Cisco ASR9010 vs Juniper MX960

Thu Feb 18 13:55:44 UTC 2016

We have both and they’re both great boxes, however it’s sort of embarrassing that the ASR9k still can’t do virtualized routing, ie. logical-systems.  Not sure if thats a deal breaker for you but just thought you’d like to beware.  We also find OS configurations on the Juniper much easier than the cumbersome  XR OS that the Cisco runs.  The 9k does however get a huge win with the ability to apply a ‘pie’ or software patch while staying in service vs requiring a reload.   Either way, I don’t think you’ll go wrong.

J~

Jason Bothe, Manager of Networking
Rice University
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				      jason at rice.edu <mailto:ason at rice.edu>
> On 18, Feb 2016, at 7:45 AM, Colton Conor <colton.conor at gmail.com> wrote:
> 
> I would like opinions of the differences between these two platforms if
> possible.
> 
> I was going to buy a used Juniper MX960 Router MX960-PREMIUM2-AC-ECM with
> 2 x RE-S-1800X4-16G  and 3 x SCBE-MX-S. Then I was going to load this up
> with a couple of older DPCE-R-4XGE-XFP 4x10GE DPC Enhanced cards.
> 
> Now Cisco has offered me a new ASR9010 with dual ASR9K Route Switch
> Processor with 440G/slot Fabric and 6GB, and two 4X10GE / 16X1G Combo
> Linecard, Packet Transport Optimized for about the same price as the used
> Juniper. The only catch is the Cisco's support and warranty looks
> very expensive per year, but that's hard to compare since a used Juniper
> has zero support and warranty included.
> 
> 
> If these were both brand new with support and warranty which would you
> choose? If it were the used Juniper vs new Cisco which would you choose?
> 
> I know Juniper makes newer MIC cards that probably better compete with
> these Cisco cards, but that is not option due to price.
> 
> New, Juniper wants to sell me a MX104 for the same price that I can get
> this Cisco ASR9010. I think that is a no brainer to go with the ASR at that
> point. I asked for new pricing on a MX240/480/960, but that was not even
> close to the ASR9010 numbers.
> 
> I can also buy two ASR 9001's for the same price and as the single ASR9010.
> 