Juniper EX Switches: Comparing EX2300, EX3400, EX4100, EX4300 and EX4400

Juniper EX switches handle campus access and aggregation in offices, schools, hospitals and warehouses. Each one is a 1U switch that runs Junos OS, and most models also support Virtual Chassis stacking.

Still, the hard part is picking the right model. This guide compares port counts, PoE budgets, multigigabit support and uplink speeds from the EX2300 up to the EX4400, so you can match a switch to each closet.

What Juniper EX switches do

Overall, EX switches sit at the edge of the campus network. They connect desktops, phones, wireless access points and cameras, then hand traffic to a distribution or core layer. Because most models support Virtual Chassis, you can stack several switches and manage them as one device.

The family also spans several generations. The EX3300 is the oldest model in our list, while the EX4100 and EX4400 are the newest. As a result, you can buy a budget switch for a small closet or a high-power PoE switch for demanding devices.

EX series compared, from EX2300 to EX4400

EX2300 and EX2300-C

The EX2300 is the entry-level choice when budget matters most. For example, the EX2300-48P has 48 PoE+ ports, a 740 W PoE budget and 4 10GbE SFP/SFP+ uplinks. The EX2300-24P offers 24 PoE+ ports with a 370 W budget, while the EX2300-24T and EX2300-48T skip PoE.

For more speed at the desk, the EX2300-48MP adds 16 multigigabit ports up to 2.5GbE and 6 10GbE uplinks. Meanwhile, the fanless EX2300-C-12P suits classrooms and small offices, with 12 PoE+ ports and a 124 W budget.

EX3300 and EX3400

The EX3300-24T is older than the rest, with 24 ports and 4 dual-mode SFP+/SFP uplinks. Still, it works well as a low-cost spare for an existing EX3300 stack. Then the EX3400 steps up, with 4 SFP/SFP+ uplinks plus 2 rear 40GbE QSFP+ Virtual Chassis ports.

Because they skip PoE, the EX3400-24T and EX3400-48T ship with a 150 W power supply. In contrast, the EX3400-48P uses a 920 W supply and gives a 740 W PoE budget, or 1440 W with two supplies.

EX4100

The EX4100 is newer than the EX3400, and it adds MACsec-capable 1/10GbE SFP+ uplinks. It also has 4 10/25GbE SFP28 ports for Virtual Chassis, so stacking does not use up your uplinks. The EX4100-24P and EX4100-48P offer PoE+ at 30 W per port, while the EX4100-48T has no PoE.

EX4300

Meanwhile, the EX4300 adds an uplink module slot and 40GbE QSFP+ Virtual Chassis ports. For instance, the EX4300-48P has 48 PoE+ ports, 4 rear 40GbE ports and an 1100 W supply. The EX4300-48MP adds 24 multigigabit ports up to 10GbE, while the EX4300-32F gives you 32 1GbE SFP fiber ports for aggregation.

EX4400

Finally, the EX4400 sits at the top of the access range in this guide. Every model has 2 rear 100GbE QSFP28 ports, as well as an extension module slot. In addition, the EX4400-48P and EX4400-48MP support 802.3bt PoE up to 90 W per port, and the 48MP has a 2200 W maximum PoE budget.

Unless you need PoE, the EX4400-48T is the simpler version with a 550 W supply. Also, the EX4400-48F is a fiber switch with 36 1GbE SFP ports and 12 ports up to 10GbE.

How to choose Juniper EX switches for each closet

First of all, count the devices. Add up the ports you need today, then allow room to grow. After that, list everything that draws PoE, such as phones, access points and cameras, and total their power.

Then match that total to a PoE budget. A closet of phones may fit an EX2300-24P, while a floor of high-power access points points toward an EX4400-48P. If you need more than 1GbE at the desk, look at multigigabit models such as the EX2300-48MP, EX4300-48MP or EX4400-48MP.

Finally, check the uplinks. An EX2300 uplinks at 10GbE, while an EX4400 offers 100GbE rear ports. So choose the model that matches your distribution layer, rather than the one with the longest feature list. Also, think a few years ahead, since most closets keep a switch for a long time.

Common mistakes with Juniper EX switches: power and stacking

One common mistake is buying a PoE switch with less power than you need. The EX3400-48P, for example, has 740 W of PoE with one supply. So if you plan to load every port, order a second power supply as well.

Another mistake is mixing models in one stack before you check support. Mixed Virtual Chassis has strict rules, so check Juniper's notes before you combine models. Also, keep airflow consistent. Most EX models here ship with front-to-back airflow, so a replacement supply should carry the AFO suffix.

Juniper EX switches part numbers we supply

Silverback supplies every model below, so you can order new or used. Then send us the part number, and get pricing and lead time within one business day.

EX2300 and EX3300 models

EX3400, EX4100, EX4300 and EX4400 models

New vs used Juniper EX switches

Access switches are a great fit for used hardware, especially in large campuses. Since they sit in closets with simple configs, a used unit does the same job for much less. In fact, many teams keep a used spare of each model on the shelf for fast swaps.

Silverback supplies new and used EX switches, tested before they ship. So ask for new or used condition on any part number above. For more detail, read refurbished vs new enterprise hardware.

Buyback and why buy Juniper EX switches from Silverback

When you refresh a campus, your old switches still have resale value. Silverback buys back retired hardware and offers certified data destruction under R2v3, ISO 14001 and ISO 45001. See how IT buyback value works for details.

Silverback is a trusted supplier of Juniper hardware and a certified HPE Business Partner. In fact, Juniper now sits within HPE Networking. Learn more on our Juniper hardware page, or see the full Juniper product range. For spare power and optics, read our guide to Juniper PSUs and optics.

Of course, full specs live on juniper.net. Meanwhile, you can browse our inventory or request pricing at any time.

Frequently Asked Questions

Get a quote for Juniper EX switches

Whether you need one EX2300-C-12P for a classroom or a stack of EX4400-48P switches, Silverback can help. Send us your part list, and we will reply with pricing and lead time within one business day.

Then call (888) 391-5211 or get a free quote online. Ask for new or used condition, and we will match each switch to your closets.