Juniper EX4200 Product Overview

3
Virtual Chassis Technology
Up to 10 EX4200 switches can be interconnected using Virtual
Chassis technology to create a single logical device supporting up
to 480 10/100/1000BASE-T ports or 240 100/1000BASE-X ports,
plus an additional 40 GbE or 20 10GbE uplink ports. Additionally,
EX4200s can be interconnected in a Virtual Chassis configuration
that also includes EX4500s, creating a single logical switch
that offers a variety of port and density options for mixed server
environments.
In a Virtual Chassis configuration, all 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 GbE or 10GbE uplink ports to extend
the Virtual Chassis configuration across long distances spanning
multiple wiring closets, floors or even buildings.
Figure 2: Using Virtual Chassis technology, up to 10 EX4200
switches can be interconnected to create a single logical device
spanning multiple wiring closets, floors or even buildings.
Features and Benefits
Chassis-Class Availability
The EX4200 line of Ethernet switches deliver the same HA
functionality and support many of the same failover capabilities
as other Juniper chassis-based systems.
Each EX4200 switch is capable of functioning as a Route Engine.
When two or more EX4200 switches are interconnected, they
share a single control plane among all Virtual Chassis member
switches. When two EX4200 switches are interconnected, Junos
OS automatically initiates an election process to assign a master
(active) and backup (hot-standby) Route Engine. An integrated
Layer 2 and Layer 3 Graceful Route Engine Switchover (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 by the network operations team 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 EX4200 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 EX4200 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 EX4200 with true carrier-
class reliability.
• Redundant power supplies: The EX4200 line of Ethernet
switches support internal redundant, load-sharing, hot-swappable
and field-replaceable AC and DC power supplies to maintain
uninterrupted operations. Thanks to their compact footprint, the
EX4200 requires significantly less power than chassis-based
switches delivering equivalent port densities.
• Hot-swappable fan tray with multiple blowers: The EX4200
includes a hot-swappable, field-replaceable fan tray with three
blowers, providing sucient cooling even if one of the blowers
were to fail.
• Redundant Trunk Group (RTG): To avoid the complexities of
the Spanning Tree Protocol (STP) without sacrificing network
resiliency, the EX4200 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 EX4200 leverages a purpose-built
packet forwarding engine ASIC, the EX-PFE, which integrates
much of the same intellectual property used in Juniper Networks
carrier routers. As a result, the EX4200 delivers the same
predictable, scalable functionality found in the world’s largest
networks.
• Non-Stop Bridging (NSB) and Non-Stop Routing (NSR): NSB
and NSR on the EX4200 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.
• Non-Stop Soware Upgrade (NSSU): With NSSU, all members
of a Virtual Chassis system can be upgraded with a single
command. Mission-critical trac can be configured as a link
aggregate across multiple Virtual Chassis switch members,
ensuring minimal disruption during the upgrade process.
• IPv4 and IPv6 routing support: IPv4 and IPv6 Layer 3 routing
(OSPF and PIM) is available in the base license, enabling highly
resilient networks.
East Closet
Floor N
10GbE
Single
Virtual
Chassis
System
EX4200
West Closet
EX4200
Graceful Route
Engine Switchover
(GRES) for hitless
failovers
Master RE
Backup RE
EX4200
Figure 3: Support for Graceful Route Engine Switchover (GRES)
ensures a smooth and seamless transfer of control plane functions
following a master Route Engine failure.

Juniper EX4200 Specifications

General

Model	EX4200
Switching Capacity	128 Gbps
Layer	Layer 2 and Layer 3
Form Factor	1U
Throughput	96 Mpps
Maximum VLANs	4096
MAC Address Table Size	16, 000
DRAM	1 GB
Flash Memory	1 GB
Forwarding Rate	96 Mpps
JUNOS Software	Yes
Ports	24 or 48
Stacking	Up to 10 switches in a Virtual Chassis configuration
Power Supply	AC or DC
Management	CLI, SNMP, J-Web
Input Voltage	100-240 VAC or -48 VDC
Operating Temperature	0°C to 45°C
Redundancy	Redundant power supplies
Virtual Chassis Technology	Yes
Storage Temperature	-40°C to 70°C
Humidity	5% to 90% non-condensing