Junos® OS For Dummies®, 2nd Edition

Junosphere Labs

A common first step of any migration is to model the new network in some way. Junosphere Labs, a cloud-based service offered by Juniper Networks, allows you to virtually build your network at scale. Using the services, you can model and test your new network prior to deployment without the full cost of a physical lab model — an option that isn't even feasible for large-scale networks.

Junosphere Labs offers a configurable network of virtual routers running Junos OS. Thus, you aren't just emulating the routing and control functions of your network; with Junosphere Labs you are actually testing routing and control as they will run in your Junos-based network.

Junosphere Labs offers an optional feature, known as Junosphere Connector, to connect your virtual network with physical network elements, either in your lab or in your production network (such as to access route tables), hence expanding the possibilities for testing. The service also includes optional virtual machine images for Junos Space and CentOS, letting you support UNIX network-monitoring tools and a variety of third-party test equipment in your virtual network. (Refer to Chapter 1 for more on Junos Space and visit www.centos.org for more on the Centos operating system.)

Use Junosphere Labs to ease your migration by testing how your new network will run, especially under the stress of various network and security events. You may also want to confirm interoperability with your existing network and integration ...