JUNOS® FOR DUMMIES®

Chapter 1. Getting Familiar with JUNOS Software

Have you ever considered what it takes for the operating system (OS) on your computer to keep everything running smoothly? How it must allocate system resources and manage tasks so that you can keep typing, even while you're printing or an application is performing an autosave? If you type for most of the day, you probably notice it a lot.

Now, consider everything that a network operating system (NOS) must do to keep your network running smoothly. Not only does it need to process a gazillion details, such as figuring out how to direct traffic from each point A to each point Z, but it also has the weighty task of delivering the bazillions of packets cruising your network to their destinations. And, don't forget the NOS has to track and apply all those special services and security rules that you've requested.

The engineers of a network operating system have their work cut out for them, not only because of all the different design and development options, but because everyone wants their network to be always ready, and fast, without pauses, such as a momentary freezing of the cursor. Just as the OS that you use on your desktop affects the way that you do certain tasks and the efficiency of your computer, the operating system that runs on your networking platforms impacts their speed and ease of management, not to mention your network's reliability and security. In this chapter, we explore JUNOS software.

Exploring the Functions of Network ...