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  • 1.  QFX5120-32C vs QFX5200-32C

    Posted 09-25-2019 13:42

    Hi, I have to decise which switch I should install as leaf were the requeriment is 25gbps ports, but in the future colud be 100gbps

    We will use a MX as spine.

     

    I saw a few option but finally I can not decide between QFX5120-32C or QFX5200-32C. What are the pros and contras of both?

     

    And I'm scared for one of the models will be EOL soon, that happened to me with the EX3300

     

    Thanks All!



  • 2.  RE: QFX5120-32C vs QFX5200-32C
    Best Answer

     
    Posted 09-25-2019 14:24

    When you write as a "leaf" and MX is your "Spine", are you talking EVPN/VXLAN design or something else?  If indeed EVPN/VXLAN spine-leaf design, that QFX5120-32C is probably better suited for leaf role as it can perform VXLAN L3.  The QFX5200-32C can not perform VXLAN functions, but is well positioned to be a lean-spine device (IP Fabric).

     

    QFX51xx is Trident based, while QFX52xx is Tomahawk based, and Tomahawk has no VXLAN capabilities, at least not today.

     

    I would think this question would be best discussed with your Partner-Juniper local sales team, not here, . . .



  • 3.  RE: QFX5120-32C vs QFX5200-32C

    Posted 09-25-2019 14:57

    I agree with rccpgm except that QFX5200-32C can actually do EVPN-VXLAN - but only for layer2. VXLAN routing is not supported on the Tomahawk chipset.

     

    I would still go for the QFX5120-32C as it has a way better chipset for a leaf device and has just recently been introduced with many years before reaching EOS/EOL. QFX5200-32C is probably closer to EOS but Juniper has a general tendency of shipping platforms for many years. The EX3300 had a 8 year lifetime before being announced EOL - 8 years is quite long in the IT industry 🙂

     

    On top in the favor of QFX5120-32C... the port-to-port latency between 25G ports on Tomahawk based chipsets are horrible compared to Trident based ones. So if you want to do 25G initially the don't look at QFX5200-32C.

     

    But I would also recommend that you discuss your design with your local Juniper partner to ensure the design matches your expectations - just as rccpgm mentions 🙂