Juniper Switches: EX Series Module Guide

Within the EX Series, there are several powerful Juniper switches, all of which can easily be outfitted with a wide variety of Ethernet port modules, adding flexibility and versatility to every device.

In order to ensure you purchase the best Juniper modules for your networking needs, we’ve put together this in-depth breakdown that explains which modules are compatible with several EX Series switches. In addition, we’ve also provided a module compatibility table at the end of this guide

Juniper EX Series Switch Modules Overview

The modules for EX3200, EX4200, EX4300 and EX4500 Juniper switches are designed primarily to provide uplink ports, whereas the modules for higher-end EX4550 and EX4600 switches are made as expansions in order to increase the port density of the switches.

But, regardless of which module you’re looking to buy, every Juniper switch module is hot-removable and hot-insertable. That means you can easily remove and replace each one without powering off the switch and without interrupting the switch’s ability to operate.

Below, you’ll find specifications for all the modules made for Juniper EX Series Ethernet Switches, including the EX3200, the EX4200, the EX4300, the EX4500, the EX4550 and the EX4600.

Modules for EX3200 and EX4200 Juniper Switches

The Juniper EX4200 and EX3200 switches are access-level switches, designed for small-scale, access-layer applications. There are four modules that are compatible with both the EX3200 and the EX4200.

The model numbers for those Juniper switch modules are:

All four models are designed as uplink modules; they’re made to connect to larger distribution switches. These four Juniper switch modules cover Ethernet speeds ranging from 1G to 10G Ethernet and are available in a variety of form factors, including SFP, SFP+ and XFP.

Both the Juniper EX3200 switch and the EX4200 switch have only one module slot.

EX-UM-4SFP

This is the most basic module for Juniper EX4200 and EX3200 switches, in terms of specifications and features. It provides four 1G Ethernet uplink ports, all of which are compatible with SFP optics.

EX-UM-2X4SFP and EX-UM-2X4SFP-M

Both these models have four uplink ports and support 1G and 10G Ethernet speeds. However, not all four ports are interchangeable between those two speeds. There are two operating modes for each speed, and there’s an LED light that indicates the current operating mode.

In 10G operating mode, only the 10G ports are operable, and only SFP+ optics can be used in those ports. In 1G operating mode, all four ports are operable, but only SFP optics can be used.

Although the EX-UM-2X4SFP and EX-UM-2X4SFP-M have almost the exact same specifications, one key difference is that the EX-UM-2X4SFP-M includes Media Access Control Security (MACsec).

The MACsec feature provides point-to-point security on Ethernet links between nodes that are directly connected, protecting against threats like denial of service, intrusion, man-in-the-middle, masquerading, passive wiretapping and playback attacks.

EX-UM-2XFP

Another 10G Ethernet switch module, the EX-UM-2XFP provides two ports for transceivers designed with the XFP form factor. Unlike SFP+ ports, XFP ports cannot accept 1G optics.

Juniper Switch Modules for the EX4300

The Juniper EX4300 is another access-level Ethernet switch, although it’s made for larger-scale environments, such as campuses and data centers. There are three models – all of which are designed as uplink modules – compatible with the EX4300.

The model numbers are as follows:

EX-UM-4X4SFP – only compatible with 24 and 48-port EX4300 switches
EX-UM-8X8SFP – only compatible with 32-port EX4300 switches
EX-UM-2QSFP – only compatible with 32-port EX4300 switches

Click here to see a full list of the EX4300 switch models that support these modules.

These three modules offer a wide range of flexibility, ranging from 1G to 40G Ethernet. The 1G ports are compatible with SFP optical transceivers, the 10G ports work with SFP+ optics and the 40G ports require QSFP+ optical form factors.

Just like the EX3200 and EX4200, the EX4300 has only one module slot.

EX-UM-4X4SFP

These Juniper switch modules have four ports that support up to 10G Ethernet. The ports are compatible with both SFP and SFP+ optical transceivers and can be configured to use a combination of 1G and 10G Ethernet optics simultaneously. This module is only compatible with 24 and 48-port EX4300 switches.

EX-UM-8X8SFP

This model is similar to the EX-UM-4X4SFP, except it has eight 10G Ethernet ports, all of which are compatible with SFP and SFP+ optics. These modules also can be set up for using SFP and SFP+ ports at the same time. This module is only compatible with 32-port EX4300 switches.

EX-UM-2QSFP

This is the highest performing module available for Juniper EX4300 switches. It only has two uplink ports, but both support up to 40G Ethernet and are compatible with QSFP+ optical transceivers. This module is also only compatible with 32-port EX4300 switches.

Modules available for Juniper EX4500 Switches

Juniper’s EX4500 switch is an end-of-life (EOL) device. The EX4500 is designed for aggregation-level applications and top-of-rack deployments in data centers.

The switch includes 40 fixed-configuration 10G Ethernet ports, but it can be configured for up to 48 ports that support 10G Ethernet.

The EX4500 has two available modules:

EX4500-UM-4XSFP
EX4500-VC1-128G

EX4500-UM-4XSFP

Each Juniper EX4500-UM-4XSFP module includes four uplink ports that support a maximum of 10G Ethernet. The EX4500 includes two module slots; both slots are on the front of the switch.

Adding EX4500-UM-4XSFP modules increases the power consumption of the EX4500 switch. Without any modules, the switch consumes 328 watts; but adding one module raises the power consumption to 346 watts, and adding two modules increases it to 364 watts.

EX4500-VC1-128G

The only other module available for the Juniper EX4500 is a virtual chassis module on the back of the EX4500 switch that allows the EX4500 to be connected to other devices. Three of the EX4500 base models come with the virtual chassis module pre-installed, the other three do not.

Juniper EX4550 Switch Modules

Whereas access-level Juniper EX Series switch modules are designed with uplink ports, the EX4550 modules are considered port expansions; they increase the overall port density on a switch. That’s because Juniper EX4550 switches are higher-end switches made for aggregation deployments.

The EX4550 supports the following module models:

These Juniper switch modules support Ethernet speeds ranging from 1G to 40G and are available in 2- and 8-port configurations.

The EX4550 switch has two module slots: one on the front and one on the back.

EX4550-EM-8XT

This module provides eight ports that support 100-megabit, 1G or 10G Ethernet. However, these modules use standard RJ-45 connectors as opposed to optical transceiver ports.

EX4550-EM-8XSFP

These models have eight ports that support any combination of 1G and 10G Ethernet connections, and are compatible with SFP and SFP+ optical transceivers.

EX4550-EM-2QSFP

This model represents the higher end of the spectrum for Juniper EX4550 modules. It has only two ports, but both support up to 40G Ethernet, which requires QSFP+ optical transceivers.

EX4550-VC1-128G

Whereas the other three Juniper switch modules for the EX4550 add more Ethernet ports, this module adds two Virtual Chassis ports (VCPs) that enable the EX4550 to be connected to other compatible devices.

Modules Available for EX4600 Juniper Switches

The EX4600 also are designed for aggregation applications. In addition, Juniper EX4600 switch modules increase port density, and – as a result – add more port configuration options.

There are only two available models:

And, since the EX4600 is a more powerful Juniper switch than the EX4550, so are it’s modules. The EX4600 modules support Ethernet speeds ranging from 1G to 40G.

The Juniper EX4600 also has two module slots, but both are located on the front of the switch.

EX4600-EM-8F

This Juniper switch module provides eight ports that support both 1G and 10G Ethernet. The ports can be configured to use any combination of 1G and 10G Ethernet. In addition, all eight ports are compatible with SFP and SFP+ optics.

QFX-EM-4Q

Another powerful module, the QFX-EM-4Q adds four 40G Ethernet ports to EX4600 switches. All the ports require QSFP+ optical transceivers.

BrightStar Systems is an Independent Reseller of Used Juniper Hardware

In addition to used Juniper switch modules, we sell a wide variety of pre-owned Juniper EX Series switches, as well as optical transceivers. As a stocking reseller, we know the equipment better than 99% of the competition, plus we can be extremely competitive on price.

Part #	Description	Supported Platform
EX-UM-4SFP	4-port GbE SFP Uplink Module	EX3200/EX4200
EX-UM-2X4SFP	2-port 10GbE SFP+ / 4-port GbE SFP Uplink Module	EX3200/EX4200
EX-UM-2X4SFP	2-port 10GbE SFP+ / 4-port GbE SFP Uplink Module with MACsec Support	EX3200/EX4200
EX-UM-2XFP	2-port 10GbE XFP Uplink Module	EX3200/EX4200
EX-UM-4X4SFP	EX4300 4-port 1GbE/10GbE SFP+ Uplink Module for EX4300-24T, EX4300-48T, EX4300-48T-AFI, EX4300-48T-DC, EX4300- 48T-DC-AFI, EX4300-24P and EX4300-48P	EX4300
EX-UM-8X8SFP	EX4300 8-port 1GbE/10GbE SFP+ Uplink Module for EX4300-32F and EX4300-32F-DC	EX4300
EX-UM-2QSFP	EX4300 2-port 40GbE QSFP+ Uplink Module for EX4300-32F and EX4300-32F-DC	EX4300
EX4550-EM-8XT	EX4550 8-port 100/1G/10GBASE-T expansion module	EX4550
EX4550-EM-8XSFP	EX4550 8-port 10GbE SFP+ expansion module (optics sold separately)	EX4550
EX4550-EM-2QSFP	P EX4550 2-port 40GbE expansion module (optics sold separately)	EX4550
EX4550-VC1-128G	EX4550, 128 Gbps Virtual Chassis module (Virtual Chassis cables sold separately)	EX4550
EX4600-EM-8F	8-port SPF+/SFP expansion module for EX4600	EX4600
QFX-EM-4Q	4-port QSFP+ expansion module for EX4600	EX4600