Juniper Networks Inc. today introduced new software features and hardware that will make it easier for companies to manage their routers, which form a key building block of corporate networks.

Juniper expanded its presence in the enterprise router market last year by acquiring a startup called 128 Technology Inc. for $450 million. The new features and hardware introduced by the company today build on the technology it obtained through the acquisition.

Historically, most routers took the form of a proprietary network device with a pre-configured set of features. Burlington, Massachusetts-based 128 Technology took a different approach by developing a virtual router implemented entirely in software. It provides similar features as proprietary devices, but can run on less expensive commodity hardware. 

Juniper has repackaged the virtual router software that it obtained through the acquisition into a product called the Session Smart Router, or SSR. Companies can use it to establish network connectivity between branch offices, data centers and cloud deployments. Juniper says that SSR routers provide an up to 75% reduction in infrastructure costs compared with competing products.

The new software features that the company detailed today will make it easier for companies to manage their SSR deployments.

After buying 128 Technology, Juniper started integrating the startup’s virtual router software with its Mist Cloud Services suite of cloud-based network management tools. The company initially added features for monitoring the health of SSR routers. Then, it released an integration with its Marvis troubleshooting assistant. As part of today’s update, customers are gaining the ability to set up and configure new routers from the cloud.

Information technology teams can use a cloud-based console to define cybersecurity settings for a newly deployed SSR system. It’s also possible to create policies for regulating how data traffic should be routed in a network. Thanks to the enhancements, Juniper can now offer customers a more complete set of management features spanning all key router maintenance tasks, notably device setup, monitoring and troubleshooting.

In conjunction, the company today introduced a new offering called the Branch Security Pack. The offering allows an enterprise to equip its SSR routers with additional features for detecting breaches and filtering malicious data traffic. According to Juniper, the Branch Security Pack removes the need for companies that require an expanded set of network protection capabilities to install a separate cybersecurity appliance.

“Juniper is executing on a simple vision – AI-driven operations deliver the best user experiences from client to cloud,” said Sudheer Matta, vice president of products at Juniper. “Nowhere is this more important than in the WAN edge, so Juniper has put considerable energy into advancing the first truly AI-driven SD-WAN solution born in the modern cloud. SSR is key to this mission, as it brings unique simplicity, scale, security and performance to WAN edge environments.”

Juniper’s SSR virtual router can run on multiple types of hardware. As part of today’s update, the company is expanding the number of hardware options available for customers by launching a series of appliances specifically designed to run the software.

The new SSR120 and SSR130 appliances are geared towards small and medium branch office environments. They’re joined by the more advanced SSR1000, which is designed for use in data center and cloud environments. The benefit for customers is simplified procurement: Enterprises that already use Juniper wired and wireless network switches can now also purchase routers from the company. 

Photo: Juniper Networks