FACT SHEET

EX4500 ETHERNET SWITCH

10GbE Data Center Top-of-Rack
and Aggregation Solution

The Juniper Networks EX4500 Ethernet Switch delivers a scalable, compact, highperformance platform for supporting high-density 10 gigabit per second (Gbps) data
center top-of-rack as well as data center, campus, and service provider aggregation
deployments. Featuring 48 wire-speed dual gigabit Ethernet (GbE) and 10GbE ports in a
two rack unit (2U) platform, the EX4500 switch delivers Layer 2 and Layer 3 connectivity
to networked devices such as servers and other switches. The EX4500 base switch
provides 40 fixed GbE/10GbE pluggable ports, while two optional high-speed uplink
modules offer four 10GbE ports for connecting to data center core devices.
By targeting high-density 10GbE top-of-rack and aggregation deployments in data center,
campus, and service provider environments, EX4500 switches perfectly complement the
Juniper Networks EX Series Ethernet Switch product family: the Juniper Networks EX2200
line and EX3200 line, designed for low-density access deployments; the EX4200 line,
designed for data center and campus GbE access and aggregation deployments; and the
EX8200 line, designed for data center and campus core and aggregation environments.

Data Center-Optimized
The EX4500 Ethernet Switch is designed for demanding data center applications where
high performance, high availability, and energy efficiency are key requirements. Operating
at wire speed, the EX4500 switches deliver 960 Gbps throughput (full duplex) for both
Layer 2 and Layer 3 protocols.
Flexible deployment options enable the EX4500 to support back-to-front and frontto-back cooling, which ensures consistency with server designs for hot and cold aisle
deployments. Front and rear facing configuration options ensure closer proximity to server
ports, optimizing performance and keeping cable lengths short and manageable. The
EX4500 is also environmentally friendly, drawing less than eight watts per port under
maximum load.

Virtual Chassis Technology

The EX4500 is also designed to support Juniper Networks unique Virtual Chassis
technology, which enables up to 10 interconnected switches to operate as a single,
logical device supporting up to 480 10GbE ports with a single IP address. Switches are
connected over a 128 Gbps backplane compatible with the EX4200 line of Ethernet
switches. Interconnected switches are monitored and managed as a single device,
enabling enterprises to separate physical topology from logical groupings of endpoints
and allowing more efficient resource utilization. Highly resilient topologies can also be
created using the 10GbE uplink ports to extend the Virtual Chassis configuration across
long distances spanning multiple wiring racks or data centers.

MX Series

10GbE
10GbE

EX8208/
EX8216
Virtual
Chassis
Configuration

SRX5800
10GbE

EX4200

10GbE

EX4500

EX4200/EX4500
Virtual Chassis
Configuration
GbE Servers

GbE Servers/iSCSI/NAS

The EX4500 10GbE switch is designed for data center top-of-rack and end-of-row data center deployments.

Using Virtual Chassis technology at the top of rack or end of row

flexibility of Virtual Chassis technology in supporting networks

to aggregate servers in the data center provides flexibility in the

with a mix of GbE and 10GbE simplifies network architectures,

deployment of uplinks. Rather than requiring redundant links for

reduces the number of managed logical devices, and reduces

each physical switch to ensure high availability, redundant links

capital and operational expenses.

are only needed for each Virtual Chassis group. The EX4500

When deployed in the data center, Virtual Chassis technology

and EX4200 may be combined within a single Virtual Chassis

supports low latency, server live migration between racks within

configuration to support environments where both GbE and 10GbE

as well as across data centers, dramatically reducing latency over

servers are present.

a traditional multitier hierarchy. Traffic is routed over backplane

The EX4500 can also seamlessly join any existing EX4200 Virtual

Virtual Chassis ports for inter-switch traffic, rather than switching

Chassis configuration to create a single logical top-of-rack or end-

and flooding traffic over access ports. Another benefit of this

of-row switch supporting both GbE and 10GbE capabilities at price

design is that node and link failures have subsecond failover times

points optimized for each speed. Customers introducing 10GbE

without the need for an external Layer 2 control plane protocol like

into their racks can use the EX4500 to add 10GbE-attached

Spanning Tree Protocol (STP) to create a loop-free topology.

servers, iSCSI, and network-attached storage (NAS) with minimal

Bandwidth availability is improved over traditional switches

impact to the current switching infrastructure.

through the use of backplane connections for inter-switch linkage

For smaller data centers, the EX4500 may be deployed as the

and line-rate performance for all packet sizes. These backplane

core switch, aggregating 10GbE uplinks from EX4200 Virtual

inter-switch connections reduce the number of necessary devices,

Chassis configurations in the access layer. The EX4500 offers an

saving data center resources for better use.

economical, power-efficient, and compact form factor solution for

core data center deployments.
Additionally, the EX4500 can join a Virtual Chassis configuration
with the EX4200-24F GbE fiber aggregation switch to form a
single logical switch supporting both GbE and 10GbE devices, such
as uplinks from access switches located in wiring closets. The

Junos Operating System

The EX4500 runs the same Juniper Networks Junos operating
system used by other EX Series Ethernet Switches, as well as all
Juniper Networks routers and Juniper Networks SRX Series Services
Gateways. By utilizing a common operating system, Juniper Networks

MX80

10GbE
10GbE

EX4500
SRX3400

10GbE
EX4200 Virtual Chassis Configuration

GbE Servers

The EX4500 10GbE switch is ideal for small data center core deployments.

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 down an entire system.
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.

Management Options
Three system management options are available for the EX4500
Ethernet switches. The standard Junos OS command-line
interface (CLI) offers the same granular management capabilities
and scripting parameters found in any router powered by the Junos
OS. The EX4500 also includes the integrated Juniper Networks
J-Web Software, an embedded web-based device manager that
allows users to configure, monitor, troubleshoot, and perform

Junos Space
Juniper also offers a comprehensive suite of network operational
application tools that provide a smart, simple, and open approach
for automating the deployment and operation of a Juniper
infrastructure.
These tools are based on a single network application platform
called Juniper Networks Junos Space, an open, programmable
application platform for hosting network infrastructure and
operational applications across the entire management life cycle
of the network. Explicitly designed to allow partners and customers
to build and deploy smart, simple, and easy-to-use applications,
Junos Space provides multiple management and infrastructure
applications for managing Juniper resources and assets, including
inventory management, device and interface configuration,
automated software management and deployment, and eventdriven fault management. These platform applications are
embedded within the core product, allowing users to control any part
of their environment when used in conjunction with multiple add-on
applications. Junos Space will support a full portfolio of applications
for automating network infrastructure and operations covering the
campus LAN and data center network environments.

system maintenance on individual switches via a browser-based

Designed to automate the configuration, visualization, monitoring,

graphical interface.

and administration of large switch and router networks, Junos

EX4500 fault, configuration, and performance data can also be

exported to leading third-party management systems such as
HP OpenView, IBM Tivoli, and Computer Associates Unicenter

Space applications offer predefined automation schemes

and best practice templates to enable rapid and accurate
deployments.

software, providing a complete, consolidated view of network

operations.

Closet A2

Building 2 . . . (to Building N)

Building 1
EX4200
Virtual Chassis
Configuration

EX4200
Virtual Chassis
Configuration

Closet C2 . . . N

Closet B2

EX4200
Virtual Chassis
Configuration

Closet D2 . . . N
EX4200
Virtual Chassis
Configuration

Access

Closet A1

Closet B1

EX4500

Closet C1

Aggregation

IDF 1

Closet D1

EX4500
IDF 2

EX8200
Virtual Chassis
Configuration

Core

The EX4500 10GbE switch in the campus.

EX4500 Features and Benefits

High Performance

Small Footprint

Each EX4500 supports 10Gbps of bandwidth with 14.88 Mpps per

The EX4500 offers up to 112 ports of 10GbE plus 384 ports of GbE

port on all 48 ports at all packet sizes.

in a single 12U Virtual Chassis configurationup to 30 percent

High Availability

greater density than traditional modular platforms in just 66

The EX4500 switches offer dual internal load sharing AC power

percent of the space.

supplies, and redundant variable-speed fans as standard features,

Additional Features

protecting the switch from a single power supply or fan failure. DC

In addition, the EX4500 includes the following features:

power options will be available in the future.

System status LEDs

Energy Efficient

LCD status display

At less than eight watts per 10GbE interface, the EX4500 offers

Versatile two- and four-post rack mounting options

a low power solution for 10GbE top-of-rack, end-of-row, and

Front-to-back and back-to-front airflow options

aggregation deployments. Additionally, the EX4500 switches

improve cooling efficiency via redundant variable-speed fans that
automatically adjust their speed based on existing conditions to
reduce power consumption.

Support for Jumbo frames (9K)

Quality of service (IEEE 802.1p marking)
Multicast (IGMP v1/v2/v3 snooping)
Layer 2 features including support for 4,096 VLAN IDs, Spanning
Tree (802.1s and 802.1w), bridge protocol data unit (BPDU)
Guard, 802.3as Link Aggregation
Management features including Telnet and SSH v1/v2, SNMP
v1-v3, RADIUS, TACACS+, and RMON

EX4500 Ethernet Switch Models

SKU

ACCESS PORT CONFIGURATION

EX4500-40F-FB

40-port GbE/10GbE SFP/SFP+ front-to-back

airflow

EX4500-40F-BF

40-port GbE/10GbE SFP/SFP+ back-to-front

airflow

EX4500-PWR1-AC-FB

EX4500 1200W AC power supply - front-toback airflow

EX4500-PWR1-AC-BF

EX4500 1200W AC power supply - back-tofront airflow

EX4500-UM-4XSFP

EX4500 4-Port 10G SFP+ Uplink Module

(optics sold separately)

Hardware (continued)
Dimensions
Height: 3.4 in (8.6 cm); 2U
Width: 17.3 in (43.9 cm)
Depth: 21 in (50.2 cm) (approximate)

Rack Installation Kit

Versatile two- and four-post mounting options for 19 in server
rack or datacom rack

LEDs
System LEDs that indicate status

Airflow

Pluggable Optics

Front-to-back or back-to-front cooling

EX-SFP-1GE-T

SFP 10/100/1000BASE-T copper; RJ-45

connector; 100m reach on UTP

EX-SFP-1GE-LX

SFP 1000BASE-LX; LC connector; 1310nm;

10km reach on single-mode fiber

EX-SFP-10GE-SR

SFP+ 10GBASE-SR; LC connector; 850nm;

300m reach on 50 microns multimode fiber;
33m on 62.5 microns multimode fiber

Software

EX-SFP-10GE-LR

SFP+ 10GBASE-LR; LC connector; 1310nm;

10km reach on single-mode fibe

RADIUS

EX-SFP-10GE-DAC-1M

SFP+ 10-Gigabit Ethernet Direct Attach

Copper (twinax copper cable) 1 m

EX-SFP-10GE-DAC-3M

SFP+ 10-Gigabit Ethernet Direct Attach

Copper (twinax copper cable) 3 m

EX-SFP-10GE-DAC-7M

SFP+ 10-Gigabit Ethernet Direct Attach

Copper (twinax copper cable) 7 m

EX-SFP-10GE-USR

10 Gigabit Ethernet Ultra Short Reach; 850

nm; 10m on OM1, 20m on OM2, 100m on OM3
Multi-Mode Fiber

Redundant variable-speed fans reduce power draw

Power
Dual hot-swappable load sharing AC power supplies

Security
TACACS+
Wire speed filtering: Allow and deny
SSH v1, v2
Secure interface login and password
Local proxy Address Resolution Protocol (ARP)
Static ARP support

Layer 2 Switching
Maximum media access control (MAC) addresses
per system: 24,000

EX4500 10GbE Ethernet Switch Specifications

Static MAC entries: 24,000

Hardware

Jumbo frames: 9,216 bytes

Interface Options

Number of VLANs: 4,096

40 GbE/10GbE small form-factor pluggable transceiver

Port-based VLAN

(SFP/SFP+) fiber connectors

4,096 VLAN IDs supported

Four 10GbE SFP+ uplink ports (optional)

Routed VLAN interface (RVI)

1x10/100/1000 Ethernet RJ-45 ports for management

Link Aggregation

Console port for management

802.3ad support

Server-like port orientations that enable short and simple

Maximum eight ports per LAG group

cabling

Spanning Tree

Supported Optics

Spanning Tree Protocol (802.1D)

10GbE-SFP+ short reach (SR)

Multiple Spanning Tree Protocol (802.1s)

10GbE SFP+ long reach (LR)

Rapid Spanning Tree Protocol (802.1w)

Direct-attached copper (1/3/7 m)

Per VLAN Rapid Spanning Tree (PVRST+)

1GbE (1000BASE-T, LX)

BPDU guard
Loop, root protect

EX4500 10GbE Ethernet Switch Specifications

About Juniper Networks

Software (continued)

Juniper Networks, Inc. is the leader in high-performance

networking. Juniper offers a high-performance network

Quality of Service (QoS)

infrastructure that creates a responsive and trusted environment

Layer 2 QoS

for accelerating the deployment of services and applications

Layer 3 QoS

over a single network. This fuels high-performance businesses.

Ingress policing: 1 rate 2 color

Additional information can be found at www.juniper.net.

Eight hardware queues per port

Scheduling methods (egress): Strict priority (SP), shaped
deficit weighted round-robin (SDWRR)
802.1p, DiffServ code point (DSCP)/IP precedence trust and
marking
Layer 2-4 classification criteria: Interface, MAC address,
Ethertype, 802.1p, VLAN, IP address, DSCP/IP precedence, TCP/
UDP port numbers, etc.
Congestion avoidance capabilities: Tail drop eight queues

L3 FeaturesIPv4
Routing protocols: RIPv1/v2, OSPF
Static routing
Routing policy
Virtual Router Redundancy Protocol (VRRP)
Bidirectional Forwarding Detection (BFD) protocol

Multicast
Internet Group Management Protocol (IGMP): v1, v2, v3
IGMP snooping
PIM-SM, PIM-SSM
Multicase Source Directory Protocol (MSDP)

Access Control Lists

Ingress ACLs: Port ACLs
Egress ACLs (Port ACLs, VLAN ACLs, Route ACLs)

Monitoring
Mirroring

Corporate and Sales Headquarters

APAC Headquarters

EMEA Headquarters

To purchase Juniper Networks solutions,

Juniper Networks, Inc.

Juniper Networks (Hong Kong)

Juniper Networks Ireland

please contact your Juniper Networks

1194 North Mathilda Avenue

26/F, Cityplaza One

Airside Business Park

Sunnyvale, CA 94089 USA

1111 Kings Road

Swords, County Dublin, Ireland

representative at 1-866-298-6428 or

Phone: 888.JUNIPER (888.586.4737)

Taikoo Shing, Hong Kong

Phone: 35.31.8903.600

or 408.745.2000

Phone: 852.2332.3636

EMEA Sales: 00800.4586.4737

Fax: 408.745.2100

Fax: 852.2574.7803

Fax: 35.31.8903.601

authorized reseller.

www.juniper.net
Copyright 2010 Juniper Networks, Inc. All rights reserved. Juniper Networks, the Juniper Networks logo, Junos, NetScreen, and
ScreenOS are registered trademarks of Juniper Networks, Inc. in the United States and other countries. All other trademarks, service
marks, registered marks, or registered service marks are the property of their respective owners. Juniper Networks assumes no
responsibility for any inaccuracies in this document. Juniper Networks reserves the right to change, modify, transfer, or otherwise
revise this publication without notice.

3000066-002-EN

May 2010

Printed on recycled paper