Understanding Routing Engines in the QFabric System
Hardware-Based Routing Engines
Software-Based External Routing Engines
Copyright © 2018, Juniper Networks, Inc.
Understanding the QFabric System Hardware Architecture on page 7
Routing Engines perform many important processing tasks in the QFabric system. Knowing
where the Routing Engines are located and what services they provide enables you to
troubleshoot the QFabric system and ensure that it is running the way it should.
Hardware-Based Routing Engines on page 13
Software-Based External Routing Engines on page 13
A traditional Juniper Networks Routing Engine is a hardware field-replaceable unit that
runs routing protocols, builds the routing and switching tables, sends routing information
to the Packet Forwarding Engine, and handles several software processes for the device
(such as interface control, chassis component monitoring, system management, and
user access). Node devices that are part of server Node groups in the QFabric system
that connect to servers or storage devices implement Routing Engine functions locally
using this traditional hardware method.
The QFabric system also uses external Routing Engines that run in software on the Director
group. In contrast with traditional Routing Engines, the functions and processes provided
by software-based Routing Engines are segmented, specialized, and distributed across
multiple Routing Engine instances running on the Director group. Such separation provides
redundancy for these functions and enables the QFabric system to scale.
Figure 4 on page 13
shows the external Routing Engine types.
Figure 4: External Routing Engine Types
Chapter 1: QFX3000-G QFabric System Overview
Fabric manager
Fabric control
Network Node group
Fabric visualizer
Diagnostics
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