Spec Sheet

4
Data SheetEX3300 Ethernet Switch
Junos Operating System
The EX3300 switches run the same Junos OS used by other EX
Series Ethernet Switches, as well as Juniper routers and Juniper
Networks SRX Series Services Gateways. By utilizing a common
operating system, Juniper delivers a consistent implementation
and operation of control plane features across all products.
To maintain that consistency, Junos OS adheres to a highly
disciplined development process that uses a single source code,
follows a single quarterly release train, and employs a highly
available modular architecture that prevents isolated failures
from bringing an entire system down.
These attributes are fundamental to the core value of the
software, enabling all Junos OS-powered products to be updated
simultaneously with the same software release. All features are
fully regression tested, making each new release a true superset
of the previous version; customers can deploy the software
with complete confidence that all existing capabilities will be
maintained and operate in the same way.
High Availability
The EX3300 line of Ethernet switches is designed to support
many of the same failover capabilities and high availability (HA)
functionality as the Juniper Networks EX4200 line of Ethernet
switches with Virtual Chassis technology.
Each EX3300 switch is capable of functioning as a Routing
Engine when deployed in a Virtual Chassis configuration. When
two or more EX3300 switches are interconnected in a Virtual
Chassis configuration, all member switches share a single control
plane. Junos OS automatically initiates an election process to
assign a master (active) and backup (hot-standby) Routing
Engine. An integrated Layer 2 and Layer 3 graceful Routing Engine
switchover (GRES) feature maintains uninterrupted access to
applications, services, and IP communications in the unlikely
event of a master Routing Engine failure.
When more than two switches are interconnected in a Virtual
Chassis configuration, the remaining switch elements act as line
cards and are available to assume the backup Routing Engine
position should the designated master fail. Master, backup
and line card priority status can be assigned by the network
operations team to dictate the order of ascension. This N+1
Routing Engine redundancy, coupled with GRES, the nonstop
routing (NSR) and, in the future, the nonstop bridging (NSB)
capabilities of Junos OS, ensures a smooth transfer of control
plane functions following unexpected failures.
The EX3300 also supports the following HA features:
• Redundant trunk group: To avoid the complexities of
Spanning Tree Protocol (STP) without sacrificing network
resiliency, the EX3300 employs redundant trunk groups to
provide the necessary port redundancy and simplify switch
configuration.
• Cross-member link aggregation: Cross-member link
aggregation allows redundant link aggregation connections
between devices in a single Virtual Chassis configuration,
providing an additional level of reliability and availability.
• Non-Stop Bridging (NSB) and Non-stop Routing (NSR):
NSB and NSR on the EX3300 switch ensure control plane
protocols, states and tables are synchronized between
master and backup REs to prevent protocol flaps or
convergence issues following a Routing Engine failover.
• Non-Stop Soware Upgrade (NSSU): With NSSU, all
members of an EX3300 Virtual Chassis configuration can
be upgraded with a single command. Mission-critical trac
can be configured as a link aggregate across multiple Virtual
Chassis switch members, ensuring minimal disruption during
the upgrade process.
Simplified Management and Operations
When deployed in a Virtual Chassis configuration, the EX3300
dramatically simplifies network management. Up to 10
interconnected EX3300 switches can be managed as a single
device utilizing a single Junos OS image file and a single
configuration file, reducing the overall number of units to monitor
and manage. When the Junos OS is upgraded on the master
switch in an EX3300 Virtual Chassis configuration, the software
is automatically upgraded on all other member switches at the
same time.
The EX3300 includes port profiles that allow network
administrators to automatically configure ports with security,
QoS, and other parameters based on the type of device
connected to the port. Six preconfigured profiles are available,
including default, desktop, desktop plus IP phone, WLAN access
point, routed uplink, and Layer 2 uplink. Users can select from
the existing profiles or create their own and apply them through
the command-line interface (CLI), J-Web Software interface, or
Junos Space network management system.
In addition, a feature called System Snapshot makes a copy
of all software files used to run the switch, including the Junos
operating system, the active configuration and the rescue
configuration, that can be used to reboot the switch at the next
power-up or as a backup boot option. The Junos OS software
can also be preinstalled on a flash drive and used to boot the
EX3300 at any time.
Another feature, called automatic software download, enables
network administrators to easily upgrade the EX3300 using
the DHCP message exchange process to download and install
software packages. Users simply configure the automatic
software download feature on EX3300 switches acting as DHCP
clients and establish a path to the server where the software
package file is installed. The server then communicates the path
to the software package file through DHCP server messages.
An EZ touchless provisioning feature allows a DHCP server to
push configuration details and software images to multiple
switches at bootup.