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- play_arrow Hardware and Software Requirements vJunos-switch on KVM
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vJunos-switch Overview
SUMMARY This topic provides an overivew, key features supported, benefits, and limitations of the vJunos-switch.
Overview
Read this topic for an overview of the vJunos-switch.
The vJunos-switch is a virtual version of a Juniper switch that runs the Junos OS. You can install a vJunos-switch as a virtual machine (VM) on an x86 server.
You can configure and manage the vJunos-switch in the same way as you manage a physical switch.
The vJunos-switch is a single virtual machine (VM) that you can use only in labs and not in the production environment. The vJunos-switch is built using EX9214 as a reference Juniper switch and supports a single Routing Engine and single Flexible PIC Concentrator (FPC).
The vJunos-switch supports a bandwidth of up to 100 Mbps aggregated over all the interfaces. You don't need to purchase a bandwidth license for using the vJunos-switch.
Instead of using hardware switches, you can use the vJunos-switch to start the Junos software for testing the network configurations and protocols.
vJunos-switch Installation Overview
You can install the software components of the vJunos-switch on an industry-standard x86 server running a Linux KVM hypervisor (Ubuntu 18.04, 20.04, 22.04 or Debian 11 Bullseye).
On servers running the KVM hypervisor, you can also run applicable third-party software. You can install multiple vJunos-switch instances on a single server.
Key Features Supported
This topic provides you the list and details of the key features that are supported and validated on vJunos-switch. For details on configuration of these features see the feature guides at: User Guides.
The vJunos-switch supports the following key features:
Supports up to 96 switch interfaces
Can simulate data center IP underlay and overlay topologies.
Supports EVPN-VXLAN leaf functionality
Supports Edge-Routed Bridging (ERB)
Supports EVPN LAG multihoming in EVPN-VXLAN (ESI-LAG)
Benefits and Uses
The benefits and use cases of the vJunos-switch on standard x86 servers are as follows:
Reduced capital expenditure (CapEx) on lab—The vJunos-switch is available for free to build test labs reducing costs associated with physical switches.
Reduced deployment time—You can use the vJunos-switch to build and to test topologies virtually without building expensive physical labs. Virtual labs can be built instantly. As a result, you can reduce costs and delays associated with deployments on the physical hardware.
Eliminate need and time for lab hardware—The vJunos-switch helps you eliminate waiting time for lab hardware to arrive after procurement. vJunos-switch is available for free and can be downloaded instantly.
Education and training—Allows you to build labs for learning and education services for your employees.
Proof of concept and validation testing—You can validate various data center switching topologies, pre-build configurations examples, and get automation ready.
Limitations
The vJunos-switch has the following limitations:
Has a single Routing Engine and single FPC architecture.
Does not support in-service software upgrade (ISSU).
Does not support attachment or detachment of interfaces when it is running.
SR-IOV for the vJunos-switch use cases and throughput is not supported.
Due to its nested architecture, the vJunos-switch cannot be used in any deployments that launch the instances from within a VM.
Supports a maximum bandwidth of 100 Mbps over all the interfaces.
Note:Bandwidth licenses are not provided as there is no need for a bandwidth license.
License check message might come up. Ignore the license check messages.
You cannot upgrade the Junos OS on a running system. Instead, you must deploy a new instance with the new software.
Multicast is not supported.
