But requirements for the multiservice edge are different from those needed in the core. For example, core routers are designed to quickly shuttle packets from one place in the network to another. By contrast, multiservice edge routers require much more intelligence. They must be able to take in different kinds of traffic like ATM or Frame Relay and transport that traffic over an MPLS infrastructure without losing any of the quality of service or reliability characteristics found in its native form. Multiservice boxes also need to be able to handle large traffic flows. This means boxes need switching capacity to handle up to 400 gigabits worth of throughput.
Although there is a gap between the needs of the core and multiservice edge, some analysts said that newly developed software can provide an acceptable bridge.
Kevin Mitchell, an analyst at Infonetics Research, said he sees value in Juniper's newly announced software toolkit, called J-FASE, which enables the M-series routers to take in ATM and Frame Relay traffic and emulate that over an MPLS network.
"Clearly Juniper, and all the vendors in this market, still have a long way to go in terms of satisfying every requirement," Mitchell said. "But I think Juniper is off to a good start with the software toolkit."
Juniper argues that the introduction of the new M320 multiservice edge router is not just a marketing ploy. Mike Capuana, senior product marketing manager for Juniper, said the company has been working on incorporating more multiservice features into the M-series routers for the past few years, particularly through new software development. He also said that the programmable chipsets, the Internet Processor II, introduced into the product line back in 1999, have played a significant role in converting the core devices to edge routers.
"We've been enhancing this product all along," he said. "The good news is that we can leverage the stability of the original platform. And because we are using flexible chipsets, we can add in new features."
