Juniper Unveils Converged Super Core Architecture – Is It a Switch, a Transport Box or Both?

Event Summary

March 3, 2011 – Juniper unveiled its Supercore Architecture, and the new PTX Series Packet Transport Switch, which will consolidate optical transport, packet switching and management to deliver a converged Supercore. Merging core packet and optical network layers reduces network complexity while improving the economics of supporting increasingly unpredictable traffic patterns driven by the rapid growth of mobile, video and cloud computing applications. NTT endorsed the Supercore announcement.

Quick Take

Analytical Summary

• Current Perspective: Very positive on Juniper’s Converged Supercore architecture and product launch, because it offers an integrated IP-optical approach to help service providers support the rapid growth in devices, applications and cloud services. In addition to the rapid growth in service demand, next generation IP-optical solutions need to provide flexibility and bandwidth efficiency to respond to unpredictable traffic patterns, at much lower costs than multi-box solutions can deliver. The architecture is anchored by the new 3,800 Tbps capable PTX Packet Transport Switch. NTT Communications endorsed the approach as a cost-effective solution that reduces complexity while providing the scalability it needs. The announcement is further embellished by endorsements from NTT Communications, and long term strategic partner, Nokia Siemens Networks.

• Vendor Importance: Very high to Juniper, because this is the company’s first major entry into the next generation packet optical platforms. The new PTX series combines Juniper’s proven MPLS switching technology with new optical transport technology into one fully managed platform. The move represents significant opportunities for Juniper beginning in 2012 - 2013, and if played well, it can establish Juniper in a leadership position in the packet-optical transport market. Juniper’s Junos Express silicon powers the PTX platform, and represents a significant intellectual property advantage over competitors in terms of performance, functionality and ultimately cost, some of whom are mashing platforms together to achieve an equivalent level of integratione.

• Market Impact: Very high on the transport and routing markets, specifically the IP core routing, next generation optical switching and transport segments, because the new PTX Series Supercore switch, which is targeted for trials in Q3 2011, provides massive scale, while eliminating multiple network layers to significantly reduce complexity and cost. The scalable PTX Series comes complete with the management tools, such as modeling, provisioning and OAM. However, service provides will not flash cut to the proposed converged Supercore model; most will likely require a migration strategy, which moves them from separate domains to a hybrid model using the PTX as an MPLS switch, and then finally to a PTX based converged Supercore. To support customers in this endeavor, Juniper has added a special professional services capability to provide design, optimization and simulation assistance.

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