Introduction to JUNOS

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Juniper Networks provides high-performance network devices that create a responsive and trusted environment for accelerating the deployment of services and applications over a single network. JUNOS software is the foundation of these high-performance networks. Unlike other complex, monolithic software architectures, JUNOS software incorporates key design and developmental differences to deliver increased network availability, operational efficiency, and flexibility. The key advantages to this approach are:

One Operating System

Unlike other network operating systems that share a common name but splinter into many different programs, JUNOS software is a single, cohesive operating system that is shared across all routers and product lines. This allows Juniper Networks engineers to develop software features once and share these features across all product lines simultaneously. Because features are common to a single source, they generally are implemented the same way for all product lines, thus reducing the training required to learn different tools and methods for each product. Because all Juniper Networks products use the same code base, interoperability between products is not an issue.

One Software Release

Each new version of JUNOS software is released concurrently for all product lines following a preset quarterly schedule. Furthermore, each new version of software must include all working features released in previous releases of the software, and must have no critical regression errors. This discipline ensures reliable operations for the entire release.

One Modular Software Architecture

Although individual modules of the JUNOS software communicate through well-defined interfaces, each module runs in its own protected memory space, preventing one module from disrupting another. This separation enables the independent restart of each module as necessary. This is in contrast to monolithic operating systems where a malfunction in one module can ripple to other modules and cause a full system crash or restart. This modular architecture then provides for high performance, high availability, security, and device scalability not found in other operating systems.

The JUNOS software is preinstalled on your Juniper Networks router when you receive it from the factory. Thus, when you first power on the router, all software starts automatically. You simply need to configure the software so that the router can participate in the network.

You can upgrade the router software as new features are added or software problems are fixed. You normally obtain new software by downloading the software installation packages from the Juniper Networks Support Web page onto your router or onto another system on your local network. You then install the software upgrade onto the router.

Juniper Networks routing platforms run only binaries supplied by Juniper Networks. Each JUNOS software image includes a digitally signed manifest of executables that are registered with the system only if the signature can be validated. JUNOS software will not execute any binary without a registered signature. This feature protects the system against unauthorized software and activity that might compromise the integrity of your router.