Juniper NFX250 Network Services Platform Owner’s Manual

: August 28, 2024
: JUNIPer

Table of Contents

Juniper NFX250 Network Services Platform
Specifications
FAQs
Begin
Power On
Up and Running
Keep Going
General Information
References
Read User Manual Online (PDF format)
Download This Manual (PDF format)

Juniper NFX250 Network Services Platform

Specifications

Model: NFX250
Published Date: 2024-05-21
Installation Options: Desktop, Wall, Two-Post Rack, Four-Post Rack

FAQs

Q: What is included in the box with the NFX250?
- A: The box includes brackets for installation in a two-post rack. The console cable and adapter are no longer included in the package.

Begin

In this guide, we provide a simple, three-step path, to quickly get you up and running with your new NFX250. We’ve simplified and shortened the installation and configuration steps and included how-to videos. You’ll learn how to install the NFX250 in a rack, power it up, and deploy it on your network using the CLI.

Meet the NFX250

The Juniper Networks® NFX250 Network Services Platform integrates routing, switching, and security functions on a single platform. With the NFX250, you can provision secure, fast, custom service delivery on demand.

Install the NFX250

You can install the NFX250 on your desktop, on a wall, or in a two-post or four-post rack. The accessory kit that ships in the box has the brackets you need to install the NFX250 in a two-post rack. In this guide, we show you how to install the NFX250 in a two-post rack. If you need to install the NFX250 in a four-post rack, you’ll need to order a four-post rack mount kit.

What’s in the Box?

NFX250 Network Services Platform device
AC power cord for your geographic location
AC power cord retainer clip
Two rack mount brackets
Eight mounting screws to attach the mounting brackets to the NFX250
Four rubber feet (for desktop installation)

What Else Do I Need?

Someone to help you mount the NFX250 in the rack.
Four rack mount screws to secure the mounting brackets to the rack
A number 2 Phillips (+) screwdriver
An Ethernet cable with RJ-45 connectors attached and an RJ-45 to DB-9 serial port adapter
NOTE: We no longer include the console cable as part of the device package. If the console cable and adapter are not included in your device package, or if you need a different type of adapter, you can order the following separately:
RJ-45 to DB-9 adapter (JNP-CBL-RJ45-DB9)
RJ-45 to USB-A adapter (JNP-CBL-RJ45-USBA)
RJ-45 to USB-C adapter (JNP-CBL-RJ45-USBC)
If you want to use an RJ-45 to USB-A or RJ-45 to USB-C adapter, you must have the X64 (64-bit) Virtual COM port (VCP) driver installed on your PC. See https://ftdichip.com/drivers/vcp-drivers/ to download the driver.

Install the NFX250 in a Two-Post Rack

Here’s how to install the NFX250 in a two-post rack:

Review General Safety Guidelines and Warnings.
Attach the ESD grounding strap to your bare wrist and a site ESD point.
Secure the mounting brackets to the sides of the NFX250 using eight screws and the screwdriver. You’ll notice there are three locations on the side panel where you can attach the mounting brackets: front, center, and rear. Attach the mounting brackets to the location that best suits where you want the NFX250 to sit in the rack.
Lift the NFX250 and position it in the rack. Line up the bottom hole in each mounting bracket with a hole in each rack rail, making sure the NFX250 is level.
While you’re holding the NFX250 in place, have a second person insert and tighten the rack mount screws to secure the mounting brackets to the rack rails. Make sure they tighten the screws in the two bottom holes first and then tighten the screws in the two top holes.
Check that the mounting brackets on each side of the rack are level.

Power On

Attach a grounding cable to earth ground and then attach it to the NFX250’s grounding points.
Turn off the power switch on the NFX250 rear panel.
On the rear panel, insert the L-shaped ends of the power cord retainer clip into the holes in the bracket on the power socket. The power cord retainer clip extends out of the chassis by 3 inches.
Insert the power cord coupler firmly into the power socket.
Push the power cord into the slot in the adjustment nut of the power cord retainer clip. Turn the nut until it is tight against the base of the coupler and the slot in the nut is turned 90° from the top of the device.
If the AC power source outlet has a power switch, turn it off.
Plug in the AC power cord to the AC power source outlet.
Turn on the power switch on the NFX250 rear panel.
If the AC power source outlet has a power switch, turn it on.
Verify that the power LED on the NFX250 front panel is green.

Up and Running

Now that the NFX250 is powered on, let’s get you up and running on the network!

Connect and Configure
You’ll need to do the initial configuration of the NFX250 through the console port using the CLI. Before you begin connecting and configuring the NFX250, make sure the serial port on your laptop or PC are set to the defaults:

Baud Rate—9600
Flow Control—None
Data—8
Parity—None
Stop Bits—1
DCD State—Disregard

Here’s how to connect and configure the NFX250 to the network from the console port:

Connect the console port (labeled CON on the NFX250 front panel) to a laptop using the RJ-45 cable and RJ-45 to the DB-9 adapter (not provided). The Juniper Device Manager (JDM) CLI is displayed.
Log in as root. There is no password. If the software booted before you connected the cable to the console port, you might need to press the Enter key for the prompt to appear.
- login: root
Start the CLI.
- root@jdm% cli
Enter configuration mode.
- root@jdm> configure
Add a password to the root administration user account. Enter a plain text password.
- [edit]
- root@jdm># set system root-authentication plain-text-password
- New password: password
- Retype new password: password
(Optional) Give the NFX250 a name. If the name includes spaces, enclose the name in quotation marks (“ ”).
- [edit]
- root@jdm# set system host-name host-name
Configure the IP address and prefix length for the device management interface.
- [edit]
- root@jdm# set interfaces jmgmt0 unit 0 family inet address address/prefix-length
- NOTE: jmgmt0 is the out-of-band management network interface in JDM.
- To configure an IPV6 address, type root@jdm# set interface jmgmt0 family inet6 address address v6_address.
- NOTE: jmgmt0 is the management port labeled MGMT on the NFX250 front panel.
Configure the default gateway.
- [edit]
- root@jdm# set routing-options static route default next-hop address
Commit the configuration to activate it on the device.
- [edit]
- root@jdm# commit
Connect the NFX250 to the Internet (WAN ports 0/12 and 0/13). The ISP assigns an IP address to the NFX250 through Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP).
Connect your laptop to a LAN port (ports 0/0 to 0/11). The DHCP server running on the NFX250 assigns an IP address to your computer.
To verify your connectivity, open a browser window and navigate to https://www.juniper.net.

Keep Going

Congratulations! Your NFX250 is ready to go. Here are some things you can do next.

What’s Next?

If you want to	Then

Download, activate, and manage your software licenses to unlock additional features for your NFX series device| See Activate Junos OS Licenses in the Juniper Licensing Guide
Set up another device| See Prerequisites to Onboard Virtual Network Functions on NFX250 (NextGen) Devices
Configure JDM User Accounts and Authentication| See Configuring JDM User Accounts and Authentication
Configure network management protocols and technologies| See the Network Management and Monitoring Guide
Manage software upgrades| See Software Upgrade Path for NFX250 Devices

General Information

If you want to	Then
See all documentation available for the NFX250	Visit the [NFX250

Documentation ](https://www.juniper.net/documentation/product/en_US/nfx250)page in the Juniper TechLibrary
Find more in-depth information about installing the NFX250| See the NFX250 Network Services Platform Hardware Guide
Find more in-depth information about configuring the NFX250| See How to Configure the NFX250 and How to Configure the NFX250 (NextGen)
See, automate, and protect your network with Juniper Security| Visit the Security Design Center

Learn With Videos

Our video library continues to grow! We’ve created many, many videos that demonstrate how to do everything from installing your hardware to configuring advanced Junos OS network features. Here are some great video and training resources that will help you expand your knowledge of Junos OS.

If you want to	Then

Get short tips and instructions that provide quick answers, clarity, and insight into specific features and functions of Juniper technologies| See Learning with Juniper on the Juniper Networks main YouTube page
View a list of the many free technical trainings we offer at Juniper| Visit the Getting Started page on the Juniper Learning Portal

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