Quick wins for a faster PC:
Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Juniper Networks agreed to acquire data-center networking startup Apstra on December 7, 2020, and completed the deal on January 27, 2021. Juniper’s 2021 Form 10-K, published in 2022, reports purchase consideration of $179.4 million: $176.7 million in cash and $2.7 million in share-based awards attributable to services before the acquisition. Apstra brought Juniper intent-based, multivendor network automation designed to configure data-center fabrics and continuously check that they are operating as intended.
What Juniper acquired
Apstra’s software lets a data-center team define the desired state of its network—its intent—then automates implementation and checks whether the live network continues to match that state. Rather than stopping after pushing configuration, the system supports deployment, change management, assurance, and analytics across the network lifecycle.
Juniper described Apstra as an open, multivendor platform with closed-loop automation and analytics. It can be used with Juniper EVPN-VXLAN fabrics, while its multivendor approach is intended to support networks beyond Juniper equipment. Juniper’s February 12, 2021 Virtual Investor Day transcript summarized the operational behavior this way: “The Apstra software automatically configures the network, assures it’s behaving as intended and lets you know when and why an issue may be brewing.” (Juniper Networks, Virtual Investor Day transcript.)
Why Juniper bought Apstra
Juniper said the acquisition would expand its data-center networking portfolio and advance its goal of transforming data-center operations. It brought Apstra’s multivendor automation together with Juniper’s Junos-based switching portfolio. Juniper’s SEC filing places Apstra alongside QFX and Contrail in its Cloud-Ready Data Center portfolio.
#1 Best Overall
- GIGABIT ETHERNET PORTS: Features 5 x 1.0Gbps Ethernet ports for high-speed connectivity. Auto-negotiating ports detect the optimal speed for connected devices and work with existing Cat5e or Cat6 Ethernet cables.
- PLUG-AND-PLAY UNMANAGED NETWORK SWITCH: Simple plug-and-play setup with no software to install or configuration required.
- FLEXIBLE MOUNTING OPTIONS: Compact metal design supports desktop or wall-mount placement for versatile installation.
- SILENT & ENERGY-EFFICIENT OPERATION: Fanless design ensures silent performance, while IEEE 802.3az Energy Efficient Ethernet reduces power consumption without compromising high-speed network performance.
- REGIONAL COMPATIBILITY: Made for use in U.S. & CA only
At announcement, Juniper said it did not expect the acquisition to have a material effect on 2021 revenue and forecast an approximately breakeven full-year 2021 non-GAAP earnings impact, with dilution anticipated in the first half of that year. It also forecast accretive revenue growth and non-GAAP earnings in 2022. Those were forecasts issued on December 7, 2020, not current guidance.
Deal timeline and reported price
| Milestone | Detail |
|---|---|
| Agreement announced | December 7, 2020; Juniper announced a definitive agreement to acquire Apstra. |
| Acquisition completed | January 27, 2021. |
| Reported purchase consideration | $179.4 million — Juniper Networks, 2021 Form 10-K (published 2022). The amount comprises $176.7 million in cash and $2.7 million in share-based awards attributable to services before the acquisition. |
Sources: Juniper Networks 2021 Form 10-K; December 7, 2020 acquisition announcement; January 27, 2021 completion announcement.
Rank #2
- 𝗢𝗻𝗲 𝗦𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗰𝗵 𝗠𝗮𝗱𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗘𝘅𝗽𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗡𝗲𝘁𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸: 5× 10/100/1000Mbps RJ45 Ports supporting Auto Negotiation and Auto MDI/MDIX.
- 𝗚𝗶𝗴𝗮𝗯𝗶𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗦𝗮𝘃𝗲𝘀 𝗘𝗻𝗲𝗿𝗴𝘆: Latest innovative energy-efficient technology greatly expands your network capacity with much less power consumption and helps save money.
- 𝗥𝗲𝗹𝗶𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗤𝘂𝗶𝗲𝘁: IEEE 802.3X flow control provides reliable data transfer and Fanless design ensures quiet operation.
- 𝗣𝗹𝘂𝗴 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗣𝗹𝗮𝘆: Easy setup with no software installation or configuration needed.
- 𝗔𝗱𝘃𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲𝗱 𝗦𝗼𝗳𝘁𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗙𝗲𝗮𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲𝘀: Prioritize your traffic and guarantee high quality of video or voice data transmission with Port-based 802.1p/DSCP QoS and IGMP Snooping.
How Apstra fits into a data-center network
Intent and ongoing assurance
Administrators specify the network behavior they want; Apstra automates the configuration and monitors whether the deployed network remains aligned with that intent. This closed-loop model is meant to surface drift and potential issues, not just automate initial provisioning.
Multivendor fabrics and Juniper hardware
Juniper characterized Apstra as multivendor software, so its value is not limited to a Juniper-only fabric. Juniper’s Apstra Automated Data Center Deployment Service datasheet describes a software-only solution and a specific single-data-center package for up to 32 Juniper QFX 5000 Series switches. That package is designed for a three-stage Clos EVPN/IP fabric with edge-routed bridging in a spine-and-leaf role, or for a collapsed-spine architecture. This is a limit for the cited package, not a universal maximum for every Apstra deployment.
Rank #3
- GIGABIT ETHERNET PORTS: Features 8 x 1.0Gbps Ethernet ports for high-speed connectivity. Auto-negotiating ports detect the optimal speed for connected devices and work with existing Cat5e or Cat6 Ethernet cables.
- PLUG-AND-PLAY UNMANAGED NETWORK SWITCH: Simple plug-and-play setup with no software to install or configuration required.
- FLEXIBLE MOUNTING OPTIONS: Compact metal design supports desktop or wall-mount placement for versatile installation.
- SILENT & ENERGY-EFFICIENT OPERATION: Fanless design ensures silent performance, while IEEE 802.3az Energy Efficient Ethernet reduces power consumption without compromising high-speed network performance.
- REGIONAL COMPATIBILITY: Made for use in U.S. & CA only
Source: Juniper Apstra Automated Data Center Deployment Service datasheet.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What to check when evaluating Apstra
The acquisition explains what Juniper added to its portfolio; it does not by itself establish whether a particular Apstra deployment fits a specific network. For an evaluation, compare these operational and commercial dimensions:
Quick Recap
Best Value
- 𝗘𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝟮.𝟱 𝗚𝗯𝗽𝘀 𝗣𝗼𝗿𝘁𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗦𝘂𝗽𝗲𝗿-𝗙𝗮𝘀𝘁 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀: 8× 2.5-Gigabit ports unlock the highest performance of your Multi-Gig bandwidth and devices, and provide up to 40 Gbps of switching capacity.
- 𝗔𝘂𝘁𝗼-𝗡𝗲𝗴𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: Auto-negotiation intelligently senses the link speeds and adjusts between 3-speeds (100Mb/1G/2.5G) for compatibility and optimal performance for all your devices, including 2.5G WiFi 6 AP, 2.5G NAS, 2.5G PCIe Adapter, 2.5G Server, gaming computer, 4K video, and more.
- 𝗜𝗱𝗲𝗮𝗹 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗩𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗼𝘂𝘀 𝗦𝗰𝗲𝗻𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗼𝘀: Built for LAN parties, home entertainment, small and home offices, and instant transfer for workstations.
- 𝗛𝗮𝘀𝘀𝗹𝗲-𝗙𝗿𝗲𝗲 𝗖𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴: Instantly upgrade to 2.5 Gbps without the need to upgrade to Cat6 wiring, reducing wiring costs and hassle. *
- 𝗦𝗶𝗹𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗢𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: Industry-leading fanless design ensures silent operation, ideal for any home or business.
Rank #4
- 【One Switch Made to Expand Network】Features 5 RJ45 ports with 10/100/1000Mbps speeds, supporting Auto-Negotiation and Auto MDI/MDIX for hassle-free setup. Ideal for expanding your network, with 1 uplink (input) port and 4 output ports to split your Ethernet connection to multiple devices.
- 【Gigabit that Saves Energy】Latest innovative energy-efficient technology greatly expands your network capacity with much less power consumption and helps save money
- 【Reliable and Quiet】IEEE 802.3X flow control provides reliable data transfer and Fanless design ensures quiet operation
- 【Plug and Play】Easy setup with no software installation or configuration needed
- 【Ethernet Splitter】Connect to your router or modem for additional wired connections (laptop, gaming console, printer, etc)
- Automation scope: Does the need stop at provisioning, or include lifecycle deployment, change management, assurance, and analytics?
- Vendor coverage: Confirm support for the intended switching environment, including any multivendor or SONiC requirements; verify exact platform and release compatibility for the planned deployment.
- Topology and scale: Map the proposed design to spine-and-leaf EVPN/IP, collapsed spine, or another architecture, and distinguish package-specific switch limits from broader product capabilities.
- Assurance behavior: Determine whether the operational requirement includes detecting deviations from intended state and explaining emerging issues, rather than configuration delivery alone.
- Commercial scope: Account separately for Apstra software licensing or subscription and services, and for the capital cost of QFX switching hardware where required.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
