Juniper Networks Router Introduction

Each Juniper Networks M-series and T-series routing platform is a complete routing system that supports a variety of high-speed interfaces (including SONET/SDH, Ethernet, and ATM) for large networks and network applications. Juniper Networks routers share common Junos OS, features, and technology for compatibility across platforms.

Application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs) form a definitive part of the router design and enable the router to achieve data forwarding rates that match current fiber-optic capacity. All M-series routers use the Internet Processor II ASIC, which performs the route lookup function and several types of packet processing, such as filtering, policing, rate limiting, and sampling. The T-series platforms use the new T-series Internet Processor for route lookups and notification forwarding.

This topic provides a general overview of Juniper Networks M-series and T-series routers and routing platforms:

• Router Architecture for M-series Routers and T-series Platforms
• Data Flow Through the Packet Forwarding Engine
• Data Flow Through an M-series Router
• Data Flow Through a T-series Routing Platform