Juniper Networks has added a compact model to the PTX router line for companies that want to deploy a distributed peering architecture to speed up the delivery of online content or cloud services.

Juniper introduced the PTX1000 this week. The 3 terabit per second (Tbps) fixed configuration router is a two-rack unit powered by the vendor’s recently launched ExpressPlus chipset.

Peering typically refers to an arrangement in which Internet service providers agree to carry traffic over each other’s backbones. Large ISPs make similar arrangements with smaller ISPs in order to reach regional end points. Juniper sells the PTX5000 and PTX3000 for such tasks.

The latest model is aimed at providers of video or cloud services. Those enterprises can deploy the PTX1000 in a metropolitan office, for example, in order to create a faster connection between themselves and customers’ ISPs, according to Donyel Jones-Williams, senior marketing programs manager at Juniper.

The PTX1000 also lets content providers increase capacity gradually. “In the past, you’d buy a big core router and use maybe 10% or 15% [of its capacity],” IDC analyst Nav Chander said. “This is more cost effective and uses less space.”

Content providers were the first to ask for a router like the PTX1000, Jones-Williams said. But the gear could also be used by ISPs to connect to content providers.

Using Juniper’s PTX1000 for NFV in central offices

Another use case for the product would be in a carrier’s central office, where the device could be used to speed up traffic between a network functions virtualization application and a core router, said Jones-Williams.

Juniper is ahead of its main rival Cisco, which does not have a product like the PTX1000, Chander said. “Juniper is in a good position.”

The PTX series routers in general combine IP and MPLS functionality, transport integration and software-defined networking programmability, according to Juniper. The PTX5000 has a total capacity of 24 Tbps and can be used with the company’s NorthStar SDN controller. The PTX3000, which is built for space-constrained environments, has a capacity of 8 Tbps.

The PTX series is powered by Juniper’s ExpressPlus chipset. The processor is capable of performing 1.5 billion filtered operations per second and scale up to 500 Gbps, which is four times the performance of the previous Express chip.

The PTX1000 is scheduled for release in the third quarter. Pricing will be available closer to the release date.