Juniper MX304 vs MX480: Compact High-Density Routing vs the Modular MX Chassis
The Juniper MX304 and MX480 are both MX Series Universal Routing Platforms built on Juniper's Trio silicon and Junos OS, but they answer two very different design briefs. The MX304 packs dense 400GbE aggregation into a fixed 2U footprint, while the MX480 is a slot-based 8U chassis built for line-card flexibility and long service life. This comparison breaks down where each MX router wins for edge, peering, and aggregation roles.
The short answer
Choose the MX304 when you need maximum 100GbE/400GbE density per rack unit, the newest Trio forwarding generation, and the lowest power-per-bit for modern peering and metro aggregation. Choose the MX480 when you need a modular chassis with full hardware redundancy, the freedom to mix line-card types and interface generations over many years, and broad service-edge feature breadth. For greenfield high-density 400G builds the MX304 usually wins; for mission-critical provider-edge platforms that must survive multiple refresh cycles, the MX480 chassis remains the safer long-term home.
Juniper MX304 vs Juniper MX480, head to head
Specifications side by side
- Series
- MX Series Universal Routing Platform
- MX Series Universal Routing Platform
- Operating system
- Junos OS / Junos Evolved
- Junos OS
- Forwarding silicon
- Juniper Trio (latest generation)
- Juniper Trio (MPC-based, multiple generations)
- Form factor
- 2U fixed platform
- 8U modular chassis
- System throughput
- Up to ~4.8 Tbps
- Multi-Tbps, scales with MPC choice and fabric
- Line-card model
- Line modules (LMIC), ~1.6 Tbps each
- Up to 6 MPC slots, each accepting up to 2 MICs
- Max 400GbE ports
- Up to 12x 400GbE
- Lower 400GbE density; line-card dependent
- Max 100GbE ports
- Up to 48x 100GbE
- Tens of 100GbE ports, line-card dependent
- Interface speeds
- 10/25/40/50/100/400GbE
- 10/40/100GbE and legacy interface support
- Routing Engine
- Integrated routing/control
- Dual Routing Engines for 1+1 redundancy
- Switch fabric
- Integrated fabric
- Redundant Switch Control Boards (SCBs)
- Typical role
- High-density edge, peering, metro aggregation
- Provider edge, broadband/subscriber edge, aggregation
Where Juniper MX304 wins
- Very high 100GbE/400GbE density in a compact 2U footprint
- Newest-generation Trio forwarding optimized for native 400GbE
- Strong throughput-per-watt and throughput-per-rack-unit
- Modern platform well suited to greenfield high-speed builds
- Lower space and power overhead than a full chassis
Where Juniper MX480 wins
- Modular 8U chassis with up to six MPC slots for line-card flexibility
- Full hardware redundancy with dual Routing Engines and dual SCBs
- Long platform life that absorbs new line cards across refresh cycles
- Broad, mature service-edge and subscriber-scale feature set
- Mixes interface generations and densities in a single chassis
Which one should you buy?
Dense 400GbE peering or metro aggregation in constrained rack space
Pick Juniper MX304. The MX304 delivers high native 400GbE density and modern Trio forwarding in just 2U, maximizing capacity per rack unit and per watt.
Mission-critical provider edge requiring full hardware redundancy
Pick Juniper MX480. The MX480 offers dual Routing Engines and dual Switch Control Boards for control-plane and fabric redundancy that a compact fixed platform cannot match.
Long-lived platform that must accept new line cards over many years
Pick Juniper MX480. Its slot-based chassis accepts multiple MPC generations and interface types, protecting the investment across refresh cycles.
Greenfield high-speed edge build standardizing on 100G/400G
Pick Juniper MX304. For new deployments where everything is 100GbE or 400GbE, the MX304's density and efficiency beat carrying chassis overhead.
Broadband / subscriber edge with mixed legacy and modern interfaces
Pick Juniper MX480. The MX480's mature service-edge feature set and ability to mix interface generations suit subscriber-management and brownfield aggregation.
Frequently asked
What is the main difference between the Juniper MX304 and MX480?
The MX304 is a compact 2U fixed-form router built for high-density 100GbE/400GbE edge and aggregation, while the MX480 is a modular 8U chassis with up to six MPC slots and full Routing Engine and Switch Control Board redundancy. The MX304 prioritizes density and efficiency; the MX480 prioritizes modular flexibility and long service life.
Which Juniper MX router has higher 400GbE density?
The MX304 has higher native 400GbE density in a smaller footprint, supporting up to 12x 400GbE ports in 2U. The MX480's 400GbE capacity depends on the MPC line cards installed and is generally lower per chassis, though the MX480 remains very strong at large-scale 10/40/100GbE port counts.
Does the MX480 offer more redundancy than the MX304?
Yes. The MX480 supports dual Routing Engines and dual Switch Control Boards for 1+1 control-plane and switch-fabric redundancy, plus redundant power and cooling. The MX304 is a compact platform with redundant power and fans but does not provide the same chassis-level dual-RE and dual-fabric redundancy.
Is the MX304 a replacement for the MX480?
Not exactly. The MX304 is a newer, denser platform that overlaps the MX480 for many high-speed edge and aggregation roles, but the MX480 chassis still wins where modular line-card flexibility, full redundancy, and multi-generation longevity matter. They are best viewed as complementary points in the MX portfolio rather than a direct one-for-one swap.
Do both routers run the same Junos software?
Both are MX Series platforms running Junos with the Trio forwarding architecture, so they share a common operational model, automation tooling, and a large overlapping feature set. Always confirm the specific Junos OS or Junos Evolved release and feature support for the exact configuration you intend to deploy.
Which is more power and space efficient?
The MX304 is more space and power efficient for modern high-speed traffic, delivering more throughput per rack unit and better throughput-per-watt. The MX480 carries more chassis overhead and is most efficient when well populated and amortized over a long deployment life.
Can Uniqcli source the MX304 and MX480 on TAA-compliant GPC, SAP, or FAR-based orders?
Yes. As an authorized HPE and HPE Juniper Networking reseller, Uniqcli can source the MX304, MX480, line cards, optics, and support for public-sector and federal buyers, and we can quote against TAA-compliant, GSA MAS (application in progress), and SAP/FAR channels procurement vehicles. Contact us with your contract requirements and we will confirm availability and configuration.
How do I choose the right line cards for each platform?
For the MX304 you select LMIC line modules sized to your 100GbE/400GbE port mix, while for the MX480 you choose MPCs and MICs across up to six slots based on interface type, density, and feature needs. Uniqcli can help right-size the line cards, optics, and licensing for either router to match your throughput and redundancy targets.
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