[j-nsp] QFX3500 as ToR switch?

[Sargun Dhillon]

So, I realize the QFX3500 is more a low-latency, high performance switch. I'm fine with the form factor, as this will probably be put into a server cabinet. I have the a problem, because I can either buy two QFX3500s, or two EX4500s.


The requirements dictate both a storage, and IP network. There are about a dozen virtual "environments" on the network as well, which need their own vlan, and preferably, their own routing table.

Much to my chagrin, the QFX3500 is missing support for VR at the moment. Additionally, I would like to be able to hook-up 4 QFX3500s, while still having redundancy, and not having to buy two QFX3500s to use as a "mini-core". QFabric is a tad overkill for this, I feel. To me, this seems like an ideal problem to solve with VPLS, but neither the QFX3500 nor EX4500 have support for either of those features yet. From my understanding, the hardware supports it, but Juniper just hasn't put it into Junos yet. If anyone knows what the roadmap is on this, please contact me off-list. 

So, given two excellent options for two very different pieces of hardware, what would you choose?  

----- Original Message ----- 

From: "Wojciech Owczarek" <wojciech at owczarek.co.uk> 
To: "Jim Glen" <jim.glen at codonis.com> 
Cc: "Sargun Dhillon" <sargun at sargun.me>, juniper-nsp at puck.nether.net 
Sent: Tuesday, November 8, 2011 2:29:53 PM 
Subject: Re: [j-nsp] QFX3500 as ToR switch? 

Hi guys, 


My two pence here - I think they are two totally different devices... 


EX4500: 2U tall, will fit a shallow rack but still 2U, reversible air flow, PSUs with fat 16A C19/C20 plugs, 40 x 10GE (max. 48), no 40GE, much higher latency (store and forward only switch, 2 PFEs - around 4 x QFX3500 latency, if you care). 
BUT supports VC and can also be stacked together in a mixed manner with EX4200s which is quite interesting if you want to build a mixed media stack. 


QFX3500: 1U, but damn long (70cm rack depth is the *minimum*, two mounting points - front and back - are a must). Server type construction. This device is designed to sit more in the middle of a rack than in the top. Non-reversible air flow: front to back cooling only, but switch ports are at the back, where server ports are and you can't change that. Console, power and management are on the other side so you have power cables sticking out the front of your rack, not good for server cabinets where server fronts are very close to the door. Requires some physical planning for deployment and for some people will not be an easy drop-in replacement for their previous TORs.Much lower latency (single PFE, cut-through but defaults to store & forward, I think it still qualifies as Ultra Low Latency these days). Supports 40GE and will serve as a QFabric node. High port density - 48 x 10GE out of the box, up to 64 x 10GE when using QSFP to SFP+ break-out cables, turning each of the 4 40GE into 4 x 10GE ports. 


Depends on what you want to do really, but the QFX3500 is more of a typical ToR, and definitely more future proof. 


Regards 
Wojciech 


On 8 November 2011 21:31, Jim Glen < jim.glen at codonis.com > wrote: 


Hi, 
I've deployed them and have been very pleased with their performance. 

The rational over choosing the QFX over the EX4500 is I intend to deploy these devices at some point soon into my consolidated Q-Fabric platform which the QFX is designed for the EX4500 does not have the same capability to participate. 

JimG 




On Nov 4, 201145308, at 9:56 AM, Sargun Dhillon wrote: 

> I was wondering if anyone here has implemented the QFX3500 as a ToR switch. How have your experiences been, and how has it been as compared to other Juniper products? Additionally, I'm curious as to what made you choose it over the EX4500? 
> 
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> Sargun Dhillon 
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Wojciech Owczarek 





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Sargun Dhillon
VoIP (US): +1-925-235-1105