Configuring Virtual Routers; Overview; Default Virtual Router; Virtual Router Instances - Juniper JUNOSE SOFTWARE FOR E SERIES 11.3.X - SYSTEM BASICS CONFIGURATION GUIDE 2010-10-04 Configuration Manual

CHAPTER 11

Configuring Virtual Routers

Overview

Default Virtual Router

Virtual Router Instances

Copyright © 2010, Juniper Networks, Inc.
E Series routers allow you to create multiple logical or virtual routers in a single router.
Each virtual router has its own separate set of IP interfaces, forwarding table, and
instances of routing protocols.
This chapter contains the following sections:
Overview on page 525
Platform Considerations on page 527
References on page 527
Configuring Virtual Routers on page 527
Monitoring Virtual Routers on page 531
Multiple distinct routers are supported within a single router, which allows service providers
to configure multiple, separate, secure routers within a single chassis. These routers are
identified as virtual routers (VRs). Applications for this function include the creation of
individual routers dedicated to wholesale customers, corporate virtual private network
(VPN) users, or a specific traffic type.
When you first boot your router, it creates a default virtual router. The only difference
between the default VR and any other router is that you cannot create or delete the
default VR. Just like any other router, the default VR gets its IP addresses when you add
interfaces to it.
E Series routers can support up to 1,000 forwarding tables; that is, up to a total of 1,000
VRs and VPN routing and forwarding (VRF) instances. Each VRF has a forwarding table.
A network device attaching to a router detects a router interface. The attaching device
has no notion of the virtual router behind the interface.
For example, a physical ATM link may have circuits that are connected to different VRs.
The physical and data link layers are not aware that there are multiple router instances.
See Figure 28 on page 526.
525