MPC7E-MRATE Juniper 12xQSFP+/QSFP28 10G/40G/100G Line Card
Juniper MPC7E-MRATE Modular Port Concentrator
Multi-Rate 10G/40G/100G High-Density Line Card for MX-Series Routers
NOTE:
- Only ports marked 100G support 100-Gigabit Ethernet speed using QSFP28 transceivers.
- On MX960 routers, all the MPC slots can be occupied by MPC7E MRATE line cards at an ambient temperature of up to 40° C and at any altitude. All the MPC slots can be occupied by an MPC7E MRATE line card at temperatures of up to 55° C and at sea level. At an ambient temperature of 55° C and above, and at an altitude above sea level, slot 11 cannot host MPC7E MRATE line cards.
The Juniper Networks MPC7E-MRATE Modular Port Concentrator is a high-performance, multi-rate line card designed for Juniper MX240, MX480, and MX960 routers, delivering exceptional flexibility and scalability for modern high-speed networks. Featuring 12 QSFP+/QSFP28 ports, this MPC supports 10GbE (via breakout), 40GbE, and 100GbE on every port, enabling seamless migration across multiple network speeds without requiring hardware replacement.
Powered by the advanced Juniper Trio chipset, the MPC7E-MRATE delivers up to 480 Gbps full-duplex throughput, ensuring wire-rate Layer 2 and Layer 3 performance even in demanding environments. It is purpose-built for service provider cores, internet exchange (IX) peering, and large-scale data center interconnect (DCI) deployments that require high-density 100G connectivity.
Each port on the MPC7E-MRATE can be individually configured, allowing network operators to deploy 100GbE for high-capacity uplinks, 40GbE for aggregation, or 4×10GbE breakout configurations for increased port density. This flexibility makes it an ideal solution for networks transitioning from legacy 10G and 40G infrastructures to high-speed 100G architectures.
The line card supports advanced networking features including MPLS, EVPN, L2VPN, L3VPN, and VPLS, along with Hierarchical QoS (HQoS), deep packet buffering, and inline traffic monitoring (J-Flow) for granular traffic control and enhanced visibility. Additionally, it includes hardware-based IEEE 802.1ae MACsec encryption on all ports, ensuring secure, line-rate data transmission.
Designed for scalability, the MPC7E-MRATE enables up to 132 × 100GbE ports in a fully populated MX960 chassis, delivering industry-leading port density for core and peering applications. With full integration into Junos OS, along with support for automation and high availability, the Juniper MPC7E-MRATE provides a future-ready, investment-protected solution for evolving high-bandwidth network infrastructures.
Product Specifications – Juniper Networks MPC7E-MRATE 12-Port Multi-Rate 10/40/100GbE Modular Port Concentrator
CLICK HERE FOR DATA SHEET
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Product Name | Juniper Networks MPC7E-MRATE Modular Port Concentrator |
| Manufacturer | Juniper Networks |
| Part Number | MPC7E-MRATE |
| Product Type | Modular Port Concentrator (MPC) Line Card |
| Compatible Routers | Juniper MX240, MX480, MX960 |
| Port Density | 12 × QSFP+/QSFP28 Ports |
| Supported Speeds | 10GbE (via breakout), 40GbE, 100GbE |
| Breakout Capability | Each port supports 4 × 10GbE breakout |
| Total Throughput | Up to 480 Gbps (Full Duplex) |
| ASIC Architecture | Juniper Trio Chipset |
| Switching Performance | Wire-rate Layer 2 and Layer 3 forwarding |
| Required SCB | SCBE2 or SCBE3 |
| Chassis Requirements | Requires BP3 backplane or high-capacity power/cooling support |
| Optical Compatibility | QSFP+, QSFP28 optics, DAC and breakout cables |
| Layer Support | Layer 2 and Layer 3 services |
| Supported Technologies | MPLS, L2VPN, L3VPN, EVPN, VPLS |
| Routing Protocols | BGP, OSPF, IS-IS |
| QoS Support | Hierarchical QoS (HQoS) |
| Packet Buffering | Deep packet buffering via Trio ASIC |
| Flow Monitoring | Inline J-Flow |
| Security Features | IEEE 802.1ae MACsec (hardware-based encryption) |
| Maximum Transmission Unit (MTU) | Up to 9,192 bytes |
| Power Consumption | ~545 Watts (Typical) |
| Cooling | Chassis-based cooling (high-capacity airflow required) |
| Form Factor | Modular line card for MX Series chassis |
| Hot-Swappable | Yes |
| Operating System | Junos OS |
| Scalability | High-density 100GbE deployments |
| Port Scalability | Up to 132 × 100GbE ports in a fully loaded MX960 chassis |
| Deployment Type | Core routing, peering, aggregation, data center interconnect (DCI) |
| Use Cases | ISP core, IX peering, hyperscale data centers, cloud networking |
FAQs:
Q1. Do I need a specific chassis for the MPC7E-MRATE?
While it fits in standard MX240/480/960 chassis, it requires high-capacity power supplies and fan trays. For the best performance and future-proofing, the BP3 (Backplane 3) version of the chassis is highly recommended.
Q2. How do I get 10GbE ports out of this card?
You can use QSFP+ to 4x10G SFP+ breakout cables or MPO-to-LC fiber breakout assemblies. Each of the 12 ports can be channelized into four 10GbE interfaces.
Q3. Can this card run at 400GbE?
No. The MPC7E-MRATE is limited to a maximum of 100GbE per port. For 400GbE support, you would need the newer MPC10E or MPC11E line cards.
Q4. Is there a license required for the ports?
The MRATE model typically comes with all ports enabled. However, there is also an "MPC7E-10G" version that requires a license to upgrade ports to 40G/100G.
Q5. What is the minimum Junos version required?
The MPC7E-MRATE generally requires Junos OS 14.2R3 or later (64-bit Junos is recommended for optimal performance).
