In 2024, Juniper Networks raised the bar for network performance and scalability, announcing our first routing solutions to deliver 800G (or double-density 400G) performance. Our new additions to the PTX 10000 line of routers set a new standard for network performance, sustainability, and automation. We’re now blazing a trail to 800G networking and beyond. Operators can use these solutions to immediately double the port density of 400G networks today, while preparing to move up seamlessly to 800G tomorrow.
One year in, and we’ve seen an amazing response from the market. Customers are reaping the benefits of 800G ZR coherent optics and double-density 400G capacity in both wide area network (WAN) and data center deployments. Analysts are proclaiming that 800G has officially arrived. And we’re just getting started.
Until recently, we highlighted the PTX10002-36QDD Packet Transport Router—an ultra-compact fixed platform that’s perfect for scale-out architectures. Now, we’re pleased to announce general availability of the 800G-capable LC1301-36DD line card for our award-winning PTX Series modular routing systems.
With this addition, Juniper PTX routing systems can deliver up to 36 ports of 800G throughput (72 ports of 400G), or 28.8 Terabits capacity per line card. For a fully loaded PTX10008 platform with eight line cards, that translates to 230.4 Tbps throughput. That’s double the capacity of previous generation systems in the same footprint—with up to 77% better power efficiency and up to 27% lower TCO. Whether scaling up WAN capacity or building a more capable and scalable AI data center, there’s never been a better time to start your 800G transformation.
Market momentum grows
The impact of Juniper’s leadership in 800G transformation—especially in open, standards-based 800G optics—is one of the hottest topics in networking. Heavy Reading analyst Sterling Perrin recently summed up the rapid evolution in this space. He said, “800G interfaces and 800G-capable routers are becoming available—and the market need is immediate.”
Perrin also spoke with about what these new solutions mean for routed networks and the use cases driving early demand (Watch the video).
The most exciting news, however, comes from our customers. They are deploying groundbreaking Juniper 800G solutions in real-world networks.
In November 2024, Finnish service provider Elisa Oyj announced the world’s first deployment of 800Gbps Ethernet services using 800ZR coherent transceivers and IP-over-DWDM. Using Juniper PTX Series routers, JCO800 coherent optics and Juniper’s Converged Optical Routing Architecture (CORA), the operator deployed a future-proof backbone network for delivering sustainable, scalable digital services throughout Finland for the coming years.
Then, in February, the Juniper-Elisa Oyj solution was named an honoree in the 12th Annual Lightwave + BTR Innovation Reviews—the only solution to achieve this distinction in the Optical Transport/Carrier Ethernet category. One of the independent judges evaluating the solution said, “Juniper has developed a flexible [PTX10002-36QDD] platform and deployment that allows Elisa to simplify its aggregation network for its fixed and mobile networks.”
More recently, Saudi Telecom (stc) launched a major network expansion and data center modernization project based on groundbreaking Juniper routing solutions. Using PTX10008 Routers with double-density 400G line cards, the operator is dramatically improving network capacity, performance, and scale, while reducing energy use. In stc’s “Converged Supercore” network, the upgrade delivers 14.4x more 100G capacity and an 864-port boost in 400G capacity in the same rack space, with 43% lower power consumption per Gig.
“With Juniper routing at the heart of our core network and key operational data centers, stc can continue to attract and retain mobile customers at scale while reducing our carbon footprint and operational expenditure,” said Bader Allhieb, Vice President of Infrastructure, stc. “We are also excited about the promise of Juniper’s 800G PTX routers that embody sustainability and versatility, delivering superior performance and seamless user experience, reduced carbon footprint and operational cost advantages.”
Meeting growing needs for flexibility and scale
Customers and analysts were understandably excited about our initial fixed-platform 800G-capable PTX routers, which set the industry benchmark for port density, radix, and efficiency. These ultra-compact 2U platforms continue to boost capacity and throughput for metro network and data center edge use cases, especially in scale-out architectures. Many operators also need traditional modular routing systems that can scale up to support the largest core and peering networks or serve as spine or super-spine platforms in AI data centers. With Juniper 800G-capable line cards now available for PTX modular routing systems, operators can unleash 800G or double-density 400G transformation across an even wider range of network use cases. These include:
- Metro aggregation
- Data center interconnect/data center edge
- Core and peering locations
- AI data centers
Operators using PTX modular routing systems today, who face exploding capacity requirements in metro aggregation or data center interconnect networks, can now add 36 ports of 800G (or 72 ports of 400G, or high-density 100G) simply by adding a new line card. They can add more 400G ports or transition to 800G as their business requires, with the flexibility to use myriad standardized optics to cost-effectively support diverse short-reach and long-reach networks. They can even combine fixed-platform PTX10002 routers with modular PTX chassis in the same architecture—an ideal solution for AI data centers that need to connect thousands of worker nodes in extremely dense, high-performance Clos architectures.
The Juniper difference
Why are so many operators partnering with Juniper for their 800G network transformation? Because we’ve designed our PTX routing solutions from the ground up to not only deliver a massive capacity boost, but to do it in systems that are smaller, more power-efficient, and cost-effective. Juniper continues to lead the industry in:
- Sustainable silicon: Our revolutionary Express 5 ASICs deliver 800G performance while consuming 49% fewer Watts/Gig compared to Express 4.
- Sustainable systems: Juniper PTX routing solutions deliver more capacity and better performance while using fewer ASICs, energy-efficient chassis, and intelligent power management capabilities. Our solutions double capacity and port density in the same footprint and reduce power consumption by up to 75%.
- Sustainable operations: Juniper PTX routing solutions are designed for network automation. Use Juniper Paragon Automation to simplify deployment and management of a diverse set of WAN use cases. Use Juniper Apstra™ for intent-based data center networking. Or, with PTX support for open APIs and management protocols you can use any homegrown or standardized model-driven management solution.
No matter how you choose to automate your network, you’ll have the same simplicity and flexibility, with telemetry and automation across the full network lifecycle.
Juniper has long been among the most innovative companies in the networking space, and among the first to put revolutionary new capabilities into the hands of customers. Now, we’re helping operators capitalize on the most advanced 800G and double-density 400G systems, with the performance, sustainability and simplified operations that our customers expect.
We can’t wait to see where the journey takes us next.
Learn More/Related Resources
- Juniper Networks PTX 800GE (and Double Density 400GE) Routing Solutions
- 400G & 800G Solutions
- PTX Series Routers
- PTX10000, PTX10004, PTX10008 and PTX10016 Packet Transport Routers
- PTX10000 Line of Modular Routers Datasheet
- PTX10002-36QDD Packet Transport Router
- Solution Brief: Simplify Data Center Interconnect and Data Center Edge Operations
- Juniper PTX Metro Aggregation Solution Brief: Prepare to Scale to 400G, 800G and Beyond
