Enabling Network Automation with Junos OS Datasheet

• Open Data Models: Since its inception, Junos OS has been modeling the configuration and operational state internally using what was effectively the precursor of YANG.What Junos OS pioneered has effectively become the industry standard, where Network Configuration Protocol (NETCONF) is used as a transport mechanism, while YANG is used as a data-modeling language. In addition to supporting YANG to model configuration objects, Junos OS also supports the standardized YANG models and OpenConfig.
• Junos Continuity: A major cause of downtime is the need to upgrade the network OS whenever new hardware, such as a line card, is installed in a device. These upgrades and the subsequent reboot always impact existing services. Junos Continuity provides a plug-and-play approach that ensures high network availability, preventing required device reboots by making the insertion of new line cards a non-service impacting event.
• Junos Node Slicing: Junos Node Slicing supports the convergence of multiple concurrent network functions on the same physical infrastructure. This gives service providers the ability to optimize their infrastructure, while offering differentiated services with enhanced operational and administrative isolation with a single chassis. By decoupling the network software from underlying infrastructure, Junos Node Slicing accelerates service deployment, reduces capital outlay, and improves operational efficiency.

The programmability and automation capabilities of Junos OS give service providers and enterprises the ability to automate business-critical services. This frees up valuable resources for innovation and optimal user experiences, which ultimately leads to greater customer satisfaction and brand loyalty. Junos Node Slicing optimizes the network infrastructure, enabling the convergence of multiple concurrent network functions on a single chassis, dramatically improving operational efficiency and top-line growth opportunities.

Junos OS improves the overall cost efficiency of network deployments. Junos Node Slicing enables the convergence of multiple concurrent network functions with a single chassis, maximizing the utilization of network nodes and improving CapEx efficiency. OpEx efficiency is achieved through automation, which replaces the extensive manual processes required by traditional network configuration, management, and operation, drastically simplifying network operations and virtually eliminating human errors.

Business requirements are always evolving, reflecting constantly changing market dynamics. The programmability and open-source automation frameworks supported by Junos OS give service providers and enterprises the ability to rapidly implement customized network services and deploy business-critical applications.

Junos OS supports high availability (HA), enabling service providers and enterprises to avoid extended maintenance windows and prolonged service impacts. Junos Continuity eliminates the device reboot and network OS upgrade typically required during the installation of new hardware such as line cards. Junos Selective Update allows users to apply a patch (hotfix) on an installed version of Junos OS running on a Juniper device without any service disruption.

By supporting full symmetric multiprocessing (SMP), Junos OS enables the operating system to utilize all CPU cores on the Routing Engine. The result is a flexible, scalable, and powerful network infrastructure with the multicore capabilities of the networking devices.

Junos OS incorporates many advanced security features that minimize network vulnerability. The Secure Boot feature certifies that Junos OS devices boot with only an authentic, untampered version of the Junos OS. It also ensures that devices boot an image that has not been tampered with. The built-in security features provide a secured and trusted chain of software development, safeguarding device integrity from factory to the branch site.

Junos OS encompass a comprehensive set of automation features and support for open-source framework and standard protocols. Automation features and open-source support are available across Juniper’s product portfolio, including the Juniper Networks MX Series 3D Universal Edge Routers, PTX Series Packet Transport Routers, ACX Series Universal Access Routers, EX Series Ethernet Switches, QFX Series Switches, SRX Series Services Gateways, and T Series Core Routers.

Junos Automation Scripts consist of:

• Op-Scripts: Used to perform operational tasks on demand
• Event-Scripts: Used to instruct Junos OS to perform actions in response to system events
• Commit-Scripts: Used to instruct Junos OS to perform actions at or during commit time
• SNMP Scripts: Provide the flexibility needed to support custom MIBs

A fast, ultra-low-latency database for programmatic configuration, eDB resides on Junos OS to help with programmatic changes that are verified and monitored externally. SDN controllers and external applications alike can benefit from this fast channel to make control and data plane configuration changes on devices running Junos OS.

General-purpose remote procedure call (gRPC) is an open- source, BSD-licensed HTTP/2 RPC framework developed and used by Google to handle remote procedure calls. gRPC enables the easy creation of high-performance, scalable APIs and microservices in many popular programming languages and platforms.

HTTP is a protocol used for communication, usually with Internet resources or any application with a Web browser client. HTTPs enables communication over an encrypted connection.

The Juniper Extension Toolkit (JET) is a next-generation solution that makes programming Junos OS simple, flexible, and extensible. JET is based on four fundamental components: JET APIs, Python, JavaScript Object Notation (JSON), and Fast Programmatic Configuration (or eDB).

JET offers a set of APIs that are consistent across any Junos OS supporting JET. JET APIs are language-agnostic and can be accessed by any programming language. Applications developed using JET APIs are also binary-compatible and can be executed across any platform running a Junos OS release supporting JET.

Junos Snapshot Administrator captures and audits the runtime environment of network devices running Junos OS, automating network state verification by capturing and validating the status of a device. It is used to take pre- and post-snapshots of the environment, then compare them based on test cases provided. It is also used to audit a device’s runtime environment against predefined criteria. JSNAP is the Stylesheet Language Alternative Syntax (SLAX) version of the tool.

JSNAPy is the Python version of the JSNAP tool described above.

JSON is a popular data exchange format which has become a standard for simple and lightweight communication between devices and applications. To enrich native support in several programming languages, Junos OS operational commands can emit output in JSON format. Junos OS configuration input can also be provided in JSON format.

The Junos Telemetry Interface (JTI) is a high-frequency telemetry export function available on Juniper networking platforms to optimize network performance and fault management.

The Junos User Interface Scripting Environment (JUISE) is a set of tools that allows the development and testing of SLAX scripts targeting devices running Junos OS. Users can develop scripts in their own desktop environment, performing the necessary code, test, and debug cycles in a more familiar setting. Tools for developers are available, including a debugger, a profiler, a call- flow tracing mechanism, and trace files.

Jxmlease is a Python module that converts XML to intelligent Python data structures, and vice versa.

NETCONF is a protocol defined by the IETF for installing, manipulating, and deleting network device configurations.

NETCONF libraries support XML-based data encoding, SSH transport, and RPC support using different languages including Python, Ruby, PHP, Java, Go, and Perl.

OpenConfig is an informal working group of network operators that is focused on compiling a consistent set of vendor-neutral data models (written in YANG) based on actual operational needs from use cases and requirements from multiple network operators.

Junos PyEZ is a Python “micro-framework” used to remotely manage or automate a device running Junos OS.

With native support for Python in Junos OS, users can develop and execute operational, event, and configuration commit scripts using Python.

The Junos OS REST API is an interface that enables users to securely connect to Junos OS devices and execute remote procedure calls. Using the REST API Explorer GUI, users can conveniently experiment with any REST API and explore a variety of formatting and display options, including JavaScript Object Notation (JSON). REST uses HTTP as its application- layer protocol.

The RubyEZ framework allows users to automate management of Junos OS devices without requiring specific Junos XML knowledge.

SLAX is a language for writing Junos OS Op Scripts, Event Scripts, Commit Scripts, and SNMP Scripts.

Ansible, SaltStack, Chef, and Puppet are IT provisioning tools that also bring the networking environment closer to the concept of continuous delivery. Junos OS automation supports all of these tools.

• Ansible: A free software platform that combines multinode software deployment, ad hoc task execution, and configuration management; Ansible works in proxy mode without requiring an on-box agent.
• SaltStack: A tool that allows users to remotely configure a number of devices simultaneously, with a single command; SaltStack works in proxy mode without requiring an on-box agent.
• Puppet: An open-source configuration management tool that runs UNIX-like systems or Microsoft Windows and includes its own declarative language to describe system configuration.
• Chef: An IT provisioning tool that integrates with cloud- based platforms to automate the process of provisioning, configuring, and maintaining new servers.

Extensible Markup Language (XML) defines a set of rules for encoding documents in a format that can be read by both humans and machines, while XML Schema Definition (XSD) is a World-Wide Web Consortium (W3C) recommendation that specifies how to formally describe elements in an XML document.

YANG is a standards-based, extensible, hierarchical data modeling language that is used to model the configuration and state data used by NETCONF operations, remote procedure calls (RPCs), and server event notifications.

Zero Touch Provisioning (ZTP) allows customers to automatically provision new Junos OS devices in the network without any manual intervention. Once a device is physically connected to the network with default factory configuration, it attempts to upgrade the Junos OS software automatically and also auto- install configuration files from the network.

Juniper Networks is the leader in performance-enabling services that are designed to accelerate, extend, and optimize your high-performance network. Our services allow you to maximize operational efficiency while reducing costs and minimizing risk, achieving a faster time to value for your network. Juniper Networks ensures operational excellence by optimizing the network to maintain required levels of performance, reliability, and availability. For more details, please visit https://www.juniper.net/us/en/products.html.

At Juniper Networks, we are dedicated to dramatically simplifying network operations and driving superior experiences for end users. Our solutions deliver industry-leading insight, automation, security and AI to drive real business results. We believe that powering connections will bring us closer together while empowering us all to solve the world’s greatest challenges of well-being, sustainability and equality. 

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