Juniper QFabric QFX3008-I, Manual, Page: 31 / 472

QFX Series QFabric System Architecture
In contrast to legacy multi-tiered data center architectures, the Juniper Networks QFX
Series QFabric System architecture provides a simplified networking environment that
solves the most challenging issues faced by data center operators. A fabric is a set of
devices that act in concert to behave as a single switch. It is a highly scalable, distributed,
Layer 2 and Layer 3 networking environment that provides a high-performance,
low-latency, and unified interconnect solution for next-generation data centers as seen
in
Figure 2 on page 5 .
Figure 2: QFX Series QFabric System Architecture
Interconnect devices
Virtual Chassis
control plane
Director devices
Node devices
g041145
A QFabric system collapses the traditional multi-tier data center model into a single tier
where all access layer devices (known in the QFabric system model as
Node devices )
are essentially directly connected to all other access layer devices across a very large
scale fabric backplane (known in the QFabric system model as the
Interconnect device ).
Such an architecture enables the consolidation of data center endpoints (such as servers,
storage devices, memory, appliances, and routers) and provides better scaling and
network virtualization capabilities than traditional data centers.
5 Copyright © 2012, Juniper Networks, Inc.
Chapter 1: QFX3000 QFabric Switch Overview