Description
JUNIPER MX-series Enhanced Switch Control Board is the third-generation fabric and control module engineered for MX240, MX480, and MX960 routers. It delivers higher bandwidth, stronger redundancy, and advanced timing capabilities suitable for service providers, ISPs, data centers, and mission-critical networks.
Key Features
1. High Fabric Throughput
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Provides up to 1.5 Tbps per slot in non-redundant mode with all six fabric planes active.
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Supports 1 Tbps per slot in redundant mode with four active planes.
2. Robust Redundancy Options
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MX240 / MX480: 1+1 redundancy with two SCBE3-MX boards.
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MX960: 2+1 redundancy with up to three boards installed.
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Allows graceful Routing Engine switchover without affecting fabric forwarding.
3. Advanced Timing & Clocking
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Equipped with a Stratum-3E clock module for accurate timing control and holdover.
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Includes built-in support for external GPS and PPS clock input through RJ-45.
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LED indicators provide status for fabric, external clock link, and GPS signals.
4. Power & Cooling Requirements
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Requires high-capacity power supplies and high-capacity fan trays in compatible MX chassis.
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On MX960, a high-capacity filter tray is recommended for proper cooling under heavy loads.
5. Software Compatibility
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Fully supported starting from Junos OS 18.4R1 and later.
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Detected in Junos CLI as SCBE3-MX-S.
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Default behavior uses Hyper-mode for maximum fabric capacity.
6. Physical Specifications
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Weight: approx. 6.2 kg.
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Dimensions: approx. 39.87 cm × 53.85 cm × 3.05 cm.
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Hot-swappable when redundancy is configured.
7. Supported Routing Engines
Compatible with several Juniper Routing Engines including:
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RE-S-1800×2
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RE-S-1800×4
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RE-S-X6-64G
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RE-S-X6-128G
Not supported: Older SCB generations, BITS, DPCs, MPC1/2 NEO, or I-chip line cards.
Deployment Use Cases
Service Providers & ISPs
Ensures massive throughput, redundancy, and stability for carrier-grade backbone networks.
Data Centers
Eliminates fabric bottlenecks when using high-capacity MPC10E line cards.
Time-Sensitive Networks
Ideal for networks requiring accurate synchronization using PPS or GPS-based timing.
Scalable Network Design
A long-term upgrade path for organizations that need to expand bandwidth and improve reliability.
Upgrade & Installation Notes
Software Requirements
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Must run Junos OS 18.4R1 or newer before installing the board.
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Update recovery images to versions compatible with SCBE3-MX.
Hardware Placement
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MX240 / MX480: Install in slots 0 and 1.
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MX960: Install in slots 6 and 7, with slot 8 used for additional redundancy.
Power & Cooling Checks
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Ensure high-capacity PSUs and high-capacity fan trays are installed.
Post-Installation Validation
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Use commands such as
show chassis fabricto verify plane activity. -
Check LEDs for fabric, clock, and GPS signal status.
Comparison With Older Juniper SCB Generations
Vs SCB-MX
SCBE3-MX delivers significantly higher bandwidth and supports modern MPC architecture.
Vs SCBE-MX
Higher per-slot throughput and improved fabric performance.
Vs SCBE2-MX
Enhanced ZF-based architecture allows better performance, especially with new line cards.
FAQ
Q: What OS version do I need?
A: Junos OS 18.4R1 or later.
Q: Can it be hot-swapped?
A: Yes, when installed in a redundant system.
Q: Does it support older line cards?
A: No. It does not support MPC1/2 NEO or I-chip cards.
Reviews
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