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Brocade MLX Series

The Brocade MLX Series of advanced routers delivers unprecedented scale and performance, high reliability, and cost-saving operational efficiency for the world's most demanding service provider and enterprise networks. With OpenFlow support in true hybrid-port mode, the Brocade MLX Series delivers high-density 100 GbE, 40 GbE, and 10 GbE for software-defined networks in conjunction with traditional routing, providing flexible flow control to respond to dynamic traffic patterns and address business needs.

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Service provider-grade routers with IPv4/IPv6/MPLS/Multi-VRF enabled

4-, 8-, 16-, and 32-slot systems for maximum deployment versatility

Up to 4.8 billion packets per second routing performance with non-blocking 6.4 Tbps data capacity

Software-Defined Networking (SDN):

  • Support for OpenFlow 1.0 in true Layer 3 hybrid-port mode, which enables OpenFlow forwarding and dynamic IPv4/IPv6 routing simultaneously on the same port

Ideal for demanding, high-density environments:

  • Up to 32 100 GbE ports per system
  • 128 40 GbE ports per system
  • Up to 768 10 GbE and 1536 1 GbE ports per system

Advanced and scalable Metro Ethernet Layer 2 services:

  • Super aggregated VLANs (Q-in-Q)
  • Comprehensive set of Layer 2 control protocols: MRP, VSRP, RSTP, MSTP
  • IEEE 802.1ad Provider Bridges
  • Provider Backbone Bridging
  • Extended statistics including per port per VLAN per priority counters for VLAN VPLS VLL endpoint counters

MEF 9 and MEF 14 certification for Carrier Ethernet services

Industry-leading 640 Gbps link aggregation capability for aggregating up to 64 10 GbE links in provider backbones

Point-to-Multipoint (P2MP) RSVP-TE LSP:

  • Ideal for multicast or one-to-many services such as IPTV

IPv6 VRRP and VRRP-E for Multi-Chassis Trunking (MCT)

Unicast and multicast large-scale ECMP routing set to support 32 ECMP paths for IP multicast routing on Generation 2 cards, and 16 paths on Generation 1 and 3A cards

IPv6 Layer 3 VPN (6VPE):

  • Supporting 6VPE to transport IPv6 Layer 3 VRFs across IPv4/MPLS backbones

Support for fate sharing of link groups and bypass LSPs for increased resiliency

Support for multi-terabit trunks by aggregating multiple 100 GbE ports in a LAG group

Wire-speed, dual-stack IPv4/IPv6 routing

Wire-speed Provider Edge (PE) and Provider core (P) Label Switching Routers

Industry-leading performance for MPLS services, providing several service choices: IP over MPLS, IPv6 over MPLS (6PE), IPv6 Layer 3 VPNs (6VPE), MPLS over GRE, Virtual Leased Line (VLL), Virtual Private LAN Service (VPLS), BGP/MPLS VPN, Multi-VRF, and routing over VPLS

High-performance, robust routing via Brocade Direct Routing (BDR) for complete, distributed programming of the Forwarding Information Base (FIB) in hardware

Full suite of unicast and multicast IPv4 and IPv6 routing protocols:

  • Supported IPv4 protocols include RIP, OSPF, BGP-4, IS-IS, PIM-DM, PIM-SM/SSM, IGMP, BGP-MP for multicast, MSDP, Anycast RP, PIM Multicast ECMP, and RPF Shortcut
  • Supported IPv6 protocols include RIPng, OSPFv3, IS-IS for IPv6, BGP-MP for IPv6 (BGP4+), PIM-SM/SSM, MLD, VRRPv6, IPv6 Non-Stop Routing (NSR), VRRP-E, PIM Multicast ECMP, and RPF Shortcut

Comprehensive MPLS signaling and path calculation algorithms for both traffic-engineered and non-traffic-engineered applications:

  • LDP, OSPF-TE, IS-IS-TE, RSVP-TE, CSPF, LDP over RSVP, Point-to-Multipoint (P2MP) RSVP-TE LSP
  • MPLS FRR (detour, bypass) and hot standby paths for traffic protection

Secure Multi-VRF routing to support Virtual Routing applications over non-MPLS backbones; supports both IPv4 and IPv6 Multi-VRFs

Industry-leading scalability up to:*

  • 10 million BGP routes
  • 1 million IPv4 routes in hardware (FIB)
  • 240,000 IPv6 routes in hardware (FIB)
  • 2000 BGP peers per system
  • 2000 BGP/MPLS VPNs and up to 1 million VPN routes
  • 48,000 VLLs per system
  • 16,000 VPLS instances and up to 1 million VPLS MAC addresses 64,000 RSVP-TE LSPs
  • 4094 VLANs and up to 2 million MAC addresses
  • Large-scale Equal Cost Multi-Path (ECMP); up to 32 paths for unicast and multicast

Superior high-availability design:

  • Redundant management modules
  • Redundant switch fabrics
  • Redundant power supplies and cooling system
  • Hitless Layer 2/3 failover with stateful OSPF IS-IS, and BGP graceful restart
  • Hitless (in-service) software upgrades with graceful restart

Advanced QoS:

  • Hierarchical Quality of Service (H-QoS): Supports up to four levels of hierarchy—port, logical port (optional), customer (optional), and service
  • Inbound and outbound two-rate three-color traffic policers with accounting
  • Eight distinct priority levels
  • WRED support for congestion management and precedence dropping (tunable via configuration)
  • Support for hybrid queue servicing disciplines: Mixed, Strict Priority, and Weighted Fair Queuing

Comprehensive hardware-based security and policies:

  • Layer 2/3 ACLs (both inbound and outbound)
  • Granular ACL accounting (both inbound and outbound)
  • Hardware-based packet filtering
  • Hardware-based Policy-Based Routing (PBR)
  • Unicast Reverse Path Forwarding (uRPF)
  • Receive ACLs
  • Extensive sFlow Layer 2-7 traffic monitoring for IPv4, IPv6, and MPLS services

9200 Jumbo frames support on all ports

All Diffserv classes including Best Effort, Assuared Forwarding (AF), Expidated Forwarding (EF) are supported on MLXe platforms

Layer 2 Throughput (Mpps): 9500 Mpps

Layer 3 Throughput for IPv4 (Mpps): 9500 Mpps

Layer 3 Throughput for IPv6 (Mpps): 6720 Mpps

Throughput with 64 bytes packets (Mpps): 1905 Mpps

Brocade MLX is 40 GbE-ready and the new MLX 40GbE module will begin shipping to customers this year

* Scalability limits depend on configured system parameters, -X module types, licenses, system profile selected, and routing database complexity

MLX Series Resources

Browse a complete listing of all Brocade resources. View All Resources

Abstract:

Provides a high level overview of the 10 Gigabit Ethernet (GbE) WAN PHY defined in the IEEE 802.3ae standard.

Abstract:

This document is designed for system administrators with a working knowledge of Layer 2 and Layer 3 switching and routing.

Abstract:

This guide describes the debug commands for the Brocade MLX Series and Brocade NetIron XMR.

Abstract:

This guide describes the Brocade MLX Series and Brocade NetIron XMR Series Routers. It provides procedures for installing the interface modules, power supplies, and other components of the router. It also includes some basic software installation and configuration information to get the routers up and running.

Abstract:

This guide describes the software features and the CLI commands used to configure the Brocade MLX Series and Brocade NetIron Family devices.

Abstract:

This document contains updates to the Multi-Service IronWare 05.4.xx product manuals.

Abstract:

This document details instructions for upgrading Brocade MLX series and NetIron Family products.

Abstract:

This document contains the Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) Management Information Base (MIB) objects that are supported on devices.

Abstract:

This document describes how to install RJ45 and mRJ21 cables into the cable cinch.

Abstract:

Brocade and Crossbeam offer a cost-efficient network security solution that consolidates data centers, enabling scalability while meeting growing performance demands.

Abstract:

Brocade and Red Hat enable enterprises to deploy flexible, extensible, and resilient cloud infrastructures and maximize business agility

Abstract:

Brocade and Check Point deliver a cost-effective, scalable networking and security solution with application optimization, unmatched simplicity, and industry-leading performance.

Abstract:

C.R. England increases network bandwidth and eliminates single points of failure by standardizing on Brocade for a scalable, high-performance network infrastructure.

Abstract:

Government Employee’s Health Association (GEHA) redesigns network with Brocade Ethernet Fabric technology, simplifying management and increasing network scalability and flexibility.

Abstract:

i3D.net leverages Brocade technology to deliver an exceptional online gaming experience over high-capacity, low-latency, cloud-based networks.

Abstract:

Nikhef upgrades network by deploying Brocade MLX Series routers and Brocade FCX Series switches, improving security, bandwidth, and scalability.

Abstract:

Leading cloud services provider meets growing demand for increased network performance and capacity with Brocade Ethernet fabrics.

Abstract:

Cloud-based multichannel transaction service company leverages Brocade solutions to build a dynamic service delivery infrastructure to allow multichannel transactions in real time while reducing operational complexity

Abstract:

Metro service provider SpringNet upgrades its Brocade network infrastructure to boost capacity, improve services delivery, and generate new revenue streams

Abstract:

Leading research institution relies on Brocade to meet increased bandwidth demand from multimedia, research, and mobile applications.

Abstract:

Veracity Networks leverages a highly scalable and reliable network from Brocade to increase its high-value commercial customer base while meeting voice, video, and data service demands of residential customers

Abstract:

Service providers are looking for new ways to produce incremental revenue by providing Carrier-Grade Ethernet services, business VPNs, and Internet connectivity. Using a Layer 2 architecture at the very edge of a metro network provides a simple, low-cost solution. One such protocol that offers a solution is MRP. This document explains the operation and benefits of MRP

Abstract:

Next-generation networks require an overall architecture evolving to accommodate new technologies that support the growing numbers of users, applications, and services. IPv6 is designed to be more robust, dramatically increase the pool of global IP addresses, simplify network administration, resolve security and mobility issues, and improve Quality of Service (QoS).

Abstract:

Recently, there has been an increasing interest in deploying IPTV services among telecom operators who provide broadband access services to residential subscribers. This paper details the Brocade solution for delivering IPTV service in telco networks.

Abstract:

An overview of Virtual Private LAN Service (VPLS) and Virtual Leased Line (VLL) and Brocade solutions for deploying them.

Abstract:

Advanced routers and switches from Brocade enable highly scalable designs for the eventual convergence of voice and data infrastructure that can deliver new multimedia services.

Abstract:

In order to truly align the enterprise infrastructure strategy with business requirements, organizations must be free to choose the solutions that best meet their unique needs and based upon open standards, not proprietary, closed systems.

Abstract:

The Brocade MLXe multiservice IP/MPLS routers, part of the Brocade One network architecture, reflect the Brocade imperative of unmatched simplicity, optimized applications, non-stop networking, and investment protection in delivering customer solutions.

Abstract:

The ability to transport Ethernet over different transport technologies raises the exciting proposition of Ethernet services not only in campus or metro networks but also at a global level.