ Smarter Networks Through Telemetry
Modern networks generate valuable operational data, and AOS 8.11R1 makes better use of it.
With enhanced IPFIX telemetry, administrators can export rich flow information into OVNA or third-party analytics platforms. The result is improved visibility, predictive maintenance, faster troubleshooting, and earlier detection of performance or security anomalies.
Instead of reacting to issues after users complain, operators can proactively identify trends before they impact production.
đ Ready for an IPv6 Future
As IPv6 adoption acceleratesâparticularly across public sector and government projectsâAOS 8.11R1 expands IPv6 support with features including:
- /127 inter-router links
- IPv6 management and loopback sources
- DHCPv6 client support
- IPv6-aware QoS
These enhancements help organizations meet compliance requirements without redesigning their network architecture.
Final Thoughts
AOS 8.11R1 is much more than a routine software update. It introduces powerful new hardware, extends the reach of OmniFabric, strengthens security from day one, simplifies industrial networking, and adds the telemetry and IPv6 capabilities modern infrastructures increasingly demand.
Whether you're refreshing the campus access layer with the OmniSwitch 6370, modernizing fiber aggregation with the OmniSwitch 6870-U32, or expanding an EVPN-VXLAN fabric across multiple sites, AOS 8.11R1 delivers meaningful improvements that make networks more secure, more scalable, and easier to operate.
