Juniper EX4300-48T User Manual
EX4300 Ethernet
Switch
Data Sheet
Product Overview
The Juniper Networks EX4300
line of Ethernet switches
delivers the performance
and scale required for both
campus and data center Gigabit
Ethernet (GbE) access switch
deployments. Combined with
Juniper’s market leading Virtual
Chassis technology, the EX4300
scales up to 10 members,
delivering the high availability
and plug-and-play scale that
businesses demand. Combining
compact, pay-as-you-grow
economics and low power and
cooling with the performance,
availability, and port densities
of chassis-based platforms, the
EX4300 with Virtual Chassis
technology enables businesses
to deploy with speed and agility
to increase revenue and improve
productivity.
Product Description
The Juniper Networks® EX4300 line of Ethernet switches with Virtual Chassis technology
combines the carrier-class reliability of modular systems with the economics and flexibility
of stackable platforms, delivering a high-performance, scalable solution for data center,
campus and branch office environments.
Offering a full suite of Layer 2 and Layer 3 switching capabilities, the EX4300 enables a
variety of deployments, including campus, branch and data center access. A single 24-
port or 48-port EX4300 switch can be deployed initially. As requirements grow, Juniper
Networks Virtual Chassis technology allows up to 10 EX4300 switches to be seamlessly
interconnected and managed as a single device, delivering a scalable, pay-as-you-grow
solution for expanding network environments. A pair of 32-port EX4300 fiber switches
can also be deployed as a consolidated aggregation or small core switch. Additionally, the
EX4300 integrates with QFX3500, QFX3600 and QFX5100 10GbE and 40GbE data center
access switches in a single stack or a Virtual Chassis configuration, enabling non-disruptive
10GbE server upgrades and simplified management of a mixed access environment.
The EX4300 switches can be interconnected over multiple 40GbE quad small form-
factor pluggable plus (QSFP+) transceiver ports to form a 320 gigabit per second (Gbps)
backplane. A flexible uplink module that supports both 1GbE and 10GbE options is also
available, enabling high-speed connectivity to aggregation- or core-layer switches which
connect multiple floors or buildings.
All EX4300 switches include high availability (HA) features such as redundant, hot-
swappable internal power supplies and field-replaceable fans to ensure maximum uptime.
In addition, Power over Ethernet (PoE)-enabled EX4300 switch models offer standards-
based 802.3at PoE+ for delivering up to 30 watts on all ports for supporting high-density IP
telephony and 802.11n wireless access point deployments.
Chassis-Like Features in an Expandable Form Factor
The fixed-configuration EX4300 switches include a number of high availability features
typically associated with chassis-based solutions, including the following:
• Hot-swappable fans
• Modular Juniper Networks Junos® operating system (consistent with chassis systems)
• Dual Routing Engines with graceful Routing Engine switchover (GRES) in a Virtual
Chassis configuration
• Single management interface
• Easy, centralized soware upgrades
• Scalability from 24 to 480 10/100/1000BASE-T ports, with up to 40 10GbE uplinks and
40 40GbE uplinks
1
Data SheetEX4300 Eth ernet Swit ch
Each EX4300 switch includes a single application-specific
integrated circuit (ASIC)-based Packet Forwarding Engine, the
EX-PFE. The integrated Routing Engine (RE) delivers all control
plane functionality. The EX4300 also leverages the same modular
Junos OS as other Juniper Networks switches, routers, and security
devices, ensuring a consistent implementation and operation of
control plane features across the Juniper Networks infrastructure.
Architecture and Key Components
The EX4300 switches are single rack unit devices that deliver
a compact solution for crowded wiring closets and access
switch locations where space and power are at a premium.
Each EX4300 supports standard 40GbE QSFP+ ports which are
preconfigured to support high-speed Virtual Chassis backplane
connections. These ports can also serve as uplinks to upstream
aggregation devices. In addition, each EX4300 supports an
optional front panel uplink module offering 1GbE or 10GbE
ports for high-speed backbone or link aggregation connections
between wiring closets and upstream aggregation switches.
Uplink modules can be installed without powering down the
switch, enabling users to add high-speed connectivity at any
time or migrate from one uplink type to the other, delivering the
ultimate in flexible, high-performance interconnectivity.
The EX4300 also features a front panel LCD that offers a flexible
interface for performing device bring-up and configuration
rollbacks, reporting switch alarm and LED status, or restoring the
switch to its default settings. When deployed as a member of a
Virtual Chassis configuration, the LCD also displays the switch’s
chassis “slot number” and RE status for rapid identification and
problem resolution.
The four integrated rear panel 40GbE QSFP+ ports support
EX4300 Virtual Chassis deployment over a 320 Gbps virtual
backplane. When deployed in close proximity such as in wiring
closets or in top-of-rack data center applications, the EX4300
switches can be securely connected using standard 40GbE QSFP+
DAC cables (available in 50 cm, 1 m, 3 m and 5m lengths).
Switches deployed in Virtual Chassis configurations spread over
larger areas can be interconnected using optical QSFP+ transceivers
such as the QSFP+ SR4, which supports distances up to 150 m.
A dedicated rear panel RJ-45 port is available for out-of-band
management, while a rear panel USB port can be used to easily
upload Junos OS and configuration files. In addition, a dedicated
front panel USB console port and a rear panel RJ-45 console port
offer flexible out-of-band console options.
Virtual Chassis Technology
Up to 10 EX4300 switches can be interconnected using Virtual
Chassis technology, creating a single logical device supporting
up to 480 10/100/1000BASE-T ports, plus up to 40 additional
10GbE and 40 additional 40GbE uplink ports. For mixed 1GbE and
10GbE access environments, the EX4300 can be interconnected
with the QFX3500, QFX3600 and QFX5100 high-performance
data center access switches. EX4300 Virtual Chassis
configurations can be created to support a variety of port and
density options for data center, campus and branch deployments.
Virtual Chassis connections can be formed using any of the
40GbE ports or 10GbE ports using standard DAC cables and
optics. The EX4300 does not support Virtual Chassis technology
on the GbE copper or fiber ports.
Virtual Chassis Deployments in Campus Wiring Closets
In campus wiring closets, flexible topologies can be created using
standard QSFP+ optics on the 40GbE ports to extend the Virtual
Chassis configuration across long distances spanning multiple
wiring closets, floors, or even buildings while using 10GbE or
40GbE for uplink connectivity. EX4300 fiber-based switches can
also be used for campus aggregation or small core deployments.
Closet 1 EX4300
Closet 2
Access
Figure 1: Using Virtual Chassis technology, up to 10 EX4300 switches can be interconnected to
EX4300
10/40GbE
EX4300-32F
10GbE/40GbE
uplinks
EX4300-32F
Aggregation/
40GbE Virtual
Chassis Port
Core
Closet 1 EX4300
Closet 2
EX4300
Access
create a single logical device spanning multiple wiring closets.
EX4300-32F
10GbE/40GbE
uplinks
EX4300-32F
Aggregation/
10/40GbE
40GbE Virtual
Chassis Port
Core
2
Data SheetEX4300 Eth ernet Swit ch
Virtual Chassis Deployments in the Data Center
When deployed in a Virtual Chassis configuration in the data
center, all EX4300 switches are monitored and managed as a
single device, enabling enterprises to separate physical topology
from logical groupings of endpoints and allowing more efficient
resource utilization. Highly resilient topologies can also be
created using the 40GbE DAC cables.
10/40GbE
40GbE Virtual
Closet 1 EX4300
Chassis Port
EX4300-32F
10GbE/40GbE
uplinks
Closet 2
EX4300-32F
EX4300
Aggregation
Access
Figure 2: Using Virtual Chassis technology, up to 10 EX4300
switches can be interconnected to create a single logical device
spanning an entire building.
Mesh Virtual Chassis Configurations for the Data Center
In data center top-of-rack deployments, a full mesh five-switch
Virtual Chassis configuration can be created where every
switch member is just one hop away from every other member,
delivering the lowest possible latency. A mesh spanning distances
of up to 150 meters can be created using standard QSFP+ optics
on the 40GbE ports (DAC cables up to 3m in length available for
shorter distances), while 10GbE ports can be used as uplinks to
connect to upstream aggregation or core devices.
Collapsed Core/Aggregation
Full Mesh
Virtual Chassis
10/40GbE
40GbE Virtual
Access
Chassis Port
Figure 4: EX4300 switches in a full mesh Virtual Chassis configura-
tion for the data center.
Virtual Chassis Fabric Switching Architecture
Existing Virtual Chassis technology is further scaled and
enhanced to support a spine-and-leaf topology that is ideal for
high-performance and low-latency data center deployments.
In its first instance, this topology, called Virtual Chassis Fabric,
enables up to 20 switches to be deployed in a spine-and-leaf
configuration, with two to four QFX5100 switches in the spine
and up to 18 QFX5100, QFX3500, QFX3600 or EX4300 switches
as leaf nodes. This architecture provides any rack-to-any rack
deterministic throughput and low latency, while significantly
simplifying network operations through a single point of
management. A Virtual Chassis Fabric configuration supports
mixed 1GbE, 10GbE and 40GbE servers.
SRX Series SRX SeriesEX9200 EX9200
RE EligibleHot-StandbyRE EligibleActive
Collaped Core/
Aggregation Layer
1GbE
10/40GbE
40GbE Virtual
Chassis Port
EX4300 Virtual Chassis
Access/Layer
Server
Figure 3: The EX4300 Ethernet switch with Virtual Chassis technology delivers a high-performance, scalable, and highly reliable
solution for the data center.
QFX5100
Node #1
(QFX5100)
QFX5100 QFX5100 QFX5100
Node #2
(QFX3500)
Node #3
(QFX3600)
Node #4
(EX4300)
Node #16
(QFX5100)
Figure 5: EX4300, QFX3500, QFX3600 and QFX5100 at the ac-
cess layer of Virtual Chassis Fabric configuration.
3
Data SheetEX4300 Eth ernet Swit ch
Junos Fusion Enterprise
Junos Fusion Enterprise technology enables a large number
of devices deployed throughout a building to be managed as
a single, logical device. A future software release will enable
EX4300 fixed configuration Ethernet switches to support Junos
Fusion Enterprise technology, functioning as Satellite devices
(see Figure 6).
Floor n Closet Closet
Floor 0 Closet Closet
EX4300 Satellite Devices
IDF
EX9200
Aggregation Devices
Figure 6: EX4300 switches as Satellite devices in a Junos Fusion
Enterprise architecture.
Junos
Fusion
Enterprise
Features and Benefits
Chassis-Class Availability
The EX4300 line of Ethernet switches delivers high availability
through redundant power supplies and fans, GRES, and non-
stop bridging and routing when deployed in a Virtual Chassis
configuration.
In a Virtual Chassis configuration, each EX4300 switch is
capable of functioning as a Routing Engine. When two or more
EX4300 switches are interconnected, a single control plane is
shared among all Virtual Chassis member switches. When two
EX4300 switches are interconnected, Junos OS automatically
initiates an election process to assign a master (active) and
backup (hot-standby) Routing Engine. An integrated Layer 2
and Layer 3 GRES feature maintains uninterrupted access to
applications, services, and IP communications in the unlikely
event of a primary RE failure.
When more than two switches are interconnected in a Virtual
Chassis configuration, the remaining switch elements act as
line cards and are available to assume the backup RE position
should the designated master fail. Master, backup, and line card
priority status can be assigned to dictate the order of ascension;
this N+1 RE redundancy, coupled with the GRES, nonstop routing
(NSR) and nonstop bridging (NSB) capabilities of the Junos OS,
assures a smooth transfer of control plane functions following
unexpected failures.
The EX4300 implements the same slot/module/port numbering
schema as other Juniper Networks chassis-based products
when numbering Virtual Chassis ports, providing true chassis-
like operations. By utilizing a consistent operating system and
a single configuration file, all switches in a Virtual Chassis
configuration are treated as a single device, simplifying overall
system maintenance and management.
Individually, the EX4300 offers a number of HA features that are
typically associated with modular chassis-based switches. When
combined with the field-proven Junos OS and L2/L3 failover
capabilities, these features provide the EX4300 with true carrier-
class reliability.
• Redundant power supplies: The EX4300 line of Ethernet
switches supports internal redundant, load-sharing, hot-
swappable, and field-replaceable AC and DC power supplies
to maintain uninterrupted operations. Thanks to its compact
footprint, the EX4300 requires significantly less power than
chassis-based switches delivering equivalent port densities.
• Hot-swappable fans: The EX4300 includes hot-swappable
fans, providing sucient cooling even if one of the fans were
to fail.
• Non-Stop Bridging (NSB) and Non-Stop Routing (NSR):
NSB and NSR on the EX4300 ensure control plane protocols,
states and tables are synchronized between Master and
Standby REs to prevent protocol flaps or convergence issues
following a Routing Engine failover.
• Redundant trunk group (RTG): To avoid the complexities
of Spanning Tree Protocol (STP) without sacrificing network
resiliency, the EX4300 employs redundant trunk groups to
provide the necessary port redundancy and simplify switch
configuration.
• Cross-member link aggregation: Cross-member link
aggregation allows redundant link aggregation connections
between devices in a single Virtual Chassis configuration,
providing an additional level of reliability and availability.
• Carrier-class hardware: The EX4300 leverages a purpose-
built packet forwarding engine ASIC, the EX-PFE, which
integrates much of the same intellectual property used
in Juniper Networks carrier-class routers. As a result, the
EX4300 delivers the same predictable, scalable functionality
found in the world’s largest networks.
• IPv4 and IPv6 routing support: IPv4 and IPv6 Layer 3 routing
(OSPF and BGP) is available with an Enhanced license,
enabling highly resilient networks.
4
Data SheetEX4300 Eth ernet Swit ch
Carrier-Class Operating System
The EX4300 runs on Junos OS, the same operating system
software used by other Juniper Networks switches, routers, and
security devices.
By utilizing a common operating system, Juniper delivers a
consistent implementation and operation of control plane
features across all products. To maintain that consistency, Junos
OS adheres to a highly disciplined development process that
utilizes a single source code, follows a single quarterly release
train, and employs a highly available modular architecture that
prevents isolated failures from bringing an entire system down.
These attributes are fundamental to the core value of the
software, enabling all products powered by Junos OS to be
updated simultaneously with the same software release. All
features are fully regression tested, making each new release a
true superset of the previous version. Customers can deploy the
software with complete confidence that all existing capabilities
will be maintained and operate in the same way.
Converged Networks
The EX4300 line of Ethernet switches provides the highest levels
of availability for the most demanding converged data, voice,
and video environments, delivering the most reliable platform for
unifying enterprise communications.
The EX4300 supports rich quality of service (QoS) functionality
for prioritizing data, voice, and video traffic. The switches
support 12 QoS queues on every port, enabling them to maintain
multilevel, end-to-end traffic prioritizations. The EX4300 also
supports a wide range of policy options, including priority and
weighted deficit round-robin (WDRR) queuing.
By providing 15.4 watts of Class 3 802.3af PoE on all ports to
power voice over IP (VoIP) telephones, closed-circuit security
cameras, wireless access points, and other IP-enabled devices, the
EX4300 delivers a future-proofed solution for converging disparate
networks onto a single IP infrastructure. The EX4300 switches also
support standards-based 802.3at PoE+, which delivers up to 30
watts per port for powering networked devices like multiple radio
IEEE 802.11n wireless access points and video phones that may
require more power than available with IEEE 802.3af.
Link Layer Discovery Protocol–Media Endpoint Discovery (LLDP-
MED)-based granular PoE/PoE+ management allows the
EX4300 to negotiate PoE/PoE+ usage down to a fraction of a
watt on powered devices, enabling more efficient PoE utilization
across the switch.
To ease deployment, the EX4300 supports the industry-
standard LLDP and LLDP-MED, which enable the switches to
automatically discover Ethernet-enabled devices, determine their
power requirements, and assign virtual LAN (VLAN) parameters.
The EX4300 supports the IEEE 802.3az standard for Energy
Efficient Ethernet (EEE) functionality, reducing power
consumption of copper physical layers (PHY) during periods of
low link utilization.
Security
The EX4300 line of Ethernet switches fully integrates with
Juniper Networks Unified Access Control (UAC), which
consolidates all aspects of a user’s identity, device, and location,
enabling administrators to enforce access control and security
down to the individual port or user levels.
Building 1
Closet 2.1
Building 1
Closet 1.1
EX4300
Virtual Chassis
10GbE MACsec
Connections
10GbE MACsec Connections
Figure 7: MACsec deployment with EX4300 and EX4550 switches.
Floor 2
10GbE MACsec Connections
Floor 1
Building 1
Closet 3.1
Building 2
or EX4550/EX4200 Mixed Virtual Chassis
EX4300
Floor 3
Virtual Chassis
Floor 1
EX4550 Virtual Chassis
5
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