Juniper Networks MX240 manual Router Overview, Router Description

Chapter 1

Router Overview

This chapter provides an overview of the MX240 Ethernet Services Router, discussing the following topics:

■Router Description on page 3

■Component Redundancy on page 4

Router Description

The MX240 Ethernet Services Router is an Ethernet-optimized edge router that provides both switching and carrier-class Ethernet routing, with a capacity of up to 120 gigabits per second (Gbps), full duplex. The MX240 router enables a wide range of business and residential applications and services, including high-speed transport and VPN services, next-generation broadband multiplay services, and high-volume Internet data center internetworking.

The MX240 router is five rack units (U) tall. Several routers can be stacked in a single floor-to-ceiling rack, for increased port density per unit of floor space. Fully populated, the MX240 provides up to 120 Gigabit Ethernet or up to 12 10-Gigabit Ethernet ports.

The router provides two dedicated slots for Dense Port Concentrators (DPC), one dedicated slot for a Switch Control Board (SCB), and one multifunction slot for either one DPC or one SCB.

The Packet Forwarding Engines are combined with the Ethernet ports on a Dense Port Concentrator (DPC), which installs into the router chassis. Each Packet Forwarding Engine enables a throughput of 10 Gbps. The DPCs are connected to one or two SCBs. The connections between DPCs and SCBs are organized in three groups:

■Switch Fabric—Connects the DPCs and provides for packet transport between DPCs.

■Control plane—Gigabit Ethernet links between the combined SCBs/Routing Engines and each DPC. All board-to-board information is passed over Ethernet except for low-level status and commands.

■Management signals—Provide low-level status diagnostic support.

Router Description ■ 3