1.2 Juniper Networks M-Series


The M-Series routers from Juniper Networks provide a full-featured advanced routing platform that scales for continued next -generation support. Juniper Networks has achieved the ability to provide superior performance, interoperability, and service guarantees . These factors allow providers and enterprise operators to see a return on investment within a reasonable period of time.

This section introduces the Juniper Networks M-Series family of routers, looks at how the M-Series is being deployed, and reviews the various market segments.

1.2.1 Introducing the M40 ”September 16, 1998

Juniper Networks' original product offerings came in the form of the M-Series of routers. On September 16, 1998, Juniper Networks announced its first product to market. The M40 was the first router of its kind capable of scaling to meet current Internet needs. With the initial offering of the M40 came the Internet Processor I. The proprietary ASIC was the fundamental core of the Juniper Networks packet forwarding engine (PFE), which consists of shared memory, a single forwarding table, and one-write/one-read architecture. The entire PFE is capable of forwarding 40Mbps, a capacity more than 100-times greater than that of other available router architectures at the time. The fully programmable Internet Processor I was engineered to scale with ease.

With the release of the M40, Juniper Networks redefined how the Internet routed traffic. The ability to achieve increased forwarding rates and dynamic updates to forwarding information while maintaining wire-speed transmission was proof that the designers were onto something.

This first offering also came with a large variety of interface types, and the nature of the architecture provided maximum flexibility. The following section discusses the target market that Juniper Networks aimed for with this product release. More specific information on the M-Series components will be discussed in Chapter 3.

1.2.2 Juniper Networks Market Segments

With the advent of the M-Series, Juniper Networks was able to deploy solutions to virtually each and every market segment. In this section, we will focus on how Juniper Networks routers are positioned and how their product line is built to scale for the largest provider networks.

Juniper Networks routers can be implemented in just about any scenario. There are three market segments in which there is a concentrated focus on delivery:

  1. Core

  2. Edge

  3. Mobile

1.2.2.1 Core

The M-Series of routers are capable of handling core-traffic demands while addressing both QoS and CoS issues. With the use of the new Internet Processor II and functionality available in the JUNOS code, the M-Series routers outperform, with greater reliability, any other core device.

The core segment consists of many different operational functions. Some of these functions are line-rate forwarding, peering, IP/ATM, MPLS, Multicast, and Layer 2 and Layer 3 virtual private networks (VPNs). Juniper Networks routers are capable of providing all of these services on a single platform.

1.2.2.2 Edge

Edge aggregation is currently one of the fastest growing sectors in the carrier market space. The continuing growth of the Internet forces providers to develop greater scalability at the edge and smooth migration strategies. The M-Series allows this. Its design means the new core can be established and the dual-purpose router can be pushed to the edge, providing maximum port density.

On the edge, the M-Series routers provide both dedicated access solutions and edge aggregation. The ability to provide port density, forwarding performance, and packet processing without sacrificing overall performance makes the M-Series a solid contender in the service provider industry. The smaller access market is being addressed with the M5 and M10 products. The current throughput capabilities of both the M5 and M10 positions make either a good choice for an enterprise core attached to an upstream of M20 or M40 routers.

1.2.2.3 Mobile

The current mobile network infrastructures are migrating to next-generation (2.5G) and third-generation (3G) networks. This creates a strong case for an Internet Protocol (IP)-based core platform capable of providing end-to-end QoS and full scalability.

With this continuing evolution of wireless technologies, integrating these services into existing architectures is essential. With current and projected growth of the subscriber base for this aspect of the industry, robust functionality is key. The ability to provide IPv4, IPv6, MPLS, and VPN solutions is critical to the mobile infrastructure. Juniper Networks provides a scalable architecture that will allow operators to grow while still getting a good return on their investment.

In summary, Juniper Networks targets the core, edge, and mobile market segments. It also deploys, however, into the smaller competitive local exchange carrier (CLEC) and metropolitan area networks (MANs), as well as into large-enterprise infrastructures. Its competitive edge in performance alone will likely continue to guarantee success in these areas.

1.2.3 M-Series Models

Juniper Networks offers the M-Series family of routers to meet the needs for the three key market segments. This section introduces these models in the order in which they appeared, but for more detailed information, refer to Chapter 3.

1.2.3.1 M40

The M40, introduced in September 1998, was the first model to market. With its 40Gbps throughput, it typically is used at the network edge. Lack of component redundancy in this architecture makes utilization as a core or peering device less desirable.

1.2.3.2 M20

The M20 was introduced in December 1999. It was the first Juniper Networks router to use the improved Internet Processor II ASIC. The M20 is capable of 20Gbps throughput and supports routing engine redundancy. This makes it a more attractive choice for peering and midrange core applications.

1.2.3.3 M160

The M160 first shipped in March 2000 and was the first router to market with an optical carrier (OC)-192 (10Gbps) interface. The M160 is capable of 160Gbps throughput, the highest port density of any Juniper Networks offering and the best choice for the service-provider core. Unlike smaller core networks, the Internet service provider (ISP) core is based upon carrier-class performance. This means that the platform must operate within defined parameters relating to redundancy, survivability , and uptime. Although the numbers remain undisclosed by Juniper Networks, the mean time between failures (MTBF) is estimated to be more than 200,000 hours. The numbers vary based upon platform and hardware configurations.

Independent testing has shown the M160 to outperform the competition in Border Gateway Protocol (BGP) table capacity, MPLS label-switched - path (LSP) capacity, route flapping recovery at OC-192 speeds, convergence at both OC-192 and OC-48 speeds, and filtering at both OC-192 and OC-48 speeds. In additional tests, the M160 has matched or exceeded the competition in the areas of CoS at OC-48 and OC-192 speeds, and IP and MPLS baseline testing at OC-48 and OC-192 speeds. [2] The M160 platform provides maximum throughput and the port density necessary for the next generation of Internet architectures. The leveraging of the M160 for core routing, anywhere performance, and end-to-end QoS makes it a premier leader now and for the foreseeable future.

[2] Based on independent testing performed by Light Reading and Network Test. See www.lightreading.com for a full report.

1.2.3.4 M5 and M10

The M5 and M10 models were both introduced in September 2000. They share architectural similarities, but the M5 is capable of 5Gbps throughput, while the M10 is capable of 10Gbps throughput. Although neither platform provides switching- or routing-engine redundancy, they play a major role in smaller core networks as either a core or an edge device. Because of their small footprint, their deployment in smaller CLEC and MANs, as well as enterprise markets, is becoming more widespread.

1.2.3.5 M40e

The newest of the M-Series products, introduced in 2002, is the M40e. This model provides a more resilient architecture than the M40 because it is equipped with redundant switching and routing engines. This makes the platform a scalable replacement for the M20 on the edge because of its higher port density. It is also a good choice for the network core. The continuing evolution of Juniper Networks products provides more evidence of their commitment to providing high-performance, resilient, scalable solutions.

1.2.4 Beyond the M-Series

Although they fall outside the scope of this book, two new Juniper Networks products are reshaping the way networks are being designed:

  1. The G10 [Cable Modem Termination System (CMTS)]

  2. The J20/AXB 250 06 Gateway GPRS Support Node (GGSN) (a joint venture with Ericsson)

1.2.4.1 G10

Through an acquisition, Juniper Networks has brought the G10 CMTS device to the cable-based carrier network. The advanced capability of the G10 allows cable companies to provide next-generation IP services to their customers at a low cost per port.

1.2.4.2 J20/AXB 250 06 GGSN

EJN Mobile IP is the joint venture of Ericsson and Juniper Networks formed to bring the J20/AXB 250 06 Gateway GPRS Support Node, or GGSN, to the mobile carrier market. (GPRS stands for general packet radio service. It allows carriers to provide packet-based services to their mobile subscribers.) This product will be sold exclusively by Ericsson. The AXB 250 06 GGSN is the first GGSN-specific platform built to provide robust routing and edge technology for mobile networks migrating to 2.5G and 3G architectures. More information on this joint venture can be found at www.ejnmobileip.com.

Juniper Networks recognized the need to educate its user base in both its products and in these new advances and, as a result, created the Juniper Networks Education Services. The next section will take a closer look at this initiative.



Juniper Networks Reference Guide. JUNOS Routing, Configuration, and Architecture
Juniper Networks Reference Guide: JUNOS Routing, Configuration, and Architecture: JUNOS Routing, Configuration, and Architecture
ISBN: 0201775921
EAN: 2147483647
Year: 2002
Pages: 176

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