Juniper MX204 at the Multi-Cloud Edge: Specs and Dates

A company that runs workloads in more than one cloud still needs a router at the edge where its own network meets the outside world. The Juniper MX204, listed here as the MX204-HW-BASE, sits at the small end of the MX Series, and Juniper positions it for data center internetworking, among other jobs. This page covers what Juniper documents about it, the lifecycle dates Juniper has published, and which MX204 part numbers Townsend lists. For how it compares with the larger MX304, read Juniper MX204 vs MX304. For the VPN and data center interconnect features in detail, see how the MX204 powers multi-cloud networking.

What Juniper says the MX204 is for

Juniper's MX204 router description lists three uses: high-speed transport and virtual private network (VPN) services, next-generation broadband multiplay services, and high-volume Internet data center internetworking. It does not describe the router as a cloud product. The closest match for a multi-cloud edge is the third use, data center internetworking. The MX204 has four rate-selectable ports that run as 100GbE or 40GbE, each of which can be split into four 10GbE ports with a breakout cable, and eight 10GbE ports.

The hardware, from Juniper's documents

Figures are from the MX204 hardware guide and the router description above. Two points matter for planning. First, the MX204 is a fixed 1U router with 400 Gbps of capacity. It has no line card slots and no way to add ports, so you choose it for the traffic you have now and in the next few years. If traffic outgrows 400 Gbps, the next step is a larger router such as the MX304. Second, redundancy is partial. Power and cooling are redundant, with two power supplies and three fan modules, but there is only one routing engine, and it is built in.

What to check when buying one

Power type. The MX204 takes either AC or DC power supplies. Juniper lists the JPSU-650W-AC-AO for AC and the JPSU-650W-DC-AFO for DC, and the router runs on 100 to 240 V AC or -40 to -72 V DC. Match the supplies to the rack feed.

Airflow. Juniper lists front-to-back airflow for the chassis, with the fan modules to match.

Optics. The four large ports and the eight 10GbE ports use different transceiver types, as above, and optics are usually not included.

Software. The part number tells you whether the license is included or ordered separately, as the listing section below explains.

Dates Juniper has published

Juniper announced end of life for the MX204 on June 15, 2026 in bulletin TSB107750. The older bundle part numbers were closed earlier.

Source: Juniper's M and MX Series hardware dates and milestones. The MX204-IR and MX204-R row comes from Juniper bulletin TSB17959, which turned those part numbers into a formal end of life, with the hardware continuing under the newer part numbers.

In plain terms, the MX204 has years of supported life left. What ends first is the ability to order a new one from Juniper, on June 15, 2027. Our MX204 end-of-life page sets out the same dates with the milestone definitions.

Which MX204 part numbers are listed

Four MX204 part numbers appear in the catalog.

MX204-HW-BASE is the integrated part number: the chassis with 3 fan trays and 2 power supplies, base hardware and standard Junos software, perpetual.

MX204-HWBASE-AC-FS is the same chassis sold as the MX204 Fixed AC System in R mode, where the feature right to use is ordered separately.

MX204-R and MX204-IR are the earlier bundle part numbers, closed for sale in 2021.

Juniper describes these part numbers in its MX 204, 240, 480 and 960 data sheet, which is no longer hosted at its old address. The two older part numbers were closed by a Juniper SKU transformation and the hardware continues under the current ones, so the figures above describe the same hardware.

Common questions

Can the MX204 be expanded with more ports? No. Juniper's description gives it four rate-selectable ports and eight 10GbE ports and no line card slots. Capacity beyond 400 Gbps means a larger router such as the MX304.

Does it have a redundant routing engine? No. Juniper's description says it supports one built-in routing engine. Its two power supplies and three fan modules are the redundant parts.

What optics does it take? QSFP28 or QSFP+ transceivers in the four rate-selectable ports, and SFP+ transceivers in the eight 10GbE ports. Optics are usually bought separately, so check what a listing includes.

Is the MX204 still sold by Juniper? Juniper's notice gives June 15, 2027 as the last order date for the MX204-HW-BASE. After that date, new units come from spares and the secondary market.

Where to look next

The MX204 page holds every MX204 listing, and the Juniper MX Series page covers the wider router range. Every unit we ship is tested in-house first and carries our warranty. If the part number you need is not listed, request a quote and we will check the warehouse.