Juniper MX Series, 2nd Edition

Chapter 1. Juniper MX Architecture

Back in 1998, Juniper Networks released its first router, the M40. Leveraging Application-Specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs), the M40 was able to outperform any other router architecture. The M40 was also the first router to have a true separation of the control and data planes, and the M Series was born. Originally, the model name M40 referred to its ability to process 40 million packets per second (Mpps). As the product portfolio expanded, the “M” now refers to the multiple services available on the router, such as MPLS with a wide variety of VPNs. The primary use case for the M Series was to allow Service Providers to deliver services based on IP while at the same time supporting legacy frame relay and ATM networks.

Fast-forward 10 years and the number of customers that Service Providers have to support has increased exponentially. Frame relay and ATM have been decimated, as customers are demanding high-speed Layer 2 and Layer 3 Ethernet-based services. Large Enterprise companies are becoming more Service Provider-like and are offering IP services to departments and subsidiaries.

Nearly all networking equipment connects via Ethernet. It’s one of the most well understood and deployed networking technologies used today. Companies have challenging requirements to reduce operating costs and at the same time provide more services. Ethernet enables the simplification in network operations, administration, and maintenance.

The MX Series was introduced ...