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Configure a Virtual Chassis Using EX2300, EX4650, or QFX5120 Switches

The Juniper Networks EX2300, EX4650, and QFX5120 switches do not form a Virtual Chassis by default, as these switches don’t have dedicated Virtual Chassis ports (VCPs). Therefore, to create a Virtual Chassis with these switches, you need to use the Form Virtual Chassis option on the Juniper Mist™ portal. The Form Virtual Chassis option applies only to the EX2300, EX4650, and QFX5120 switches. This workflow creates a preprovisioned Virtual Chassis configuration. Mist supports only the preprovisioned Virtual Chassis configuration.

The procedure to configure a Virtual Chassis using the EX3400, EX4100, EX4100-F, EX4300, EX4400, or EX4600 switches is different, as those switches have dedicated Virtual Chassis ports (VCPs). For more information, see Configure a Virtual Chassis Using EX3400, EX4100, EX4100-F, EX4300, EX4400, or EX4600 Switches.

Before configuring a Virtual Chassis, ensure the following:

  • All the switches that you want to include in the Virtual Chassis are onboarded to the Juniper Mist™ cloud and assigned to the same site. To onboard a new switch (greenfield deployment), see Onboard Switches to Mist Cloud. To onboard an existing switch (brownfield deployment) to Juniper Mist, see Onboard a Brownfield Switch. Navigate to the Switches page on the Mist portal and verify that all the switches that you onboarded are listed on the page.

  • The switches are connected to the Mist cloud and have the configuration management option enabled on the Mist portal.

    Note:

    The switches need to have a direct connection to the Mist cloud. Ensure that you have an uplink connection directly to the switch.

  • All the switches are running the same Junos software version. If they are not, you can upgrade the switch software using a USB drive locally or using the Juniper Mist portal. See Upgrade Junos OS Software on Your Switch.

To configure a Virtual Chassis using EX2300, EX4650, or QFX5120 switches:

  1. Click the Switches tab on the left to navigate to the Switches page.
  2. Select the switches that you want to include in the Virtual Chassis.
    An EX2300 switch variant can form a Virtual Chassis with any EX2300 switch variants. An EX4650 variant switch can form a Virtual Chassis with any EX4650 switch variants. A QFX5120 switch variant can form a Virtual Chassis only with the same QFX5120 switch variant. Therefore, the Form Virtual Chassis option is available only if you select the right switch models for a Virtual Chassis.
  3. Click More > Form Virtual Chassis.
    Note:

    You can see the Form Virtual Chassis option only if:

    • The selected switches are running the same Junos version and have the configuration management option enabled.

    • All the selected switch models are supported by the Virtual Chassis.

    You can also create Virtual Chassis from the switch details page by using the Utilities > Form Virtual Chassis option.

    The Form Virtual Chassis window appears, as shown in the following sample picture.

  4. On the Form Virtual Chassis window, specify the following:
    1. Port IDs for the switches. These are IDs for the Virtual Chassis ports (VCPs). This window displays all the switches you selected from the Switches page.
    2. The Primary switch. The switch that you selected first is the primary switch by default. You can modify that.
    3. The Backup switch. This configuration is optional. If you don't select a switch to function in the backup role, Mist assigns the linecard role to that switch.

    Ensure that you have an uplink connection directly to the primary switch.

  5. Click Form Virtual Chassis and wait for 3 to 5 minutes for the Virtual Chassis to be created.
    The switches page shows a message indicating that you must connect the switches to each other using the VCPs.
  6. Connect the switches to each other using the VCPs configured.

    When the Virtual Chassis formation is in progress, the Switches page shows the switch status as VC forming.

    After the Virtual Chassis formation is successful, the Switches page displays only one entry for the Virtual Chassis with the name of the primary switch. However, the MIST APs column displays one AP for each Virtual Chassis member in a comma-separated format.

    The switch details page displays the front panel of all the Virtual Chassis members.

You can use the Modify Virtual Chassis option on the switch details page to renumber and replace Virtual Chassis members and add members to a Virtual Chassis connected to the Mist cloud. For more information, see Manage a Virtual Chassis Using Mist (Add, Delete, Replace, and Modify Members).