Supported Platforms
MX Series Router Architecture
The key components of the Juniper Networks MX Series 3D Universal Edge Routers are the Dense Port Concentrators (DPCs), Modular Port Concentrators/Modular Interface Cards (MPCs/MICs), the Routing Engine (RE), and the Switch Control Board (SCB).
The DPCs are optimized for Ethernet density and are capable of supporting up to 40 Gigabit Ethernet or 4 10-Gigabit Ethernet ports. The DPC assembly combines packet forwarding and Ethernet interfaces on a single board, with four 10-Gbps Packet Forwarding Engines. Each Packet Forwarding Engine consists of one chip for Layer 3 processing and one Layer 2 network processor. The DPCs interface with the power supplies and Switch Control Boards.
Designed for flexibility, MPCs leverage the Junos Trio chipset to deliver the industry’s highest density GbE, 10GbE, and 100GbE, as well as the flexibility of modular interfaces, across the MX Series portfolio. These advanced capabilities allow mix and match interfaces to create service-specific and “pay as you grow” configurations. The MPC houses the PFEs to deliver up to 120 Gbps of comprehensive Layer 3 routing (IPv4 and IPv6), and Layer 2 switching. These MPCs also support inline services and advanced Hierarchical QoS (H-QoS) per MX Series slot.
Modular Interface Cards (MICs) install into Modular Port Concentrators (MPCs) and provide the physical connections to various network media types. MICs allow different physical interfaces to be supported on a single line card. You can install MICs of different media types on the same router as long as the router supports those MICs. MICs receive incoming packets from the network and transmit outgoing packets to the network. During this process, each MIC performs framing and high-speed signaling for its media type. Before transmitting outgoing data packets through the MIC interfaces, the MPCs encapsulate the packets received. MICs are hot-removable and hot-insertable. You can install up to two MICs in the slots in each MPC.
The RE provides control plane functions and runs Junos OS. Software processes that run on the RE maintain the routing tables, manage the routing protocols used on the router, control the router interfaces, control some chassis components, and provide the interface for system management and user access to the router. REs communicate with DPCs and MPCs via dedicated out-of-band management channels, providing a clear distinction between the control and forwarding planes. Integrated into the SCB is the switch fabric, which interconnects all of the DPCs and MPCs within the chassis. The RE installs directly into the SCB.
The SCB powers cards on and off; controls clocking, resets and booting; and monitors and controls systems functions, including fan speed, board power status, Power Distribution Module (PDM) status and control, and the system front panel. Integrated into the SCB is the switch fabric, which interconnects all of the DPCs and MPCs within the chassis, supporting up to 48 Packet Forwarding Engines. The Routing Engine installs directly into the SCB.
 | Note: The MX80 3D Universal Edge Router leverages the technology used in the MPCs, common across the MX Series, and can accommodate multiple combinations of Modular Interface Cards (MICs) for increased flexibility. The MX80 is a single board router with a built-in RE and one Packet Forwarding Engine (PFE). The PFE has two “pseudo” Flexible PIC Concentrators (FPC 0 and FPC 1). Because there is no switching fabric, the single PFE takes care of both ingress and egress packet forwarding. |
The MX Series router has been optimized for Ethernet services. Examples of the wide range of Ethernet services provided by the MX Series include:
- Virtual private LAN service (VPLS) for multipoint connectivity—Native support for VPLS services
- Virtual leased line (VLL) for point-to-point services—Native support for point-to-point services
- RFC 2547.bis IP/MPLS VPN (L3VPN)—Full support for MPLS VPNs throughout the Ethernet network
- Video distribution IPTV services
- Ethernet aggregation at the campus/enterprise edge—Supports dense 1-Gigabit Ethernet, 10-Gigabit Ethernet, and 100-Gigabit Ethernet configurations, and provides full Layer 3 support for campus edge requirements
- Ethernet aggregation at the multiservice edge—Supports up to 480 1-Gigabit Ethernet ports or 48 10-Gigabit Ethernet ports for maximum Ethernet density along, with full Layer 2 and Layer 3 VPN support for MSE applications
