The Juniper VMX is a versatile virtual router that runs on x86-based servers and supports a wide range of cloud, wired, mobile, and enterprise applications. VMx was developed in close collaboration with the Network Functions Virtualization (NFV) organization during the development process, based on Juniper's 15+ years of investment and experience in routing. Like the entire MX series, the VMX control plane also uses the Junos operating system, and its forwarding plane uses Vtrio. This programmable Junos Trio chipset microcode is optimized for execution in an x86 environment. With Junos and Trio, VMX provides advanced IP/MPLS routing and switching support to ensure agile and efficient delivery of the widest range of applications and services.
VMx eliminates the costs, complexity, and delays associated with qualifying, maintaining, and managing spare parts for physical routing network elements, and supports rapid deployment and horizontal scaling of services. This is a critical success factor for expanding into niche markets and new regions. Importantly, these features help resolve the ongoing issues associated with laboratory equipment procurement and version certification.
VMx can launch new routing instances as needed, enabling customers to launch new services without interrupting existing services, thereby enabling users to quickly deploy and scale services and improve service agility. This approach removes the risk, complexity, and delays associated with reconfiguring and certifying existing infrastructure for new services. Additionally, VMx offers a fine-grained licensing model for users who cannot predict usage, allowing them to buy only the capacity they need, thereby reducing the risk of funds being idle.
VMx and MX series routers are consistent in operation, which reduces the time and risk of certification and deployment. Existing MX series customers can use VMx to scale their networks horizontally without affecting operation and maintenance and without staff training; similarly, customers can also use VMx to meet urgent needs, and then use MX series routers to expand services vertically at some point in the future, without interrupting operations. Whether viewed from a virtual or physical perspective, the VMx and MX series routers are consistent, compatible, and complementary. Using control plane and forwarding plane virtualization, VMx helps build the best network, increases return on investment, and streamlines the network operating environment through its flexibility, multi-dimensional resource scalability, and service agility.