Juniper EX4300-48T User Manual

Data Sheet

EX4300 Ethernet

Switch

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 24port 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 formfactor 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 aggregationor core-layer switches which connect multiple floors or buildings.

All EX4300 switches include high availability (HA) features such as redundant, hotswappable internal power supplies and field-replaceable fans to ensure maximum uptime. In addition, Power over Ethernet (PoE)-enabled EX4300 switch models offer standardsbased 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 software upgrades

•Scalability from 24 to 480 10/100/1000BASE-T ports, with up to 40 10GbE uplinks and 40 40GbE uplinks

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EX4300 Ethernet Switch	Data Sheet

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.

		10/40GbE			10/40GbE
Closet 1	EX4300	40GbE Virtual	Closet 1	EX4300	40GbE Virtual
		Chassis Port			Chassis Port
		EX4300-32F			EX4300-32F
		10GbE/40GbE			10GbE/40GbE
		uplinks			uplinks

Closet 2

Closet 2

	EX4300-32F		EX4300-32F
	EX4300		EX4300
	Aggregation/		Aggregation/
Access	Core	Access	Core

Figure 1: Using Virtual Chassis technology, up to 10 EX4300 switches can be interconnected to create a single logical device spanning multiple wiring closets.

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EX4300 Ethernet Switch	Data Sheet

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
Closet 1	EX4300	40GbE Virtual
		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.

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.

Collapsed Core/Aggregation

Full Mesh

Virtual Chassis

10/40GbE

40GbE Virtual

Chassis Port

Access

Figure 4: EX4300 switches in a full mesh Virtual Chassis configuration 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	EX9200	EX9200	SRX Series
Active	RE Eligible	Hot-Standby	RE Eligible

QFX5100

QFX5100

QFX5100

QFX5100

Node #1

Node #2

Node #3

Node #4

Node #16

(QFX5100)

(QFX3500)

(QFX3600)

(EX4300)

(QFX5100)

Figure 5: EX4300, QFX3500, QFX3600 and QFX5100 at the access layer of Virtual Chassis Fabric configuration.

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EX4300 Ethernet Switch	Data Sheet

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	Junos
	EX9200	Fusion
		Enterprise

Aggregation Devices

Figure 6: EX4300 switches as Satellite devices in a Junos Fusion Enterprise architecture.

Features and Benefits

Chassis-Class Availability

The EX4300 line of Ethernet switches delivers high availability through redundant power supplies and fans, GRES, and nonstop 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 chassislike 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 carrierclass reliability.

•Redundant power supplies: The EX4300 line of Ethernet switches supports internal redundant, load-sharing, hotswappable, 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 sufficient 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 purposebuilt 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.

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EX4300 Ethernet Switch	Data Sheet

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 industrystandard 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		Floor 2	Building 1	Floor 3
	EX4300		EX4300
	Virtual Chassis		Virtual Chassis
Closet 2.1			Closet 3.1
	10GbE MACsec	10GbE MACsec Connections
	Connections
Building 1		Floor 1	Building 2	Floor 1
			EX4550 Virtual Chassis
			or EX4550/EX4200 Mixed Virtual Chassis
Closet 1.1	10GbE MACsec Connections

Figure 7: MACsec deployment with EX4300 and EX4550 switches.

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