Juniper Networks provides high-performance network devicesthat create a responsive and trusted environment for acceleratingthe deployment of services and applications over a single network.The Junos operating system (Junos OS) is the foundation of these high-performancenetworks. Unlike other complex, monolithic software architectures,Junos OS incorporates key design and developmental differences todeliver increased network availability, operational efficiency, andflexibility. These key advantages are:
One operating system
Concurrent software releases
Modular software architecture
One Operating System
Unlike other network operating systems that share a common namebut splinter into many different programs, Junos OS is a cohesiveoperating system that is supported across all devices and productlines. This enables Juniper Networks engineers to develop softwarefeatures once and share the features across product lines simultaneously.Because features are common to a single source, generally these featuresare implemented the same way for all of the product lines, reducingthe training required to learn different tools and methods for eachproduct.
Concurrent Software Releases
Each new mainline version of Junos OS is released concurrentlyfor all product lines. Each new Junos OS release includes workingfeatures released in previous versions of the software and must achievezero critical regression errors. Any deprecated features or functionsare not only announced, but any needed workarounds or solutions areprovided. This discipline ensures reliable operations for the entirerelease.
Modular Software Architecture
Although individual architecture modules of Junos OS communicatethrough well-defined interfaces, each module runs in its own protectedmemory space, preventing one module from disrupting another. It alsoenables the independent restart of each module as necessary. Thisis in contrast to monolithic operating systems for which a malfunctionin one module can ripple to other modules, possibly causing a fullsystem crash or restart. This modular Junos OS architecture providesa high level of performance, high availability, security, and devicescalability not found in other operating systems.
Generally, Junos OS is preinstalled on your JuniperNetworks device when you receive it from the factory. When you firstpower on the device, all software starts automatically. You then configurethe software so that the device can participate in your network. However,if needed, you can order Juniper Networks devices without any softwareinstalled, for additional flexibility.
You can upgrade the device software as new featuresare added or software problems are fixed. You obtain new softwareby downloading images from the Juniper Networks Support website onto your device or another system on your local network,then install the software upgrade on the device.
Juniper Networks devices run only binaries suppliedby Juniper Networks. Each Junos OS image includes a digitally signedmanifest of executables, which are registered with the system onlyif the signature can be validated. Junos OS will not execute any binarywithout a registered fingerprint. This feature protects the systemagainst unauthorized software and activity that might compromise theintegrity of your network devices.
