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The EX4300 line of Ethernet switches delivers the performance, flexibility, and scale required for both campus and data center Gigabit Ethernet (GbE) access switch environments. When deployed in a Virtual Chassis configuration, the EX4300 delivers the operational simplicity and higher logical scale that businesses demand. Combining compact, pay-as-you-grow economics and low power and cooling with the performance, availability, and port densities of chassis-based platforms, the EX4300 enables businesses to deploy with speed and agility to increase revenue and improve productivity.
The EX4300 is onboarded, provisioned, and managed in the Juniper Mist Cloud Architecture. Mist Wired Assurance delivers better experiences for connected devices through AI-powered automation and service levels.
Product DescriptionThe Juniper Networks®EX4300 line of Ethernet switches with Virtual Chassis technology combines the carrier-class reliability of modular systems with the economics and flexibility of stackable platforms, delivering a high-performance, scalable solution for data center, campus, and branch office environments. Both 1GbE access and multigigabit switch options are available.
Offering a full suite of Layer 2 and Layer 3 switching capabilities, the EX4300 enables a variety of deployments, including campus, branch, and data center access. A 48-port EX4300 switch can be deployed initially. As requirements grow, Juniper’s Virtual Chassis technology allows any combination of up to 10 EX4300 and/or EX4600 switches to be seamlessly interconnected and managed as a single device, delivering a scalable, pay-as-you-grow solution for expanding network environments. A pair of 32-port EX4300 fiber switches can also be deployed as a consolidated aggregation or small core switch. Additionally, the EX4300 can integrate with the Juniper Networks QFX5100 line of 10GbE and 40GbE data center access switches in a single stack or Virtual Chassis configuration, enabling nondisruptive 10GbE server upgrades and simplified management of a mixed access environment.
The EX4300 switches can be interconnected over multiple 40GbE quad small form-factor pluggable plus (QSFP+) transceiver ports to form a 320 gigabit per second (Gbps) backplane. A flexible uplink module that supports both 1GbE and 10GbE options is also available, enabling high-speed connectivity to aggregation- or core-layer switches which connect multiple floors or buildings.
All EX4300 switches include high availability (HA) features such as redundant, hot-swappable internal power supplies and field-replaceable fans to ensure maximum uptime.
Chassis-Like Features in an Expandable Form FactorThe fixed-configuration EX4300 switches include a number of high availability features typically associated with chassis-based solutions, including the following:
Each EX4300 switch includes a single ASIC-based Packet Forwarding Engine, the EX-PFE. The integrated Routing Engine (RE) delivers all control plane functionality. The EX4300 also leverages the same modular Junos OS as other Juniper Networks switches, routers, and security devices, ensuring a consistent implementation and operation of control plane features across the Juniper Networks infrastructure.
Architecture and Key ComponentsThe EX4300 switches are single rack unit (1 U) devices that deliver a compact solution for crowded wiring closets and access switch locations where space and power are at a premium. Each EX4300 supports standard 40GbE QSFP+ ports which are preconfigured to support high-speed Virtual Chassis backplane connections; on the 1GbE access switches, these ports can also serve as uplinks to upstream aggregation devices. In addition, each EX4300 supports an optional front panel uplink module offering 1GbE or 10GbE ports for high-speed backbone or link aggregation connections between wiring closets and upstream aggregation switches; the multigigabit model offers a choice between a 4-port 10GbE SFP+ uplink module or a 2-port 40GbE QSFP+/2-port 100GbE QSFP28 uplink module. Uplink modules can be installed without powering down the switch, enabling users to add high-speed connectivity at any time or migrate from one uplink type to the other, delivering the ultimate in flexible, high-performance interconnectivity.
The 1GbE access EX4300 models also feature a front panel LCD that offers a flexible interface for performing device bring-up and configuration rollbacks, reporting switch alarm and LED status, or restoring the switch to its default settings. When deployed as a member of a Virtual Chassis configuration, the LCD also displays the switch’s chassis “slot number” and RE status for rapid identification and problem resolution.
The four integrated rear panel 40GbE QSFP+ ports support EX4300 Virtual Chassis deployment over a 320 Gbps virtual backplane. When deployed in close proximity such as in wiring closets or in top-of-rack data center applications, the EX4300 switches can be securely connected using standard 40GbE QSFP+ direct attach copper (DAC) cables (available in 50 cm, 1 m, 3 m, and 5 m lengths).
Switches deployed in Virtual Chassis configurations spread over larger areas can be interconnected using optical QSFP+ transceivers such as the QSFP+ SR4, which supports distances up to 150 m.
A dedicated rear panel RJ-45 port is available for out-of-band management, while a rear panel USB port can be used to easily upload Junos OS and configuration files. In addition, a dedicated front panel USB console port and a rear panel RJ-45 console port offer flexible out-of-band console options.
Documentation