2/12/2008 -- Don't look now, Cisco Systems Inc., but archrival Juniper Networks last week took its most ambitious plunge to date into the enterprise switching segment.

Juniper last week unveiled its EX-series of Ethernet switches, a new breed of enterprise switches designed to run its Juniper JUNOS software, a single-source network operating system. According to Juniper, the EX-series delivers operational simplicity, carrier-class reliability and infrastructure consolidation for enterprise data center customers. First-rev EX offerings include the EX 3200 Series of pileable fixed switches, the EX 4200 Series stackable fixed configuration switches and the EX 8200 Series of modular switches.

The EX series offers proof that Juniper understands the needs of data center customers, according to Steven Schuchart, a principal analyst for enterprise network systems with consultancy Current Analysis.

"[I]n order for the company to continue to expand its business at a high rate, it needed to be a more complete player in terms of the product lines it could offer enterprises. By adding the EX Series of Ethernet switches, Juniper is giving current customers as well as prospective customers an attractive switch offering and greatly expanding the number of customers they can address," he said. "Juniper is already a respected name for its routers and security devices with a strong customer list. Its release of a line of Ethernet switches for the enterprise increases competition in an already intensely competitive switching market."

The EX Series of Ethernet switches use Juniper's own "Hurricane" chips and run JUNOS, the OS that powers Juniper's router products, Schuchart says. "Juniper is entering a crowded and hyper-competitive Ethernet switch market place and can expect its competitors in that market to react quickly and viciously in order to blunt Juniper's incursion," he said, noting that the routing powerhouse seems to have crossed its T's, dotted its I's, and -- to mix expressions -- made sure all of its ducks were in a row with the release of the EX Series.

The EX 3200 Series, for example, offers 24-port and 48-port standard Gigabit Ethernet models with full or partial PoE support. The EX 4200, on the other hand, is a line of stackable switches that Juniper characterizes as a "Virtual Chassis"; it's outfitted with 24- or 48-port copper Gigabit Ethernet models with full and partial PoE and a 24-port all-fiber model. There's also the flagship EX model, the EX 8200, which comes in two chassis sizes (eight and 16 slots). The first two switches will be available next month, but the high-end EX 8200 isn't slated to ship until the second half of 2008 -- with pricing still to be determined.

All things considered, Schuchart said, Juniper's first foray into enterprise switches is impressive -- most impressive indeed.

"Juniper has done quite a few things right when it comes to entering the enterprise switching market. First, the company has quelled all worries about the switch OS by using its own chips and the same JUNOS that runs on its already popular routers. This is a boon to customers, eliminating the need to track multiple software versions for Juniper routers and switches," he said. "Juniper has come out with a reasonably full switch line at launch that gives customers solutions in the data center, aggregation layer and wiring closet...Overall, Juniper has put forth enough thought and effort into its new switching line to make an impact on the market."

What concerns, if any, does Schuchart identify? The first and most obvious, of course, is Cisco: it's the 800-pound gorilla of the enterprise switching segment, for one thing, and it manages to dominate even in the midst of teeming competition.

"The major concern for Juniper's launch into the switching market isn't so much models, speeds and feeds. It is the sheer number of competitors including Cisco, who dominates the market by a wide margin today," he said. "Juniper has extensive experience fighting Cisco. You could even say Juniper has made its bones by competing with Cisco. However, it faces not just Cisco, but new companies such as Woven Systems and surging companies such as ProCurve by Hewlett-Packard and Foundry. Juniper will need to concentrate and expand in order to make a strong impact in the extremely competitive Ethernet switching market. This will mean correcting competitive deficiencies such as a lack of enterprise WLAN and a strong VoIP offering or partnership." --Stephen Swoyer