Juniper Networks, the leader in high-performance networking, has introduced the TX Matrix Plus, a multi-chassis core routing system that enables service providers to deliver innovative services with maximum profitability and investment protection to enterprises across the Middle East.

Interconnecting multiple T1600 core routers, the TX Matrix Plus is designed to work with the Juniper Control System 1200 to allow the virtualisation of routing systems, networks and services - bringing a new dimension of flexibility and scalability to the network core.

“Delivering innovative, reliable services requires a highly flexible and scalable core routing system at the heart of the network, and our investment in Juniper’s T1600 routing platform is in line with this strategy,” said senior executive vice-president of engineering, Etisalat, Fadhil Ansari.

“Juniper’s announcement of the new TX Matrix Plus multi-chassis routing system ensures our investment protection and enables us to build and scale a very efficient, flexible and reliable core network.”

The TX Matrix Plus leverages the superior technology of Juniper’s T1600, the industry’s highest capacity, most energy efficient single-chassis core router. The T1600 and TX Matrix Plus lower total cost of ownership by delivering up to 25 percent more routing capacity in the half the footprint, and with up to 40 percent less power than competing solutions.

The TX Matrix Plus architecture is designed to support up to 25 Tbps of capacity by integrating up to sixteen T1600s into a single multi-chassis routing node. This multi-chassis router can be managed as a single, unified router, or combined with the JCS 1200 to enable the secure virtualization of core routers - which creates efficiencies by consolidating networks, services and functionality.

“Harnessing the capabilities of the new Juniper TX Matrix Plus system, operators in the Middle East will now be able to consolidate their existing networks using the power of virtualization to deliver new integrated services.   This technology also helps to lower the cost per bit for processing IP traffic, which is increasing exponentially every year, thus enabling operators to establish further competitive advantage,” stated director of service provider business, Juniper Networks MEA, Ravi Mali.

Virtualisation has seen rapid adoption in the data centre and elsewhere because of its ability to increase efficiency and reduce costs by sharing and consolidating resources. In the core of the network, regulatory, operational, organisational and security issues in the region have made the virtualization of disparate networks and services more challenging.

With the TX Matrix Plus and JCS 1200, Juniper is addressing these challenges by enabling the hardware virtualisation of highly scalable, adaptable core routers. Juniper core routers can be partitioned - on a per slot basis - into multiple virtual routers, each of which might represent services or network element types, and which can share resources such as interconnecting links and uplinks. 

This unique ability ensures service providers can maintain the appropriate levels of administrative and service-specific separation, security and management while still recognizing the significant efficiency and cost-savings benefits of virtualisation. 

Service providers who leverage the TX Matrix Plus and other Juniper solutions to virtualize their core networks will be able to rapidly introduce new services on their existing infrastructure, while still managing each network and service individually.

This dramatically speeds the introduction of new services, and also opens up a range of new business models and partnership opportunities, such as the ability to deliver “Open Garden” services, virtual network operator, network as a service (NaaS) and network sharing to regional corporations.

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