DPCs, FPCs, and PICs Supported on MX Series Routers
Juniper Networks MX Series Ethernet Services Routers process incoming and outgoing packets with the Dense Port Concentrators (DPCs) or the more traditional Flexible Port Concentrators (FPCs) used by the Juniper Networks T Series Core Routers and many of the Juniper Networks M Series Multiservice Edge Routers. FPCs are populated with PICs for various interface types. The DPCs support a variety of port configurations and combine the functions of FPCs and the PICs.
FPCs and PICs
An FPC occupies two slots when installed in an MX Series router. The maximum number of supported FPCs varies per router:
- MX960 router—6 FPCs
- MX480 router—3 FPCs
- MX240 router—1 FPC
PICs provide the physical connection to various network media types. The PICs are inserted into a slot in a router. You can install PICs of different media types on the same router as long as the router supports those PICs.
MX Series Ethernet Services Routers support 2 PICs per Flexible PIC Concentrator (FPC). The maximum number of supported PICs varies per router:
- MX960 router—12 PICs
- MX480 router—6 PICs
- MX240 router—2 PICs
For more information, see the MX Series Ethernet Services Routers Line Card Guide.
DPCs
A DPC provides multiple physical interfaces and Packet Forwarding Engines on a single board that installs into a slot within the MX Series Ethernet Services Routers. The maximum number of supported DPCs varies per router:
- MX960 router—12 DPC slots
- MX480 router—7 DPC slots
- MX240 router—4 DPC slots
For more information, see the MX Series Ethernet Services Routers Line Card Guide.
 | Note: In the JUNOS CLI, you use the FPC syntax to configure or display information about DPCs, and you use the PIC syntax to configure or display information about Packet Forwarding Engines on the DPCs. |
In addition to Layer 3 routing capabilities, the DPCs also have many Layer 2 functions that allow MX Series routers to be used for many virtual LAN (VLAN) and other Layer 2 network applications.
