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Configure a Virtual Chassis Using EX4400-24X

Note:

  • Virtual Chassis formation on the EX4400-24X switches cannot be executed without pre-provisioning. You may need to enable this in a lab or staging environment where you have proper access to the Mist cloud managing the devices so that they appear on the Inventory page. For EX4400-24X switches, plan to have serial console access when pre-provisioning the Virtual Chassis.

  • Juniper Mist automatically upgrades a Virtual Chassis linecard member running a Junos version different from that on the primary member. The linecard member will be upgraded to the same version as that on the primary member if the following conditions are met:

    • The switch must form a Virtual Chassis with three or more members—that is, a primary, a backup, and a linecard member.

    • The Junos version on the linecard member is different from that on the primary member.

    • The linecard member must be in Inactive state.

      Note that a linecard member will be upgraded only if it is inactive and running a clearly different Junos version. Minor differences, such as different spin numbers, will not trigger an upgrade.

    • Only the Junos versions listed on the Mist portal are available for upgrade.

To configure a Virtual Chassis using EX4400-24X follow the steps below (in these steps, we use two EX4400-24X switches as an example):

  1. Unbox and power on the EX4400-24X switches.
  2. For cloud reachability, connect the 10GbE front panel ports or insert an appropriate uplink module on each EX4400-24X Virtual Chassis member to the upstream devices, such as the WAN router. Ensure that the links are up and can reach the Juniper Mist cloud.
  3. Onboard the switch to the Mist cloud, using the claim or adopt method. For more information, refer to Onboard Switches to Mist Cloud.
    When using the claim method, the devices should appear in the Inventory of the Juniper Mist cloud automatically as part of the process. Using the adopt method, the switches may appear immediately or after the Virtual Chassis has been formed.
  4. Connect the Virtual Chassis ports (VCPs) on EX4400-24X using DAC Cables – 40G/100G. The Virtual Chassis ports are located on the front-panel on the EX4400-24X (as indicated in the below figure) and only support the HGoE protocol for Virtual Chassis formation.

    A close up of a device Description automatically generated

  5. Using either Remote Console or a serial console cable connected directly to the first switch that will become the primary switch of your Virtual Chassis, log in to the Junos CLI by entering the following command:

    This CLI converts the two front panel ports on the EX4400-24X switches from network ports to VCPs to enable Virtual Chassis formation. After entering this command, ensure that the switch is rebooted.

  6. Repeat the above CLI command on your backup switch and then reboot it. Also, repeat these steps on any optional linecard switches.
  7. Once the devices come up on the Mist portal after the reboot, they should be in Virtual Chassis mode and seen as a single device on the Mist dashboard. You can verify this from the switch details page by clicking Switches > Switch Name.
  8. Optional: Check the Virtual Chassis state via Remote Shell as shown in the figure below:
To set up a Virtual Chassis using any EX4400 switch models other than EX4400-24X, refer to Configure a Virtual Chassis Using EX3400, EX4100, EX4100-F, EX4100-H, EX4300, EX4000, or EX4400.