Brocade MLX Series

Brocade MLX Series routers are designed to enable cloud-optimized networks by providing high-density 100 Gigabit Ethernet (GbE), 40 GbE, and10 GbE; rich IPv4, IPv6, Multi-VRF, MPLS, and Carrier Ethernet capabilities; advanced Layer 2 switching; and OpenFlow in hybrid-port mode.

Built with a state-of-the-art, sixth-generation architecture and terabit-scale switch fabrics, the Brocade MLX Series has a proven heritage with more than 10,000 routers deployed worldwide Cloud providers, hosting providers, Internet Exchange Points, transit networks, research and education networks, and high-end enterprises rely on these routers to meet skyrocketing traffic requirements and reduce the cost per bit. By leveraging the Brocade MLX Series, mission-critical data centers can support more traffic, achieve greater virtualization, and provide high-value cloud-based services using less infrastructure—thereby simplifying operations and reducing costs. Moreover, the Brocade MLX Series can reduce complexity in large campus networks by collapsing core and aggregation layers, as well as providing connectivity between sites using MPLS/VPLS.

The 2-port 100 GbE module provides wire-speed connectivity over both ports on the Brocade MLXe and enables the industry's first multi-terabit trunks For network planners following a pay-as-you-grow strategy, the 2×100 GbE module supports an innovative “Ports on Demand” feature that non-disruptively enables the second port via a software license.

The new half-slot Brocade MLX 4-port 40 GbE module for the Brocade MLXe Series delivers 128 ports of 40 GbE in a single chassis. The Brocade MLX 40 GbE module is ideal for the data center core, inter-data center border routing, and for 100 GbE hand-off and 10 GbE fan-out applications within service provider and enterprise environments, such as research and education, healthcare, and government agencies.

The half-slot Brocade MLXe 24-port 10 GbE module provides the highest 10 GbE port density in a single router. It is ideal for high-density MPLS LSR core, data center core routing, and Layer 2/3 switching and routing. The 24×10 GbE-DM module is the greenest and most efficient 10 GbE module in the Brocade MLX Series. Powered by Brocade MaxScale Packet-Processor technology, it provides significant power savings per 10 GbE.

Designed for non-stop networking, the Brocade MLX Series features Multi-Chassis Trunking (MCT), which provides more than 30 Tbps of dual-chassis bandwidth, full active/active routing links, and uninterrupted traffic flow in the event of node failover. Organizations can achieve high resiliency through fully redundant switch fabrics, management modules, power supplies, and cooling systems. And to further ensure network and application availability, the Brocade IronWare operating system features hitless management failover and software upgrades.

Software-Defined Networking (SDN) is a powerful new network paradigm designed for the world’s most demanding networking environments and promises breakthrough levels of customization, scale, and efficiency. The Brocade MLX Series enables SDN by delivering OpenFlow in hybrid-port mode. With Brocade hybrid-port mode, organizations can simultaneously deploy traditional Layer 2/3 MPLS forwarding with OpenFlow on the same port. This unique capability provides a pragmatic path to SDN by enabling network operators to integrate OpenFlow into existing networks, giving them the programmatic control offered by SDN for specific flows while the remaining traffic is routed as before. Brocade hardware support for OpenFlow enables organizations to apply these capabilities at line rate in 10 GbE, 40 GbE, and 100 GbE networks.

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Data Sheet
Brocade MLX Series Routers Data Sheet (PDF)