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Step 1: Begin

In this guide, we provide a simple, three-step path, to quickly get you up and running with your new QFX5120-32C switch. We’ve simplified and shortened the installation and configuration steps, and included how-to videos. You’ll learn how to install an AC-powered QFX5120-32 switch in a rack, power it up, and deploy it on your network. There’s a separate Day One+ guide for the QFX5120-48 switch (see QFX5120 on the Day One+ webpage). For details on installing a DC powered QFX5120-32C, see QFX5120 Switch Hardware Guide.

Note:

Are you interested in getting hands-on experience with the topics and operations covered in this guide? Visit Juniper Networks Virtual Labs and reserve your free sandbox today! You’ll find the Junos Day One Experience sandbox in the stand alone category.

Meet the QFX5120-32C Ethernet Switch

The Juniper Networks® QFX5120-32C is a compact, 1-U fixed configuration switch with 32 100GbE or 40GbE QSFP28 ports, making it ideal for data centers that require top-of-rack and spine-and-leaf deployments. You can also use the QFX5120-32C for high-density server connectivity, with options to channelize the QSFP28 ports. Along with 32 QSFP28 ports, the QFX5120-32C has two SFP+ ports, an RJ-45 management port, an RJ-45 console port, and a USB port. Dual hot-swappable AC or DC power supplies provide 1+1 redundancy. Six hot-swappable fan trays with N+1 redundancy maintain high system availability.

The QFX5120 supports many network automation features and plug-and-play features, including zero-touch provisioning (ZTP), making it simple to deploy on your network.

Install the QFX5120-32C

What's in the Box?

  • QFX5120-32C switch with six preinstalled fan modules and two preinstalled AC power supplies

  • Two AC power cords appropriate for your geographical location

  • A four-post rack mounting kit that contains:

    • Two front mounting brackets

    • Two side mounting rails

    • Twenty flat head M4X8 screws to attach the front mounting brackets and side mounting rails to the switch chassis

    • Two rear mounting (L-shaped) brackets

    • Two pan head M4X8 screws to attach the rear mounting brackets to the side mounting rails

Note:

We no longer include a DB-9 to RJ-45 cable or a DB-9 to RJ-45 adapter with a CAT5E copper cable as part of the device package. If you require a console cable, you can order it separately with the part number JNP-CBL-RJ45-DB9 (DB-9 to RJ-45 adapter with a CAT5E copper cable).

What Else Do I Need?

You’ll need to provide:

  • Someone to help you secure the switch to the rack

  • Eight mounting screws to secure the switch to the rack

  • A number 2 Phillips (+) screwdriver

  • An electrostatic discharge (ESD) grounding strap

  • A management host such as a laptop or desktop PC

  • An Ethernet cable

  • An RJ-45 to DB-9 serial port adapter

  • A serial-to-USB adapter (if your laptop or desktop PC doesn’t have a serial port)

  • A grounding cable: 12 AWG (2.5 mm²), minimum 90° C wire, or as permitted by the local code, with a 4.3-mm circular lug attached

    CAUTION:

    Ensure that a licensed electrician has attached the appropriate grounding lug to the grounding cable that you supply. Using a grounding cable with an incorrectly attached lug can damage the switch.

  • An 8-mm screw to secure the grounding lug

Install the QFX5120-32C in a Four-Post Rack

  1. Review the General Safety Guidelines and Warnings.
  2. Wrap and fasten one end of the ESD grounding strap around your bare wrist, and connect the other end to a site ESD point.
  3. Position the switch in the rack so that the F2B labels on the fan modules are facing the cold aisle, or the B2F labels on the fan modules are facing the hot aisle.
  4. Attach the front mounting brackets to the switch.
  5. Attach the side mounting rails to the switch.
  6. Lift the switch and position it in the rack. Line up the bottom hole in each mounting bracket with a hole in each rack post, making sure the switch is level.
  7. While you’re holding the switch in place, have a second person insert and tighten the rack mounting screws to secure the mounting rails to the rack posts. Make sure to tighten the screws in the two bottom holes first, and then tighten the screws in the two top holes.
  8. Continue holding the switch in place, and have the second person slide the rear mounting brackets into the side mounting rails.
  9. Secure the rear mounting brackets to the rack posts using the rack mount screws. Secure the rear mounting brackets to the side mounting rails by using the pan head M4X8 screws.
  10. Verify that the mounting brackets on each side of the rack are level.

Power On

Now that you’ve mounted your switch in the rack, you’re ready to connect it to power.

The AC-powered QFX5120-32C comes with two AC power supplies preinstalled on the rear panel.

  1. Wrap and fasten one end of the ESD grounding strap around your bare wrist, and connect the other end to one of the ESD grounding points on the switch.
  2. Connect one end of the grounding cable to a proper earth ground, such as the rack.
  3. Place the grounding lug attached to the grounding cable over the protective earthing terminal on the rear panel.
  4. Secure the grounding lug to the protective earthing terminal using the 8-mm screw.
  5. Dress the grounding cable, and ensure that it doesn’t block access to or touch other device components, and that it doesn’t drape where people could trip over it.
  6. Ensure that the power supplies are fully inserted in the switch.
  7. Connect the power cord to the AC power socket on the power supply:
    1. Push the end of the retainer strip into the hole next to the AC power socket until it snaps into place.
    2. Ensure that the loop in the retainer strip faces the power cord.
    3. Press the small tab on the retainer strip to loosen the loop. Slide the loop until you have enough space to plug the power cord into the switch.
    4. Plug the power cord into the switch.
    5. Slide the loop toward the switch until it is snug against the base of the power cord coupler.
    6. Press the tab on the loop, and draw out the loop into a tight circle.
  8. If the AC power source outlet has a power switch, turn it off.
  9. Plug in the power cord to the AC power source outlet. The switch powers on as soon as you plug it in. There is no power switch on the QFX5120-32C.
  10. If the AC power source outlet has a power switch, turn it on.
  11. Verify that the LED on the power supply is lit steadily green. If the LED is lit steadily red or is blinking red, disconnect the power supply from the power source, and replace the power supply (see Maintain the QFX5120 Power System in the QFX5120 Switch Hardware Guide).
  12. Repeat steps 7-11 to power on the second power supply.