[j-nsp] MX304 Port Layout

[Mark Tinka]

On 6/27/23 18:45, Tarko Tikan via juniper-nsp wrote:

> Previously mentioned centralized boxes are actually becoming more and 
> more common now (in addition to non-redundant pizzabox formfactor that 
> has been available for ages) that single NPU can do 2+ Tbps. For BCM 
> J2 see ACX7509, Nokia IXR-R6d or certain Cisco NCS models. All pretty 
> good fits for SP aggregation networks.
>
> Single NPU doesn't mean non-redundant - those devices run two (or 4 in 
> ACX case) BCM NPUs and switch "linecards" over to backup NPU when 
> required. All without true fabric and distributed NPUs to keep the 
> cost down.
>
> IMHO these are very compelling options for SP market, you get 
> selection of linecards for different applications/architectures yet 
> the overall size of the device (and power consumption) is small. I've 
> been trying to explain to one of the major vendors that they should 
> build similar device with their own silicon so you get similar 
> benefits while keeping the rich featureset that comes with vendor 
> silicon compared to BCM.

Ah, okay - I'm with you now.

I had a totally different definition in my head for what "centralized" 
meant.

Yes, agreed - these make sense because of just how cheap, yet fast, 
Broadcom chips are.

Like you, I've been pushing our friendly vendors to build similar 
architectures with their in-house silicon, and like you, it has fallen 
on deaf ears.

Because IP traffic is becoming more and more public, the need for 
features that drove end-to-end on-net VPN's in silicon will continue to 
decline. If that helps operators to simplify their product technical 
configuration to where Broadcom can handle 90% of all scenarios, giving 
up the other 10% may be worth the capex/opex savings. It is that 10% 
that many operators want to keep, and the traditional vendors are 
locking up that 10% in their own silicon to print money.

With every passing year, Broadcom adds to the things I want that it 
could not do. I am close to the 90% for some of these platforms, to 
where I can consider them now.

Mark.