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Scalability and Performance: How the Juniper MX204 Meets Growing Network Demands

Juniper created its MX Series to be the very best when it comes to performance, reliability, and adaptability. There are several options for residential and business use, and the MX204 is a powerhouse for businesses looking to plan for growing network demands. It’s the best choice when you don’t have a lot of space as it’s less than two inches high (1 rack unit).

Today’s business must stay on top of changing technology. More and more companies and workers rely on video streaming and cloud computing, plus there are all of the devices that are connecting to your work’s internet. You might have printers, sales terminals, tablets, smartphones, smart speakers, security systems, computers (both desktop and laptops), and so much else. A router needs to be able to ensure speeds don’t tank and that lag and delays don’t frustrate your workers, clients, and customers.

Traditional networking equipment can struggle to keep up with cloud computing and network growth. You need a router that keeps up with traffic. You have more subscribers, cloud users, and mobile users, and everything is moving at much faster speeds. This is where the Juniper MX204 can help.

The Role of a Router

Choosing the right router for your company comes down to what devices connect to the internet and how many employees and clients need to connect. You have an internet provider for your business internet connection. That signal typically comes into a modem, which then requires a router to provide connections wirelessly or through ethernet cables. 

Your router becomes the agent in managing traffic from the internet to all of the devices and users, ensuring that data packets make it to their destination in a timely manner and without dropping out or getting lost. 

The router can also be important for safeguarding your business from threats and hacks. A router assigns an individual IP locally and then determines the priority of computers and other devices. The executives in a virtual meeting would take priority to workers who need to print materials for a meeting next week. A router can prioritize traffic flow to ensure the virtual meeting doesn’t end with lag or dropped calls.

Routers can also ensure that any employees working from home have VPN (virtual private network) access. A VPN is worth it for the additional security. They can also be paired with networking switches for advanced protection and enhanced connectivity.

Before you shop for the best business router, you need to consider how many users connect to your network. What devices are used regularly? All of this is important.

Suppose you have a large branch with 50 employees. Each employee has a computer station or laptop, a tablet, and a company smartphone or VoIP phone. Each floor shares a printer, copier, and scanner. They might have security cameras on each floor and a smart speaker system for employees to have music playing while they work. Keep track of how many devices connect to your network.

Do you have a waiting room for visitors or clients? If so, they will want to connect to your internet while they’re waiting for an appointment or meeting to start. You might have TVs and streaming boxes to keep customers entertained while they wait.

How many business meetings take place each day? Are they video conferences where a solid connection is important? If latency drops and you freeze, it can frustrate those attending your video conference. You don’t want shareholders to miss key points of information or to have to waste time repeating details, but you cannot afford for vital information to go unheard either.

You do need to consider your IT and networking budget. Be realistic, however, as cheaper may be better now, but how much is it going to cost in the long run? If you spend a few extra thousand right now and have a system that will last five years, it’s worthwhile over repeatedly spending hundreds and hundreds every year trying to keep up with the changing technology.

What Makes the MX204 Router the Best Choice?

Why is Juniper’s MX204 the best? It grows with your company and performs better than you would ever imagine.

The MX204 has up to 400 Gbps of throughput and can support high-density 100-Gigabit ethernet interfaces as well as 40-Gigabit and 10-Gigabit. With this model, there is support for as many as 12 line cards and 360 ports. All of this, and it’s also efficient. It’s one of the most energy-efficient routers using only 0.9W per Gigabit.

It can meet the demands of emergency trends like 5G, IoT communications, and rapidly changing technology like cloud computing and networking. You won’t be replacing this unit in a few months or the next year as technology continues to change.

It’s also incredibly easy to scale to your needs. It’s a great choice for a large data center, but it’s also useful for smaller branch locations. You customize it to your needs.

Juniper MX204 Features:

There are three different Juniper MX204 models. All of them offer these features.

  • The system’s capacity is 800 Gbps
  • Fixed configuration
  • 8 core, 32GB DDR4/2x100GB SSD default memory 
  • The typical power draw is 260W for both AC and DC
  • Measures 17.6 inches wide, 1.75 inches high, and 18.7 inches deep
  • Option of front or center mounting with horizontal slots and airflow is front to back
  • Full weight is 23.15 pounds or 17 pounds unloaded
  • Operates at 32ºF to 115ºF and humidity of 5% to 90%, altitude of 6,000 feet.
  • Two power supplies and three fan trays

The three model choices are:

  1. Juniper JNP204-CHAS is the base model MX204 with no additional licenses.
  2. Juniper MX204-IR has an infrastructure routing license upgrade, which gives you more enhanced specifications.
  3. Juniper MX204-R has a routing license upgrade for the most advanced specifications.

You can also have a fixed AC or DC system with certain models of the three MX204 routers. Working with a Juniper professional ensures you make the right choice for your needs.

For the best price on a Juniper MX series router, reach out to Brightstar Systems. Our used network equipment is fully restored and tested to be in like-new condition, and we even cover all equipment with a one-year in-house warranty.  With prices of up to 95% off the MSRP, you will not find a better deal on the MX204. 

In addition to the warranty, Brightstar Systems also offers free shipping and sales and support if you ever need upgrades or replacement parts. Reach us online or by phone for a free quote and to have your networking needs and budget carefully analyzed by a professional who ensures you get the best router for your needs.