Juniper Networks has expanded its Carrier Ethernet portfolio with two Ethernet Services Routers and various software enhancements.
The new MX240 and MX480 leverage the JUNOS software as its operating system, enabling scalable Virtual Private LAN Service (VPLS) and new Layer 2 operations, administration and management (OAM) capabilities and features, in addition to full Layer 2 switching. With the latest update, JUNOS software now includes standards-based features such as IEEE 802.1ag to simplify fault management, as well as VPLS features, including support for both BGP- and LDP-based VPLS; egress multicasting capabilities for maximum bandwidth efficiency; and advanced multi-homing for high reliability and resiliency all the way to the Ethernet edge. 
The new MX240 delivers 240 Gbps of switching or routing capacity in a compact 5 rack unit (RU) form factor; the MX480 features 480 Gbps of capacity in an 8 RU size. The platforms can simultaneously support up to 120 and 240 Gigabit Ethernet interfaces, respectively, which is more than twice the capacity of similarly-sized Carrier Ethernet platforms. Both platforms scale to support over 1 million MAC addresses --- 15 times more than the closest currently available competitive offering, according to the company.
Juniper noted that because the MX-series can support more than twice as many interfaces per chassis, customers can increase the energy efficiency of their networks, reducing power, space and cooling costs by as much as 60 percent.
Juniper also announced a suite of new Dense Port Concentrator (DPC) cards to maximize MX-series system flexibility, enabling providers to drive new sources of revenue while reducing cost and complexity.
The new and enhanced DPC Cards include:
- Switching and Routing (DPCE-R): Mid-range solution that can operate as either a complete Layer 3 router or purely Layer 2 switch. Provides maximum flexibility and reduces sparing costs.
- Layer 2 Switching: (DPCE-X): Cost-optimized solution designed for metro Ethernet Transport; operates at Layer 2 or 2.5.
- Enhanced Queuing (DPCE-Q): Premium card that supports per-VLAN queuing (up to 64,000 queues per card), enabling providers to deploy business Ethernet services with committed bandwidths and QoS characteristics. Increases service revenue opportunities; ideal for migrating Frame Relay and ATM VPNs.
All of the above DPCs are available with 4x10 Gigabit Ethernet and 40x Gigabit Ethernet interfaces, and are interchangeable across the MX-series line.
In addition the suite of MX-series chassis, line cards and JUNOS Carrier Ethernet features, Juniper is also delivering three new processor cards for its flagship M-series chassis, the M320. These new FPC-E3s take advantage of Juniper's new I-chip ASIC development that increases system performance, scalability and provides additional QoS capabilities.
http://www.juniper.net
