Three of the most commonly used Juniper QFX Series devices are the QFX5100, the QFX5110 and the QFX5200. And while there are plenty of similarities between the three devices, a closer look at QFX5100 vs QFX5110 vs QFX5200 switches reveals several key differences that significantly impact how they can be utilized in a given network.
And if you’re looking to buy QFX Series devices for your network, those differences may determine which specific switch is the best fit. We’ve compiled those differences here, in order to help you decide which switch is the most effective for your networking needs.
How QFX5100, QFX5110 and QFX5200 Switches Are Similar
The Juniper QFX5100, QFX5110 and QFX5200 are subseries of switches that fall under the QFX Series. The biggest — and one of the few — commonalities is that all three subseries are comprised of fixed-configuration devices, which means none require modular line cards.
And, although the lack of line cards means each device has limited flexibility, between the three subseries, there’s support for lower-density 1G Ethernet to higher-density 400G Ethernet.
In addition to the various Ethernet speed options, the QFX5100, QFX5110 and QFX5200 have a wide variety of other features — like the virtual chassis feature — that differ significantly.
But first, let’s start with the basic specifications.
QFX5100 vs QFX5110 vs QFX5200 Specifications
Below are the general specifications, like size, port density, optical transceiver compatibility and supported Ethernet speeds. for the QFX5100, QFX5110 and QFX5200 switches.
QFX5100 Switch Specs
The QFX5100 subseries includes five models. All models, except for the QFX5100-96S, are only 1 rack unit (RU) in size. The QFX5100-96S is a bit larger at 2 RUs in size.
The specs for all five QFX5100 models are as follows:
- The QFX5100-48S has 48 SFP+ ports that support up to 10G Ethernet and six QSFP+ ports that support up to 40G Ethernet.
- The QFX5100-48T has 48 tri-speed RJ-45 ports that support 100 Mbps, 1G and 10G Ethernet and six QSFP+ ports that support up to 40G Ethernet.
- The QFX5100-24Q has 24 QSFP+ ports that support up to 40G Ethernet.
- The QFX5100-24Q-AA has 24 QSFP+ ports that support up to 40G Ethernet.
- The QFX5100-96S has 96 SFP+ ports that support up to 10G Ethernet and eight QSFP+ ports that support up to 40 Ethernet.
The maximum capacity of the QFX5100-48S and the QFX5100-48T is 1.44 Tbps and the throughput for the QFX5100-24Q, the QFX5100-24Q-AA and the QFX5100-96S is 2.56 Tbps.
QFX5110 Switch Specs
There are only two QFX5110 models. And at 1 rack unit (RU) both models are compact devices.
The specifications for the two QFX5110 models are as follows:
- The QFX5110-48S has 48 SFP+ ports that support up to 10G Ethernet and four QSFP28 ports that support up to 100G Ethernet.
- The QFX5110-32Q is configurable in two modes: one with 32 QSFP+ ports and another with 20 QSFP+ ports and four QSFP28 ports that support up to 100G Ethernet.
The maximum capacity for the QFX5110-48S is 1.76 Tbps, and the throughput for the QFX5110-32Q is a bit higher at 2.56 Tbps.
QFX5200 Switch Specs
There are also only two QFX5200 models and both are 1 RU in size as well.
The specs for the two models are as follows:
- The QFX5200-48Y has 48 ports that can be configured as SFP+ or SFP28 ports that support up to 10G Ethernet and six QSFP28 ports that support up to 100G Ethernet.
- The QFX5200-32C has 32 ports that can be configured as QSFP+ or QSFP28 ports that support up to 100G Ethernet.
The maximum capacity for the QFX5200-48Y is 6.4 Tbps and the throughput for the QFX5200-32C is 3.6 Tbps.
QFX5100 vs QFX5110 vs QFX5200 In-depth Comparison
In general, QFX5100, QFX5110 and QFX5200 switches have similar general specifications. However, there are other, more subtle differences between the three subseries, and these differences are important to consider if you’re looking to make a purchase.
Expansion Modules
If the ability to upgrade or expand networking switches over time is important to you, the QFX5100 subseries is your only option. Of the three subseries, only the Juniper QFX5100-24Q and QFX5100-24Q-AA switch models support expansion modules. Each model has two slots.
Both the QFX5100-24Q and the QFX5100-24Q-AA support the EX4600-EM-8F and the QFX-EM-4Q expansion modules. The EX4600-EM-8F has eight SFP+ ports that support up to 10G Ethernet and the QFX-EM-4Q has four QSFP+ ports that support up to 40G Ethernet.
The QFX5100-24Q-AA also supports the QFX-PFA-4Q expansion module, which has a programmable gate array that allows users to input code for custom applications. However, the QFX-PFA-4Q requires both expansion slots, whereas the other two modules only require one.
Virtual Chassis
One of the best features of Juniper QFX Series switches is the ability to virtually interconnect multiple devices so they’re operating as one device and can be managed as one chassis.
The QFX5100, QFX5110 and QFX5200 routers can be interconnected with each other, as well as several other Juniper devices, including the following:
- QFX3500
- QFX3600
- QFX5120
- EX4650
- EX4300
However, the QFX5100, QFX5110 and QFX5200 have different virtual chassis capabilities —number of devices that can be interconnected, compatibility with other devices, etc.
Let’s start with the most versatile virtual chassis QFX Series switch: the QFX5100.
As many as 10 QFX5100 switches can be linked to create a virtual chassis. But it doesn’t have to be only QFX5100 switches; the QFX5100 can be mixed with any combination of QFX5110, EX3500, EX3600 and EX4300 switches. This is considered a mixed-mode virtual chassis.
Up to 10 QFX5110 switches can also be linked to create a virtual chassis. However, the only other switch the QFX5110 can be interconnected with is the QFX5100.
As for the QFX5200, only three can be interconnected to make a virtual chassis. In addition, only the QFX5200-32C model supports the virtual chassis feature; the QFX5200-48Y does not.
If utilizing the virtual chassis feature is something you’re interested in doing, some QFX Series devices, like the QFX5100, may be a better fit for your specific network needs.
License Requirements
The way licenses are structured for advanced and premium features on QFX5100 vs QFX5110 vs QFX5200 switches vary as well.
Licenses are simplest on QFX5100 devices. There’s only one additional license required in order to utilize the premium and advanced features. You’re required to purchase one license per switch, or two licenses if you’re using QFX5100 switches in a virtual chassis configuration.
The licenses for QFX5110 devices are a bit more complicated: there are two licenses available, one for the premium features and one for the advanced features. Just like the QFX5100 licenses, you have to purchase one license per switch or two for a virtual chassis configuration.
The QFX5200 switch licenses are the most complicated. In fact, the QFX5200-48Y and the QFX5200-32C require two completely different licenses. The QFX5200-48Y requires the same license for premium and advanced features as QFX5110 devices.
But the QFX5200-32Q is disaggregated, which means even the base device requires a license to operate. In this case, there’s a license for the base features, a second license for the premium features and a third license for the advanced features. In addition, the QFX5200-32Q requires one license per switch, even if you’re using a virtual chassis configuration.
VXLAN (Virtual Extensible LAN) Support
One of the most important features enabled by purchasing additional licenses — specifically the premium features license —is the virtual extensible LAN (VXLAN) feature. VXLAN vs VLAN — a standard virtual local area network — significantly increases layer 2 network address space.
Although QFX5100, QFX5110 and QFX5200 switches all support VXLAN, each device has limitations, or constraints, in regards to the VXLAN feature.
Some of the VXLAN constraints include:
- QFX5100 and QFX5200 switches don’t support routing traffic between VXLANs
- QFX5110 switches do not support VXLAN EVPN in a virtual chassis configuration
- QFX5110 switches do not support routing traffic between a VXLAN and a layer 3 logical interface, by default, but it can be done with some additional configuration
If the VXLAN feature is something you’re planning to use extensively, you may want to check out the complete list of constraints on QFX5100, QFX5110 and QFX5200 switches.
We Buy and Sell Used Juniper QFX Switches
At BrightStar Systems, we sell high-quality used Juniper QFX5100, QFX5110 and QFX5200 switches all over the world. We test every piece of equipment we sell to make sure it’s in working condition. And — as if that wasn’t enough — all our hardware comes with BrightStar Systems’ 1-year, In-house Warranty, which includes repairs, exchanges and refunds.
We like to make sure you’re getting the most out of the used switches you sell, too. That’s why we cover all your shipping costs. On top of that, we’ll pay you upfront via credit for your pre-owned equipment. As long as all the hardware passes our quality control and testing process, you’ll keep the payment in its entirety. It’s really that easy.
Head to our Juniper product page to see all the routers and switches we buy and sell. And if you have any questions about QFX Series switches or any other Juniper products, contact us today.
