Should I be concerned about ongoing support for my HPE Juniper MX204 Routers?

Yes. Several years ago, Juniper announced that the MX204 platform was moving toward end-of-life status. On June 15, 2026, Juniper formally announced that the MX204 platform is entering end-of-life. Most ISPs are understandably concerned and looking at alternative options.

What are my options?

The best alternative is to consider network disaggregation. This means buying open switch hardware and running an open routing NOS (Network Operating System), like RtBrick’s, to convert it into the type of telco router you need.

What are some alternative switch/router platforms to the Juniper MX204 Router?

Direct alternatives to the Juniper MX204 Router are the UfiSpace S9600-72XC or Edgecore AGR420 along with RtBrick software to turn them into fully-featured telco routers. A wider range of open switches are available offering lower or higher throughputs, different interface combinations and even temperature hardened options.

You can see a list of suitable open switches here with interface ports, throughputs and suitable use-cases.

What use-cases are suitable for a disaggregated alternative to a Juniper MX204?

Using an open switch from Ufispace or Edgecore, and software from RtBrick, you can replace a Juniper MX204 for use as a BNG (Broadband Network Gateway), aggregation router, peering router or a Data Center Interconnect router. Using RtBrick software, you can also provide in-line CGNAT (Carrier Grade Network Address Translation) in the same switch.

What port speeds are available?

Open switches include a mix of port speeds including 10/25G, 100G and, in some cases, 400G.

You can see a list of suitable open switches and their interface ports here.

How am I charged for a disaggregated alternative to the Juniper MX204 router?

The pricing structure for a disaggregated router is similar, split into two parts. You pay for the open switch hardware, which usually costs far less than an equivalent Juniper MX204. Then you pay for a lifetime-usage software license for each switch. If you need subscriber services, such as BNG and CGNAT, you also buy a lifetime license per subscriber.

Can’t I just upgrade to a newer Juniper MX304?

Yes you can, but the MX304 is significantly more expensive.

More importantly, continuing to buy traditional proprietary routers perpetuates the vendor lock-in cycle that many ISPs and telcos are now breaking free from.

What are the benefits of a disaggregated router vs a Juniper MX204 or MX304?

Disaggregated networks cost less, break the lock-in between hardware and software, and offer simpler automation through open APIs.

The choice of vendors in each dimension is finally yours.

Are open switches as powerful as a Juniper MX204 Router?

Yes. They are generally more powerful. Suitable open switch options are available with 800Gbps, 2.4Tbps or 7.2Tbps throughputs.

Some direct alternatives to the Juniper MX204 are the UfiSpace S9600-72XC or Edgecore AGR420 open switches, running RtBrick software, which provide 2.4Tbps throughputs ina 2RU form factor.

You can see a list of suitable open switches here with interface ports, throughputs and suitable use-cases.

Can I run different use-cases simultaneously?

Yes, the same switch can act as a BNG, CGNAT and a PE or aggregation router simultaneously. The RtBrick software includes a full telco routing stack as well as access protocols such as IPoE and PPPoE. Running in-line CGNAT has a modest impact on subscriber umbers supported but no impact on throughput.

How different would my operational environment be?

The RtBrick software will look familiar to anyone used to operating a Juniper MX204. It can be operated via a CLI, like JUNOS, or through open published APIs. You can find out more about the management and APIs here, or dig a bit deeper and see the actual APIs themselves here.

Do I have to buy a disaggregated router from two separate companies?

No. You might choose to but you can also find an integration partner who can provide both the open switch and the RtBrick software as a single bundle. RtBrick already pre-validate the software and hardware will work together, regardless of how you buy it.

You can see RtBrick's partners here.