Junos Software Versions - Suggested Releases to Consider and Evaluate

 

Juniper provides this document as a means to help customers and Juniper manufacturing select a Junos software version that aligns with their deployment needs. The releases listed below have performed well for the general population, but note that due to the uniqueness of our customer network deployments to include areas such as design, traffic patterns/flows, and specific usage of features and functionality, Juniper recommends that all customers A) read the associated Release Notes to understand how features, functionality, fixes, and any known outstanding issues may apply to your specific network and applications, and B) test and certify the suggested code version(s) to ensure they will perform as expected in your network.

This article applies to the following devices:

• ACX Series
• EX Series
• MX Series
• NFX Series
• PTX Series
• QFX Series
• SRX Series

For other Junos devices, refer to the Release Notes and the Alerts column on the Download Software pages.

Notes:

1. The software versions included in this article are selected by utilizing input from Juniper Engineering, customers, and analysis of field usage data.
2. To be automatically notified of updates to this document, use the Subscribe link. If you do not see the Subscribe link, log in with your user account.
3. ​Juniper Networks offers optional fee-based services to further aide customers in selecting and testing software releases. If interested in more information, please contact your Juniper Sales Representative to discuss offering details and pricing.

Symptoms

For use by customers and Juniper manufacturing planning an upgrade or initial installation.

Exceptions for evaluating these suggested software versions include:

• A Juniper engineer has recommended that a customer use a specific version of Junos software that is different from what is listed here in this article.

• You require specific features ( Feature Explorer ) that are available only in another version of Junos software. In that case, be sure to download the latest maintenance release.

• Your current installed version of Junos is meeting your requirements as is.

• If you use NSM, refer to the NSM & Junos Compatibility Matrix to make sure the suggested Junos software version can be managed by NSM.

To see the list​ of End of Engineering (EOE) and EOS (End of Support) dates for specific Junos versions, please go to the Junos Dates & Milestones page or the Junos OS Evolved Dates & Milestones page

To see features supported per specific Junos versions, please go to the Juniper Pathfinder page and navigate to "Feature Explorer"

Solution

To download Junos Software, go to the Software Download  site and find your product.

Suggested Junos Software Versions for your consideration and evaluation are listed in the tables below. 

NOTE: To locate a Junos release containing an 'S' (i.e. Junos 17.3R3- S 3), on the Software Download product page change the OS drop-down from Junos to Junos SR

 

Select to jump to a platform series:

EX Series	MX, PTX Series	ACX Series
NFX Series	QFX Series	SRX Series

 

EX Series Ethernet Switches

Platform	Junos Software by Platform	Last Updated
EX2200  (See Note 3)	Latest Junos 12.3R12-Sx	1 Feb 2022
EX2200-C  ( See Note 3)	Latest Junos 12.3R12-Sx	1 Feb 2022
EX2300	Latest 21.4R3-Sx	14 Nov 2022
EX2300-C	Latest 21.4R3-Sx	14 Nov 2022
EX2300-MP	Latest 21.4R3-Sx	14 Nov 2022
EX3200	Latest Junos 12.3R12-Sx	1 Feb 2022
EX3300  ( See Note 4)	Latest Junos 12.3R12-Sx	1 Feb 2022
EX3400	Latest 21.4R3-Sx	14 Nov 2022
EX4200	Latest Junos 12.3R12-Sx / 15.1R7-Sx	1 Feb 2022
EX4300	Latest 21.4R3-Sx	14 Nov 2022
EX4300-MP	Latest 21.4R3-Sx	14 Nov 2022
EX4400	Latest 21.4R3-Sx	14 Nov 2022
EX4500	Latest Junos 12.3R12-Sx / 15.1R7-Sx	1 Feb 2022
EX4550	Latest Junos 12.3R12-Sx / 15.1R7-Sx	1 Feb 2022
EX4600	Latest 21.4R3-Sx	14 Nov 2022
EX4650	Latest 21.4R3-Sx	14 Nov 2022
EX6200	Latest Junos 12.3R12-Sx / 15.1R7-Sx	1 Feb 2022
EX8200 (See Note 2)	Latest Junos 12.3R12-Sx / 15.1R7-Sx	1 Feb 2022
EX8200-VC (XRE200) (See Note 2 )	Latest Junos 12.3R12-Sx / 15.1R7-Sx	1 Feb 2022
EX9200	Latest 21.4R3-Sx	14 Nov 2022
EX9251	Latest 21.4R3-Sx	14 Nov 2022
EX9253	Latest 21.4R3-Sx	14 Nov 2022
Junos Fusion Enterprise (JFE)	Latest 21.4R3-Sx	14 Nov 2022

 

Notes:

1. It is highly recommended to refer to the Release Notes, Technical Documentation, and KB articles for any outstanding and resolved issues before making the upgrade decision. Contact JTAC if there are any queries.
2. Please refer to  TSB16758  for minimum software requirements for newer revision EX8200 line cards.
3. Please refer to  TSB17138 for more details.
4. Please refer to  TSB17329 .

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ACX Series Service Routers

Platform	Junos Software by Platform	Last Updated
ACX500	Latest Junos 20.2R3-Sx Latest Junos 20.4 (LSV Outdoor)       Latest Junos 21.2 (LSV Indoor)	2 Nov 2021
ACX710	Latest Junos 21.3R3-Sx	9 Nov 2022
ACX1000	Latest Junos 20.4R3-Sx Latest Junos 21.2 (LSV)	18 Oct 2021
ACX1100	Latest Junos 20.4R3-Sx Latest Junos 21.2 (LSV)	18 Oct 2021
ACX2000	Latest Junos 20.4R3-Sx Latest Junos 21.2 (LSV)	18 Oct 2021
ACX2100	Latest Junos 20.4R3-Sx Latest Junos 21.2 (LSV)	18 Oct 2021
ACX2200	Latest Junos 20.4R3-Sx Latest Junos 21.2 (LSV)	18 Oct 2021
ACX4000	Latest Junos 20.4R3-Sx Latest Junos 21.2 (LSV)	18 Oct 2021
ACX5448	Latest Junos 21.3R3-Sx	9 Nov 2022
ACX5048 / ACX5096	Latest Junos 21.2 (LSV)	2 Dec 2022
ACX6360-OX	Latest Junos 18.4R1-Sx	16 Nov 2022
ACX6360-OR	Latest Junos 19.4R2-Sx	16 Nov 2022
ACX7100	Latest Junos Evolved 21.2R3-Sx-EVO	11 Aug 2022
ACX7024	Latest Junos Evolved 22.3R1-EVO	29 Sept 2022
ACX7509	Latest Junos Evolved 21.4R2-Sx-EVO	29 Sept 2022

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MX and PTX Series Routers

Platform	Junos Software by Platform	Last Updated
PTX Series  (Except ones listing below)	Latest Junos 20.4R3-Sx Latest Junos 21.2R3-Sx Latest Junos 21.4R3	26 Sep 2022
PTX10001-36MR	Latest Junos Evolved 20.4R3-Sx-EVO Latest Junos Evolved 21.42-S2-EVO	29 Sep 2022
PTX10003	Latest Junos Evolved 20.4R3-Sx-EVO Latest Junos Evolved 21.4R2-S2-EVO	29 Sep 2022
PTX10004	Latest Junos Evolved 20.4R3-Sx-EVO Latest Junos Evolved 21.4R2-S2-EVO	29 Sep 2022
PTX10008/16 with FAN2/AC2/DC2 Components     (Do not use if deploy - JNP10008-SF3)	Latest Junos 20.4R3-Sx Latest Junos 21.2R3-Sx Latest Junos 21.4R3	29 Sep 2022
PTX10008 with PTX10K-LC1201/2 and JNP100008-SF3 JNP10K-RE1-E	Latest Junos Evolved 20.4R3-Sx-EVO Latest Junos Evolved 21.4R2-S2-EVO	29 Sep 2022
MX Series	Latest Junos 20.4R3-Sx Latest Junos 21.2R3-Sx Latest Junos 21.4R3	29 Sep 2022
MX Series with MX-SPC3	Latest Junos 21.2R3-Sx	11 Aug 2022
MX 2008/2010/2020	See MX Series
MX240/480/960 with SCBE3	Latest Junos 20.4R3-Sx Latest Junos 21.2R3-Sx Latest Junos 21.4R3	29 Sep 2022
MX240/480/960 with MPC10E	Latest Junos 20.4R3-Sx Latest Junos 21.2R3-Sx Latest Junos 21.4R2-Sx	29 Sep 2022
MX5, MX10, MX40, MX80, MX104 Series	Latest Junos 20.2R3-Sx Latest Junos 20.4R3-Sx Latest Junos 21.2R3-Sx (LSV)	1 Aug 2022
MX150, MX204, MX10003 Series	See MX Series
MX10008/16 Series	LatestJunos 20.4R3-Sx Latest Junos 21.2R3-Sx Latest Junos 21.4R3	29 Sep 2022
MX10008/16 Series with MX10K-LC9600 and JNP10008-SF2	Latest Junos 21.4R3	1 Aug 2022
MX Series with EVPN MPLS/VXLAN	Latest Junos 20.4R3-Sx Latest Junos 21.2R3-Sx	20 Jan 2022
MX Subscriber Management (*1)	Latest Junos 21.2R3-Sx	11 Aug 2022
MX Services on MS-MPC/MIC (*3)	Latest Junos 21.2R3-Sx	11 Aug 2022
vMX / vBNG (*2)	Latest Junos 21.2R3-Sx	11 Aug 2022

 

Notes:

1. This includes subscriber management deployments that incorporate services such as CGNAT, etc.
2. See KB33938 for detailed information and directly downloadable links to software for M/MX/PTX/T-Series JUNOS Software
3. Recently released hardware may require a software version newer than listed above. Please use the latest Service Release for the required JUNOS software version
4. Due to feature parity recommended by Product Line Management
5. MPC11 is not supported in Junos 19.4

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NFX Series Network Services Platform

Platform	Junos Release	Software Architecture	Release Type	Last Updated
NFX150	Junos 21.4R3	nfx-3	Service	13 Oct 2022
NFX250-NG	Junos 21.4R3	nfx-3	Standard	13 Oct 2022
NFX350	Junos 21.4R3	nfx-3	Standard	13 Oct 2022

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QFX Series

Platform	Junos Software by Platform	Last Updated
QFX5220/QFX5130/QFX5700	Latest 21.4R3-Sx-EVO	14 Nov 2022
QFX5100	Latest 21.4R3-Sx	14 Nov 2022
QFX5200	Latest 21.4R3-Sx	14 Nov 2022
QFX5110	Latest 21.4R3-Sx	14 Nov 2022
QFX5120-32C	Latest 21.4R3-Sx	14 Nov 2022
QFX5120 -48Y	Latest 21.4R3-Sx	14 Nov 2022
QFX5120-48T	Latest 21.4R3-Sx	14 Nov 2022
QFX5210	Latest 21.4R3-Sx	14 Nov 2022
QFX10002 / QFX10008 / QFX10016	Latest 21.4R3-Sx	14 Nov 2022
QFX10002-60C	Latest 21.4R3-Sx	14 Nov 2022
EVPN-VXLAN Fabric CRB (Centrally Routed Bridging)	Latest 21.4R3-Sx	14 Nov 2022
EVPN-VXLAN Fabric ERB ( Edge Routed Bridging)	Latest 21.4R3-Sx	14 Nov 2022
IP-Fabric ( QFX10K and QFX5K)	Latest 21.4R3-Sx	14 Nov 2022
VCF-QFX5110	Latest 21.4R3-Sx	14 Nov 2022
VCF-QFX5100	Latest 21.4R3-Sx	14 Nov 2022
VC-QFX5100	Latest 21.4R3-Sx	14 Nov 2022
VC-QFX5110	Latest 21.4R3-Sx	14 Nov 2022
VC-QFX5120	Latest 21.4R3-Sx	14 Nov 2022
VC-QFX5120-32C	Latest 21.4R3-Sx	14 Nov 2022
VC-QFX5200	Latest 21.4R3-Sx	14 Nov 2022
MC-LAG (QFX5K)	Latest 21.4R3-Sx	14 Nov 2022
MC-LAG (QFX10K)	Latest 21.4R3-Sx	14 Nov 2022
Qfabric (See Note 1)	Junos 14.1X53-D130	30 Jul 2019

 

Note:

1. Qfabric NSSU upgrade from Junos 12.2X50 to later releases is NOT recommended. Please see TSB16842 for more details.

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SRX Series Services Gateways

Platform	Junos Software by Platform	Release Type	Last Updated
SRX300 / SRX320 / SRX340 / SRX345 / SRX380 / SRX550HM	Junos 21.2R3-S3	Service	22 Nov 2022
SRX1500	Junos 21.2R3-S3	Service	22 Nov 2022
SRX4100 / SRX4200	Junos 21.2R3-S3	Service	22 Nov 2022
SRX4600	Junos 21.2R3-S3	Service	22 Nov 2022
SRX5400 / SRX5600 / SRX5800 with SRX5K-RE3-128G (*1)	Junos 21.2R3-S3	Service	22 Nov 2022
SRX5400 / SRX5600 / SRX5800 with RE-1800X4 (*1)	Junos 21.2R3-S3	Service	22 Nov 2022
vSRX 3.0 (recommended)	Junos 21.2R3-S3	Service	22 Nov 2022
vSRX (legacy)	Junos 21.2R3-S3	Service	22 Nov 2022
Products for which Junos 12.3X48 is the last supported version: SRX5400 / SRX5600 / SRX5800 with SRX5K-RE-13-20 (*1)(*2) SRX100H2 / SRX110H2 / SRX210HE2 / SRX220H2 / SRX240H2 / SRX550 / SRX650 SRX1400 / SRX3400 / SRX3600	Junos 12.3X48-D105	Standard	16 Oct 2020

 

Notes:

1. KB30446 - SRX Junos SRX5K Hardware / Software compatibility matrix.

2. TSB17655 - On the SRX5000 series with SRX5k RE-13-20 a software upgrade to Junos release 12.3X48-D80, D85, or D90 may fail the pre-check due to insufficient space available on the compact flash.

3. TSB18251 - For upgrades to Junos version 21.2 or higher from Junos versions below 21.2, the no-validate option needs to be used in the request system software upgrade or the request system software in-service-upgrade command. Note: this does not apply to SRX300 series and SRX550HM

4. PR1590099 - The no-validate option with the request system software in-service-upgrade command does not take effect on SRX platforms. As a workaround, use the no-compatibility-check option instead. This issue is fixed in Junos 20.3R3-S5, 20.4R3-S4, 21.1R3-S3 and 21.2R1 and higher releases

5. For Junos OS upgrade paths instructions for SRX platforms, please see KB36620.

6. For EoE and EoS dates for each Junos release, please see Junos Release Milestones.

Juniper : SD Wan

 

What is SD-WAN?

Software-defined wide-area networking (SD-WAN) is an automated, programmatic approach to managing enterprise network connectivity and circuit costs. It extends software-defined networking (SDN) into an application that businesses can use to quickly create a smart hybrid WAN.

Consisting of business-grade IP VPN, broadband Internet, and wireless services, SD-WAN enables you to cost-efficiently manage applications, particularly in the cloud. Traffic is automatically and dynamically forwarded across the most appropriate and efficient WAN path based on network conditions, application traffic security and quality-of-service (QoS) requirements, and circuit cost. You can set the routing policies.

SD-WAN Benefits

Businesses are rapidly adopting SD-WAN technology because of its comprehensive financial and operational benefits.

• Lowers WAN OpEx, CapEx, and overall total cost of ownership.
• Provides greater business agility and responsiveness to keep pace with IT innovations.
• Supports multiple, secure, high-performance connections, eliminating backhaul penalties imposed by MPLS networks.
• Improves performance by enabling load sharing across connections and adjusting traffic flows based on network conditions.
• Supports the automated provisioning of, and changes to, premium network services such as VPNs, firewalls, security, WAN optimization, and application delivery control.
• Supports zero touch provisioning (ZTP).
• Improves network security by encrypting WAN traffic and segmenting the network to minimize damage if breaches occur.

 

Problems Addressed by SD-WAN

Managing the WAN traditionally has been one of the most expensive and rigid aspects of running an enterprise network. SD-WAN eases this burden by proactively responding to real-time network conditions. It uses programmable network devices that you can modify remotely and through dynamic best-path routing, both of which improve cost, agility, and performance.

 

SD-WAN Uses and Functions

SD-WAN software running on CPE (customer premises equipment) monitors the conditions of all public and private-line services and determines how to route each type of application traffic. For instance, the default might be to send voice-over-IP (VoIP) traffic over an MPLS VPN service. However, if the MPLS connection becomes congested, the SD-WAN might switch that traffic over to a broadband Internet or 4G LTE wireless circuit. In this way, the SD-WAN enables automatic load balancing and network congestion management for best performance and least-cost effective routing.

SD-WAN FAQs

So, what is an SD-WAN?

Simply put, an SD-WAN is an automated, programmable wide-area network that dynamically and securely routes traffic based on applications policies, network conditions, or WAN circuit priority. 

What are the benefits of SD-WAN?

SD-WAN enables local breakout from your various sites, directly to the cloud, which reduces latency and improves application performance. It also reduces costs by eliminating the need to backhaul traffic to a central location, which was the conventional architecture before SD-WAN. Its application-aware path selection further reduces circuit and telecom costs because it allows you to use a less expensive broadband link for non-essential traffic.

Are all SD-WAN solutions the same?

Most of today’s SD-WAN solutions are built on a conventional tunnel-based approach. Tunnels such as IPSec add additional, expensive overhead through the use of headers. This approach consumes precious bandwidth and reduces application performance. Also, application and session visibility are reduced as all application traffic is assigned to a tunnel across, say an MPLS link. Hence, telemetry like latency, jitter, and packet loss is available at the tunnel level only.

Alternatively, a session-centric approach, used in Juniper’s AI-driven SD-WAN, provides granular session-level performance. For example, you can view the latency, jitter, and packet loss for an individual Microsoft Teams video call. And if the link cannot provide the required SLA, then that individual session is instantly routed to a better performing link.

What is an AI-driven SD-WAN?

An AI-driven SD-WAN brings AI-powered insights, anomaly detection, and automated troubleshooting to the SD-WAN. It enables IT administrators to deliver better network experiences to their end users with minimal operational burden on the IT staff. Juniper Mist WAN Assurance delivers this AI capability to the SD-WAN, and correlates SD-WAN performance with wireless and wired network performance. In this way, complete insight and visibility is provided, from client to cloud.

What SD-WAN technology, solutions, and products does Juniper offer?

Juniper offers AI-driven SD-WAN, which combines Juniper Mist WAN Assurance, driven by Mist AI, with Session Smart technology. Juniper SD-WAN delivers the insights, anomaly detection, and automated troubleshooting for day 2 operations.

Session Smart is a unique approach that focuses on applications and user experiences by operating at a more granular session level. For example, a Zoom call is a session. Session Smart Routers can be deployed at remote, distributed sites or as headend devices at your data center or in your cloud, including Amazon Web Services (AWS) and Microsoft Azure. Session Smart Routers can be managed on premises with the Session Smart Conductor or in the Mist Cloud.