Product Overview
Juniper Networks MX Series Universal Routing Platforms provide world-class technology and innovative architectures that enable service providers, cloud providers, and large enterprises to quickly react to changing market conditions in the cloud era, accelerating service delivery.
The MX304, an integral part of this family, offers massive scale and efficiency for space- and power-constrained environments. By redefining per- rack-unit economics, the MX304 helps customers do more with less while simplifying network design, reducing OpEx, and enabling profitable delivery of business, residential, mobile, cable, data center, and cloud services—all while seamlessly supporting traditional and emerging network architectures.
Product Description
Service providers and cloud operators are making infrastructure investments today that pave the way for digital cohesion, enhancing the user experience while supporting emerging market trends with mobility, Internet of Things (IoT), and the continued growth of cloud networking. At the same time, these providers and operators are building out their networks to ensure performance, efficiency, and agility at cloud-era scale. To achieve these business goals and succeed in their respective hyper-competitive markets, service providers and cloud operators need software-centric edge solutions that satisfy current demand while offering investment protecting evolution to emerging technologies and growth.
Realizing this edge vision requires service-oriented edge platforms that offer the density and throughput needed to accommodate anticipated traffic growth driven by ubiquitous video content, media-rich business services, and emerging technology trends like IoT, connected vehicles, and smart cities.
Juniper Networks® MX304 Universal Routing Platform1 is a cloud-era platform that cost effectively addresses the evolutionary edge and metro Ethernet needs of service providers, mobile operators, web-scale operators, and multiple-service operators (MSOs). Offering ultra-high-density 1GbE, 10GbE, 25GbE, 40GbE, 50GbE, 100GbE, and 400GbE connectivity in a space- and power-optimized package, the MX304 delivers 4.8 Tbps of throughput in just two rack units (RU), providing unmatched edge router density and performance while consuming just 0.3 W/Gb of throughput.
Powered by the same programmable Junos® Trio chipset and Junos operating system that powers the entire MX Series Universal Routing Platforms portfolio, the MX304 leverages nearly two decades of Juniper R&D investments and innovations that have transformed the economics of networking. Key features include a comprehensive suite of advanced automation and telemetry capabilities that serve as the foundation for future self-driving networks, as well as line-rate 400GbE Media Access Control Security (MACsec) encryption and integrated advanced timing. By combining service centricity, high throughput, and density with space and power efficiency, the MX304 helps network operators overcome the challenges of a hyper-connected world and profitably deliver the widest variety of services and applications.
Architecture and Key Components
The MX304 Universal Routing Platform features the following components.
Routing Engine
Dual redundant Routing Engines (REs) on the MX304 run Junos OS, where they manage all routing protocol processes, router interface control, and control plane functions such as chassis operations, system management, and user access to the router. These processes run on top of a kernel that interacts with the Packet Forwarding Engine (PFE) on Modular Interface Cards (MICs) via dedicated high-bandwidth management channels, providing a clean separation between the control and forwarding planes.
Modular Interface Cards
Powered by the sixth-generation programmable Trio chipset, the MX304 offers unprecedented bandwidth in a dense form factor with MICs providing broad routing, switching, inline services, subscriber management, hierarchical quality of service (HQoS), and a host of other features. The MICs allow users to mix-and-match 1GbE, 10GbE, 25GbE, 40GbE, 50GbE, 100GbE, and 400GbE interfaces to flexibly and efficiently address their unique connectivity requirements.
Power
The MX304 power and thermal subsystems use advanced technology to optimize power efficiency without sacrificing scale or features. The power subsystem is highly resilient, allowing full power supply and power cable feed redundancy, resulting in industry-leading power consumption efficiency.
Junos Operating System
Junos OS is a reliable, high-performance, modular network operating system that is supported across all of Juniper’s physical and virtual routing, switching, and security platforms, reducing the cost, complexity, and resources required to implement and maintain a Juniper-based network. With secure programming interfaces, the Juniper® Extension Toolkit (JET), versatile scripting support, and integration with popular orchestration frameworks, Junos OS offers flexible options for continuous delivery and DevOps-style management, helping service providers unlock more value from the network.
Specifications
Physical Specifications
- Physical dimensions (HxWxD): 3.5 x 17.3 x 24 in, (8.89 x 44 x 61 cm)
- Airflow: Front to back
- Operating temperatures: 32° to 115° F (0° to 46° C) at sea level
- Number of fan trays: 3
- Maximum weight (approximate): 66.1 lbs (30 kg) (2 x RE configuration)
- System mounting: 2/4-post rack mounting
- Rack units: 2
