Planning a Virtual Chassis Deployment using QFX Devices
You can deploy QFX Series switches as members in three types of Virtual Chassis:
QFX Virtual Chassis (QFX3500, QFX3600, QFX5100, and EX4300)
QFX5110 Virtual Chassis (QFX5110 and QFX5100)
QFX5200 Virtual Chassis (QFX5200-32C only)
QFX Virtual Chassis and QFX5110 Virtual Chassis allow you to interconnect a mixture of up to ten switches into one logical device and manage the device as a single chassis. QFX5200 Virtual Chassis is limited to three QFX5200-32C members.
A Virtual Chassis configuration has two Routing Engines—the primary switch and the backup switch. All other participating switches operate as line cards. You create a Virtual Chassis by cabling the switches in a ring topology and configuring SFP+, QSFP+, or QSFP28 interfaces into Virtual Chassis ports (VCPs). VCPs are responsible for passing all data and control traffic between member switches in the Virtual Chassis. All non-channelized QSFP28 or QSFP+ uplink interfaces on the switches can be configured into VCPs. All fixed SFP+ interfaces can also be configured into VCPs.
All members of the Virtual Chassis are required to run the same
Junos OS Release. You can check the version and release by issuing
the show chassis version CLI command.
This topic covers:
Valid Configurations for a QFX Virtual Chassis
Valid configurations are:
All QFX5100 members (homogenous)–Supported QFX5100 models are:
QFX5100-24Q
QFX5100-48S
QFX5100-48T
QFX5100-96S
All QFX3600 members (homogenous)
All QFX3500 members (homogenous)
A mixture of QFX3600 and QFX3500 members (heterogeneous)
A mixture of QFX5100, QFX3600, and QFX3500 members (heterogeneous)–use the QFX5100 switches as primary RE and backup RE whenever possible.
A mixture of QFX5100, QFX3600, QFX3500, and EX4300 members (heterogeneous). EX4300 switches as the primary RE or backup RE is not supported; use QFX5100 switches in these roles whenever possible.
An all EX4300 member is simply considered an EX4300 Virtual Chassis. See Understanding EX Series Virtual Chassis.
If the QSFP+ interfaces are not available for VCP, 10-Gigbit interfaces can be used.
Valid Configurations for a QFX5110 Virtual Chassis
Valid configurations are:
All QFX5110 members (homogenous)–Supported QFX5110 models are:
QFX5110-32Q
QFX5110-48S
A mixture of QFX5110 and QFX5100 members (homogenous)–use the QFX5110 models as the primary RE and backup RE. Use the following QFX5100 switches in the line card role:
QFX5100-24Q
QFX5100-48S
QFX5100-48T
QFX5100-96S
Valid Configurations for a QFX5200 Virtual Chassis
You can create an all QFX5200-32C Virtual Chassis with up to three members. Use the QFX5200-32C in all three member roles: primary RE, backup RE, and line card. Configure the Virtual Chassis Ports (VCPs) as 40-Gigabit Ethernet only. QFX5200-48Y is not supported in a QFX5200 Virtual Chassis.
VC Deployment Checklist
Use Table 1 to plan your deployment:
Item or Task |
For More Information |
Performed By |
Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Components | |||
Determine the number of devices in the Virtual Chassis and the role of each device (primary RE, backup RE, or linecard). Note:
A Virtual Chassis is not constrained to a single building; the limits for the optic cable are the only consideration. |
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| Environment | |||
Evaluate the provisioning options and determine the configuration method that applies to your deployment. |
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| Power | |||
Measure the distance between external power sources and switch installation site. |
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Calculate the power consumption and requirements. |
QFX5110 AC Power Specifications AC Power Specifications for a QFX5100 Device AC Power Specifications for a QFX3600 or QFX3600-I Device AC Power Specifications for a QFX3500 Device |
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| Rack or Cabinet | |||
Verify that your rack or cabinet meets the minimum requirements for the installation of the switch. |
Rack Requirements for a QFX5100 Device Cabinet Requirements for a QFX5100 Device Rack Requirements for a QFX3600 or QFX3600-I Device Cabinet Requirements for a QFX3600 or QFX3600-I Device Rack Requirements for a QFX3500 Device Cabinet Requirements for a QFX3500 Device Rack Requirements for an EX4600 Switch Cabinet Requirements for an EX4600 Switch |
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Plan rack or cabinet location, including required space clearances. |
Clearance Requirements for Airflow and Hardware Maintenance for a QFX5100 Device Clearance Requirements for Airflow and Hardware Maintenance for a QFX3600 or QFX3600-I Device Clearance Requirements for Airflow and Hardware Maintenance for a QFX3500 Device Clearance Requirements for Airflow and Hardware Maintenance for an EX4600 Switch Clearance Requirements for Airflow and Hardware Maintenance for EX4300 Switches |
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Secure the rack or cabinet to the floor and building structure. |
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| Cables | |||
Acquire cables and connectors:
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Plan the cable routing and management. |
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