Juniper Rounds Out the MX-series and Offers MPLS Plug n Play for Carrier Ethernet

| September 25, 2007 | Carrier Infrastructure | Competitive Intelligence Report

| Analyst: Glen Hunt

Current Perspective: Very Positive
Vendor Importance: Very High
Market Impact: High

Event Summary

On September 25th Juniper announced the expansion of its MX-series and new features to address operational issues in delivering Ethernet solutions. The additions include: the new MX480 and MX240 platforms which fills the scalability gap, the multiple versions of the MX-series’ Dense Port Concentrators (DPCs) which enables more cost effective solutions for Layer 2, Layer 3 and for premium QoS intensive services, and the Plug N Play MPLS features, which reduce operational complexity for providers.

Analytical Summary

• Current Perspective: Very positive on Juniper’s announced expansion of its MX-series family and new features aimed at addressing the operational issues associated with delivering Ethernet solutions for mass market deployment. The additions include: the new MX480 and MX240 platforms which fills the family’s scalability gap, the addition of multiple versions of the MX-series’ Dense Port Concentrators (DPCs) which enables more cost effective solutions for Layer 2, Layer 3 and for premium QoS intensive services, and the Plug N Play MPLS features which reduce operational complexity and corresponding expense for the service provider.

• Vendor Importance: Very high to Juniper, because the MX-series is critical to the company’s success in garnering a significant share of the rapidly emerging Ethernet services edge and to provide cost effective solutions for the Ethernet access and aggregation market segments. Both segments of this market are projected to grow at a CARG (2007-2011) of 16.64% and 17.08% respectively, according to the Synergy Research Group. Juniper is not a new player in providing carrier Ethernet capabilities, but has not previously offered a scalable Ethernet-only solution with the flexibility and cost points that are provided by the MX-series.

• Market Impact: High on the carrier Ethernet service router and aggregation markets since with the new MX-series platforms coupled with Juniper’s battle-tested JUNOS operating system the company can launch a full scale attack on the overall carrier Ethernet market. The MX-series is aimed directly at the products such as the Cisco 7600 series and the Alcatel-Lucent 7X50 series and brings with it strong performance and cost attributes. Also of significance, is the ability to leverage new developments such as the I-Chip to improve the cost/performance of the M-series routers, which serves the traditional multi-service edge (MSE) market segment, this enables existing Juniper customers to leverage the company’s newest technology.

Recommended Competitor Actions

• Alcatel-Lucent should highlight the traction and depth that its IP portfolio brings to the carrier Ethernet market which includes its 7750 Service Router, 7450 Ethernet Service Switch, 5620 Service Aware Manager, 5750 Subscriber Service Controller (SCC), and the recently launched 5650 Control Plane Assurance Manager.

• Cisco should show the continued evolution of its IP NGN portfolio and the new capabilities of the 7600, such as increased GigE and 10 GigE densities, integrated BRAS, content management, DPI etc.

• Ericsson should highlight its SmartEdge’ portfolio, end-to-end service delivery and professional services. It should note the SmartEdge 1200; its third-generation multiservice edge router, supports triple play services such as HDTV, HD VoD and broadband mobility as well as business services.

• Nokia Siemens Networks (NSN) should highlight its leadership position in wireline and wireless market segments and tout the capabilities of its hiD6600 series Ethernet access and aggregation platforms.

• Ethernet equipment suppliers such as Extreme, Foundry and Force 10 should highlight their next generation platforms such as the BD 10800/12000 series, XMR/MLX series and E-series respectively. All should show customer traction and their leadership in industry events, forums and next generation technologies.

Recommended End-User Actions

• Service providers should evaluate the merits of Juniper’s MPLS Plug N Play and the associated automation tools that are offered to improve service delivery and reduce on-going operational costs. With OpEx concerns being high on the minds and budgets of all service providers, the ability to offer automated systems that can proactively adapt to network changes and events can significantly reduce the cost of network operations.

• Service providers should evaluate the value propositions offered by Juniper’s JUNOS-based solutions which extend from the IP core to the Ethernet access points. With a consistent set of service aware features, service provider’s can select the platform that best meets their capacity, density and cost parameters.

• Service providers should contrast CapEx and OpEx metrics of Juniper-based solutions against those provided by their current equipment suppliers. Service providers need to contrast the impact of going with best of breed point solutions relative to integrated solutions from the same provider. Service providers should press vendors for further interoperability at the control and network management layers to insure multivendor solutions, now that standards are well entrenched in the transport layers of the network.

• Existing Juniper customers should consider adding the new MX-series platforms to their network plans to address issues such as capacity (the MX960), service models (Layer 2, Layer 3), quality of service (DPC-EQ) and overall cost operational effectiveness.

• Service providers should evaluate the value propositions that the MX-series offers in various market segments such as wireline, wireline, CSP, cable MSO and data center. The MX-series can scale from the access to the core which can provide a consistent single platform family that addresses the needs of each network layer. Service providers should press Juniper for market specific proof points that leverage the strengths of the MX-series.

Top