Commentary: Juniper moves from the core to the edge

By Mark Fabbi, Gartner Analyst

Juniper Networks' introduction of two new high-speed network routers, the M5 and M10, is a logical extension of the company's core business.

Appropriately enough, this business focuses on the "core" of ISP networks, which is

	See news story: Juniper's new products aim to tame business network traffic

large interfaces with relatively few high-speed connections. Having grabbed a healthy 23 percent share of that market, Juniper is now targeting the network "edge," where many connections go out to a large number of customers.

The new routers represent an opportunity for Juniper to exploit the foothold it has already gained with its M40 and M160 products against giant rival Cisco Systems. Because the new products are targeted at service provider products and therefore are sold to the same customer base, Juniper has a ready-made market.

Cisco captured the router market by being able to deliver every possible combination of protocols and interfaces in an era in which there was a lack of standardization. The market clearly has changed, and new opportunities are emerging for leading-edge IP performance. For example, providers want to be able to turn on features such as IP filtering without degrading system performance, and Juniper has proven adept at that. Juniper's superior technology density, enabling smaller equipment footprints, is also more important than one might think.

Juniper's success is one example of how, as a market changes, new suppliers step forward with new solutions. This is not to say Cisco doesn't make good products--it does--but competitors such as Juniper will always be around to prevent the leaders from resting on their laurels.

(For related commentary on one way to plan and lay out a network, see TechRepublic.com--free registration required.)

Entire contents, Copyright © 2000 Gartner Group, Inc. All rights reserved. The information contained herein represents Gartner's initial commentary and analysis and has been obtained from sources believed to be reliable. Positions taken are subject to change as more information becomes available and further analysis is undertaken. Gartner disclaims all warranties as to the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of the information. Gartner shall have no liability for errors, omissions or inadequacies in the information contained herein or for interpretations thereof.