Juniper EX4500-40F vs. EX4400-24T: Which Switch Fits Your Network Needs?

May 16 , 2025 135

1. Product Overview

• EX4500-40F:

• Ports: 40x 10G/25G SFP28 (fiber), 4x 40G/100G QSFP28 uplinks

• Performance: 1.6 Tbps throughput, 1.2 Bpps forwarding rate

• Memory: 16 GB RAM, 64 GB flash storage

• Key Features: EVPN/VXLAN support, redundant power supplies, MACsec encryption

• EX4400-24T:

• Ports: 24x 1G/10G Base-T (copper), 4x 25G SFP28 uplinks

• Performance: 480 Gbps throughput, 360 Mpps forwarding rate

• Memory: 8 GB RAM, 32 GB flash storage

• Key Features: PoE+ (370W budget), Juniper Mist AI integration, fanless design

2. Performance Comparison

3. Functional Capabilities

• EX4500-40F:

• Advanced security with hardware-accelerated MACsec/IPsec.

• Scalable spine-leaf architectures via EVPN/VXLAN.

• Virtual Chassis support for up to 10 nodes.

• EX4400-24T:

• PoE+ for powering IoT devices (e.g., cameras, APs).

• Zero Touch Provisioning (ZTP) for rapid deployment.

• Energy-efficient design with silent operation.

4. Design & Build Quality

• EX4500-40F:

• 2U chassis with front/rear airflow options.

• Tool-less rail mounting for data center racks.

• EX4400-24T:

• Compact 1U form factor, ideal for space-constrained environments.

• Fanless operation in PoE mode (<28 dB noise).

5. User Experience

• EX4500-40F:

• CLI-driven for network engineers; integrates with Juniper Mist.

• Complex setups require technical expertise.

• EX4400-24T:

• Web UI and pre-built templates for SMBs.

• Simplified workflows for non-technical staff.

6. Pricing

• EX4500-40F: Starts at $8,200 (excluding licenses).

• EX4400-24T: Starts at $3,500 (includes basic PoE+ support).

7. Power Efficiency

• EX4500-40F:

• 450W dual PSUs (85% efficiency); idle power: 120W.

• EX4400-24T:

• 350W fixed PSU (90% efficiency); idle power: 45W.

8. Compatibility & Expansion

• EX4500-40F:

• Works with Junos OS 22.4+, Cisco/Arista via standard protocols.

• Supports QSFP28 breakout to 4x25G or 4x10G.

• EX4400-24T:

• Compatible with third-party SFP28 modules.

• Expandable via Virtual Chassis or uplink stacking.

9. Software Support

• EX4500-40F:

• 7-year Juniper TAC support; Mist AI-driven analytics.

• EX4400-24T:

• 5-year warranty; free SDK for API customization.

10. Use Case Scenarios

• EX4500-40F:

• Data center core, high-frequency trading, encrypted WAN.

• EX4400-24T:

• Campus access layers, retail VoIP systems, small offices.

11. Decision Checklist

Choose EX4500-40F If:

• You need >10G speeds for latency-sensitive workloads.

• Your budget supports EVPN/VXLAN future-proofing.

Choose EX4400-24T If:

• PoE+ and cost savings are critical.

• Simplified cloud management is a priority.

12. Real-World Example

• Hospital Network: Deployed EX4400-24T for PoE+ medical devices, cutting cabling costs by 35%.

• Fintech Startup: Used EX4500-40F to reduce data center latency by 55%.

Final Recommendation: The EX4500-40F dominates in high-performance environments, while the EX4400-24T shines in cost-sensitive, PoE-driven deployments.