Juniper’s new QFabric switching architecture could be a boon to transceiver makers

In February, Juniper announced its QFabric switching architecture aimed at collapsing the traditional three-layer network where edge, aggregation, and core switches are replaced with distributed switches (single tier). This is one more competitive shot at Cisco with a unique product approach. In time, other switching competitors are sure to follow, and Cisco seems to have responded by hiring one of the key switch design executives away from Juniper!

The two other components of Juniper’ architecture includes a huge box that allows connections to over 6,000 ports and a management device that keeps track of the network. The architecture centers on these three components:

1. The QF/Node acts as the distributed decision engine of the fabric.

2. The QF/Interconnect is the high speed transport device.

3. The QF/Director delivers a common window, controlling all devices as one.

July 26, 2011

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